Shreveport-Bossier City Photo of the Day

[dimebag1980]

WOW, those houses are beautiful! Awesome photos

BTW, How long is that bridge? Looks like a part of the CBBT.

I thought it was just over 1 mile, but it's actually just shy of 2 miles. It's about 1.7-1.8 miles long. I typically drive 80-90 across it just to make it seem faster, and as long as there's not a cop right there with me in the lane I'm safe, because there's nowhere for them to hide along it. There's not much of a shoulder.

That's a fairly long bridge over water, but most of the I-49 Veterans Freeway through Shreveport is elevated, pretty-much like one long bridge.

By the way, what's the CBBT?

Oh and thanks... I got carried away with the camera that day!!

Edited June 22, 2006 by SBCmetroguy

[TBurban]

I thought it was just over 1 mile, but it's actually just shy of 2 miles. It's about 1.7-1.8 miles long. I typically drive 80-90 across it just to make it seem faster, and as long as there's not a cop right there with me in the lane I'm safe, because there's nowhere for them to hide along it. There's not much of a shoulder.

That's a fairly long bridge over water, but most of the I-49 Veterans Freeway through Shreveport is elevated, pretty-much like one long bridge.

By the way, what's the CBBT?

Oh and thanks... I got carried away with the camera that day!!

It seems like a cool bridge Ive made a day trip going over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel 17 miles long, it spans from mainland VA to the Eastern Shore (Delmarva). I love that bridge, spectacular views!

[dimebag1980]

It seems like a cool bridge Ive made a day trip going over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel 17 miles long, it spans from mainland VA to the Eastern Shore (Delmarva). I love that bridge, spectacular views!

Ahh... now that bridge is closer to the Pontchartrain Causweay in New Orleans! It's the longest bridge in the US, maybe in the world, at 26 miles. That's the bridge you want to compare to, not this little bitty (relatively speaking) thing in Shreveport!

[TBurban]

Ahh... now that bridge is closer to the Pontchartrain Causweay in New Orleans! It's the longest bridge in the US, maybe in the world, at 26 miles. That's the bridge you want to compare to, not this little bitty (relatively speaking) thing in Shreveport!

26 miles Thats amazing! Makes the Bay Bridge seem wimpy

[dimebag1980]

26 miles Thats amazing! Makes the Bay Bridge seem wimpy

Maybe, but 17 miles is still one long effing bridge!

Can you imagine commuting to work everyday from the suburbs over a 26-mile bridge? I can't, but I know NCB can... haha. Because if he stays in Covington and works in New Orleans, that's going to be his daily commute.

[dimebag1980]

Let's look at buildings with comparable heights:

The Fairfield Tower in Shreveport is residential at 12 floors:

Here's a photo I took of this same building today. Apparently their remodel is moving along, because as I was going down I-49 I realized the areas that were painted maroon are now painted green. Sorry, my photo is a bit washed-out... I just couldn't avoid the sun in that area.

[richyb83]

I like that Fairfield Tower. Every city needs one of those. There is a similar hotel in Tallahassee like that.

[bluff2085]

Here's a photo I took of this same building today. Apparently their remodel is moving along, because as I was going down I-49 I realized the areas that were painted maroon are now painted green. Sorry, my photo is a bit washed-out... I just couldn't avoid the sun in that area.

This picture reminds me of 2 other cylindrical towers; the Best Western Landmark hotel (best western pic) in Metarie, and the Bellevue apts (bellevue apts pic) in Memphis.

Richyb, I have to disagree with you. If anything, these buildings are reminiscent of the 1970s what-not-to-do design. At least the Fairfield tower in Shreveport has inset balconies. But with that said, high rises like these are basically rights-of-passage endured by many American cities 30+ years ago.

The Slattery building in Shreveport, the capitol in BR, the Hibernia tower in NO; these are towers I cherish and wish every city had. That doesn't mean towers like the Fairfield aren't special. I'm just saying they're more like bumps along the road; they can still inspire nostalgia for the city in which they were built, so in that respect, they are iconic just the same.

Edited June 26, 2006 by bluff2085

[dimebag1980]

This picture reminds me of 2 other cylindrical towers; the Best Western Landmark hotel (best western pic) in Metarie, and the Bellevue apts (bellevue apts pic) in Memphis.

Richyb, I have to disagree with you. If anything, these buildings are reminiscent of the 1970s what-not-to-do design. At least the Fairfield tower in Shreveport has inset balconies. But with that said, high rises like these are basically rights-of-passage endured by many American cities 30+ years ago.

The Slattery building in Shreveport, the capitol in BR, the Hibernia tower in NO; these are towers I cherish and wish every city had. That doesn't mean towers like the Fairfield aren't special. I'm just saying they're more like bumps along the road; they can still inspire nostalgia for the city in which they were built, so in that respect, they are iconic just the same.

Very much what not to do. The rooms in this building are pie-shaped for crying out loud. Growing up I always liked the shape of the building, but as I've aged I've come to dislike it very much, mostly because of the pie-shaped rooms and the dilapidated condition it's now in.

Edited June 26, 2006 by SBCmetroguy

[fridayinla]

Very much what not to do. The rooms in this building are pie-shaped for crying out loud. Growing up I always liked the shape of the building, but as I've aged I've come to dislike it very much, mostly because of the pie-shaped rooms and the dilapidated condition it's now in.

