Work is expected to begin Monday, January 20 on Elvis Presley Avenue, as crews work on restoring the road's median and renovating the exterior of the Municipal Auditorium. The street will be closed through April 1.

The Municipal Auditorium Renovation/ADA Compliance Project was funded by 2011 bond funds and supplemented by receipts from the application of Historic Tax Credit. Once completed, the median will include period street lighting, landscaped promenade that includes benches, trees and brick pavers that will connect to the steps of the Municipal Auditorium.

With this construction, the bronze sculptures of Elvis Presley and James Burton will be temporarily stored for safe keeping. The sculptures will be returned to the front of the Municipal Auditorium once the project is finished.

Shreveport Municipal Auditorium has long been an icon and has served the community and region well over the past 85 years. With the renovations to the auditorium and to the Elvis Presley Avenue median, the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium will return to its original glory with current-day conveniences.

Shreveport Municipal Auditorium History

Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, located west of downtown Shreveport, is one of Shreveport’s most treasured buildings. Built in the 1920s, it is noted for the “intricate brickwork and lavish interior” and is a great example of Art Deco construction in Louisiana.

The auditorium was designed by architect, Samuel Weiner, and was first dedicated to the Soldiers of the Great War on Veterans’ Day in 1929. The most noted program that played at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium is The Louisiana Hayride where Elvis Presley made his debut in October 1954. Today, Shreveport Municipal Auditorium hosts a variety of events from sporting events to live music.

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