Bossier City Councilman Predicts Louisiana Boardwalk Comeback with Family Fun
If you have been wondering what is next for the Louisiana Boardwalk, Bossier City Councilman Chris Smith says the message he keeps hearing is simple: people want more to do, not just more places to shop.
Smith told KEEL News on Wednesday that the privately owned Boardwalk is working toward a more "entertainment-driven" future, with exciting new announcements expected soon.
A Retail Reset and an Entertainment Push for Bossier City
Smith said the Boardwalk’s footprint is already built out, so the challenge is figuring out what works inside the space now. He pointed to how online shopping has changed the old retail model, and suggested smaller “micro store” concepts can make more sense than big department-store setups.
Where he sounded most hopeful was entertainment. Smith framed the goal as drawing families to the Louisiana Boardwalk, the East Bank District, and the riverfront area, then giving them a reason to come back and spend time there.
Smith mentioned existing momentum from venues like Chasing Aces, and said The Picklr is also on the way, calling both “huge” additions to the entertainment mix.
What Parents Will Pay for, and Kids Actually Ask For
Smith shared a very “dad” measuring stick: if kids wake up and ask to go somewhere, parents will usually follow, and money gets spent along the way. He talked about taking his own kids to Chasing Aces and seeing how even little ones can have fun there.
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He also described the kind of kid-focused concept he would love to see more of locally, pointing to large indoor play and activity spaces like ones he has visited in bigger cities. He praised Shreveport’s Sci-Port Discovery Center as an “incredible facility,” then noted how places that keep kids engaged tend to pull families in consistently.
Bossier Water Bills, DEQ funding, and What Changed in 2026
Smith also addressed the water-bill increase showing up for residents this week. He said the adjustment is tied to a required rate study connected to a Louisiana DEQ loan for a water-line extension project, and that the system needed to become self-sufficient after rising costs during and after COVID. He described the 2026 change as a 2% increase, following a larger increase that took effect in 2025.
Term Limits are Settled in Bossier City
On term limits, Smith said the issue is settled: Bossier now has a three-term limit, with no option to sit out and return later, and he said the lawsuit over it has been dropped.