5 things to know about Bossier’s new East Bank District

After a year and a half of construction, the City of Bossier City will celebrate the completion of a $15 million renovation to its downtown area this weekend.

The major re-envisioning project saw the transformation of a mile of Barksdale Boulevard. A grand opening party will be held Saturday, Nov. 25, beginning at 11 a.m. in the 700 block of Barksdale Boulevard. The event will include food trucks, inflatables, a rock wall, music and more.

Here are five things to know about the new downtown Bossier City:

1) The city “right-sized” Barksdale Boulevard to make it narrower and slower-paced. “It’s taken on a whole new look — we want it to be narrow,” said Pam Glorioso, Bossier City’s chief administrative officer. “It’s 25 feet wide, two vehicular lanes wide. Slow that traffic down so people will soon be enjoying downtown.”

2) A new plaza has been installed to attract festivals and food trucks. “We know there are small events we can do and want to do — we’re able to have vendors in there, food truck vendors. We’re building this where utilities are in the ground, so when they come up, the products are there,” Glorioso said. “They can hook up water, sewer and electric. We’re trying to make it inclusive.”

3) The Bossier City Council is considering a revision to its public drinking law that would allow residents to consume alcohol within public spaces of the East Bank District. “If you bought a beer at the Flying Heart Brewery, you could take your drink and cross the street to attend a festival in festival plaza,” Glorioso said.

4) The city hopes the renovations attract not just new businesses, but also new residential developments to the downtown area. “To bring in apartments, especially in the downtown nucleus, we’re trying to eliminate parking and be a smart city,” Glorioso said.

5) The downtown area, also known as Old Bossier, has been re-branded as the East Bank District, complete with new signage throughout the area. “When they visit that section, those six blocks of downtown, we want them to realize they’re in the downtown area,” Glorioso said. “New Orleans has the French Quarter, which everyone knows — this is not going to be the French Quarter. This is going to be a little more contemporary, because we want it to be unique. Bossier’s a growing city, a little more progressive, and we didn’t have the Renaissance or the French history to build upon. So, we’re starting new.”