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Friends,
I had the true privilege last week to deliver the annual State of the City address to a capacity crowd at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. I sincerely appreciate everyone who was able to join us last Thursday, whether in person or watching online. Between the program and our first-ever City of Little Rock Involvement Fair, we engaged with Little Rock residents to answer their questions, provide resources and get them more involved with city government.
This year, we are focused on Results for The Rock. I emphasized in the State of the City speech that we saw remarkable results -- from public safety to infrastructure improvements -- during 2023, but we still have more work to do. In 2024, we will deliver Results for the Rock through new initiatives like our "Eyes on The Rock" program for businesses and nonprofits that integrate their security cameras into the Little Rock Police Department's Real Time Crime Center.
By implementing a citywide data strategy, we will emphasize data-driven decision-making and be more accountable to our residents through RockFolio, our progress portfolio to quantify our results. RockFolio consists of CityWallet, our open checkbook that is now online, and RockReview, a progress report that measures our success in delivering results. Expect our first RockReview by later summer.
We intend to roll out other initiatives and new programs this year within our Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs, our Department of Community Programs, our Small Business Development Office and in partnership with local education organizations. Keep watching this space weekly for more details about the exciting ways we intend to get Results for The Rock this year.
Meanwhile, we understand that achieving even more Results for The Rock require additional investment. During the address, I renewed my call for a sales tax increase to support what I call the four Ps: Public Safety, Public Infrastructure, Parks and the Port of Little Rock.
For even better results, our police department needs new investment in technology and innovation, our residents deserve safe streets, sidewalks and drainage; the youth of this City need an opportunity to show off their athletic skills right here at home rather than travel for tournaments each weekend. Our $30 million investment at the Port since 2019 has resulted in an $831 million in economic impact for our community. Additional economic development investment will lead to a better return and greater results.
If you missed the speech, you can watch it on YouTube at any time. We will also rebroadcast the program on LRTV (cable channel 11) on Tuesday at 9 a.m., Wednesday at 5 a.m. and 11 a.m., Thursday at 10 a.m., and Friday at 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.
I want to share my appreciation again to everyone who participated in the event, including our city team members who had booths at our involvement fair, team members who recited the Pledge of Allegiance, the Rev. Mark DeYmaz, who delivered the invocation, and Nicky Parish, who sang the National Anthem.
A special thanks to the community leaders who took time out of their busy schedules to record a video introduction: Sen. Joyce Elliott, Jay Chesshir, Gabe Holmstrom, Warren Stephens, Darrin Williams, Amb. Carlos Giralt-Cabrles, Dr. Jermall Wright, Summer Campbell and members of the Parkview Patriots state champion football team.
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2024 State of the City Program
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CALS Wall Breaking
The bold innovation from leadership at the Central Arkansas Library System is one of the reasons Little Rock's downtown and our River Market District have grown and prospered over the last few decades. In the mid-1990s, then-Library Director Bobby Roberts and the team made the strategic decision to put the Main Library in the heart of the River Market. Now, about 30 years later, that building is being remodeled and re-imagined to meet the needs of the 21st Century library patron.
I joined CALS Director Nate Coulter and CALS board members, staff and supporters last week for a ceremonial "Wall Breaking" to kick off the renovation. Through voter-supported millage efforts in 2011 and 2022, CALS is funding this major overhaul and capital improvement project, while at the same time increasing its collection of materials for residents to access.
The remodeled library will feature additional space for children's learning and activities, a branch of Boulevard Bread Company, meeting rooms and a makerspace. Like all public libraries, but especially the Main Library downtown, the newly redesigned space will be an important gathering place for people of all backgrounds. The meetings, lectures, workshops and social activities at the library foster a sense of belonging and connection.
We broke the walls to start the project just a week after the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra had a topping out ceremony for its Stella Boyle Smith Music Center just down the road near the Clinton Library. The ASO center will serve as the Symphony's first permanent home, and it will be the location of music education classes for children from across the region.
Exciting transformations are occurring in Downtown Little Rock, and I am happy to be a part of the resurgence of our urban core!
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Downtown Master Plan Meetings
As Downtown Little Rock transforms and prospers, the City has embarked on development of the first-ever Downtown Master Plan. Working with Downtown Little Rock Partnership and our consulting firm, Sasaki, the City is preparing a vision to shape how we grow and invest in our urban core for years to come.
Next week, residents are asked to participate in one of four sessions. These charrettes are an opportunity for you to provide your thoughts on specific areas of focus in Downtown. These meetings are open house style, so residents can drop in at any time, and you only need to attend one of the scheduled meetings.
The charettes are scheduled for: Tuesday, Feb. 20, from noon to 1 p.m. at Arkansas Children's Hospital Children's Hall; Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Clinton Presidential Library; Wednesday, Feb. 21, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Downtown Little Rock Partnership office; and Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Philander Smith University Kendall Health and Science Center.
Please join us for one of the charettes and share your opinions on the future of Downtown Little Rock! Learn more at mp.downtownlr.com |
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The Week Ahead
- The Little Rock Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 4 p.m. at The Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St. At this session, Board members will set the agenda for their next regular meeting. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock's Facebook and YouTube pages.
- The Public Works Department is hosting a public meeting this evening, Feb. 12, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss drainage projects in Ward 3. The meeting is at Christ Little Rock Church, 315 S. Hughes St.
- The Little Rock Parks and Recreation Commission meets Wednesday, Feb. 14, at noon at The Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St.
- On Thursday, Feb. 15, the Public Works Department will host a public meeting at West Central Community Center, 8616 Colonel Glenn Road, to discuss drainage projects in Ward 7. That meeting is at 5:30 p.m.
- City of Little Rock offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 19, in observance of Presidents Day and Daisy Gatson Bates Day. All sanitation and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day next week because of the holiday. The next Mayor's Monday Memo will be Monday, Feb. 26.
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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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