Red River District, Planning, and Greenway Discussed at Last Meeting

In attendance: Feico Kempff, Maurice Loridans, Robert Hattan, David Young, Carolyn Manning, Cynthia Keith, Steph Pedro, Loren Demerath

RED RIVER DISTRICT DISCUSSED

The group discussed the Red River District and it was noted that professional realtors who are experienced showing properties should do the showings. Carolyn, a realtor, said she would be interested in doing that. Loren recollected from a previous committee meeting that they would be hiring a property manager. It was asked it they have a plan, and noted that the property manager won't be setting the goals for the property and its use. It was mentioned that a planner is needed to do those things.

Again, people commented that it seems as if most folks don't know what a planner does. An example of what a planner can do would be the San Antonio Riverwalk, or downtown revitalizations in Oklahoma City, Hot Springs Arkansas, Boston's Quincy Market, Cincinatti's Rhine, or Fort Collins Colorado, just to name a few. It's not just about the physical features but how people are going to interact in the space, how traffic will be funnelled into the space, including bikes and pedestrians besides automobiles. Places like Kings Highway, Youree Drive, or the recent Fern Avenue extention were obviously not planned, and Shreveport's suffers as result. Planning enhances not only quality of life, but the city's capacity to attract an educated work force and economic investment.

(In a caption for the photo below, for example, the Project for Public Spaces asks what "would happen if sustainable development were shaped around comfortable places for people?")

Overall, it was noted that the Red River District Committee should approve ideas that planners come up with. Mike McSwain is a professional architect on the Committee and would know about the value of hiring a planner. Loren noted that the Red River District Committee has emphasized the need for mixed use and local culture in the area.

CONFUSION OVER GRANT FOR GREENWAY

There was some confusion over a grant application suggested by SPAR where Centenary would be the lead applicant for greenway funds. Shelly Ragle wrote a resolution for the city council. The grant is for $100,000, but the need is for a match of $75,000. Phase 1 would the Alexander to Kings path, and Phase 2 would be a bridge over/under Kings Highway. Connecting Woodlawn to the trail would be a useful part of the project too. The Knights of Columbus could conceivably contribute some property; one of the benefits for Centenary could be connecting it's campus with with Querbes golf course and the Broadmoor area between Youree and Fern.

Walking the drainage ditch area between Kings and Alexander behind Centenary's ball fields one can see how easily it could be converted into a bioswale with a bike path, making a "linear park".

(In this image Otherworldcomputing.com shows the design of one type of bioswale that filters storm water and can improve flood control.)

But it is unlikely the implementation grant could be submitted by the early May deadline. Centenary's Board of Trustees would have to approve granting an easement. Some of the money that would be used would be from unallocated general allocation monies from a previous bond.

REPORT ON SUSTAINAPALOOZA

Carolyn reported on Sustainapalooza. It wasn't in the main lobby of SciPort this year where it was free. Instead it was a paid entrance event $13 per person and some people left without going in. The powerpoint Carolyn made is terrific and we'll be posting it on our organization's main page of ABetterShreveport.org. All appreciated the work of Carlolyn Manning, Steph Pedro, Cynthia Keith, Garrett Johnson, and Robert Trudeau in staffing the table that afternoon.

RADIO SHOW ON COMMUNITY GARDENING

Carolyn also reported on the radio show that evening where three community gardeners were guests. Notably, Centenary is starting a living-learning program focused on sustainability and a community garden is part of it on Oak and E. Rutherford behind Lee's Kung Fu. The whole Highland area is part of a food desert. It was noted that it would be optimal if eventually people could buy their food from local gardens and urban farms.

SATURDAY'S COMMUNITY MEETING AT CENTENARY PUSHES FORWARD COATES BLUFF NATURE TRAIL PROTECTION AND ACCESS

The outcomes of the meeting Saturday were discussed (and is described more fully in an earlier post by Loren). The biggest interest in the different subgroups that formed seemed to be in education and changing the culture here about the benefits of such trails. Attendants were struck by the diversity of people who enthusiastically supported the trail's preservation and increasing its access. One example was man named Eric who works in hotels. (His wife happens to work for a food bank and wants to start a food coop. Maurice has wanted to do that for a long time and wants to help her do it. Robert talked about places like “The Grange” in Portland that have old food products that people can have for a minimal cost; another is “Second Harvest.”)

