Shreveport council approves amendment requiring 99-year servitude return to council after heated debate over Red River Expressway

Shreveport — The City Council on Oct. 14 approved an amendment to Resolution 1-28 that requires any conversion of a temporary right-of-way servitude for the proposed Red River Expressway into a 99‑year servitude to come back to the council as an ordinance for final approval. The vote followed extended public comment from residents who said the privately developed toll road would run within about 200 feet of backyards and Millbank Park and would harm property values and quality of life.

Residents urged caution as the council debated the item. “This project prioritizes corporate enrichment over the well-being of your constituents and your voters,” Jonathan Graham told the council, saying the proposed four‑lane alignment would sit roughly 200 feet from his family’s backyard and create long‑term noise, air and safety risks. Other speakers, including Curtis Raymond and David Hackney, raised similar concerns about enforcement of speed limits, the road’s economics and the potential for the city to become entangled in long‑term obligations.

Councilman Butcher offered the amendment clarifying that a temporary servitude could not be converted into a 99‑year servitude without returning as an ordinance for council approval; the amendment carried on a 7‑0 vote. The full motion, as amended, also passed 7‑0.

Developer Tim James, who addressed the council, said Red River Express would remain a privately owned roadway and that he was willing to negotiate shifts in alignment to increase buffers from neighborhoods. “We do not have expropriation authority,” James said, noting the company must negotiate easements with property owners. He described the project as two lanes through much of its length and said he expected construction could begin next summer, though he acknowledged timing could slip six to eight months.

Representatives for the Northwest Louisiana Finance Authority and counsel emphasized that the finance authority is a separate public trust whose bonds and obligations do not create liability for the city. An attorney for the finance authority said the trust acts as the obligor for bonds it issues and that the city, as beneficiary, has no obligation for trust-issued debt.

Council members pressed for details about zoning implications, flood‑control engineering studies and who would enforce speed limits on the roadway. Council members also asked whether technology such as electronic speed monitoring could be used; city staff said state law limits automated speed cameras to school zones and that policing would fall to the parishes and municipalities where the roadway lies.

What happened: Council passed the amendment clarifying the process for converting a temporary servitude to a 99‑year servitude and then approved the resolution as amended, both by unanimous 7‑0 votes. Council also recorded that the amendment requires the mayor’s execution of such a servitude only after council ordinance approval.

Why it matters: The amendment ensures the council retains legislative oversight before any long‑term dedication of city property or such an extended servitude takes effect. Residents stressed that the project’s design and alignment directly affect neighborhoods in District D and adjacent subdivisions, raising questions about noise, safety and property impacts.

What’s next: Councilmembers said the item is still subject to due diligence, surveys and appraisals and that any 99‑year servitude will not take effect without a future ordinance vote. Developers said they will continue town halls with homeowners associations and provide the requested technical details.

Provenance: Topic first appears in public comment and developer testimony starting at SEG 573 (public comment by Jonathan Graham) and continues through council debate and amendment at SEG 1064–SEG 1752.