Shreveport City Council Voices Concerns Over Police Substation Deed
Shreveport, La. — On Thursday, October 17, a lively discussion took place during the City Council meeting as members raised important concerns regarding the conditions of the deed for the North Market Street police substation. The meeting saw city officials, including Council members and Mayor Tom Arceneaux, sitting down with representatives from the North Shreveport Business Association and several community members.
Communication Breakdown
At the heart of the matter was a significant lack of communication regarding the deed associated with the substation. Mayor Arceneaux made a surprising announcement earlier that week, revealing plans to pause the bidding process for the police substation. Council members expressed their frustrations, indicating they had attempted to reach the mayor for over a week to discuss issues related to an already signed deed.
Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor shared her concerns directly, emphasizing that her issue lies primarily with the mayor rather than the North Shreveport Business Association. “We appreciate what the North Shreveport Business Association contributed to the city,” she stated. “But what we were not aware of was the 25-year stipulation in that deed. We never saw the deed; this council never did.”
Email Attempts Fall Short
To reinforce her point, Taylor mentioned that she sent multiple emails starting from October 8, imploring the administration to pause the process, yet received very little response. “During that time period, an advertisement appeared in a newspaper legal section showcasing that the city was actively seeking bids on this project,” she noted, highlighting the council’s concern over transparency.
Legal and Financial Implications
Councilman Grayson Boucher added another layer to the conversation, sharing insight into the legal ramifications of the deed. “It’s problematic for us as a council that we didn’t have all the relevant information pertaining to this act of donation,” he articulated. “There were some deed restrictions that really can’t be imposed, according to our bond attorney, with the type of bond that we have.”
The crux of the issue lies in the stipulations of the deed from the North Shreveport Business Association, which mandates that the property can only be used as a police substation for 25 years. This raises pressing questions about how the city might adapt to changing community needs. “You’re talking about literally almost $2 million that we’re tying up on a piece of property that can only be used for one specific purpose,” Taylor explained. “What if the needs in Shreveport change?”
Negotiations and Responsibilities
The discussion revealed a desire for negotiation—not just with the North Shreveport Business Association but also within the city leadership. Taylor stated, “We wanted the opportunity to go back and negotiate with the landowners to discuss the possibility of removing this stipulation. That was never given to us.” She urged the council’s role in deciding which stipulations they wish to move forward with.
As tension grew, the council accused Mayor Arceneaux of signing the deed without presenting it to them first, placing responsibility on him and the city attorney for the lack of communication. “The mayor has a responsibility, and his city attorney should inform us about what stipulations are included since the city attorney works for both the mayor and the council,” Taylor asserted.
Mayor’s Defense and Future Steps
In response, Mayor Arceneaux defended his actions, stating, “When people give property to government for a particular purpose, it’s customary to limit that donation to that purpose.” He assured the council that there was nothing untoward in his decision-making process. “I was authorized to sign that acceptance,” he said, further clarifying that he had no behind-the-scenes discussions with the North Shreveport Business Association.
As it stands, the city has already invested nearly $300,000 in demolishing and clearing the property. Mayor Arceneaux concluded the meeting by emphasizing that the next steps are now in the hands of the City Council. “If they want to change their viewpoint and look for a new location for that substation, we’re willing to do that. We’ll handle the consequences of that decision,” he stated.
This ongoing situation highlights the importance of open communication and diligent oversight by city leaders to ensure that decisions align with the needs and interests of the community of Shreveport.
