The Shreveport City Council voted in July 2025 to tighten the city’s “Blighted and Vacant Structures” ordinance, adding eleven new sections under Article VI to give owners clearer maintenance standards and to encourage faster restoration of downtown properties.
Mayor emphasizes proactive steps
Mayor Tom Arceneaux disputed reports that the ordinance has seen little enforcement. He told KTBS that the city has issued eight citations since the law took effect and has sent six courtesy letters in 2025 urging owners to bring their buildings into compliance voluntarily. “It’s always better to have voluntary compliance than administrative compliance,” Arceneaux said, adding that the city “made the sweep and actually sent out enforcement letters.”
New ordinance aims to protect public safety and property values
The revised ordinance, which was the result of public meetings in 2024 and council approval in July 2025, is intended to safeguard the downtown district by requiring buildings to be weather‑tight, secure and in good repair. The code defines blight by conditions such as leaking roofs, broken windows, unsecured entrances and deteriorated architectural features.
City officials say the changes are designed to help owners maintain their properties, keep the streets safe, and preserve the economic vitality of the area. “The reason for the roofs to be maintained is so that the building doesn’t have demolition by decay,” said Tim Huck, a local property owner.
Community response and ongoing challenges
Local business owners acknowledge the city’s focus on public safety but note that many downtown structures still show signs of neglect, including plywood‑covered doors, broken glass, collapsed roofs and overgrown weeds. Mark Prevot, who runs an event venue and architectural firm, said, “There are several structures within 200 yards of my building that have tremendous blight that have not been corrected… I am not saying they didn’t try. I am saying that it is not effective.”
Real‑estate broker Beth King added, “I am for forcing the owners to be responsible for the upkeep and safety of their buildings.” She also noted that the city has been listening to owners through the Downtown Development Authority and other outreach efforts.
Enforcement process clarified
Under the ordinance, formal written notice must precede any criminal citation, and violations can result in recurring fines up to $1,000. While the city provided six courtesy letters in 2025, those letters are not listed as an official step in the enforcement process. Formal enforcement letters, which would require owners to register with the city within 90 days, were not included in the documents provided to KTBS.
Despite the lack of formal citations in the public record, the mayor maintains that the city is taking the necessary steps to address blight. “We are doing exactly what we need to do,” Arceneaux said, emphasizing the balance between voluntary compliance and enforcement actions.
Looking ahead
City officials hope the strengthened ordinance will encourage owners to restore vacant and deteriorating properties, thereby increasing property values and making downtown Shreveport a more attractive place to live, work, and invest. “It’s important for anyone who has a desire for downtown to be successful, and for anyone who has a financial interest down here that buildings continue to increase in value,” Huck said.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
