 |
Executive Director's Report - Downtown Development Authority
September 2007
- Security Kiosk & Phase I Cameras
- Framing is complete.
- Final electrical work is being completed.
- Conduit has to be installed to accommodate City’s DP needs.
- Internet service issue has to be resolved.
- Meter has been installed at Commerce & Travis to gauge cost of electricity usage for camera. Electrician has to re-wire the meter; work to be completed and camera activated by September 30, 2007.
- Acquisition of key property across from the new convention center on Edwards Street
- Recommend an appraisal be conducted on the property.
A. Deck-parking garage – Clyde Fant Parkway/Milam Street
- Construction is in final phase
- Pre-cast concrete structure work completed.
- Lights have been installed.
- Two (2) additional decks may be constructed. Discussion with Eldorado Casino and City of Shreveport ongoing.
B. Doug’s Pit Stop
- Agreement for Southern University to purchase the property has been executed.
- Demolition has been completed.
- Site will yield approximately sixty-two surface parking spaces (to be used for student parking during day and West Edge cultural events during evenings).
- Fencing has been constructed around the site.
- Gateways and Overhead Lighting
- Discussed with electrical contractor possible solutions to install lighting that will require less maintenance and offer more protection from vandalism.
- Researching how other downtown districts handle issues relative to vandalism and replacement, etc.
- Researching possible uplight replacement/proposal.
- Trail Blazer Signage
- DDA has been approached by Southern Strategy to add “hotel” to Convention Center signs.
- State has denied request to add “hotel” to signs on state highways in downtown.
- Notified Southern Strategy & Mayor’s office about state’s position. Waiting on response.
- Would require reprinting of 13 signs at approximate cost of $3000. Installation cost to be determined.
- Beaird Property
- Quotes for the construction and demolition work on the property for the parking lot are as follows:
LeBlanc & Young Architects $401,875.00
Kevin Bryan Architects $423,572.19
Mike McSwain Architects $401,760.00
- Priority Committee recommendation is to delay acceptance of donation to allow time for staff to research possible BIDY grant.
- Red River District
- Six (6) new waste receptacles added to district.
- DDA streetscape crew is cleaning the district daily.
- Banners
- Waiting on response from Convention & Tourist Bureau regarding branding before recommendation finalizing banner design. Will have proposal for October board meeting.
- 1st United Methodist Church – request for financial assistance for streetscape project. Request will be handled with proposed streetscape for Millennium Film project area.
- Shreveport/Bossier Convention Tourist Bureau – request for financial assistance for streetscape improvements in front of building. (Letter sent to City requesting assistance on behalf of Tourist Bureau. Waiting on response.
- DDA west boundary meeting held. New west boundary proposed. Next meeting will focus on proposed north boundary.
|