Feico noted that Murray Lloyd's key point was about the land ethic; of being a good steward of the land (coincidentally what Carolyn talked about on the radio that night). Murray seemed to be heartened by the meeting and liked the educational focus. Shelly Ragle was also encouraged by the meeting, saying “alleluia” that community members are coming to together to try to make trails and bike ways happen.

It was noted there was also a big turn-out at the next morning's tour led by Jon Soul.

CLEANUP OF DANGEROUS SPOTS FOR CYCLISTS?

Maurice has long noted a number of places where clean up gravel and dirt is needed to make certain intersections and corners less dangerous for cyclists. He's been prepared for a while to do it himself. The group noted that maybe one day many hands might make light the work. Some quick shoveling at each spot would do the job.

NO MEETING NEXT WEEK; UPCOMING EVENTS NOTED

The TACA cleanup is Saturday the 23^rd, and Maker's Fair and ArtBreak are the 30^th on the following weekend.

Monday is a holiday weekend, so the group decided to take a week off and not meet next week.

Two weeks from today it was noted we could talk about the Shreveport Commons proposal. Some of the objections to it have been that it would include things that may not be needed, such as a major transportation hub on Texas Avenue where few residents live, and would be designed by people that are not local.

ABS: developing plans and broadening the support system for the Coates Bluff Nature Trail

Jon Soul, Jeanne Hamming, John Davenport, Jack Charity, Madeline & Nanette Kawanaka, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Coates Bluff Nature Trail planning: City of Shreveport, Centenary College, concerned citizens

Coates Bluff Nature Trail planning, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

College, City, and Community Come Together to Plan Coates Bluff Trail Preservation and Access

More than 30 people gathered Saturday morning at Centenary College for an open public meeting of residents and organizations interested in planning the preservation of, and connections to the Coates Bluff nature trail.

Centenary College President David Rowe began the meeting by speaking about how the group was modeling how communities can come together from diverse perspectives to pool their resources and interests to create nourishing value in their community. Aside from bike paths and nature trails, Rowe said, the greater value in our work was the act of coming together.

Urban planners Kim Mitchell, Stephanie Pedro, and Caroline Majors then facilitated a discussion, asking for each person's "Steak, Wine, and Roll." This referred to a person's stake in the project, or, why one cared about it; one's possible role, such as the social networks to which they could use for the project that others couldn't; and "whine", as in, what problems or predicaments one sees that relate to the project.

A number of teams or "coalitions" were formed at the end of the meeting that will devoted to specific issues, including: education, greenway connectivity, land ownership issues, and physical features. It was agreed that the group would meet again, perhaps bringing others, in about two weeks, with the exact time and date to be determined via email.

The Education Working Group will meet Tues, Ap 26, at the trail head, agreed Robert Trudeau & Jeanne Hamming.

Jon Soul agreed to give a tour of the trail the following Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m., and those who like can join canoeists who will take to the water afterward.
See a slideshow of Coates Bluff Trail scenes.

If you're interested in joining the group's email list, email ldemerath@gmail.com.

There will be a debriefing of the meeting during the regular ABetterShreveport meeting at Cohabitat (610 Commerce) Monday night, April 18, at 6:00 pm.
All are welcome!

Coates Bluff Nature Trail, bike and ped dreams: join us Sat, April 16, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Centenary College, Hurley Music School

Coates Bluff Nature Trail hike, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Saturday, April 16th, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Centenary College and ABetterShreveport will host a meeting of community residents and organizations to discuss bike path and nature trail possibilities. Potentially, a network of bike paths and routes would go through Centenary and surrounding neighborhoods and connect to the newly developed "Coates Bluff" trail that now goes from Sevier St. to Valencia Park by Magnet High School, and which could eventually connect to the bike path that currently runs along the river.

The meeting will be held on the Centenary College campus, in room 201 of the Hurley Music Building, located next to MaGale Library along Woodlawn Ave. on the Centenary College campus.

