Exec Summary for DWTN LR Plans 1999Executive Summary for
Downtown Little Rock Plans
Downtown Little Rock Framework for the Future Plan
Capitol Zoning Area Framework Master Plan
Six Bridges Framework Plan
Downtown Corridors Plan
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Prepared by:
Little Rock Department of Planning and Development
The Urban Studies and Design Project of UALR
Capitol Zoning District Commission
1
OVERVIEW
This Summary document represents a
compilation of the most current plan-
ning efforts that focus on Downtown
Little Rock. The report summary in-
cludes the following:
a Downtown Little Rock: Framework
for the Future
a Downtown Corridors Plan
Six Bridges Framework Plan
• Capitol Zoning District: Capitol Area
Framework Master Plan
Each of these reports addresses a par-
ticular area or aspect of Little Rock's
Downtown in terms of current and
future planning opportunities. They all
seek to establish a frani
which private develops
aged and directed towa
community's vision for
LEGEND
Six Bridges Frame
Capitol Zoning Di:
Downtown Little I
ElDowntown Corrid
In addition to these four reports, other
planning studies of tremendous sig-
nificance to downtown are underway.
These include transportation planning
for a light -rail system, planning for the
proposed Clinton Presidential Library,
and economic planning for housing
and new business development in
Downtown.
These studies have been and are being
prepared by a variety of public and
private entities. Coordination among
them has suffered from an unclear
understanding and articulation of city
policies and procedures. The city has
begun organizing a process that will
better integrate these plans and pro-
mote their implementation in an effi-
cient, effective manner.
This compilation of reports is a first
step in that direction.
Summary Report: 4Plans
DOWNTOWN FRAMEWORK - CORRIDORS - 6 BRIDGES - CAPITOL ZONING
THE DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK:
FRAMEWORK FOR THE FUTURE
The Downtown Little Rock: Framework
for the Future report identifies major
issues for the whole Downtown, with
special attention given to revising
current zoning ordinances. It studies
the downtown through four
sub -districts or planning areas. They
are: the State Capitol, the CBD,
MacArthur Park, and the Hanger Hill
areas. Each sub -district relates to
several types of redevelopment, basi-
cally reinforcing existing land uses,
not promoting new or radically differ-
ent styles of redevelopment. Through
various categories, the report gives a
general description of the total Down-
town. The "framework" states objec-
tives and relates each one to a sug-
gested action statement. Suggestions
are described for the categories of
housing, transportation, land use and
zoning, public safety, historic preser-
vation, urban design, image and vital-
ity, economic development, public
and open spaces, infrastructure, tour-
ism and special corridors. These are
addressed specifically on page 3.
Downtown Vision
Downtown should become a place
people want to live and visit, and
should have a lasting and recogniz-
able image, distinguishable from
other nearby environments.
Because Little Rock is the State Capitol
and proud symbol of the metropolitan
area, it presents many opportunities.
Downtown should be the financial,
office, and governmental center of the
region, as such should be planned as a
place where people live, visit, and
work in a safe, vibrant, pedestrian -
friendly environment.
Objectives
1. The Downtown urban form should
be protected by requiring that struc-
tures be built to the street with street
level activity and visual connection
between the street and the structure's
interior.
2. To support an urban land use form,
a fixed transit system is needed. An
investment should be made in a fixed
system for Downtown that effectively
connects the various parts of Down-
town and moves people within that
area.
The overall area of the Downtown Little
Rock: Framework for the Future plan and
its sub -areas.
3. Residential use is essential for an
active and successful Downtown.
Because the Downtown residential area
has lost most of its residential units,
the city of Little Rock should invest in
Downtown housing to assist in reviv-
ing the area, thereby creating housing
opportunities for high as well as mod-
erate income levels.
4. Downtown must be actively mar-
keted. In most cities a quasi -public
agency does this work. The city should
explore (with Downtown property
owners) the possibility of establishing
an agency to advance the economic
development of Downtown.
5. In order to achieve an active Down-
town, developments should be mixed
and linked.
