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Friends,
The Little Rock Zoo, an anchor institution for our City and a family-friendly, educational attraction for the region, kicked off its centennial celebration on Saturday. The Little Rock Zoo has been a point of pride for our City for the last 100 years as a place for wildlife and wonder.
At the Little Rock Zoo, residents and guests can experience a green, inclusive space in the heart of our City where education and conservation are the priority. Since the 1920s, the Zoo in Little Rock's War Memorial Park has delivered lasting value to our community and been an essential quality-of-life amenity.
The Zoo is a key driver for tourism, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year who also support local businesses and generate economic activity. As a center for education and cultural connectivity, the Zoo reaches children from across the state and region through field trips and camps that promote science, conservation and curiosity. The only Arkansas zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Little Rock Zoo is a partner in global conservation that helps protect endangered species and preserve biodiversity.
During this centennial year, be sure to visit the Zoo to learn more about its history through the "Wild Look Back" signs located throughout the park. These displays highlight important buildings and spaces in the Zoo's history. There's also a Centennial Timeline Display showcasing important milestones and memories through 100 years of history. And, during the 100th anniversary celebration this year, children under 12 receive free admission during their birthday month with the purchase of an adult ticket.
As we start the next century of the Little Rock Zoo, we are excited about the construction and improvements going on now that will make the visitor experience even better.
Every dollar the City invests in our Zoo provides for animal care, maintenance and support of programs that make a difference here and around the world.
We know the Little Rock Zoo is more than just a destination. It is indeed a vital part of what makes Little Rock a great place to live, work and play.
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Creating Connections Through Mobile City Hall
Residents found jobs, paid fees and learned more about every City department last week during our third Mobile City Hall. We have made multiple hires through our "instant interview" process taking place only at our Mobile City Hall events, which are also a one-stop-shop for residents to take care of municipal business.
As importantly, Mobile City Hall is a way for us to stay connected and engaged with our residents. Representatives of every department attend Mobile City Hall to take questions and visit with community members. We also hosted a town hall-style community forum to provide an opportunity for resident feedback.
Our thanks and appreciation go out to our host for the June Mobile City Hall, Second Baptist Church on John Barrow Road. Senior Pastor Dr. Maurice Watson and his team offered exceptional hospitality, and we are grateful for their willingness to help serve the community.
Our Mobile City Hall series will resume on Monday, Sept. 8, where we will take city government on the road to West Little Rock. Stay tuned here and on our social media channels (Facebook, X and Instagram) for more information, including the location.
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Madison Heights Update
While issues surrounding the possible foreclosure of Madison Heights I and II are quite complex, the situation is clear. The City must provide financial support to the Metropolitan Housing Alliance in order to save the property and prevent dozens of Little Rock residents from housing insecurity.
Last week, the Little Rock Board of Directors made progress toward a solution with the hiring of attorneys to lay the groundwork for the City to provide short-term financing to save Madison Heights.
Even though an ordinance for a $6 million, short-term loan to MHA was not approved by the majority of the Board, I remain optimistic as we continue to work toward a solution. To be clear, I fully support a short-term loan to save Madison Heights from foreclosure. I encourage members of the Board to adopt the ordinance ahead of MHA's next foreclosure hearing in August.
City of Little Rock CFO Nick Sarpy and City Attorney Tom Carpenter have worked for weeks on a plan to present to the lender and the judge overseeing the foreclosure, While not perfect, it is the best of our limited options to make sure Madison Heights residents can stay in their homes.
Sadly, we know what can happen to residents of apartment complexes in foreclosure because many have come to Board meetings before to ask us to help. The Board told all those residents we would do something if we could, but our hands were tied.
In this situation, our hands aren’t tied at all. We can and should provide stability and security for these residents.
I will continue to work as hard as I can to save Madison Heights and support the people of Arkansas’s capital city.
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The Week Ahead
- The Little Rock Board of Directors will set the agenda for its next regular meeting on Tuesday, June 10, at 4 p.m. in the Board Room at City Hall, 500 W. Markham St. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock's Facebook and YouTube pages.
- On Wednesday, June 11, at noon, the Little Rock Parks and Recreation Commission will meet in the Board Room at City Hall. Please note this is a new location for the monthly Parks Commission meeting.
- Little Rock's Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission will meet Thursday, June 12, at noon at the Willie L. Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, 3805 W. 12th St.
- The monthly meeting of the Little Rock Planning and Zoning Commission is Thursday, June 12, at 4 p.m. in the Board Room at City Hall.
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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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