Coffee and refreshments will be served. Thank you for considering our invitation. If you have any questions, feel free to call Loren Demerath, Executive Director of ABetterShreveport.org at 840-9703, or email at ldemerath@gmail.com.

A fit with Fit Cities, Saturday's Open Meeting at Centenary to Plan Bike Paths & Nature Trails Noted at Last Meeting

In attendance: Maurice Loridan, Adam Ferrell, Garrett Johnson, Susan Fontaine, Sabra Hicks, Misty Alexander, Loren Demerath

The recent news story in the Shreveport Times was noted that describes the and plan to rework the Kings and Youree Intersection; the plan has in place since 1989, and that is before before meeting pedestrian and bicyclist transportation needs became integrated into common practices (and it still largely isn't, it was noted).

But that may be changing, as that very evening the city council voted to move ahead with support of a bicycle-pedestrian plan for the city. Kudos and congrats to Steph Pedro, Caroline Majors, and supporting organizations such as the Community Foundation! Maurice was there, among others, speaking in support of it. When it was asked what's being planned for North Shreveport, the McCain Creek bicycle path was noted, and Steph Pedro said the plan is to put spokes into every district. The purpose is as much to facilitate safe bicycle transportation as it is recreation.

OPEN COMMUNITY MEETING ON BIKE PATHS AND NATURE TRAILS AT CENTENARY COLLEGE 9-11:30

The upcoming meeting at Centenary was noted. Loren, and some of his Centenary students had distributed fliers throughout the neighborhood to recruit residents to come.

This is a rare chance for people to not only show their support for making their city more walkable and bikeable, but actually helping to shape where the paths and trails would go and what the other all system would look like!

Free coffee and donuts! Hurley Music Building (next to the library on Woodlawn Ave.), room 201. Everyone is invited and encouraged to come, no matter where you live in the city.

DOG PARK FUNDRAISER A SUCCESS!

The Dog Park Fundraiser was taking place that evening, was later reported to be a success. Kudos to Cynthia, Carolyn Manning, Steph Pedro, and others on the Dog Park Committee!

There was some discussion of the dog park at the meeting, including how one plan for the park to be put at Hammel's might cut off the bike path. One approach has been to say to the city, here's what we want, you tell us where you want it; but others say we should play more of a role in saying where it should be.

YMCA SPONSORED “FIT CITIES CHALLENGE” PARALLELS ABS MISSION

Sabra Hicks of the YMCA's Camp Forbing, and Misty Alexander, the director of the Fit Cities Challenge (Janie Richardson is another coordinator) described the program during the meeting, and they were on the radio show earlier that evening. They noted the program has existed in Texas, but not here, yet Louisiana is worse than Texas in obesity rates (one person noted hearing that 1 out of 3 adults in Louisiana is obese, and 2 out of 3 are overweight). The pupose of the program is to motive city residents to engage in activities that facilitate fitness. YMCA has been the umbrella organization for it, and a primary element of it has been the Shreveport/Bossier oriented web site, fitcities.com. That program can help promote events and activities that would make our families healthier; they can provide assistance in organizing events, recommending speakers, and publicizing events on its web sit. One of their own events has been “Run, Ride, Walk to the Moon,” which Misty has administered. They have given pedometers to the kids involved the goal is to total the 500 million steps it would take to get to the moon.

The opportunities for our kids to get fit appear to be declining. School officials have responded to testing and accountability pressures by cutting out physical education, or reducing its priority. Often it meets in temporary buildings, where, practically speaking, it is difficult to have an effective P.E. Class, particularly when it is only held once a week. The Picard Center at U.L. Lafayette has found a strong statistical relationship between fitness and academic performance.

Another program FitCities.com is organizing and promoting is a “cyclovia” on Texas St. in November when there will also be a health fair and featuring things like Yoga. Classes going to be free and right there on the riverfront. The group was enthusiastic to hear that and noted the obvious parallels with ABS' own publicizing of the pre-parade cyclovias over Mardi Gras parade routes, and the drum circle and hoopla. Other healthy things that could be promoted were mentioned, such as the Portbelly project, Lotus studio, the Bicycling Tour of City Trees “Velo Dendro.” (It was noted that date has yet to be decided, but will not be on October 14^th when the Tour de Goodwill is.)