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Summary Report: 4PIans
DOWNTOWN FRAMEWORK - CORRIDORS - 6 BRIDGES - CAPITOL ZONING
The Downtown Little Rock Frame-
work for the Future Plan seeks:
Housing
to encourage new infill housing and
rehabilitated existing housing through
various incentives including special
promotion by downtown action
groups, loan pools, tax abatement
techniques, and special support to
home builders and developers;
Transportation
to balance the needs of the pedestrian
with the functional necessities of the
automobile by: encouraging streetscape
designs, balanced parking strategies,
support of public transportation, revi-
sion of requirements placed on proper-
ties for parking spaces, and encourag-
ing alternate modes of transportation;
Land use and zoning
to bring recognition to the unique
character of the Downtown by revising
the zoning regulations to correspond
with the goals and desired patterns of
land use in a twenty-four hour city
comprised of mixed uses;
Public safety
to set strategies to reduce the public's
perception of crime in the Downtown
by utilizing design standards with
public safety standards, better policing
parking areas, securing vacant build-
ings, demanding a zero -tolerance
policy for crime in public spaces, pro-
viding alternate and visible policing
methods, and promoting a safe Down-
town through education and public
relations;
Historic preservation
to create various incentives, that rein-
force the existing efforts toward main-
tenance of the historic neighborhoods,
via public/private management struc-
tures, revision of and focus on zoning,
revision of building codes, tax credits,
and facade grants;
Urban design
to focus attention on the "cityscape" of
public space through the creation of
an urban design plan, zoning, and the
review of new and renovated building
design, as well as pedestrian friendly
sidewalks, improved lighting, com-
mission of public art, promotion of
street level use, and the provision of
tax incentives to encourage projects in
the public realm;
Image and vitality
to promote a clean, safe and active
Downtown through marketing and
management of new image programs
and activities including, entertainment,
arts and humanities, , public art
projects, artist housing, and public
recognition for artists via awards and
improved maintenance;
Economic development
to bolster economic actvity in Down-
town by: marketing the downtown as
one area through the existence of pro-
motional organizations, like the Cham-
ber of Commerce, creating new man-
agement entities, developing targeted
strategies for developers, providing tax
incentives, starting new business incu-
bator programs, by defining the
Downtown niche market, and by en-
suring that existing government uses
are stable;
Public and open spaces
to encourage more open spaces in the
Downtown and to better link the exist-
ing spaces with an improved pedes-
trian open space system, utilizing tax
incentives and public encouragement
to private developers;
Infrastructure
to focus new planning strategies and
improved maintenance on the services
of fire and police protection, wastewa-
ter drainage and sanitation, and utili-
ties, through increased public financ-
ing directed to the Downtown;
Tourism
to recognize the current potential of
the Downtown as a tourist site by
better and more focused marketing and
by implementing a signage program,
enhancing existing facilities and pro-
moting new ones; and
Special corridors
to utilize key corridors through the
downtown as prime sites for develop-
ment and public infrastructure invest-
ment as a strategy to encourage devel-
opment of the "between" spaces de-
fined by the corridor grid through the
Downtown;.
(Note: the special study THE CORRI-
DORS REPORT ,which focuses on this
planning approach, is summarized in the
next section of this text)
Summary Report: 4Plans
DOWNTOWN FRAMEWORK - CORRIDORS - 6 BRIDGES - CAPITOL ZONING
fl
THE DOWNTOWN
CORRIDORS PLAN
The Downtown Corridors Plan proposes
the redevelopment of a network of key
corridors, as an urban design strategy,
to help restructure and revitalize
Downtown's Urban form. The plan
defines a "corridor" as a major street,
Which has special redevelopment
potential based on its identity, route,
urban form, historic character,location,
or current development. The streets
chosen to study are; Markham, Capitol,
and Ninth Streets in the east -west
direction; and Chester, Broadway, and
Scott Streets in the north -south direc-
tion. (These are adressed individually
on pages 5 and 6.) Collectively, these
form a Corridors Network. Each corri-
dor has a special contribution to make
in the overall approach to current and
proposed redevelopment of the Down-
town.
The streets of the Downtown Corridors
Plan
Summary Report: 4Plans
DOWNTOWN FRAMEWORK - CORRIDORS - 6 BRIDGES - CAPITOL ZONING
5
EAST - WEST CORRIDORS:
Markham Street
The plan envisions Markham Street to
have a healthy combinaton of develop-
ment along its length and to be identified
by major landmark buildings at each end.
The Clinton Presidential Library will be on
Markham's east end and the Train Station
is the eastern landmark building. Accord-
ing to the plan, the areas between will
include a strong mix of uses, including
offices, entertainment retail, convention,
and governmental. The key identifiable
areas along the corridor are: the Presiden-
tial Library, River Market, Convention
Center, city government core, and the new
residential area near the Capitol Garden
District.
Capitol Avenue
This street, of all the planned corri-
dors, offers the best possibility to become
a ceremonial avenue similar to any major
civic thoroughfare in cities around the
world. Anchored on the west by the domi-
nant form of the State Capitol, and con-
necting to the Presidential Library District
on the east, the corridor is planned to
include small parks, wide sidewalks,
landscaping and public art focusing on
civic monuments. The land uses will
include a continuation of the area's history
of office development and housing encour-
aged for the eastern end in the Historic
District.
Ninth Street
Since the eastern -most border of Ninth
Street is in the Historic District, close to
MacArthur Park and the Arkansas Arts
Center, this end of the corridor is planned
as a residential -arts area. Streetscaping will
reinforce this image. The District's west-
ern end, beginning at Broadway, has a
nuxed use of industrial, manufacturing
and residential which is planned to con-
tinue. The monumental building of the
street is the Knights Templar structure,
which the plan supports as a historic
rehabilitation structure thereby giving an
identity to that end of the street.
Summary Report: 4Plans
DOWNTOWN FRAMEWORK - CORRIDORS - 6 BRIDGES - CAPITOL ZONING
6
NORTH -SOUTH CORRIDORS:
Chester Street
As a major connector between I-630
and LaHarpe, the street is planned to
be redeveloped with large scale com-
mercial buildings that will fill in the
existing large sites now fronting the
busy four -lane arterial street. A land-
scaped median is also planned to en-
courage this type of redevelopment
along the street and to provide a spe-
cial identity.
