News Summary
In Shreveport, LA, construction is set to begin on a $100 million project to transform the former Joe D. Waggonner Federal Building into a modern office facility. With the aim of revitalizing downtown, the new building will span 150,000 square feet, accommodating 358 state employees. The project aligns with long-standing efforts to relocate state operations to the area, enhancing accessibility to government services. Funding includes $75 million from lease revenue bonds and cash reserves, with construction slated to start in July 2024 and complete in 2026.
Shreveport, LA – Construction is set to begin on the Northwest Louisiana State Office project, a significant development located at 500 Fannin Street in Shreveport, with plans to convert the former Joe D. Waggonner Federal Building into a modern office facility. The project, which is estimated to cost over $100 million, aims to revitalize the downtown area by housing state operations and providing much-needed public green spaces.
The Louisiana Office of Facility Planning and Control has awarded Broadmoor the role of general contractor for the project. The construction will follow a “value-engineered” approach designed to keep costs within budget constraints. Broadmoor has submitted a gross maximum price bid that project managers describe as looking favorable, although further negotiations are still required before work can officially commence. This process will involve a thorough analysis of a detailed 177-page financial document to ensure transparency and accountability in budgeting.
As the project moves forward, significant architectural adjustments have been made. Previously planned features, such as a rooftop garden, have been eliminated, and modifications to the interior flooring have also taken place. Architect Christopher Coe highlighted that these adjustments are part of the overall design strategy intended to enhance both functionality and aesthetics of the new office space. The exterior curtain wall design is awaiting final approval, after which it will move into production.
The new office building will span 150,000 square feet, accommodating 358 state employees when it is completed. Current state office workers have been notified to digitize their paper files, as they will not be relocated to the new site. Construction is scheduled to start in July 2024, with a completion target set for 2026.
Funding for the project consists of $75 million in lease revenue bonds and an additional $30.5 million from the Office Facilities Corporation cash reserves. Recently, the Louisiana State Bond Commission authorized the sale of the $75 million bonds, allowing for the continuation of project financing amidst rising construction costs. In response to these escalating expenses, the state has approved a budget increase of $10 million to preserve the look and design of the building, followed by an additional increase of $4.2 million to accommodate further construction needs.
The renovation process will be extensive, with plans to gut the existing structure down to its concrete foundation and steel frame. The Waggonner Building had been vacant for several years before the state purchased it in spring 2022, marking a notable step towards transforming the area into a thriving hub for state operations.
The project aligns with a longstanding initiative that aims to relocate state operations into downtown Shreveport, a strategy that has been endorsed since 2001. This development is seen as a cornerstone in a broader effort to rejuvenate the downtown district and improve accessibility to government services.
As construction progresses, the combination of new office infrastructure and community-focused spaces is expected to contribute positively to the local economy, offering not only a modern work environment but also enhancing the public realm with garden spaces accessible to residents and visitors in the area.
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Additional Resources
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate: Construction of State Office Building
- Wikipedia: Shreveport
- KSLA: Funding Increases for NWLA State Office Building
- Google Search: Shreveport State Office Building
- Bossier Press: Northwest Louisiana State Office Building
- Google Scholar: Louisiana State Office Building construction
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate: State Office Building Update
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Shreveport, Louisiana
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate: New NW Louisiana State Building Funded
- Google News: NW Louisiana State Office Building
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