Misty noted that looking at the partners on the web site, one might think a lot of them might otherwise be in competition with each other, such as Shumpert and Willis Knighton, or different bike shops; but supporting the program just it just means you support the mission statement. {It was later noted that ABS can vote at the next meeting on whether to ask to become an official partner and supporter of Fit Cities.}

Misty and Sabra noted that their program is available to help in things like the bike trail and much of the work ABS does. Anything active in our community should be on their web site, even things like community gardening. {Misty has subsequently posted events on the Fit Cities site, such as the hoopla and the Centenary Hosted Community Meeting on Coates Bluff this Saturday (9:00-11:30 at Hurley Music School, room 201.)}

Garrett Johnson asked if maybe the Fun Run could go by the Maker's Fair, but it's already scheduled to be out at Camp Forbing. But, it was noted that they're looking for a way to wrap up the walk to the moon, and maybe some synergy with the Maker's Fair would be appropriate. The Maker's Fair is about making your own stuff and celebrating kids that making their own bodies fit might not be out of place.

NEED FOR PROGRESS IN CITY WALKING NOTED

Oliver Jenkins will do a “walk with your Councilman” on April 30^th at 9 a.m., and Jeff Everson is also planning one for May 14^th.

It was noted the new state law requires pedestrian and cyclist needs to be considered in the design of roadways. Although such consideration also runs throughout the new Master Plan, there's no equivalent city ordinance. One critical need is to have some stricture in place that would require developments to be permeable for walkers and cyclists. The sad fact that many people cannot walk or bike to destinations within shouting distance likely contributes to our ill-health and obesity rates.

Deborah also noted that pull of entertainments inside is stronger than it was; that there's not as much activity outside as there used to be; she's found activities need to be seen as entertaining or they'll go back in the house; you can't make a judgment call on whether or not they do need to exercise.

Deborah works in the school system and noted that they need outside people giving exercise curriculum and supervision to students. The teachers will give the time out of the day in some cases, but usually don't have the time set it up. (As Deborah is one of the heads of the Valencia Park community garden, Maurice noted that Grace Peterson made a good city council presentation today on community gardening and urban agriculture; they're using Valencia Park as a model.)

Various characteristics of our non-walking city were noted. Deborah lives in Highland and would walk to work but would have to continually turn down ride offers as she walked. When working at SHRAC Garrett would offer to deliver things and they'd think he'd need to borrow a car because he bicycled to work, when he could get around quite efficiently on the bike. In Susan's building it seems people don't know that there are lots of things to eat downtown, right near their building. Garrett would bring things back to the office and they'd say “where'd you get that?” while they'd be going all the way down Youree to get their smoothie or whatever it might be.

NEED FOR PROGRESS IN SUSTAINABLE WASTE NOTED

Deborah has been thinking about how to push forward the dishwasher and not use so much styrofoam and creating so much non-recyclable waste. Deborah was inspired by the story of the barge of trash that had no place to put it. Susan mentioned knowing about the tonnage of waste that goes into the landfill can make an impact on people.

Maurice takes his own compartmentalized plastic plate with a cover and has them serve him there and they always thank him and wish more people would do it. Maurice noted California and other places have taken steps to ban plastic bags and Styrofoam.

Deborah wanted to put that on the agenda soon with ABS about making steps like banning things or creating incentives.

It was noted that Pratt won't pick up from schools and organizations; the YMCA as well.

The next meeting will be an overall update and future planning meeting.

A Better Shreveport at Sustainapalooza on Sat, Ap 16, 11 am to 4 pm

A Better Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

ABS table at Sustainapalooza

1. Slide show on laptop.
2. Email sign-up sheet.
3. Poster with ABS issues.

ABS actively supports . . .
1. Coates Bluff Nature Trail.
2. Shreveport City Dog Park.
3. Bicycle and pedestrian master plan.
4. Downtown and Texas Ave.
5. Community gardens.
6. Velo Dendro, the annual bicycle tour of Shreveport's trees
7. Musical heritage.
8. Educational enhancements.
9. Fitness programs.

