SHREVEPORT, La. — Two C.E. Byrd High School sophomores are hoping their ideas can help revitalize downtown Shreveport
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Eva Moton and Kathryn Hutchinson created a proposal for a civics project focused on bringing more life to the downtown district. Their ideas include adding retail stores, outdoor gathering spaces, upgraded farmers markets and more locally owned restaurants.
The students said they rarely spend time downtown because of the lack of businesses and entertainment options for young people.
After interviewing classmates and teachers, Moton and Hutchinson found many people shared similar concerns about the city’s downtown atmosphere.
“I normally just stay home because there is nowhere to go in Shreveport,” C.E. Byrd student Gage Hutchinson said.
To help attract younger generations and encourage residents to stay in Shreveport, the students proposed creating more community-centered events and businesses.
“We want to upgrade our farmers markets,” the students said. “The farmers markets would consist of bands, food and just hanging out with your friends.”
They also said they would like to see more local restaurants downtown instead of additional chain businesses.
The project caught the attention of Cedric Glover, executive director of the Shreveport Downtown Development Authority.
Glover said some of the students’ ideas are already being explored as part of ongoing downtown development efforts.
“We’re in the midst right now of looking at how we convert some of those presently empty buildings — like the Petroleum Tower, the Rubenstein Building, the CenterPoint Building and the Slattery Building — into residences that draw people into downtown,” Glover said.
Glover said hearing younger residents share their vision for the city is encouraging and valuable as leaders continue planning for downtown Shreveport’s future.