Renderings of the renovated G-Unit Studios, formerly Millennium Studios
by Ariel Roberson, ShrevePossible
Excitement surged in downtown Shreveport, spurred on by the marching bands from Booker T. Washington and Huntington high schools. Joyful faces were spotted throughout the crowd that came together to watch Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and Mayor Tom Arceneaux sign the lease for G-Unit Studios.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux introduces Curtis 50 Cent Jackson during a news conference April 18 in front of Government Plaza in downtown Shreveport.
“This is a great day in Shreveport. 50 Cent, welcome home,” Steven Jackson, president of the Shreveport City Council, said as the festivities began.
Other city council members welcomed Jackson to town and voiced their support for G-Unit Studios, including Gary Brooks, who represents District B, which includes the studio.
“The city council voted 7-0 unanimously for this move, and we are all 100 percent behind G-Unit,” Brooks said.
Arceneaux presented his first key to the city to Jackson, along with one of the mayor’s challenge coins. He also read a resolution from the state House of Representatives declaring the day Curtis 50 Cent Jackson Day, as well as a proclamation from his office.
Then the man of the hour, 50 Cent, spoke about his plans for G-Unit Studios.
“Thank you for welcoming me with open arms,” he told the crowd. “Betting on me is not a gamble, it’s a sure thing.”
50 Cent signed an agreement with the City of Shreveport to lease the city-owned production studio at 300 Douglas St., the former Millennium Studios. It is a 30-year lease at an annual rate of $2,400.
The city will no longer be responsible for upkeep and maintenance at the facility,saving the city nearly $180,000 a year.
Jackson said he expects to see projects coming out of his Shreveport studio as early as July. The studio is expected to have a cascading effect on job creation, attracting talent to the area and contributing to the overall economic resurgence of Shreveport.
Curtis 50 Cent Jackson addresses the large crown on hand to witness a news conference and lease signing for his G-Unit Studios in the former Millennium Studios building in downtown Shreveport.
