Friends,

The COVID pandemic brought many changes, including the need to relocate the meeting space for the Little Rock Board of Directors. In 2020, the City Hall meeting space was not large enough to safely accommodate social distancing. To address this, we found a suitable space at The Centre at University Park in the historic University Park neighborhood, where the Board has met for several years.

As the pandemic subsided and we planned to return to City Hall, we developed a renovation plan for the Board Room, which had not been updated in decades. We are excited to announce that the renovation is nearly complete, and that the Board returned to City Hall for its meeting on Tuesday, August 6.

The renovation includes permanent seating for our guests and state-of-the-art technology and A/V upgrades that will enable us to stay connected to residents through livestream and LRTV broadcasts.

We have also reinstated some key design elements original to the 114-year-old City Hall, including the original tile floor and windows. The large windows overlooking Broadway, bricked over during a renovation in the late 1960s, have been uncovered thanks to the late Bruce Moore, our City Manager until his passing last fall, who prioritized their restoration. These architectural details enhance the renovated space.

This renovation was a labor of love for City Clerk Susan Langley, who saw the project through despite delays caused by HVAC issues and the discovery of asbestos in the flooring. Susan worked diligently to ensure these problems were corrected, making the newly remodeled Board Room an architectural jewel within City Hall. Additionally, our return to City Hall will allow senior citizens and other residents to use The Centre at University Park as a gathering and meeting space once again.

The Board Room reopening coincides with Susan’s departure from the City of Little Rock after 16 years of exemplary service. She has served in various roles, including administrative assistant, assistant to the Board, and administrative services manager, before becoming City Clerk. She has done amazing work to complete the renovation, and while we are sad to see her go, we support her decision to pursue new opportunities.

We look forward to hosting residents at an Open House for the renovated Board Room in the coming weeks.

During the November election, voters will decide on a 5/8ths-cent sales tax that will expire or "sunset" after 10 years and a 3/8ths-cent tax to fund permanent needs such as infrastructure and ongoing maintenance. The 5/8ths-cent tax would be dedicated toward capital projects like public safety vehicles and equipment and parks and recreation projects to improve quality of life and place throughout the City.
 
The tax is expected to generate more than $650 million over 10 years. Even with a one percent increase, the City's tax rate would remain competitive or lower than the sales tax for many surrounding or comparable cities.

The sales tax proposal is intended to address Little Rock's most pressing needs. That includes public safety enhancements like state-of-the-art crime prevention technology for the Little Rock Police Department. We also will infuse additional money into our Public Works Department to new street, drainage and sidewalk projects all across the City.
 
The plan focuses on the "four Ps:" Public Safety, Public Infrastructure, Parks and Recreation and the Port and Economic Development. Details of the  proposal include:

• Support of LRPD's Real-Time Crime Center and funding of new vehicles and apparatus for the police and fire departments.
• Additional funding to invest further in our infrastructure and create safer streets and sidewalks.
• Our first-ever youth sports complexes to finally give our kids a true home-field advantage, while at the same time generating needed revenue for the City. Additional Parks projects involve the transformations of War Memorial Park into a Central Park-like green space, and upgrades at many other parks.
• Funding for the Port of Little Rock's efforts to create an industrial "super site" as it continues to bring jobs and spur economic development across the region. We've seen a $831 million capital infusion from the City's $30 million investment in the Port the last five years.

The City of Little Rock is a proud, long-time supporter of Art Porter Music Education, Inc. The nonprofit organization promotes community engagement and service through music, and it provides scholarships to talented Arkansas music students. Last week, the organization's annual music festival, "A Work of ART," kicked off in the City Hall rotunda.

Talented music students from across the metro area performed for City employees and our guests during the kickoff event. Our partnership with Art Porter Music Education is yet another way the City works with local stakeholders to support youth activities and programs that enhance quality of life and place.

"A Work of ART" celebrates jazz and the legacy of Little Rock natives Art Porter, Sr., and Art Porter, Jr.  The weeklong event is Art Porter Music Education's primary fundraiser to support scholarships. The festival continued through Saturday at venues across Little Rock.

To learn more about the foundation and its events, visit ArtPorter.org.

• The Little Rock Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, August 6, at 6 p.m. in the Board Room at City Hall, 500 W. Markham St.  The public entrance to City Hall faces Markham Street, and residents will be directed to the Board Room on the second floor. Overflow space is available in the City Hall Rotunda. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock's Facebook and YouTube pages. To view the agenda for Tuesday's meeting, click here. 
• The Little Rock Historic District Commission meets Wednesday, August 7, at 4 p.m. at the Willie L. Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center. The commission is responsible for review of requests within Little Rock historic districts.
• The Little Rock Planning Commission meets Thursday, August 8, at 4 p.m. at The Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St.. The Planning Commission considers rezoning requests, subdivision plats and conditional and special use permits.