Shreveport, Louisiana, October 14, 2025
News Summary
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux has withdrawn a proposed 2% surcharge on water bills meant to fund demolitions of blighted properties. The decision follows pushback from the City Council, which argued the surcharge would negatively impact low-income residents. The council emphasized the importance of seeking collaborative solutions to the city’s blight issues. Meanwhile, the ‘Block by Block’ initiative continues to work on revitalizing neighborhoods, although challenges persist in managing rental properties and addressing safety concerns related to vacant buildings.
Shreveport, Louisiana – Mayor Tom Arceneaux has announced the withdrawal of a proposed 2% surcharge on water bills that was intended to fund the demolition of blighted properties throughout the city. This decision comes in the face of significant opposition from the Shreveport City Council, which raised concerns about the financial burden the surcharge would place on residents, particularly low-income households. Council members argued that it was unfair for residents to be penalized for a problem they did not create, and they emphasized the need for more collaborative approaches to address the ongoing blight challenges in the city.
Recently, Shreveport City Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor joined Shreveport Police officers at The Pines Apartments to oversee the shut off of utilities at the complex, highlighting the ongoing issues with neglected and abandoned properties. The city has been facing mounting challenges related to blight, prompting Council members to advocate for comprehensive solutions rather than additional fees for residents.
The City of Shreveport initiated the “Block by Block” initiative, aimed at revitalizing neighborhoods and tackling blight in collaboration with the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. On June 28, 2025, participants in this initiative conducted a trash pickup in the Highland neighborhood, furthering efforts to improve community conditions. In April 2025, the initiative received recognition from the state, endorsing the city’s commitment to combating blight.
Despite these efforts, the city has been struggling to manage its rental properties effectively. A Rental Registration Property Program was enacted in December 2022 to keep track of rental properties, but by January 2024, only 21% of rental properties were registered. The lack of enforcement measures has rendered this program largely ineffective.
Recently, the city announced plans to disconnect water service at three apartment complexes — Jolie, Pines, and Villa Norte — due to unpaid utility bills. In response to property owners failing to address these issues, a state senator passed legislation that criminalizes property owners for not utilizing collected utility fees to pay outstanding bills. In a separate incident, the city attempted to jail a landlord for maintaining blighted properties; however, the case was dismissed without resulting in jail time.
In recent months, there have been multiple fire incidents related to vacant properties, including a fire at The Jolie Apartments on May 26, 2024, and another fire in a vacant home on Boulevard Street on April 25, 2024. These incidents have raised public safety concerns, prompting the city to declare public health emergencies at various properties to prevent unauthorized occupancy following utility disconnections. An ordinance passed in April 2025 now allows for the removal of squatters from empty properties, reinforcing the city’s commitment to addressing blight.
City Council members have expressed concern regarding their lack of involvement in the planning process of the Block by Block initiative. They insist on being included in discussions around neighborhood targeting and committee appointments, further echoing the call for enhanced transparency and collaboration in revitalization efforts.
While the withdrawal of the water fee surcharge may alleviate immediate financial pressure on residents, the challenges posed by blight remain a critical issue for Shreveport. With ongoing initiatives and legislative actions, the city continues to seek effective solutions to improve housing conditions and community safety.
FAQs
Why was the 2% surcharge on water bills withdrawn?
Mayor Tom Arceneaux announced the withdrawal of a 2% surcharge on water bills that was intended to fund demolitions of blighted properties due to significant opposition from the Shreveport City Council, which raised concerns about the financial burden on residents, especially low-income households.
What is the “Block by Block” initiative?
The “Block by Block” initiative is designed to revitalize neighborhoods and tackle blight in Shreveport, with support from the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. It includes community cleanups and aims to enhance the overall conditions of neighborhoods.
What actions have been taken against landlords of blighted properties?
The city attempted to jail a landlord for maintaining blighted properties, but the case was dismissed without resulting in jail time. Additionally, recent legislation has criminalized property owners who fail to utilize collected utility fees to pay their bills.
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Additional Resources
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate
- Wikipedia: Urban Blight
- KSLA News
- Google Search: Shreveport blight
- Shreveport Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Renewal
- The Center Square
- Google News: Shreveport Block by Block initiative
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.
