Shreveport/Bossier City Development

[fridayinla]

Allegiant Air is expanding their service to include more flights to/from Vegas and Orlando at SHV.

Allegiant to expand flights to Las Vegas, Orlando

I know the flights to Vegas have been booked to capacity for a while. Maybe eventually they'll begin to add daily flights. I'm going to start connecting thru Vegas to Shreveport if possible - what a luxury it would be to have a full-size jet to SBC!

[dimebag1980]

Allegiant Air is expanding their service to include more flights to/from Vegas and Orlando at SHV.

Allegiant to expand flights to Las Vegas, Orlando

I know the flights to Vegas have been booked to capacity for a while. Maybe eventually they'll begin to add daily flights. I'm going to start connecting thru Vegas to Shreveport if possible - what a luxury it would be to have a full-size jet to SBC!

Is Allegiant they flying full-size jets, or just the regional jets?

[fridayinla]

Is Allegiant they flying full-size jets, or just the regional jets?

They fly the MD-80 series aircraft which I suppose, is more of a "mid-size" plane, but still has a seating capacity of 150+. Here's a photo of an MD-83 from wiki:

36 rows with 2-3 seating.

[dimebag1980]

They fly the MD-80 series aircraft which I suppose, is more of a "mid-size" plane, but still has a seating capacity of 150+. Here's a photo of an MD-83 from wiki:

36 rows with 2-3 seating.

Oh cool, that's not bad at all!

[bigboyz05]

Allegiant Air is expanding their service to include more flights to/from Vegas and Orlando at SHV.

Allegiant to expand flights to Las Vegas, Orlando

I know the flights to Vegas have been booked to capacity for a while. Maybe eventually they'll begin to add daily flights. I'm going to start connecting thru Vegas to Shreveport if possible - what a luxury it would be to have a full-size jet to SBC!

Wow! That's really cool! Shreveport is really becoming a hub.

[jcasey]

Here's a story from KTBS about the proposed Toyota plant (by Blanco) in Monroe. It says that Toyota has narrowed the search down to three locations and Monroe was not named (duh). I still say that Blanco should have pitched Shreveport for this, but in an effort to get NE Louisiana votes she pitched Monroe. Everyone knows that Monroe never had a chance. First of all that area has done nothing but lose business for the last few years. Second of all when the company looks at quality of living factor, Monroe goes straight to the bottom. Shreveport would have been great for this. We have so many experienced auto workers and are one of GM's best sites. We also have a long history of bending over backwards to give tax breaks to GM. This actually makes me mad that our great governor didn't even list Shreveport as an option, she was too busy trying to get votes. Look at what Toyota is doing in San Antonio, this would have been so awesome for us. I'm not saying that Toyota would have picked Shreveport, but when it comes to Monroe or Shreveport, we would have had a significantly better chance.

Toyota plant likely not coming to Louisiana

While I am ranting, I don't know if you guys saw this, but at a fundraiser auction in Monroe dinner with the governor went for $1!!!

Dinner with Blanco at Governor's Mansion sold for $1

Edited January 6, 2007 by jcasey

[dimebag1980]

I'm sorry, but I think this is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. People in the low-income ghetto known as MLK are fighting a proposed "low-income" development citing potential lowered property values and higher crime. To quote the article, "Fear of crime. Fear of drugs. Fear of declining property values. Fear of the poor." Are they kidding???

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.d...EWS01/701060334

[Mudbugger]

SBC,

I don't think that this is a surprise to anyone. Low-income projects like that don't encourage positive growth in an area in that bad of shape. These people are simply to afaid to take back their neighborhood from the criminals and drug-dealers. They wonder why property values are so low? Get a backbone and unite against the very people who are keeping you in squaller.

In my neighborhood, specifically behind my house, there is 20 acres of land that someone tried to develop into a government income based apartment complex. That idea died very quickly because the community got vocal and said that they would have nothing to do with that because it would bring more crime and lower property values.

Now there is a growing rumor that the same land might be up for development as a gated community.

Bear in mind that all of those nice houses and gated communities on Williamson Way are just a block or two away.

If that development wants to go forward then i have no problem with it because, if anything, it will raise my property values and bring less crime into the area.

To sum up.

If something you don't like is coming to your neighborhood, FIGHT IT!

We have done that before in my neighborhood and we will continue to do so in the future.

