2024 Bond Proposal

Southern Hills Interceptor Replacement (E)

Projected Cost: $25M

This 1980s group of sewer mains is a constant maintenance headache (multiple sinkholes and overflows), as well as the source of many wet-weather overflows. It is actually five miles of three interconnected 40" mains. The work would be done near the intersection of Kingston Road and Williamson Way, as well as northeast towards Fluornoy-Lucas and Bert Kouns.

Fast Facts

$49.3M

Police, Fire, and SPAR

Police and Fire Academy Renovations (City)

Projected Cost $4M

The Police and Fire Academy dates back to the 1970s and is in great need of renovation and expansion if it is to serve the needs of the next generation of recruits. The classrooms are essentially untouched since the building was constructed. The bathrooms are also inadequate to serve the facility’s needs.

Fire Station Renovations (A, B, D)

Projected Cost $3M

This project would make major repairs and upgrades to Stations 5 (East Stoner), 6 (David Raines), 7 (Wilkinson Street), and 19 (Ellerbe Road). Full-service generators for the stations would be part of the project. Other stations would be added if funds allowed.

New Fire Station #3 (D)

Projected Cost $4M

This project replaces FS #3 (on East 70th near Fern). This station is too small to accommodate today’s fire equipment. This station has land next to it that is available for purchase.

Swimming Pool Replacement (Airport, So. Hills) and Splash Pad at Bilberry (E, F, G)

Projected Cost $3.3M

This project would renovate two existing swimming pools (Airport Park, built in 1976, and Southern Hills Park, 1985). Work would also include upgrading existing splash pads at each site. It would also install a splash pad at Bilberry Park. The City’s two other pools, at David Raines and Bill Cockrell Parks, are also being upgraded with other funds.

Tennis Upgrades and Pickleball Courts (A, B, E, G)

Projected Cost $700K

This project adds additional pickleball courts at Mamie Hicks, Bilberry, Highland, and Southern Hills Parks. They will be accessible for both tennis and pickleball.

Cargill Park Improvements - Fields and BMX (City)

Projected Cost $5M

This project adds four turf multi-purpose fields that can be used for softball, football, soccer, and any other sport that is played on a rectangular field. It also upgrades the BMX facility by adding restrooms and concession buildings.

Princess Park Upgrades for Therapeutic Recreation (City)

Projected Cost $5M

This project would upgrade the building at Princess Park to serve the needs of the City’s Therapeutic Recreation program participants more effectively. It will also include a synthetic turf outdoor field to serve those with mobility needs and fencing to provide greater security.

Park Improvements and Upgrades (A, B, C)

Projected Cost $1.3M

This includes replacing the roofs on pavilions at Ford Park, new restrooms for the Cross Lake boat launch, ADA improvements at Columbia Park, remodeling of the pool house at David Raines Park, improvements to the playground at Betty Virginia Park and the restrooms at the Duck Pond.

Bill Cockrell Park Parking Lot (G)

Projected Cost $500K

During the Committee’s public input meetings, several citizens noted that the parking lot at Bill Cockrell Park is too small. SPAR agrees with that assessment.

AC Steere Park Pickleball/Tennis Courts and Playground Resurfacing (C)

Projected Cost $500K

This project breaks out work at AC Steere Park to make it clear what is being done. The existing tennis courts will be replaced with courts that can accommodate both tennis and pickleball. It also includes the resurfacing the Right to Play playground to make it easier for mobility-impaired persons to use it.

Querbes Park – Demolition of Pool, Rec Center; Multi-Purpose Room (C)

Projected Cost $1.3M

This project demolishes the 1940s era Querbes rec center and adjacent swimming pool. It also constructs a new multi-purpose room in the existing golf clubhouse to use for community gatherings and summer camps.

Municipal Auditorium Ceiling Restoration and Painting (City)

Projected Cost $2.5M

The ceiling at the Municipal Auditorium (constructed 1929) has become a problem, with loose tiles occasionally falling, although no one was hit. This has required recent concerts to adjust their bass levels to make it less likely that vibrations would loosen the tiles. This project restores the ceiling to its original condition and includes interior painting.

Hirsch Coliseum Renovations (City)

Projected Cost $3.5M

This project would renovate the 70 year-old Hirsch Coliseum to make it code-compliant. The work includes work on fire doors, plumbing and restrooms, ADA, concessions, ticket office, and other interior finishes. There is also an active State Capital Outlay project through the State Fair and another through the City that would add a new HVAC system and other improvements inside the arena.

Independence Stadium Upgrades (City)

Projected Cost $3M

This project involves painting the steel stadium structure, new field lighting, and upgraded seating in the stadium level.

Convention Center – Parking Garage Waterproofing and Entry Area Upgrade (City)

Projected Cost $2.3M

This involves waterproofing the parking garage, repairs to entry features, and will allow for paint and carpet upgrades.

Riverview Theater Stage Rigging Upgrade (City)

Projected Cost $700K

The stage rigging dates from the buildings original 1965 construction and is in need of replacement to assure the safe use of rigging when hanging props, sound equipment, and other items during events

Sci-Port – Waterproofing, Interior, and IMAX Theater Finishes (City)

Projected Cost $1.5M

Sci-Port is now 25 years old and needs waterproofing and upgraded finishes in the interior and the IMAX theater.

New Roof at Aquarium/Barnwell Center (City)

Projected Cost $1.2M

This replaces the roof at the former Barnwell Center.

City-wide Parking Lot Improvements (City)

Projected Cost $1M

SPAR is responsible for more than 1.1 million square feet of parking lots. This would allow the ones in worst condition to be resurfaced and restriped.

New Public Works Building, supplements BRF Funding (City)

Projected Cost $5M

This project replaces a 1970s era building on Kings Highway that currently serves as the site for Solid Waste and an even-older compound on Mansfield Road at Claiborne Avenue where Streets and Drainage is located. The City has purchased a site on West 70th Street that formerly served as the offices and yard for an oilfield service company. Water & Sewer’s Field operations group will take over the existing building. The Biomedical Research Foundation (BRF) is working with the City on an agreement where the City would trade the property it is now using for W&S and Public Works in exchange for cash equal to the value of the land and improvements. These funds will be used to develop the 70th Street site, but are not enough to construct the new HQ building for Public Works.

Straight from the Directors

The projects recommended by the 2019 Bond Proposal were drafted by those who best know Shreveport's needs:
The Directors of City Departments

“Police are currently occupying a 50 year old building that was never designed for a police department and is in need of expansive repairs.”

Ben Raymond

Chief of Police

“The bond would provide funding to replace the aging fleet of front line response apparatus and would replace three aging fire stations that do not meet the needs of our firefighters”

Scott Wolverton

Chief of Fire Department

“The proposed projects are capital improvement projects that SPAR's operating budget cannot fund. Bond proceeds are really the only way to fund them.”

Shelly Ragle

Director of SPAR

"This project consists of design and construction for the replacement of deteriorated, or undersized water mains, or to improve quality."

Barbara Featherston

Director of Water & Sewerage

"This project funds roadway improvements in Shreveport including streets, traffic signals, sidewalks, bridges, and include the pavement condition index (PCI) rating."

Patrick Furlong

Director of Engineering

"Bus riders are always at risk of getting caught in the rain or dealing with blistering heat and freezing cold. A bus shelter makes a huge difference when you are waiting on a bus for 10-15 minutes or more."

Dinero Washington

CEO of Sportran