- ABS has a blog - with minutes of all meetings.
- On the weekly radio show, Time for A Better Shreveport, there are on-air chats with community activists.
Listen at 5 pm each Mon on KSCL, 91.3 fm.
- Weekly meetings at CoHabitat, 610 Commerce St.

Centenary Invites Neighbors and Organizations to Discuss Bike Paths and Nature Trails

Saturday, April 16th, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Centenary College and ABetterShreveport will host a meeting of community residents and organizations to discuss bike path and nature trail possibilities. Potentially, a network of bike paths and routes would go through Centenary and surrounding neighborhoods and connect to the newly developed "Coates Bluff" trail that now goes from Sevier St. to Valencia Park by Magnet High School, and which could eventually connect to the bike path that currently runs along the river.

At Saturday's meeting, urban planners from a local architectural firm have volunteered to partner with Centenary and ABetterShreveport.org to facilitate a discussion among residents, neighbor associations, and local organizations about what the bike and trail network could be. The meeting will be to gauge support for the potential project, as well as to get feedback and suggestions. If you have any thoughts or feelings about these possible trails and bike paths, please consider joining us at the meeting.

The meeting will be held on the Centenary College campus, in room 201 of the Hurley Music Building, located next to MaGale Library along Woodlawn Ave. on the Centenary College campus.

Coffee and refreshments will be served. Thank you for considering our invitation. If you have any questions, feel free to call Loren Demerath, Executive Director of ABetterShreveport.org at 840-9703, or email at ldemerath@gmail.com.

Misty Alexander, Sabra Hicks, Nancy Larned, Karen Wissing, Robert Trudeau: Time for A Better Shreveport, KSCL:

Misty Alexander, Sabra Hicks, Nancy Larned, Karen Wissing, Robert Trudeau: Time for A Better Shreveport, KSCL:, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

See more at Fit Cities Challenge- Shreveport/Bossier, Facebook, Camp Forbing programs at http://www.shreveportymca.org/ and http://Sciport.org.

A Better Shreveport, KSCL: Dixie & Leon Dayries, Laura Whitlock, Michael Laffey

A Better Shreveport, KSCL: Dixie & Leon Dayries, Laura Whitlock, Michael Laffey, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Dr Laura Whitlock, space scientist from LSUS, touted the lecture to be given by Dr Mario Livio at Caddo magnet High on Th, Ap 8, 6:30 pm.

Leon Dayries discussed downtown renovations and his main project, the apartment building that formerly was the Salvation Army Bldg.

Michael Laffey is Centenary faculty advisor for KSCL and co-producer of Time for A Better Shreveport. Listen to on-air interviews at 5 pm every Mon at 91.3 fm.

Bike Plan Perceptions, Centenary Convening Coates Bluff Interests, and Other Events Discussed at Last Meeting

In attendance: Maurice Loridans, Carolyn Manning, Steph Pedro, David Young, Patti Young, Garrett Johnson, Cynthia Keith, Brian Salvatore, Robert Trudeau, Loren Demerath

REPORT ON BIKE-PED MASTER PLAN

Three weeks ago Pedro and Caroline Majors spoke to the city council about the bike-ped plan. In past meetings ABS has called for such plan, noting that it is essential for making our city more walkable and bikable, giving it a better quality of life and increasing the likelihood of economic investment and sustainable growth. Councilman Joe Shine asked if they had talked to SPAR, which suggested he saw it in terms of recreation. Pedro and Majors responded that they felt the plan should be housed in the city engineering department because this is about creating commuter-based transportation network for bicyclists. The council asked Shelly Ragle--the director of SPAR in attendance--about the plan and she said she thought Majors’ firm MHSM had already done a plan for SPAR some years ago. Later, in asking MHSM about it, Majors and Pedro learned it was not a plan but a sketch of ideas.

It was noted that local government officials don’t appear to understand what a true bike-ped plan is and how it facilitates bicycle transportation. The need for a bike-ped plan to facilitate walkability and bikeability is stated throughout the master plan, and yet it is odd that there was nothing about it in the bond issue. In contrast, some of the SPAR projects funded by the bond are just more buildings that we are going to have to pay to heat and cool and maintain.

