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Friends,
We are growing forward together to enhance the quality of life and place in Little Rock for both our residents and the hundreds of thousands of visitors that come to the state's capital city each year.
In 2021, tourists spent more than $1.7 billion in Pulaski County, strengthening our economy and supporting the more than 10,000 residents who work in the tourism industry. We are the State's premier tourist destination, with attractions that interest a wide range of visitors, from history buffs to fans of politics to outdoors enthusiasts.
This week marks National Travel and Tourism Week, and on Thursday I'll join the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau and our Advertising and Promotion Commission at an event where we'll discuss in detail the successes of 2022 and our plan to make 2023 an even-better year for tourism. That event will take place at our newest attraction, the re-imagined Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, The museum is the jewel of MacArthur Park, and it will draw international visitors to our City.
Coincidentally, the national slogan for Travel and Tourism Week is "Moving Forward Together," parallels the message of "Growing Forward Together" that I emphasized in my State of the City address Not so coincidentally, the work to attract tourists requires some of the same goals and commitment as the effort to improve our community through quality of life and place initiatives.
To move forward together in our tourism economy, we must grow forward together as a City to invest in our downtown core, create new recreational options and re-energize our City Parks. We've allocated American Rescue Plan Act funds for improvements to our community centers, and we're focused now on bringing a sports complex to War Memorial Park. Additionally, as we focus on both public safety and economic development efforts, we make Little Rock an even better place for visitors.
As we've grown forward together, our list of attractions has grown, too: Earlier this year, Main Event opened in Shackleford Crossing and TopGolf is under construction at I-430 and Colonel Glenn. We're seeing new businesses and restaurants pop up all across our City.
In addition, the Museum of Discovery is on track for a record year as it rebounds from a 2021 flood with extensive renovations and all-new exhibits. The Little Rock Zoo -- the only accredited zoo in Arkansas -- continues to draw in tourists with new, engaging events like GloWild! And later this year, we will be equipped to better serve our visitors with the re-launch of our Downtown Ambassadors, a program supported by funding from both the City and the A&P Commission.
I appreciate the work of LRCVB President Gina Gimberling, Arkansas Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Mike MIlls, Downtown Little Rock Partnership Director Gabe Holmstrom and everyone in our community who contributes to the tourism economy. Let's keep growing and moving forward together for the benefit of our residents and visitors alike.
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Celebrating the opening of the River Mountain Park mountain biking trails, a significant tourism draw, in 2021 (top photo); Recognizing previous National Travel and Tourism Weeks with LRCVB President Gina Gimberling (lower photos).
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Tornado Recovery Update
In the five-plus weeks since the catastrophic EF3 tornado, I've continued to be amazed by the strength and resiliency of tornado survivors and by the compassion and support of our friends and neighbors. The recovery process continues, and we are committed to rebuilding our neighborhoods better and stronger than they have ever been.
Thousands of people have given of their time, labor and resources to help out, and we have worked every day to get assistance to our neighbors who need it the most. The City of Little Rock collected more than 430 pallets of food, water and supplies for distribution at the Family Assistance Center, and the Little Rock Cares fund is at more than $322,000, thanks to the generous donations of nearly 500 people.
As the recovery continues, the City has wound down its donation collection efforts. Impacted residents are getting back on their feet, so the immediate need for basic supplies has greatly diminished. We're asking donors of goods to consider the Arkansas Foodbank for donations of nonperishable food items and Goodwill of Arkansas for non-food donations. The Foodbank was a key partner in our initial mobilization after the tornado, and donations will help it replenish its supply and meet the needs of all Arkansans. Goodwill has opened a Disaster Relief Center within its West Little Rock store, where it provides tornado survivors with direct access to goods donated on their behalf.
Our debris contractor, DRC Emergency Services, is in impacted neighborhoods daily to pick up tornado debris from the curbside. Residents are again reminded to separate waste by type (vegetative debris and construction debris should be in different piles) and place the debris within 10 feet of the curb for pickup.
We will continue to share with the public important updates from City department directors during news conferences every two weeks.
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Briefing on Tornado Recovery, May 2, 2023
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Meeting on Short-Term Rentals
The Little Rock Board of Directors is considering an ordinance to regulate short-term rentals within the city. The ordinance would set various guidelines for the renting and operation of such rentals, like Airbnb properties.
Before any action, the Board and the City's Planning and Development Department wants to make sure all voices are heard, So, on Monday, May 15, interested residents are invited to attend a community meeting. The meeting will be at the Nugent Center on the campus of Philander Smith College, 900 W. Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive, at 6 p.m.
At that meeting, the City's team will offer an overview of the proposed ordinance and provide details, then residents will be able to make any comments about the draft ordinance. Residents and property owners may also submit comments in writing. The meeting will be livestreamed on City of Little Rock Facebook and YouTube pages.
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The Week Ahead
- The Little Rock Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, May 9, at 4 p.m. at The Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St. The Board will consider the agenda for its next regular 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 Planning Commission meets Thursday, May 11, at 4 p.m. at The Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St. The Planning Commission considers rezoning requests and other planning and development issues.
- The Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department will unveil a new addition to its collection of sculptures across the City. On Friday, May 12, at 2 p.m., the sculpture, "Dialogue" by Stephen Shachtman will be dedicated at the Dunbar Community Garden, 1720 Chester St. The sculpture was donated to the City by Sculpture at the River Market, a local nonprofit.
- The National Association of Letter Carriers' annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive is on Saturday, May 12. Letter carries from across the country on Saturday will pick up nonperishable food items left at mailboxes and at post offices. These donations will benefit local food banks. Regardless of where you live, please participate in Saturday's event and help postal carriers stamp out hunger.
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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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