Federal Building in Downtown Shreveport is Getting a Huge Upgrade

Get our free mobile app

The old Joe D. Waggoner Federal Building in downtown Shreveport, LA is being torn down to it's foundation and being rebuilt.

What is going on with the Joe D. Waggoner Federal Building in downtown Shreveport, LA?

In February 2023, the state announced they had approved plans to redo the building that once housed federal offices and has been sitting vacant for years at 500 Fannin Street. The goal of the renovation is to move state workers from the State Office Building to the old Joe D. Waggoner Federal Building as the new home of state government in our area.

Google Maps

At the time, KEEL News reported that the building had been purchased back in 2011 by Louisiana Christian College for possible use as a law school in Shreveport. However, the repairs needed far exceeded their budget and it never came to pass. Thankfully, Louisiana leaders stepped in and purchased the building for $1.75 million.

Why is this a big deal? It'll bring hundreds of workers and their wallets to downtown Shreveport. After all, folks have to eat. Crews started demolition of the interior of the building earlier this month. Work is expected to be complete by late 2025.

Obviously, the economic benefits will be huge for our city, but it's also going to give Shreveport's downtown a facelift, too. Check out some of the renderings of what the building is intended to look like when it's done. I think it's pretty darn impressive!

Who was Joe D. Waggoner?

Joe D. Waggoner was from Plain Dealing, LA and served in office for years. From his first elected position in 1954 to the Bossier City School Board to winning a special election in 1961 to take over the seat of U.S. Representative Overton Brooks who had passed, Waggoner lived a life of service. As a veteran of the US Navy who served during World War II and the Korean War, it's no surprise he spent 18 years in Washington D.C. Waggoner passed in 2007 and in his honor, flags at the State Capitol and Governor's Mansion were flown at half-staff.