What’s Next for Shreveport’s Block by Block Initiative?

Shreveport’s Block by Block Initiative is entering its final weekend of the first phase, with crews and volunteers staging Saturday morning at Broadmoor Baptist Church.

Mayor Tom Arceneaux told KEEL News on Thursday that this final push will target the Broadmoor area neighborhood near Querbes Golf Course and surrounding streets, where trash pickup and blight removal remain priorities.

Over the course of the initiative, the city has cleared away staggering amounts of debris, more than 2,000 tons of waste and nearly 4,000 abandoned tires. For residents, the effort has meant more than cleaner streets; it has sparked a renewed sense of pride and ownership in their neighborhoods.

“The people in the neighborhoods really want a clean community,” Arceneaux said. “That has been very encouraging.”

Looking Toward Phase Two

With phase one wrapping up, city leaders are preparing for what comes next. Arceneaux emphasized that cleanup is only the beginning. “Cleaning up is one thing. Reinvestment is another,” he explained.

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Two pilot programs are already being planned in Mooretown and Highland, aimed at making long-term improvements that go beyond trash removal. Surveys distributed to residents are guiding decisions on where resources should be focused.

The goal is not just to pick up debris but to invest in housing and amenities that make neighborhoods more attractive for families to move back in.

“Blight in the inner city eventually affects the people who live on the outskirts,” Arceneaux noted. “When we improve these neighborhoods, we improve the whole city.”

Community Partnerships Key

The next phase will also rely on partnerships. Volunteer groups, including Rotary clubs and neighborhood associations, have been central to the success of the initiative.

Public Works, Property Standards, and even the Shreveport Police Department have coordinated efforts, showing what can happen when city services and citizens pull in the same direction.

A Cleaner, Stronger Future for Shreveport

For now, Shreveport residents will see one more Saturday of boots on the ground before the city begins releasing survey results and mapping out reinvestment projects. The initiative is far from over.

Instead, this weekend marks the transition from cleanup to community renewal, a step city leaders hope will shape Shreveport’s future for decades to come.