Shreveport denies request for truck stop casino

Wednesday, April 26, 2000 | 2:35 a.m.

Without explanation, the council on Tuesday denied a permit application by Petro Marketing Inc. for a truck stop that would have been located near Interstate 220.

"I'm so happy. My loved ones are going to be safe," said area resident Jane Harwell.

Previously, the Shreveport Metropolitan Planning Commission had voted to rezone the property to make way for the truck stop. The Zoning Board of Appeals had approved video poker at the business and liquor at an attached restaurant.

Loralee Otto, president of Petro Marketing, said she may appeal the decision to district court.

"We're going to take it from here and see where we need to go," Otto said. "We were disappointed. We felt like it was an ideal site."

Council member Hilry Huckaby, who represents the area, was opposed to the plan and said he was happy the rest of the council sided with him.

"I could not help (Otto) on this particular deal, because of the strong opposition," he said. "I'm a gaming advocate. I represent the downtown riverfront. When you come that close to a community, you have to bring something in, because you're sucking the life blood out of the community."