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Friends,
The heartbeat of any thriving city is its downtown core, and we are committed to transforming and reinvigorating Downtown Little Rock. That starts with the intentional investment of money, time and resources into how to we shape Downtown for decades to come.
Recently, the Little Rock Board of Directors approved spending $745,000 in federal American Rescue Act funds to pay for a Downtown Master Plan. This document will be a blueprint for how we can best move forward to address commercial and residential redevelopment, utilize available property and provide connections among the distinct areas of Downtown like the River Market, the Main Street Creative Corridor and SoMa.
Sasaki is a leader in its field, and we look forward to its findings in the first-ever Downtown Master Plan. Even so, we keep moving to improve Downtown Little Rock right now. That includes my convening of a Downtown Density Task Force, chaired by City Director Antwan Phillips. I expect the Task Force's recommendations for additional recreational, residential and commercial activity by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, our Capitol Avenue Revitalization Committee is looking at ways to improve one of our busiest Downtown thoroughfares through streetscape and lighting improvements to attract new tenants to our most prominent Downtown buildings.
And, just last week, the Board agreed to a contract with Block by Block to reinstate the Downtown Ambassador program. The program is a partnership funded by $250,000 each from the City of Little Rock and the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau.
As early as this fall, our ambassadors will be on the streets of Downtown to provide assistance to residents and visitors in a variety of ways, whether they need directions to a restaurant or venue or would like an escort to their car.
With partners like the Downtown Little Rock Partnership, the LRCVB and other individuals and organizations, we've already begun to transform Downtown into a great place to live, work and play. It's exciting to know that the best is yet to come!
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Micro Home Village Groundbreaking
Last week was the ceremonial groundbreaking for the City of Little Rock's first-ever Micro Home Village. This project will offer safe, non-congregate temporary housing for unsheltered residents as they transition to permanent housing.
With the construction of the Micro Home Village, we move a step closer to "functional zero" homelessness, meaning homelessness in our City will be rare and brief. When completed, the Village will have capacity for 206 individuals. Plans call for 50 single units, 22 units to accommodate families of four and eight units to accommodate families of six. There will be an additional 20 emergency shelter beds. A community center with a commercial kitchen, dining hall, classrooms, offices, health clinic and laundry room will also be part of the Village.
Micro Home Village residents will receive case management and wraparound services to assist them in the transition to permanent housing. The average length of residency is expected to be between three and six months.
This $3 million investment is just part of our "quilt of solutions" for ending homelessness, and it will take all of us -- from the City to nonprofits and community organizations to individuals -- as we coordinate, cooperate and offer compassion to our unsheltered community.
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Micro Home Village Groundbreaking Ceremony, July 12, 2023
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Storm Debris Update
June 25 was the deadline for residents to place debris from the March 31 storm curbside to be picked up by the City's debris removal contractor. As that work wraps up, some residents may still be in the process of demolition or reconstruction. However, keep in mind that if debris was not placed at the curb by the deadline, then it's the property owners' responsibility to dispose of that additional debris.
Property owners should ask construction or demolition contractors whether debris removal is included in a contract. Many contracts include debris removal as part of the total cost. However, if a contractor tells you the City will remove the debris, the contractor is incorrect, unless the materials were at the curb by June 25.
Residents who wish to dispose of debris themselves can haul it to the Little Rock Landfill, 10803 Ironton Cutoff. Hours are from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays for residents manually unloading trucks or trailers. Typical tipping fees will be required when disposing of materials at the landfill ($33.00 per ton plus taxes and surcharge, with a minimum of $25.00 per load).
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Sister City Visitors
We're excited to host 20 youth from Hanam City, South Korea, in Little Rock this week as part of a cultural exchange program with Hanam, one of Little Rock's sister cities.
While they're in Little Rock, the group has a full agenda that includes visits to the Clinton Presidential Center, the Arkansas State Capitol, the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site and the Korean War Memorial at MacArthur Park.
I appreciate the Little Rock Sister Cities Commission for helping coordinate this trip. The commission's goal is to foster relationships with international cities, promoting cross-cultural understanding and exchanges. Hanam City has been a sister city to Little Rock since 1992.
I hope you'll join me in extending a warm welcome and greetings to our guests if you see them in Little Rock this week!
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The Week Ahead
- The Little Rock Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, July 18, at 6 p.m. at The Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock Facebook and YouTube pages. To view the agenda, click here.
- Join the Little Rock Marathon team for a Fun Run/Walk to kick off the opening of registration for the 2024 marathon. The Fun Run starts at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, July 18, at the banana statute at Murray Park, 5900 Rebsamen Park Road.
- The Little Rock Police Department hosts a quarterly meeting for its Northwest Division at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 20, at the police station at 10001 Kanis Road. This is the second of three quarterly meetings this month. It begins at 6 p.m.
- The Little Rock Board of Adjustment meets Thursday, July 20. at 4 p.m. at the Willie L. Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, 3805 W. 12th St. The Board considers variances to the City's zoning ordinance.
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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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