Let me tell you why the revitalization of Shreveport Common is SOOOOO important that I am going to rappel off the roof of the 15-sotry Fairmont Tower Apartments.

In 2010, the 9-block historic area between Louisiana, Austen Place, Oakland Cemetery/Milam and the railroad tracks south to the was so blighted the situation seemed hopeless. Half of the buildings, many from the early 1900's, had been lost due to neglect. Of those that remained, 65% were blighted.  It was hard to see these places, rich in cultural, iconic architecture and history-making music fall into the state's most endangered list. 

Today, thanks to Shreveport Regional Arts Council, City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish Commission and Shreveport Common, Inc. - the nonprofit redevelopment partner -  and over 50 public/private partners, $81 million mostly private funds have been invested in 36 major redevelopment projects. Much has been done, but there is still much to do.

Shreveport Common, Inc.'s role is to unite partners, help create a sense of neighborhood, and remove the very real obstacles to revitalization of the area, and to do so in keeping with the community's values for the initiative:  Authentic, Creative, Sustainable and for Community with no gentrification of the current neighbors.

We need your help as we continue to work with property owners - most small business owners with big hearts, entrepreneurial business owners, venues and the neighbors to make the area THE UNcommon place for you, your family and friends to live, work, play, shop, visit, tour, eat, see and stumble upon the FUN.  Thank you for considering a donation, which will be split evenly between Fuller Center for Housing and Shreveport Common, Inc.