Shreveport to Demolish Abandoned Apartment Complexes After Extended Dispute

Shreveport, Louisiana – The Shreveport City Council has approved the allocation of funds to demolish five abandoned apartment complexes in the city. The decision, made at Tuesday’s council meeting, has resolved a protracted dispute between the city and the property owners of the apartments.

Funding the Change

The initiative, which majority of the council members supported, is set to infuse an additional $80,000 from the city’s General Fund into the Property Standards budget. This extra funding will meet the expenses related to the approved demolitions at the Villa Norte, Forest Oak, Kings Manor, Pines, and Silver Lake apartments. These funds are a part of several financial transfers from the Operation Reserve following project bids received by the city on June 6.

A Response to Disputes and Damage

The planned demolition comes as a response to longstanding clashes between the city and the property owners. Notably, the Villa Norte and Pines apartment buildings had their essential services like water and electricity severed in May due to unpaid bills. In turn, this led to a declaration of emergency at these places as squatters, scavengers, vandals riddled it, causing extensive damage. Most tenants had already vacated with assistance from local government and non-profit organizations.

Voicing for Renovation

Despite the city’s final decision on demolition, there are also voices of citizens advocating for the renovation of these buildings, especially the Pines Apartment. Shreveport resident Kenny Gordon argued that the city could refurbish the property using the demolition funds, allowing for the buildings to be restored to a liveable condition.

“I remember it when I was a little kid and it would be a travesty to tear that property down when it could be refurbished,” says Gordon. He believes that renovation not only preserves the history of the area, but will also offer new housing opportunities.

City’s Hands Tied

In response to calls for renovation, the council explains that the power to make such decisions does not sit with the city but the property owners. The conclusion was shared by Council Chair Steven Jackson, who indicated that the owners, who have been deemed as slumlords, have kept the city’s hands tied. “The only power the city has is to deem it uninhabitable and to tear it down,” says Jackson.

Furthering the conversation, Councilman Grayson Boucher declared that some sections of the Pines apartments, damaged in a recent fire, would be torn down. Though Boucher is in favor of Gordon’s renovation idea, he suggested the compromised sections be taken down and a revitalization process be initiated for the remaining area.

As Shreveport prepares for significant change, it remains to be seen how these discussions will shape the city’s urban landscape in the coming months.