SHREVEPORT, La. -- Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson is making big moves already with property purchases in downtown Shreveport.
The music mogul has purchased two buildings -- 218 Texas Street and 205 Texas Street.
Realtor Beth King says the buildings are enriched with Shreveport history.
“The building's got a great history. ... I believe it was the location of a Dream Girl movie house. But that's got some significant history to it. And then Drake Printing occupied the building for many, many years, so it's had a good history to it,” said King.
King says this is only the beginning of what's to happen downtown in connection with Jackson's G-Unit Studios.
“Every development in every new project that comes online, it sparks other developments. And so I really think that the acquisition development of these two buildings goes a long way in serving as a catalyst to have other developments happen downtown,” said King.
Revitalization, housing, and youth programs. That's Jackson's three-phased plan to invest in Shreveport and its residents.
“The building, though, it's well-loved and well aged, and it requires significant renovations and commitment of dollars. And the good thing about G-Unit buying the building is they're committed to putting that investment in the building. Every good development and project downtown helps not just the residents but the daytime people that work here downtown, whether it's restaurants or another convenience store or another art gallery, whatever it's going to be,” said King.