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John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.

He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.

John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.

John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.

He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.

 

CADDO HAS WORK UNDERWAY AT MANY OF ITS PARKS. SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING AT YOUR FAVORITE! (PART 2 OF 2)

Published May 17, 2024

Milton James “Hookie” Cameron Memorial Park (10500 Wallace Lake Road, Shreveport)

Scope of Work: Installing two new 8-foot picnic tables. Removing old parking lot bumpers in parking lot near picnic table area and replacing them with new bumpers. Constructing new pier for boaters. Installing new LED lighting/poles in primary parking lot, boat launch and picnic areas.

Status: The picnic tables are installed. Parking lot bumpers are expected to be installed by June 1. The parish will start receiving quotes from contractors for the new pier by late summer once lake water level is low. New park lighting is expected to be installed by Nov. 1.

MLK Jr. Community Garden (2414 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Shreveport)

Scope of Work: Cut down and removed all dead/diseased trees on garden site. Trimmed back and removed old greenery debris from park site property line.

Status: Complete

Noah Tyson Park (9300 Mira Myrtis Road, Rodessa)

Scope of Work: Installed new park exterior LED lighting. Installed new lighting/ fixtures in men's and women's restrooms. Installing new turf play mounds. Installing 2 new park benches. Constructing ADA asphalt transition walkway to playground system.

Status: Turf play mounds and ADA asphalt transition is expected to be installed/ constructed soon. Two new park bleachers have been ordered.

Parks and Recreation Office Renovations (2900 Hearne Ave., Shreveport)

Scope of Work: Constructing new office space for department staff, including recreation coordinator and volunteers/summer youth workers; including exterior/ parking lot light improvements and new landscaping/irrigation and outdoor signage.

Status: The preliminary floor plan has been approved. TBA Studio will facilitate construction with architectural services, bid negotiations and construction administration. The work is expected to be completed this summer.

PBS Pinchback Park (7903 Jefferson Paige Road, Shreveport)

Scope of Work: Restroom renovations, new large pavilion, new synthetic infield baseball turf and new fencing (playing perimeter, dug outs and backstop areas). Installing new shade structure over small playground system. Conduct feasibility study for the creation, construction, and operation of a future recreation center at park site.

Status: Restroom renovations are in progress and will be completed late summer. Demolition and removal of old pavilion is complete. The parish is awaiting contract to be signed to construct/install new metal pavilion. The synthetic baseball turf/fencing contract has been executed between TBA Studio and the parish.

TBA Studio will provide architectural services, bid negotiations and construction administration. The parish is getting quotes on the new shade structure for the small playground. The feasibility study is expected to be completed by June.

Richard Fleming Park (7919 West Lakeshore Dr., Shreveport)

Scope of Work: Installed new LED lighting throughout park. Filling in holes on athletic grass field.

Robert Nance Park (14770 Odom Road, Rodessa)

Scope of Work: Installing new turf play mounds.

Status: A purchase order has been issued to contractor Hahn Enterprises. Installation will be complete by June 1.

Town of Blanchard (402 Birch Ave., Blanchard)

Scope of Work: Converting existing tennis courts to a pickleball court.

Status: The pickleball court layout has been reviewed and approved. TBA Studio will be developing scope of work, facilitating bid negotiations and construction administration. It's expected to be complete in the fall. An intergovernmental agreement between Town of Blanchard and the parish has been executed.

Town of Vivian (455 Rives St., Vivian)

Scope of Work: Installed new ballfield fencing for a youth baseball field at Patrick Bethany Memorial Ballfield Park. Constructing new asphalt walking trail at Legions Hill Park.

Status: A new asphalt walking trail is expected to be completed by June 1 pending weather conditions.

Village of Mooringsport-Caddo Lake Drawbridge (500 N Croom St., Mooringsport)

Scope of Work: Village of Mooringsport is installing new LED lighting on the Caddo Lake Historical Drawbridge. Funding of $20,048 was provided by the LPSC-Public Entity Energy Efficiency Grant Program. An intergovernmental agreement between the Village of Mooringsport and the parish has been executed, giving Village of Mooringsport approval to install new lighting on the drawbridge. The parish will not be responsible for maintaining or providing for the maintenance of newly installed lights.

Status: A completion date has not been determined by the Village of Mooringsport.

Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park new construction project (8012 Blanchard Furrh Road, Shreveport)

Scope of Work: Exhibit design process ongoing via design consultant, Taylor Studios.

TBA Studio is facilitating preliminary surveying, soil testing, topographic and preliminary design of nature center building. Currently the new main building will be 12,000 squarefeet (including the lobby/reception area, gift shop, three class rooms, administration spaces workrooms for staff and shower facilities for staff). Ordinance No. 6304 of 2023 was introduced Jan. 17 for the incurring of debt and issuance of $20 million of general obligation bonds.

Status: Groundbreaking was held Aug. 30.

The administration is hosting monthly update staff meetings. Construction to begin in the summer and is expected to be finished late summer of next year.

DIRTY DIAPERS AND FOND MEMORIES OF FORMER CAPT. SHREVE PRINCIPAL DR. MCCALLA

SUMMER CAMPS, EVENTS, AND ACTIVITIES IN SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES!