Long serving MPC director to retire at the end of February
Sam Marsiglia, director of the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) for Bossier City and Benton, is retiring at the end of February after almost 38 years of service with the city.
Marsiglia became director of the MPC in 2002. Prior to that, he held many jobs in the department. In 1982 Marsiglia was hired to work at the MPC to draw maps. While working full time, Marsiglia was also taking night classes to earn his associates degree in Business.
After a few years, he was then promoted to zoning inspector. Continuing to work his way up, he was promoted to zoning administrator, then supervising inspector, and finally his current title.
“I loved drawing maps. I still love it. Back then, we had a three-person office. I did that for a few years then took on more and more responsibilities,” said Marsiglia.
In his nearly four decades, Marsiglia has seen Bossier’s tremendous growth in more ways than one.
“There has been tremendous growth in Bossier Parish since 1982. The population has doubled,” said Marsiglia.
Marsiglia looked back on the many changes in the parish since 1982, one of which is Bossier’s diversified economy.
“At the river front, nothing was going on down there back then. Overnight, in the early 90s, all of the casinos came. It really pulled us out of a bad economic period when we just had the oil and gas bust. We weren’t as diversified in our economy as we are now in this area. It really jumpstarted our economy,” he remembered. “That was very interesting to watch the dynamics from our office standpoint.”
One project that Marsiglia was happy to play part in during his time as MPC director was the recent development in the East Bank District.
“I’m really glad that I was able to see the East Bank District developed. It had been talked about for decades,” said Marsiglia.
He also said that he was glad to see the Cyber Innovation Center come to Bossier.
“It was exciting to see the Cyber Innovation Center be built in the area. That brought more of an economic boom and jobs to the area, just like Barksdale Air Force Base does,” said Marsiglia.
Looking to the future, Marsiglia predicted that when the new census comes around this year, the town of Haughton will show a major increase in population.
“When the 2020 census is taken I think we’re going to see proof of tremendous growth in Haughton. And, continue to see further growth,” said Marsiglia.
Marsiglia went on to say that the flooding that Bossier has seen in recent years is a newer development and something to keep an eye on.
“Back in the 80s, we didn’t have all these flooding issues we’re having now. And, that’s a byproduct of all the growth. I will say that the parish is doing everything they can to alleviate that,” said Marsiglia.
Marsiglia will be retiring from the Bossier MPC office but will continue working at the Haughton MPC office three days per week starting in April.
