The Shreveport Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has posted a job description for filling the now empty Executive Director seat. Liz Swaine retired December 31 after 13 years at the helm.

Needless to say, this position is crucial to the future development of downtown which has challenges similar to other cities.

These include crime, or more specifically, the perception of crime. Empty storefronts that exist from long ago days of downtown being the retail center of the city are a reality. Another is large empty office buildings, many of which have major asbestos problems that make repurposing very expensive.

Challenges to attract downtown living including rental costs, lack of core retail establishments like grocery/drugs stores, parking, etc.

Some local names have been floated about in social media.

These include former council member Levette Fuller who represented the downtown area. Fuller's prior public service and her somewhat combative personality have led to many distractors that are major hurdles to her selection. Additionally, she has no professional experience in real estate development or staff management.

Another name that is being circulated is former Shreveport city council member/Shreveport mayor/state legislator Cedric Glover. There is substantial opposition from the downtown stakeholders to Glover, including his public service record, education and perceived work ethic, or lack thereof. Additionally, Glover has no professional experience in real estate development.

The DDA position can be a real plum to many with consideration of salary, well-trained staff, large functional office, and the public adoration that the position brings to many citizens. At the same time the position carries with it a big boot to fill left by Swaine who made downtown development a passion, not just a job. Additionally, the position carries with it a big bullseye target for any problems. actual or perceived, in the downtown area.

An outsider, being defined as a person who has not lived in Shreveport, will be best suited for this job, who can start with a clean slate of relationships along with no local personal or professional history.

Professional experience in real estate development, particularly in a downtown area, is also needed.

Clearly, neither Fuller nor Glover check these squares, and other than social media fodder, they should not be suggested for this position.