Shreveport’s Blues Birthplace – Reviving History, Building Community

Welcome to the Blue Goose Blues District, a cultural and economic revitalization project in Shreveport, Louisiana. Once the hub of African American blues in the 1920s and 1930s, the Blue Goose is being reborn as a vibrant community of music, housing, dining, and opportunity.

Join us in restoring the neighborhood that shaped legends and gave the world Blue Goose Blues.

Our Mission

The Blue Goose Community Development Corporation (BGCDC) works to improve quality of life through:

  • Safe, sustainable, mixed-income housing.

  • Economic opportunities for businesses and residents.

  • Restoration of historic spaces and preservation of cultural heritage.

  • Renewed pride in a neighborhood that once defined Shreveport’s blues scene.

Blue Goose Grocery & Market

A revival of the historic gathering place. This restaurant, bar, and live music venue will feature fine dining, family-friendly atmosphere by day, and nightlife with blues by night.

Residences at Blue Goose

  • Over 200 mixed-income homes in phases.

  • Historic 1920s–30s architecture, reimagined for modern living.

  • Options to rent or own, with priority for single-parent families.

Shoppes at Blue Goose

Three 10,000 sq. ft. mixed-use buildings with retail shops on the ground floor and apartments above, adding 48 residences and creating a lively commercial hub.

Cultural Anchors

  • Hogan’s Barber Shop: Revitalization of Shreveport’s oldest barber shop.

  • Green spaces & community facilities: Designed to support gatherings, festivals, and local pride.

Community Training Programs

Free training for residents and youth in:

  • Freight brokering

  • CDL A & B licensing

  • Diesel mechanics

  • Construction, welding, and warehouse logistics

  • Customer service and financial literacy

  • Job readiness and workforce development

Community Renewal

Unlike gentrification, our approach ensures:

  • Support for current residents with financial assistance for home rehabilitation.

  • Inclusive development where residents are shareholders in renewal.

  • Cultural preservation through honoring music history and neighborhood landmarks.

This is not just development – it is a movement for authentic renewal.

 

Investment

The Blue Goose Blues District is a nonprofit-led development with a for-profit management company that ensures sustainability and investor returns.

Opportunities include:

  • Historic & Residential Tax Credits up to 50%.

  • Restoration Tax Abatements freezing property taxes for up to 10 years.

  • Projected rental income: $1.29M annually.

  • Long-term sales revenue: $35M+ within 20 years.

With a $27.6M Phase 1 budget, this is both a cultural restoration and an economic engine for Northwest Louisiana.

 

Phase 1 (Pilot Phase – $8–10M)

  • Blue Goose Grocery & Market – $1.1M

  • First 40 mixed-income homes (row houses + zero-lot homes) – $7M

  • Site prep + infrastructure (partial) – $1M

  • Soft Costs + Developer Fee – $800K

  Total Phase 1: ~$9.9M

 

Phase 2 (Expansion – $12–14M)

  • 2nd set of 48 homes – $8M

  • 1 mixed-use Shoppes building (10,000 sq. ft.) – $3.5M

  • Expanded greenbelt & community amenities – $1M

  • Soft Costs – $1M

 Total Phase 2: ~$13.5M

 

Phase 3 (Full Build-Out – $6–8M)

  • Final 20+ homes + row housing – $5M

  • Additional mixed-use buildings (20,000 sq. ft.) – $3M

 Total Phase 3: ~$8M

Financial Adjustments

Revenue Assumptions (per year, stabilized):

  • Homes: 108 homes × average $1,200/month = $1.55M

  • Commercial (30,000 sq. ft. @ $15/sf): $450K

  • Blue Goose Grocery/Market Net Ops: $250K (after staff + cost of goods)

Total Gross Annual Revenue (full build-out): ~$2.25M

Operating Expenses (35% industry rule):

≈ $800K

Net Operating Income (NOI): ~$1.45M/year

Returns to Investors

  • Stabilized ROI: NOI $1.45M / $27.6M ≈ 5.25% return (without credits).

  • With Tax Credits + RTA: Returns increase significantly (up to 9–11% effective ROI).

  • Exit (Property Sales after 15 years): $16.5M sale + ~$20M in operating income = ~$36.5M total returns