Downtown Shreveport Buildings Get New Life with HTCs

Well, amidst all of his veto frenzy, it seems Louisiana Governor John Bel did least one thing right.  Downtown Shreveport, along with downtowns across the state, got a big win after the Louisiana Special Legislative Session wrapped when Edwards signed HB483, extending the important State Historic Tax Credit, (HTC) until January 1st, 2029.

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This legislation is vitally important to Shreveport's downtown district, where assistance in returning often neglected historic properties back to life and usefulness is much needed.  You might've noticed the improvements on the historic "Uneeda Biscuit" building, now being renovated into Uneeda Lofts.

There are several buildings and businesses in downtown Shreveport that have benefitted from HTCs, including the Andress Artist and Entrepreneur Center, the Lofts at 624, The Standard, the Ogilvie Hardware Lofts, artspace, Lee Hardware and United Jewelers apartments, and of course, the beautiful Shreveport Municipal Auditorium.

There are other buildings that are currently receiving assistance thanks to HTCs like the current Chamber of Commerce building at 400 Edwards, the downtown branch of the Shreve Memorial Library, at 424 Texas Street, Cooper's Corner at 700 Texas Street, and City Center Lofts on Crockett Street.

Other projects, like the former Creswell Hotel at the 700 block of Milam Street are looking to apply for the credits as well.  These are just some of the 1,322 buildings across the state that have benefitted from the LA HTC from 2002 through 2020.  With a total of $4B in private investment in Louisiana's historic downtowns and Cultural districts, we all benefit from keeping these beautiful, historic places alive for generations to come.  Historic Tax Credits are one of the best tools available to save downtown Shreveport, and be able to bring life, jobs, and opportunities back to these historic buildings.