|
Friends,
We are currently in the midst of our first significant winter weather event in Little Rock this year. These bitterly cold temperatures are expected to continue over the next few days, even after the snow tapers off later this afternoon. Please take every necessary precaution to stay healthy, safe and warm. If you or someone you know needs a place to take refuge from the extreme weather conditions, a 24-hour emergency shelter is available at the East Little Rock Community Center, 2500 W. Sixth St.
The City of Little Rock, in partnership with The Van, opened the shelter over the weekend. It is open to anyone who needs a safe, warm place to stay. The shelter is open all day today and overnight tonight. The Van will provide transportation to East Little Rock Community Center to those who need a ride. Call (501) 955-3444 to request transportation..
During this storm, our first responders and Public Works teams are working around the clock on behalf of Little Rock residents. Public works crews have been out since Sunday morning to pretreat bridges, overpasses and steep sections of city streets ahead of the start of winter precipitation. We have 11 large plows with sand/salt spreaders, five small plows with sand/salt spreaders, a grader and other equipment in use throughout the City.
Crews are working to clear predetermined primary routes first. To see a list of primary routes, visit our website. Once primary routes are cleared, crews begin moving to secondary streets to begin treating and plowing. As with any winter storm, the length of the process depends on the amount of precipitation, weather conditions and equipment availability.
During these types of events, the question on most people's minds are "When will you plow my street?" That's always dependent on first clearing the primary routes. Those primary routes must be cleared first so that residents are able to travel safely across the city once crews reach residential streets.
The City makes every effort to update residents about progress during winter storms, and we will let you know when crews transition to treating secondary roadways. According to our public works team, treatment of secondary roads is expected to start early on Tuesday. We ask that residents make sure to provide plenty of space for trucks and equipment in order to protect all motorists and ensure our crews can work safely
Residents are encouraged to avoid any unnecessary travel. If you do have to get out on the roads, be sure to exercise caution and keep a safe distance between yours and other vehicles..
|
|
|
City of Little Rock Public Works team members prepare for the winter weather event on Sunday
|
|
MLK Unity Service Postponed
Today, we observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. It's a day we recommit to service above self, and we reflect on Dr. King's goal of equality and justice for all. Each year, the City hosts a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Service to honor Dr. King's life and legacy and to stand, unified, knowing that we can only achieve social justice, economic justice and opportunity for all only when we work together in a spirit of unity and inclusion.
The 2024 Unity Service was originally scheduled for Sunday, but we postponed the service because of the winter weather. The new date and time for the Unity Service is Sunday, Feb. 4, at 5 p.m. It will be hosted at Saint Mark Baptist Church, 5722 W. 12th St.
Dr. Gina Stewart of Christ Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis will be the featured speaker. I hope you'll be able to join me, the Little Rock Board of Directors and other city officials for this year's service.
|
|
ICYMI
- Last week, the Little Rock Board of Directors voted unanimously to rename a portion of Arch Street south of Fourth Street as "Bruce T. Moore Way" in memory of longtime City Manager Bruce T. Moore, who passed away last year.
 Bruce was our longest serving city manager, and he always made our team and Little Rock residents his priorities. Now, as city employees get to City Hall every day, they will be able to drive down Bruce T. Moore Way and be reminded of his commitment to excellence in public service. Be looking soon for details about a formal event to rename the street.
-As Little Rock residents affected by the March 31 tornado continue to rebuild, another business destroyed by the storm re-opened to the public last week. Eat My Catfish had a ribbon cutting for its Breckenridge Village store.
It was a privilege to stop by the restaurant on its first day back in business and recognize the progress we are making toward recovery. This and other businesses, along with hundreds of residents, are a clear example of resilience and courage.
|
|
|
-Leadership Greater Little Rock is a program of the Little Rock Regional Chamber that for nearly 40 years has fostered community engagement and civic pride among hundreds of Little Rock-area business professionals. I was asked last week to join North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick and Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde to discuss local government and how we collaborate to promote progress and economic development. It was refreshing to hear from dozens of young professionals with ideas about how to grow and transform Little Rock, and I appreciated the opportunity to share with the group my thoughts on leadership and my priorities for 2024.
|
|
The Week Ahead
- The Little Rock Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 4 p.m. at The Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St., to set the agenda for its next regular meeting. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock's Facebook and YouTube pages. To view Tuesday's agenda, click here. Because of the weather, it is possible that this meeting will be held virtually. Please check City social media for updates.
- City offices are closed today (Monday, Jan. 15) in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Normal sanitation and recycling routes will be delayed by one day this week because of the holiday.
- The Little Rock Police Department hosts one of its quarterly meetings on Thursday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m. at the LRPD's Northwest Division, 10001 Kanis Road. Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more about crime statistics and trends, and offer feedback to LRPD officials.
- A public meeting is set for Thursday, Jan. 18., at Calvary Baptist Church, 5700 Cantrell Road, to discuss various drainage improvements planned for Ward 3. The Public Works Department will host the meeting, which begins at 5:30 p.m.
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