Brian talked about his problem riding safely years ago in Connecticut and wished there were better facilities in Shreveport. Maurice pointed out that a good portion of riding safely is in education in proper technique. For example, many people don’t know it’s safer to ride on the street (a residential, non-arterial; not Youree, that is) than it is to walk on the sidewalk. Campaigns for public awareness in how to bicycle safely is a need for the city.

It was noted that SPAR has resources that can be used for a bike-ped plan. Maurice described Tim Wachtel’s drawing of an extended bike trail going to Bickham-Dickson, and how Maurice has said it should go all the way to LSUS. Tim has drawn plans for a system of bike paths, such as taking the Fern Avenue corridor and making a complete street on Gilbert. Maurice has suggested Creswell because it is flatter.

(It was noted that that’s the kind of local knowledge that a proper constructed bike plan takes into consideration. A lot planning is facilitating discussions that draw information for the community to create something is more fitting and usable than it would otherwise be. Steph, noted though, that another reason we need a bike master plan is because we need equity; we need to hear from various parties.)

Maurice pointed out on the map where Tim Wachtel had sketched a plan for a bike path going along Cross Bayou and 12 Mile Bayou. It would extend north for about five miles from the far northern section of the river-front bike path. That section takes a turn west for one block and stops, seemingly pointing the way it would continue to the west and then north. Conceivably it could go up to 220 and proceed under the bridge that goes over the bayou. The satellite image showed the forest along the bayou, and the group “oohed and aahed” about how beautiful the trail would be going through the woods. Cynthia mentioned that the river tour person might be willing to give a special ABetterShreveport tour; it might be possible to be taken up Cross and 12 Mile Bayous.

It was generally agreed that ABS should write a letter asking to resurrect those plans that were drawn up by Tim Wachtel.

David asked if the city has Federal Department of Energy stimulus funds to spend on a plan and Steph said the city has a line item to spend those funds on this kind of thing. They don’t have the time and resources to come up with a thorough plan, so we’re going to do that for them.

Whoever wants to can speak next Monday at 3:00 p.m. to City Council about the need for a bike plan. We’ve now lined up enough including Maurice and Loren.

CENTENARY COLLEGE TO HOST AND CONVENE MEETING ON COATES BLUFF

Loren and Steph described the meeting they had last week with Centenary College President David Rowe, the Vice President of Finance Bill Ballard, and MHSM Architects partner Kim Mitchell and planner Caroline Majors. The President was enthusiastic about the possibilities of the trail and how it can raise the quality of life not only for Centenary students, but for members of the surrounding community as well. President Rowe said he would be willing to convene and host a meeting among potential partners for developing the trail. In addition to interested Shreveport residents, those partners could include the Stoner Hill and Anderson Island neighborhood associations, the Montessori School for Shreveport, Stoner Lab Elementary School, Magnet High School, Valencia Park, the Veterans Administration Hospital, SPAR, Caddo Parish Department of Recreation, The Bayou Chapter of the Ozark Society, LOCO Mountain Biking group, and others. MHSM Architects will facilitate the meeting, and ABS will invite the potential partners. It was noted each ABS member could invite 5 people to get the word out personally and effectively.

ABS TO PARTICIPATE IN SCIPORT’S “SUSTAINAPALOOZA” APRIL 16

ABS has been invited to participate in Sciport’s Sustainapalooza, and the group made plans for what they’ll do. One idea would be to have people post on the blog there at the table the ideas they have for sustainable quality of life improvements in Shreveport, or their opinions on the various projects that ABS has worked on. Carolyn and Steph will also make a slide show that would illustrate ABS projects and activities, as well as ideas that we support. For manning the table, Carolyn and Cynthia will start it off from 11-12, Robert will take it from 12-2, and Garrett from 3-4. It was noted that two likely work better than one, so others are free to volunteer to join Robert and Garrett. We’ll be advertising it on the radio show as well.

TITLE INSURANCE PROBLEMS FOR ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES POSTPONED FOR RON ADAMS

Brian suggested we save our discussion about solving title insurance problems on adjudicated properties until Ron Adams can be here. He noted in an email he is determined to be able to attend soon (but was at the moment enjoying his retirement in Hawaii--good for him!). Brian noted the problem can be solved in some cases by the city taking the risk and leasing the land, as it is doing for Millennium Studios. Monty Walford has told Brian that the laws are in place as an issue of principle for people who live in rural areas. An environmental court (operating in many cities like ours) would help deal with adjudicated properties. Steph, based on our previous discussions, has told Oliver Jenkins we’ll be writing a letter of support for it.

