The renovation respects the building’s past by retaining signature architectural elements such as exterior masonry, terracotta detailing and marble features.

Also, new SPD Headquarters remains on track

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux kicked off 2026 with major announcements on economic development and growth in the city.

One of those was a joint announcement from Louisiana Economic Development and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson that Jackson’s G-Unit Film and Television Louisiana will invest more than $124 million to develop three entertainment venues in downtown Shreveport.

“We knew this was cooking,” Arceneaux said. “As it turns out, between the state and G-Unit, it’s going to be a massive investment in downtown Shreveport. Particularly at Stageworks, what will be G-Unit Films and then the dome.”

The multi-phase project includes the renovation of the former Stageworks facility to support a variety of live-event and production entertainment uses, the modernization of the former Millennium Studios campus to enhance production capabilities and the construction of a dome-style immersive venue and green-space park, according to a news release from LED.

“This project is the realization of the long-term commitment I have made to the city of Shreveport and the state of Louisiana,” Jackson said in the release. “By reinvesting in downtown Shreveport and upgrading existing assets to create state-of-the-art entertainment and production facilities, we are creating jobs, inspiring hope, attracting new productions and giving the entire entertainment industry a reason to build their futures right here. My goal is to turn Northwest Louisiana into the premier destination for film, music and live entertainment on a national scale. All roads lead to Shreveport.”

The project is expected to generate an economic impact of $18.8 billion and support more than 6,000 jobs statewide, as well as $300 million in wages in the next 20 years, according to an independent economic impact study commissioned by G-Unit, the release said. LED has entered into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement to provide up to $50 million in performance-based funding for eligible infrastructure and modernization improvements. The agreement ensures that state support is tied to economic impact, local business engagement and delivery of infrastructure improvements.

“There’s a significant state participation that has a lot of performance requirements,” Arceneaux said. “They only get money when they have done certain things. They are planning to spend over $100 million on this project. It’s a huge investment in Shreveport and in downtown renovation. I think it is going to generate additional downtown restoration and downtown activity, so I am very excited about it.”

The city also signed a contract to begin renovations at the Shreveport Police Department Headquarters, a long-awaited project to replace the department’s aging facility. Hand Construction was awarded the contract to provide updated operational space, modern technology infrastructure and improved working conditions for officers and civilian staff, according to a news release.

“It’s a really nice design,” Arceneaux said of the plans for the renovations. “The architect, Mark Prevot, and his team just did a slam-bang job. They had a nationally recognized police building consultant who assisted. They worked hand in glove with the department to get things where they needed to be. It’s really going to be a very nice facility of the police.”

Police Chief Wayne Smith said in the release that the project represents more than a new building.

“We are very excited for this project to begin,” he said. “1234 Texas Street has long stood as a beacon in the Shreveport community, housing generations of dedicated law-enforcement professionals who proudly served this city. This new facility will position the Shreveport Police Department among the very best in the state, with modern facilities and advanced technology that will significantly enhance our ability to serve the public while also boosting morale across our ranks.”

Arceneaux said the bid for the police building came in about $2 million less than the estimate. That creates a cushion against potential additional costs associated with a renovation, he said. It also creates potential for another needed project.

Hand Construction Vice President Kyle Hand signs the contract while his father and Hand Construction owner and President M. Cayce Hand looks on.

“We hope it will free up some money to dedicate toward a fourth substation,” the mayor said.

“One of the things that we cut out of the police station was a patrol division. To get it into the budget, we removed it. So we are really looking to get a fourth substation.” Arceneaux said the 2021 bond issue passed for the project, which included only three substations. Each of those costs exceeds the estimate included in that bond issue.

“I am hopeful we will be able to stretch these monies to do a fourth substation,” he said. “But we will have to be further down the line to know that we can do that.”

Arceneaux said the project could also be completed ahead of the original schedule.

“It’s an 800-something-day contract, which will put it into 2028,” he said. “The contractor told me yesterday he thinks they can do it in a much shorter time than that. They were surprised at the length. Primarily, we put that long period to help attract bidders. The successful bidder believes they can complete it in a shorter timeframe. They are not required to do that, but it would be great. We’re currently paying rent somewhere else. The sooner we can get into that building, the sooner we can stop paying rent.”

Arceneaux said that residents should see signs of progress throughout the city in 2026, not just in downtown.

“This is the year we are really going to be pushing bond projects,” he said. “Our program manager for the streets program, which is what most people are looking at, reported that by midyear, we will be under construction with about 20 bond projects. They will be scattered across the city. I am really pushing to get those done so people will see the fruit of their tax dollars.”