Mudbugger

PS Did you see the Cowboys choke tonight? It was classic!

[jcasey]

PS Did you see the Cowboys choke tonight? It was classic!

Oh how it must have hurt Brian's heart! Sorry that I am taking pleasure in your pain, but it was awesome!!! Sorry to say it, but I came out of my chair cheering. Maybe next year!

Edited January 7, 2007 by jcasey

[dimebag1980]

Oh how it must have hurt Brian's heart! Sorry that I am taking pleasure in your pain, but it was awesome!!! Sorry to say it, but I came out of my chair cheering. Maybe next year!

Nah, it doesn't bother me. They have good years and they have bad years. I'm not as gung-ho as I once was. I watch whatever games I can, but I'm not glued to them like I used to be.

[Metlife]

It would appear SBC is trying to distance himself from his team. That's right, emotionally separate yourself from the 'Girls after that hilarious debacle.

[dimebag1980]

It would appear SBC is trying to distance himself from his team. That's right, emotionally separate yourself from the 'Girls after that hilarious debacle.

Not at all. I always have been, and always will be, a fan. But my life doesn't revolve around football like it did when I was a teenager. I can handle a losing season, I mean afterall, I've handled quite a few since Jerry Jones ditched Jimmy Johnson.

There's no reason to make excuses for a losing team or a losing season. But I do find it funny how all these Saints fans are suddenly talking smack after all these years...

---

Since this topic is titled 'Shreveport/Bossier City Development,' I wanted point out that the walls are now beginning to go up on the Bossier City Target store. I have some photos, but I haven't gone through them yet.

Edited January 8, 2007 by SBCmetroguy

[baffroom]

Not at all. I always have been, and always will be, a fan. But my life doesn't revolve around football like it did when I was a teenager. I can handle a losing season, I mean afterall, I've handled quite a few since Jerry Jones ditched Jimmy Johnson.

There's no reason to make excuses for a losing team or a losing season. But I do find it funny how all these Saints fans are suddenly talking smack after all these years...

---

Since this topic is titled 'Shreveport/Bossier City Development,' I wanted point out that the walls are now beginning to go up on the Bossier City Target store. I have some photos, but I haven't gone through them yet.

It's amazing how fast they can build those things. I checked out the Shreve City Super Walmart over christmas break and that thing was coming along really quick.

[dimebag1980]

It's amazing how fast they can build those things. I checked out the Shreve City Super Walmart over christmas break and that thing was coming along really quick.

Yeah, that Wal-Mart is coming together VERY fast. I should have stopped by there today when I had a chance, but I didn't even think to do it at the time.

Target is definitely coming along fast as well. When I get those photos uploaded, I'll post them here.

[fridayinla]

I found these elevations for the retail component of Provenance called the Windrush Village Marketplace:

I don't think anyone's posted this before.

[dimebag1980]

I found these elevations for the retail component of Provenance called the Windrush Village Marketplace:

I don't think anyone's posted this before.

Nope, I've never seen anyone post any renderings before!

The following are a few photos I took back in mid-November of Windrush Village, including the porte cachere you can see in the center of the rendering:

[fridayinla]

Hey guys! I have some news regarding the Stevens Village Properties development at I-49 & Bert Kouns. I emailed these guys before the holidays and it bounced back, but I tried again yesterday and I got a response!!

Stephen,

Thank you for your request for more information about Stevens Village Properties. This location has 21.3 acres located at I-49 & Bert Kouns in Shreveport. Our desire is to bring in a national brand name restaurant and hotel for a portion of this property. There aren't any sit down type restaurants in the area, just fast food. There aren't any hotels on I-49 from I-20 south for 60 miles. This area is fast becoming a medical corridor. We feel that this will become the next medical area for Shreveport. Our intention is to sell the parcels, not build out for development. The only marketing material is our website at this time. If I can assist you in any way, please contact me at the address below.

Again thank you for your inquiry.

Ronny

[dimebag1980]

Hey guys! I have some news regarding the Stevens Village Properties development at I-49 & Bert Kouns. I emailed these guys before the holidays and it bounced back, but I tried again yesterday and I got a response!!

Stephen,

Thank you for your request for more information about Stevens Village Properties. This location has 21.3 acres located at I-49 & Bert Kouns in Shreveport. Our desire is to bring in a national brand name restaurant and hotel for a portion of this property. There aren't any sit down type restaurants in the area, just fast food. There aren't any hotels on I-49 from I-20 south for 60 miles. This area is fast becoming a medical corridor. We feel that this will become the next medical area for Shreveport. Our intention is to sell the parcels, not build out for development. The only marketing material is our website at this time. If I can assist you in any way, please contact me at the address below.

Again thank you for your inquiry.

Ronny

Nice, Stephen!! I'd love to see a sit-down restaurant built in that area. Right now there's KFC, Wendy's, Arby's, Burger King, Taco Bell, McDonald's, Sonic, etc... but as Ronny mentioned, no sit-down restaurants. It's a good drive in either direction from that spot to find some decent food. Another hotel in that area would be nice as well. As it stands there is one hotel right there, and it stays booked most of the year.

[fridayinla]

^^I agree, and it's great that people are starting to take more interest in this area. I remember earlier this year we all surmised that this could be the next big area to develop. We may be right!

I was purusing LoopNet yesterday for land listings and found large parcelized lots on Bert Kouns east of I-49 were for sale also. Also, more land adjacent to the Home Depot is available for sale. All of these are clustered around I-49 & Bert Kouns.

[Mudbugger]

SBC,

Hey, i noticed something today when i was driving west on Bert Kouns.

In front of the Automall i noticed that there are survey marks up on both sides of Bert Kouns, are they planning to widen it to make more lanes due to the increase in traffic once the Inner Loop expansion is complete to Flournoy Lucas?

By the way, don't drive over in that area if you have to.

The construction guys are taking out the median under the new overpass and it has traffic snarled to one lane on either side for about a quarter mile.

Just a question and heads up.

Mudbugger

[fridayinla]

These 2 articles are from Dec. 29th (somehow I missed them), but they give a good review of commercial development in SBC, and remind us of some things to come in 2007:

Retail, airlines, banks all made news in business world in 2006

2006 was a big year for local retail

Also, the first wave of businesses in the new Stirling Bossier development will open in July, including PetSmart:

Buzz on business: PetSmart to open in Bossier City

[fridayinla]

Where is everyone? I'm starting to feel lonely here.

Finally, El Dorado is stepping up to revamp the Red River District!!

"New restaurants, live music and more police presence are part of a bigger plan to boost foot traffic in the district..."

"Whitemaine's vision for the district includes filling the three empty storefronts facing the open-air mall with restaurants. The interior promenade connected to Eldorado's parking garage that was once used for retail will remain empty for now."

"The perception of a lack of parking, despite the availability of Eldorado's free garage, has also hindered revitalization efforts, King said. A two-level, 190-space parking facility being built by the city at the corner of Milam Street and Clyde Fant Parkway should be completed by June and help efforts to bring people downtown..."

Eldorado Casino plans to make Red River District youth-friendly

Edited January 12, 2007 by fridayinla

[fridayinla]

^This is a smart move by El Dorado to make the RRD a more family friendly environment. More restaurants and maybe a coffee shop could bring in more of a dining crowd. Families could linger afterwards over some live entertainment, and the 21+ crowd still has the Funny Bone and Wet Willies as late night options. That's a healthy mix of tenants and patrons, something that was missing from the beginning IMO. When Elkington had the idea of recreating Beale Street in downtown Shreveport, he tried to use the same recipe to be successful, but didn't consider downtown Shreveport's unique needs - like parking, security, etc.

EDIT: Taking things a step further, imagine a more vibrant (and expanded) Red River District in downtown Shreveport connected to the Louisiana Boardwalk by a beautiful pedestrian bridge over the river. That's would make a nice city. Can city leaders please see the importance of a pedestrian bridge in SBC!! Anyone interested in seeing my suggestion!?!

Edited January 12, 2007 by fridayinla

[fridayinla]

I discovered in Google Earth a way to find recent aerials in the Digital Globe Coverage layer option. I found 2 aerial shots of SBC that were taken in November 2006. I stitched them together and labeled some of the major new developments over the last few years that are now visible. The detail isn't great, but you can see progress:

[richyb83]

Nice work indeed fridayinla. The detail is very good IMO from that far away; the aerial is vivid. Thanks for the development rundown in SBC. I was impressed with the Youree corridor last time I was there.

Thanks for that info. I have been disapionted recently with Google Earth's old-outdated photo's of my hometown. I'll check-it out.