PROPERTY TAX DISCUSSION TO COME WITH CITY COUNCIL GUESTS

Steph reported that Jenkins and Corbin would like to come to one of our meetings and talk about the fees and what’s a fee vs. a tax. ABS can use that discussion to create a document clarifying those issues and publish it. Those numbers can then be used to make proper comparisons with other cities.

INFORMAL DRUM CIRCLE AND “HOOPLA” BACK WITH THE NICE WEATHER

Trudeau, Loridans and Pedro testified to the success of the “Rendevous on the Red” that happened last Friday featuring hola hooping and a drum circle. They may move it back in the evening as the weather gets hotter, but for now it starts at 6:00 p.m. and people meet at the riverfront across from SciPort.

POGUE WINS APPEAL FOR MUSIC HALL

Loridans reported Bill Pogue won his appeal with the MPC and is o.k. to continue referbishing the historic building downtown into a music and dance hall. (ABS had written a letter to the MPC in support of mixed-use development of urban space and how Pogue’s plans seemed to fit in with that kind of development.)

DOG PARK FUNDRAISER ANNOUNCED; COMMITTEE MEETING WITH SPAR SOON

Cynthia announced the Bistro Byronz fundraiser for the dog park on Monday the 11th for $25 for food and live music. The committee will be meeting with SPAR soon and hope to learn answers to questions such as the location. Jeff Everson will be there, as well as Shelly Ragel, Charles Grubb (the Parrish Attorney), Everett Harris (Director of Caddo Parish Animal Services), Catherine Kennedy (in SPAR over this project) and others.

NEED FOR A RENTERS’ CODE TO PROTECT CITIZENS?

Brian mentioned that Lady Carlson of the North and Central Louisiana Interfaith Alliance has worked previously on getting a renter’s code for Shreveport could be a good guest for the radio show. Landlords have said it’s up to the tenants to inspect the properties before they rent them. It was noted that’s akin to asking consumers to inspect their own cars, food, medicine, and workplaces for safety. Saul Alinsky inspired community, grass roots organization. It was noted that the 100th anniversary of the New York Triangle fire was last Friday. David said Calvin Lester gave the renter’s code a try but was shot down. No codes or enforcement of regulations make it dangerous and inexpedient for renters, as well leading to lower property values for the surrounding neighborhood.

KUDOS TO SPAR AND FARMERS MARKET: THE ARTISTS ARE BACK

Maurice and Loren mentioned that SPAR will be allowing artists to join the Farmer’s Market again this year, instead of being down at the Barnwell Center which had less foot traffic and was more out of site. Much thanks to Shelly Ragle, Kip Holloway, and Noma Fowler-Sandlin for continuing their work to make our Farmers Market better and better every year!

RECALLING A GREAT WEEK

Brian recalled what a great week it was with Millenium Studio opening, then Blade Studios, then the bond issue passing. Maurice added the downtown tour of homes, the drum circle, the “Cork” wine festival. A great week in Cap’n Shreve’s ol’ Port!

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 16th to the 20th is National Bike to Work Week. The Friday (20th) is often bike to work day for Magnet High School.

June 4th will the Cross Lake Floatilla. Crossroads will be planning to hundreds of boats behind the American Legion. More details to come.

NEXT MEETING ON SUSTAINABILITY AND HEALTH; ABS EFFICIENCY

The next meeting (and radio show) will talk about both health and sustainability and how the many ways they intersect. We’ll have Sabre Hicks from the YMCA to talk about the City Fit Challenge, and Karen Wissing to talk about Sciport’s Sustainapalooza. Walking the bayous, biking the streets, urban farming empty lands, yoga, ti chi and hoola hooping on the riverfront, who knows what we’ll talk about!

Also on the docket: how to make ABS more organized, transparent, and productive; a subcommittee may be forming, and ideas and suggestions for how to improve things will be welcome.