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Friends,
Last week, the City of Little Rock was awarded a $25 million federal infrastructure grant to help us keep motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists safer on the streets of Arkansas's capital city.
With this large infusion of federal dollars, we will focus on safety improvements along five high-traffic corridors in our City, many of them in our identified Targeted Community Development neighborhoods.
The $25 million grant is part of the Biden-Harris administration's Safe Streets and Roads For All (SS4A) program through the U.S. Department of Transportation. We appreciate President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Sen. John Boozman for their help in securing this vital funding for our City.
The City applied for this competitive grant after the Board of Directors adopted the Vision Zero policy this spring, calling for a reduction in traffic fatalities by 40 percent by 2040. To reach that goal, we must be intentional in how we address some of our most dangerous and pedestrian-unfriendly streets. By using information from Metroplan's Central Arkansas Safety Action Plan, we sought the SS4A grant to mitigate some of the most significant pedestrian safety issues.
With the grant funding, we will implement safety measures in five locations:
- Geyer Springs Road between Forbing Road and Baseline Road (one mile)
- University Avenue between Markham Street and Forbing Road (4.8 miles)
- John Barrow Road between CARTI Way and 36th St. (1.5 miles)
- Chicot Road between Azalea Drive and Mabelvale Cutoff (one mile)
- Intersection of Woodrow Street and W. 12th Street
Design and engineering for these safety improvements could take two years, and we plan to implement a number of safety measures in each corridor. Those measures could include crosswalk visibility enhancements, medians and pedestrian refuge islands, bicycle lanes, new sidewalks, improved pavement markings, traffic signal upgrades, additional street lighting or decreasing the number of vehicle traffic lanes (also known as a "road diet.") We will keep residents updated through the implementation process.
Like our nearly $40 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, this grant helps us sustain our progress even as we face greater budget needs, especially for infrastructure.
As city leaders, we consistently seek every resource available to help us get results for our residents, leveraging our partnerships with federal agencies and nonprofits to secure grants to fund new initiatives or help sustain ongoing projects. In this instance, we are grateful to our Grants Division, Metroplan and all our partners who worked toward one of the largest single federal grants Little Rock has ever received.
Still, our infrastructure needs remain significant. To continue earning even better results, we are asking voters to make an additional investment in the growth and transformation of our City. The Results for The Rock initiative allocates at least $137 million more to our Public Works Department for streets, sidewalks and drainage improvements.
Because the costs of street construction and resurfacing have doubled over the past decade, the City needs additional revenue to ensure we maintain our streets and create a better place to live, work and raise a family.
Through grant funding, others have chosen to invest in Little Rock, and now, I join the Little Rock Board of Directors in encouraging our residents to re-invest in themselves. Learn more about the Results for The Rock initiative on our website.
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We hosted a news conference on Friday, Sept. 6, to discuss the $25 million federal Safe Streets For All grant.
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Carousel Centennial
A piece of Arkansas history residing at the Little Rock Zoo turns 100 this year, and we are asking everyone to celebrate with us as we observe the centennial of Over-the-Jumps, the Arkansas Carousel. The Zoo is hosting a Carousel Centennial Celebration on Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Zoo, located in War Memorial Park.
There is no known operational carousel in the world like the Over-the-Jumps carousel at the Zoo. It is believed to be the only surviving over the jumps carousel built by Spillman Engineering Corp. It's called "Over-the-Jumps" because the platform goes up and down, making riders feel as if they're jumping hurdles.
The famous carousel came to Arkansas for the State Fair in 1924 and has been an attraction for generations of Little Rock children and families since then. It found its permanent home at the Zoo in 2008. The group Friends of the Carousel has worked tirelessly along with the Little Rock community and donors to make sure the carousel remains more than just a cherished memory for future generations.
The Arkansas Carousel earned the Historic Award from the National Carousel Association in 2020 for its historic significance.
Tuesday's celebration will feature live entertainment, food and games and free carousel rides. The Zoo is also asking residents to share their photos and memories of the carousel through the years. To submit photos or comments, email Zoo100@littlerock.gov.
We will see you Tuesday at the carousel!
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Great Arkansas Clean-up
Join volunteers from across the region on Saturday, Sept. 14, as we participate in the annual Great Arkansas Cleanup. This event starts at 9 a.m. at Murray Park, 5900 Rebsamen Park Road.
At this year's Great Arkansas Cleanup, the City will announce a new initiative that focuses on how we as a community can do a better job beautifying our community. We are excited about the launch of this anti-litter campaign, to be led by Ward 4 City Director Capi Peck. Please join us for this major announcement, while at the same time helping clean up one of our parks along the Arkansas River.
On Saturday, volunteers will remove litter and debris both in the park and along the River. Our partners at Keep Little Rock Beautiful will have trash bags and disposable gloves available, and volunteers are encouraged to wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and bring their own refillable water bottles. If you own a boat, you are asked to bring it to participate in river cleanup along the shoreline.
Free t-shirts will be handed out to volunteers while supplies last.
We appreciate Director Peck, Keep Little Rock Beautiful, our team at the City of Little Rock Sustainability Office, the Little Rock Sustainability Commission and the Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department for their tireless efforts to beautify our City.
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The Week Ahead
- The Little Rock Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 4 p.m. in the Board Room at City Hall, 500 W. Markham St. At that time, the Board will set the agenda for its next regular meeting. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock's Facebook and YouTube pages.
- The Little Rock Parks and Recreation Commission will meet Wednesday, Sept. 11, at noon. The Commission meets at The Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St.
- On Thursday, Sept. 12, at 4 p.m., the Little Rock Planning Commission will have its monthly meeting at City Hall, 500 W. Markham St. The Planning Commission considers requests for rezonings, subdivision plats, conditional and special use permits and land use plan changes. (Note: Planning Commission meetings have relocated to the City Hall Board Room from the Centre at University Park)
- Little Rock's first-ever Age-Friendly, Livable Communities Summit and Expo is Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the West Central Community Center, 8616 Colonel Glenn Road. Our Age Friendly Commission is hosting the event, intended to address housing and transportation issues, discuss digital technology and promote healthy living. The public is invited to this free event.
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As always, stay up to date with what's happening in the City on Facebook, X, 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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