Brian:

I remember reading about the renovation of the Fairfield Tower a while back, and I can tell from the photo that someone is investing money into the building. What are the plans eventually?

[dimebag1980]

Old, abandoned parking garage just outside of downtown Shreveport. This place is awesome-looking and even has vines growing all over the outside of it!

[dimebag1980]

Brian:

I remember reading about the renovation of the Fairfield Tower a while back, and I can tell from the photo that someone is investing money into the building. What are the plans eventually?

To be honest, I never heard what the ultimate plans were for the place. As a matter of fact, even when the Shreveport Times reported on it a while back, they were unsure of the new owner's plans upon evicting all its residents.

[dimebag1980]

June 27, 2006 contributions

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Two photos of Eastgate Shopping Center, southeast Shreveport

This suburban shopping strip, located in Shreveport's hottest shopping district (southeast Shreveport,) was remodeled in late 2005. The strip was almost completely vacant, as its major tenants, Kroger, K-Mart, and Service Merchandise closed. The only of those stores to remain in that area was Kroger, which moved into a bigger, newer shopping directly center across the street. The old K-Mart location now houses a Belk department store, and the old Service Merchandise location now houses a Hobby Lobby. Off the top of my head, the major tenants in this center now are: Belk, Marshalls, Hobby Lobby, Ross Dress for Less, Haverty's, Office Depot, Stage, Shoe Carnival, Radio Shack, and Carrabba's Italian Grill. FYI: the Office Depot, Stage, and Radio Shack stores were in the center long before the transformation and were the last major holdouts. I'm sure they're glad they stuck around.

Edited June 28, 2006 by SBCmetroguy

[baffroom]

June 27, 2006 contributions

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Two photos of Eastgate Shopping Center, southeast Shreveport

This suburban shopping strip, located in Shreveport's hottest shopping district (southeast Shreveport,) was remodeled in late 2005. The strip was almost completely vacant, as its major tenants, Kroger, K-Mart, and Service Merchandise closed. The only of those stores to remain in that area was Kroger, which moved into a bigger, newer shopping directly center across the street. The old K-Mart location now houses a Belk department store, and the old Service Merchandise location now houses a Hobby Lobby. Off the top of my head, the major tenants in this center now are: Belk, Marshalls, Hobby Lobby, Ross Dress for Less, Haverty's, Office Depot, Stage, Shoe Carnival, Radio Shack, and Carrabba's Italian Grill. FYI: the Office Depot, Stage, and Radio Shack stores were in the center long before the transformation and were the last major holdouts. I'm sure they're glad they stuck around.

...

They did a great job on that remodel. I remember watching Jurassic Park at the theater that used to be there, years ago. I'm glad the center is back again. Hopefully Shreve City will rebound well when the Wal-Mart is done.

[fridayinla]

They did a great job on that remodel. I remember watching Jurassic Park at the theater that used to be there, years ago. I'm glad the center is back again. Hopefully Shreve City will rebound well when the Wal-Mart is done.

Ha! Yes, I also remember seeing Jurassic Park at that theater when I was younger... and Aladdin.

[dimebag1980]

^Thanks, you guys, for that reminder!! I'd honestly forgotten all about that theater, since that entire section of the center was completely demolished to make way for the new stores. Wow, what a trip down memory lane that was. I've seen only a couple of movies there, as my neighborhood was north Bossier, but I do vaguely recall the theater.

[dimebag1980]

June 28, 2006 contribution

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The view of Cross Lake from the parking lot of Lakeview Methodist Church. This is truth in advertising, my friends, this church really does have a lake view!

Edited June 28, 2006 by SBCmetroguy

[NCB]

All of the photos I've missed look great, Brian! I really like the last picture of Cross Lake, and the pictures of the abandoned parking garage.

[richyb83]

Sorry Brian. I don't know how I missed the pic with the East Gate Shopping Center. That's a great looking (re)development; A large area too. Carrabas and hottest shopping districts seem to go hand-in-hand.

Great view of "Cross" Lake. That in itself has a spiritual element. Great location. Thanks for posting.

Edited June 29, 2006 by richyb83

[dimebag1980]

Today's contribution...

Scale miniature Photoshop manipulation of the Louisiana Boardwalk...

(click thumbnail for full-size image.)

[NCB]

^Wow man, that's pretty cool! Gotta love Photoshop!

[dimebag1980]

^Wow man, that's pretty cool! Gotta love Photoshop!

Thanks. It didn't turn out exactly the way I wanted it to, but it came close. Messing with a few more of the different filters, maybe I can get it to do exactly what I want it to.

[richyb83]

That's really stuff cool man ! I love those little urban models.

Edited July 2, 2006 by richyb83

[dimebag1980]

My contributions for today...

Old buildings in downtown Shreveport. Sorry, don't know what these buildings are called but they looked cool from this angle.

[dimebag1980]

It was a great July 4th in Shreveport. I headed out early in the evening to get my spot for the fireworks show. A couple of storms rolled right past us as we waited, but they missed us... barely.

I think I did okay, for being my first time taking fireworks photos with my new camera. The tripod was a little crooked, because I had a hard time leveling it on the overpass. The overpass was sloping in 2 different directions, so it was very difficult to work around. In the first two photos, I was holding the camera in my hands. In every one after that, it was on the tripod.

And then there was the "grand finale."