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NEW EFFORT LAUNCHED TO REVITALIZE SHREVEPORT'S HIGHLAND NEIGHBORHOOD  

Revitalize Historic Highland  (RHH) is a non-profit corporation that was launched in April of this year.

 Its mission, as set forth on the RHH website:

"Our mission as revolving fund is to protect and promote buildings, landscapes, and sites  important to the diverse heritage of the historic Highland neighborhood in Shreveport , Louisiana by acquiring endangered properties and then finding purchasers willing and able to rehabilitate them. Proceeds from each sale are then reinvested into another property purchase. "

The corporate domicile and mailing address is First Presbyterian Church on Jordan Street.
Christopher Coe is the president, Teresa Edgerton-Scott is the vice-president, Ellen White is the secretary and Gerald Sayres is the treasurer. The officers are also directors. Other board members are Elizabeth Arceneaux, Brian Davis, April Dahm, LeVette Fuller, Thomas Hamauei, Tena Hines, Rev. Will Scott, Oliver Jenkins, Judy Madison, Rachel Scott, and Franco Zaragoza.

With the support of the Stoer Foundation, two nationally recognized historic preservation consultants came to Shreveport to explore the feasibility and usefulness of creating a Revolving Fund for the revitalization of the historic Highland Neighborhood.  A Revolving Fund is described as a nonprofit organization that buys, renovates, and sells historic properties under protective covenants. The proceeds from each sale are then reinvested into another purchase. In essence, the funds are "revolved."

The consultants authored a thirty plus page whitepaper titled "Revitalizing The Highland Neighborhood." Here are some highlands:

1. Executive committee, board size/criteria and  terms of office
2. Organizational structure
3.Annual operating budget, staffing,
4. Selection of properties
5. Working capital goal of $500,000
6. Marketing & selling property guidelines
7. Property rehabilitation standards
8. Vacant lot acquisition
9. Qualifications for Executive Director.
10. Assistance from other institutions.

RHH is currently seeking to fill the position of executive director. Funding is in place for this position. More information is on the website REVITALIZEHISTORICGHIGHLAND.ORG.