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Friends,
We've seen amazing results from the City's investment in the emerging tech economy and the high-paying jobs that come along with it, and I'm excited to see the continued growth of the Little Rock Tech Park downtown.
In the six years since it opened, the Tech Park has been the starting point for companies that have generated more than 1,000 jobs. It's a hub for entrepreneurship and the ever-expanding skilled workforce we need to grow our diverse economy and transform our City.
Known as a 21st Century idea factory, the Tech Park space in the 400 block of Main Street is now bursting at the seams, requiring a Phase II investment and expansion. Last week, I was joined by members of the City Board of Directors to announce that Little Rock will provide the first $3 million toward that expansion.
The Tech Park is truly a showpiece for the state, and Phase II will remind our entrepreneurial community that the City of Little Rock fully supports early-stage tech companies.
The Phase II expansion will feature a new conference center and podcasting studio as well as needed office space for additional occupants. Currently, the park is almost fully occupied. It houses 49 companies, including 19 minority- or women-owned businesses. It also houses The Venture Center and its FinTech accelerator.
I'm grateful to the City Board for recognizing the importance of this investment in the Phase II project. I was glad to be joined at the Phase II kickoff news conference by Tech Park Director Brent Birch, Tech Park Board Chairman John Burgess, Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald and Little Rock Regional Chamber President Jay Chesshir, as well as City Directors Andrea Lewis, Virgil Miller and Antwan Phillips. I appreciate their continued leadership and vision as the Tech Park remains an economic engine for the entire region.
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Little Rock Tech Park Phase II News Conference
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AMFA Grand Opening
I had the honor to represent every resident of Little Rock on Saturday, April 22, as we officially opened the re-imagined Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. This breathtaking renovation of our City's preeminent arts and culture space could not have happened without the commitment of the people of Little Rock. The City's $31 million contribution was the foundation for a more-than-$170 million capital campaign that culminated with Saturday's ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony.
Situated in MacArthur Park, Little Rock's oldest park, the new AMFA is an anchor institution within our downtown core. Importantly, admission to this arts and culture destination will be free, making it accessible to all.
The 133,000-square-foot museum contains a Performing Arts Theater, the Windgate Arts School, a community space known as the Cultural Living Room, the Terri and Chuck Erwin Collections Research Center, the Governor Winthrop Rockefeller Lecture Hall, and a restaurant. The Harriet and Warren Stephens Gallenes contain "collections, exhibitions, installations and pieces on loan across eight galleries that honor individuals and organizations integral to the museum's history," according to AMFA.
Warren and Harriet Stephens were co-chairs of the Capital Campaign. Their leadership and dedication to the creation of a premier arts institution in downtown Little Rock is the reason we can all celebrate this museum.
It's a true 21st-century masterpiece that shows what we can accomplish -- from voter to donor to contractor -- when we all work together.
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The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts held its Grand Opening on Saturday, April 22.
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Tornado Recovery Update
The City of Little Rock's debris removal contractor, DRC Emergency Services, has been out in affected neighborhoods daily to haul away debris from the March 31 tornado. More than 30 trucks are out in impacted areas as we continue our recovery.
We ask affected residents to place storm debris curbside, separated by type, for pick-up. The City has closed Reservoir Park for public debris disposal because of safety concerns related to the amount of trucks and heavy equipment in use at the park by contractors.
Meanwhile, though the immediate need for volunteers has subsided, we continue to receive donations to Little Rock Cares to assist in storm recovery. You can make a tax-exempt donation to Little Rock Cares at www.LittleRock.gov/LRCares.
As a reminder, the City is waiving building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical permit fees within tornado-impacted areas. However, permits are still required. For single-family residences, reconstruction is allowed for structures, and zoning requirements will be waived as long as the structure has not increased in size and maintains its original footprint.
Before reconstruction begins on any structure, the City reminds residents and business owners to ensure they have the proper permits and a written contract from a contractor licensed to do work in the City and State.
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The Week Ahead
- The Little Rock Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, April 25, at 4 p.m. at The Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St. The Board on Tuesday will set the agenda for next week's regular board meeting. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock Facebook and YouTube pages. To view the agenda, click here.
- The Little Rock Sustainability Commission meets Wednesday, April 26, at the Willie Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, 3805 W. 12th St. The Sustainability Commission provides advice to the City on issues related to environmental and economic health and sustainability.
- Wild Wines, an annual fundraiser to benefit the Little Rock Zoo, is Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29, nightly at the Zoo. Participants are offered food from local restaurants paired with hand-selected wines. For tickets, click here.
- 501 Fest is happening in SoMa (South Main Street) on Saturday, April 29. The yearly festival celebrates Little Rock and all the cities in our area covered by the 501 area code each year around May 1 (05/01). For more information and event schedules, visit 501festival.com.
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As always, stay up to date with what's happening in the City on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram via @citylittlerock. You can also email me at mayorscott@littlerock.gov or call my office at 501.371.4744.
I appreciate you!
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