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Convention Center Gets $85M Green Light |
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On July 17, 1999, election officials tallied the ballots and reported that 78% of the voters approved selling bonds to finance a new $85 million convention center in downtown Shreveport. The 350,000 sq. ft. facility was deemed feasible in a 1998 Ernst & Young study commissioned by former Shreveport Mayor Robert "Bo" Williams. Expected to generate about 1,100 new jobs and over $75 million in direct and indirect spending, the convention center should open its doors in 2006. Convention Center |
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The center has been identified as a key component in the growing mix of downtown visitor-oriented amenities. Leveraging downtown Shreveport's new destination appeal generated by the riverboats and entertainment district, the convention center will provide state of the art meeting facilities for medium sized regional and national conventions. As reported in the Ernst & Young study, "enhancing the meetings industry in Shreveport is a natural extension to the gaming and entertainment industry." The E&Y study estimated that, after the fourth year, Shreveport's convention center could expect a stabilized attendance of 286,000 annually. A number of national hoteliers have begun conversations with the city about developing a headquarters hotel in conjunction with the convention center. Lead architects for the project are Mike Alost (Slack, Alost, Miremont & Assoc., Shreveport) and Jim LaBlanc (HOK, Dallas). Additional professional team members are Butch Babineaux, Wilbur Smith & Associates and Byron J. Stewart Architect, Shreveport. On February 3, 2000 the City and design team announced the specific site of the facility. The convention center will occupy three blocks framed by Caddo, Marshall, Spring & Cypress. The design, shown in the rendering on this page was also released. Convention
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