Shreveport Common Wins APA Award

Eric Melancon of TMG Consulting, Wendy Benscoter Shreveport Common Project Manager, Pam Atchison Exec Dir of SRAC, Liz Swaine Exec Dir of  DDA, Shreveport Common Lead Designer Gregory Free, and Suzanne Leckert of TMG Consulting.

Shreveport Common partners Downtown Shreveport Development Corporation (DSDC), Shreveport Regional Arts Council (SRAC) along with TMG Consulting have been given statewide recognition for work done on a Market Analysis of the Shreveport Common art and culture district in downtown Shreveport. The team has won the American Planning Association-Louisiana Process Award for the 2014 Market Analysis showing the opportunities available in Shreveport Common.

“Having a clear process is important because you can demonstrate how to perform the analysis in a way that is understandable and it gives your results much more credibility,” according to TMG Associate Eric Melancon. “A clear process leads to a stronger, more credible planning effort, which produces better results for our clients.”

The Market Analysis was conducted over a 6-month period and involved input from property owners, developers, bankers, Realtors, artists, elected officials and many others involved in the ongoing development of the arts-centered neighborhood. The Market Analysis showed that there was – and continues to be - a demand for residential and retail development in the 9-block area and that development, done right, can be profitable.

“The recognition from APA- Louisiana is further evidence of the success of the grass roots — door to door–collaborative, comprehensive planning process for Shreveport Common; one that engages Creative Placemaking techniques and initiatives… putting artists and the arts community at the helm of planning and design,” says SRAC Executive Director Pam Atchison.

The Market Analysis was funded by DSDC, SRAC, Community Foundation, Downtown Development Authority, City of Shreveport, Parish of Caddo and JP Morgan Chase Foundation.

As part of the APA recognition, DSDC executive director Liz Swaine, SRAC executive director Pam Atchison and TMG Associate Eric Melancon were asked to present their methods and findings to planners statewide at the American Planning Association- Louisiana Conference in Baton Rouge.  Conference attendees from around the state were able to hear about the Shreveport Common Vision Plan, the findings of the Market Analysis and recent investment in Shreveport Common.