Allendale Strong Spokesman: Neighborhood ‘Redlined’ by I-49 Backers [VIDEO]

John Perkins of Allendale Strong, the community group opposing the construction of the I-49 Inner City Connector, talks with 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about how building the controversial stretch of road would destroy one of the city's most historic neighborhoods.

Perkins cites studies that say that the Inner City Connector would not be the economic boon that backers claim and, in fact, the community would be better served by bypassing the plan and focusing on economic development in the Allendale area.

He adds that he, and members of the group, thinks the neighborhood is being racially "redlined" by banks and mortgage and insurance companies in an attempt to economically choke off district..

Perkins also points out that the area would be better served if $100 million allocated by the state for the project were used to upgrade the city's existing infrastructure, specifically improving Shreveport's 3132 loop around the city to federal interstate highway standards.