EPA

SHREVEPORT, La. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected Shreveport to receive a $1 million Brownfields Multipurpose Grant to support environmental assessment, cleanup planning and revitalization efforts.

The federal funding will target the Cross Bayou corridor and the neighboring Ledbetter Heights area.

The grant will help the city assess and clean up eligible brownfield properties — sites where redevelopment may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of environmental contamination. Funds will also be used to develop reuse and revitalization plans to help return underutilized properties to productive use.

The target area includes the former D’Anna Produce site, alongside other eligible properties in the Cross Bayou and Ledbetter Heights neighborhoods. Local officials said addressing these sites is a step toward removing barriers to reinvestment, improving public health and safety, and preparing the properties for future economic development.

The grant does not require a local matching contribution from the city.

"This grant gives Shreveport another important tool to address long-standing redevelopment challenges in areas that are critical to the future of our city," Mayor Tom Arceneaux said. "The Cross Bayou corridor and Ledbetter Heights have significant potential, but unlocking that potential requires practical steps, including environmental assessment, cleanup planning, and reuse strategies."

Arceneaux added that the city appreciates the EPA’s investment and looks forward to utilizing the funds to support revitalization and future growth.

The city will work alongside the EPA and local partners to complete the required grant process and identify the next steps for eligible properties within the target area.