Broadway
As one of the most highly traveled
of any of the three north -south streets,
the plan reinforces its urban image by
adding a landscaped median and a
high density development center at its
intersection with Capitol. Along its
route at other key intersections, like
Markham, large scaled civic infrastruc-
ture pieces are envisioned such as light
fixtures, bridge entry posts, and public
art to reinforce the importance of this
street as it passes through the center of
the Downtown.
Main Street
For most of Little Rock's history,
Main Street served as the center of
civic and retail activity. The plan envi-
sions that Main Street can regain some
of it past importance by : developing a
major civic space as its northern termi-
nus at the Little Rock Convention
Center, by the promotion of residential
uses in the upper levels of existing
structures, as well as the extension of
Main Street's standard treatment of
streetscape to the area south of Eight
Street and the encouragement of higher
density development in this area.
Additionally, utilizing the Arkansas
Repertory Theater to promote an ex-
panded arts character, and symboli-
cally reconnecting Main Street to the
Main Street Bridge, by developing the
block on Markham between Scott and
Main Streets.
Summary Report: 4Plans
DOWNTOWN FRAMEWORK - CORRIDORS - 6 BRIDGES - CAPITOL ZONING
THE SDC BRIDGES
FRAMEWORK PLAN
The Six Bridges Framework Plan ad-
dresses the prominence of the Arkan-
sas River as a catalyst for Downtown
revitalization and presents recommen-
dations for guiding its long-term
growth. The plan envisions a planning
area that encompasses both sides of the
river within two municipal jurisdic-
tions. Utilizing existing zoning and
political boundaries and promoting
cooperation and mutual economic
benefits for Little Rock, North Little
Rock, and Pulaski County will form a
unified redevelopment plan for the
area's future. Strategies to create incen-
tives for public/private development
partnerships are discussed as the
means of realizing new projects and
ultimately, the revitalization of the
downtown areas.
The Framework plan includes recom-
mendations for:
• public policies,
• capital improvements,
• priority sites,
• design guidelines,
• events promotion and management,
• public service and maintenance,
• implementation strategies, and timing.
The Plan supports a Vision for the
District that envisions the area as the
"icon" for the whole Central Arkansas
region; it envisions among other con-
cepts:
• mixed uses centered on the River
along its centralized six bridges,
• a pedestrian, urban environment of
medium to high densities,
• an area very accessible by transit,
cars and people,
• a focus for economic and business
opportunities,
• a center of tourism and entertainment,
• a river's edge of parks and public
open spaces,
• a range of housing options, and
• a place to live, work, shop, play, and
enjoy the benefits of urban life.
Strategies for implementation have
been researched and include options
ranging from major interventions to
more passive strategies by the city
governments. The specific form of
implementation will depend on the
range of activities and level of control
that the cities determine to be appro-
priate.
The level of development activity in
the downtowns demands that the
political process necessary to make
decisions about the structure, organi-
zation, and financing of the District's
implementation should begin immedi-
ately.
Summary Report: 4Plans
DOWNTOWN FRAMEWORK - CORRIDORS - 6 BRIDGES - CAPITOL ZONING
7
8
The Six Bridges Framework Plan Study
Area and potential area of influence.
Summary Report: 4Plans
DOWNTOWN FRAMEWORK - CORRIDORS - 6 BRIDGES - CAPITOL ZONING
9
THE CAPITOL AREA
FRAMEWORK MASTER PLAN
The Capitol Area Framework Master Plan
addresses the area surrounding the
State Capitol and specifies develop-
ment regulations to be administered by
the Capitol Zoning District Commis-
sion. The following summarization,
comprising pages 10 and the first col-
umn on pg. 11, is taken from the Capi-
tol Area Framework Master Plan.
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District: Capitol Area Framework Plan
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Summary Report: 4Plans
DOWNTOWN FRAMEWORK . CORRIDORS - 6 BRIDGES - CAPITOL ZONING
SUMMARY OF POLICIES
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The Capitol Area lies in a strategic
location. It forms the western bound-
ary of Downtown Little Rock and
creates the foreground for the Capitol
building itself.
Symbolically, this area should be the
"front door" to the state, with Capitol
Avenue serving as a key ceremonial
corridor. It should be the area that
residents from all over Arkansas feel is
the place to bring family, friends and
visitors, since it represents their com-
mon interests and highlights the im-
portance of the State Capitol.
However, Capitol Avenue has not
developed to its potential. Construc-
tion has proceeded slowly and at a
relatively low density. As a result, the
street scene is fragmented and is unin-
viting to pedestrians. A more continu-
ous line of occupied buildings and
active open spaces is needed to ani-
mate the area.
In terms of the uses, a lack of focus
also exists. Land uses should reinforce
the emerging trend as a place for orga-
nizations that seek to conduct business
with state government.
Uses also should reinforce develop-
ment objectives for the core of Little
Rock. As the immediate downtown
area is revitalized as a commercial
center, the lands around its periphery,
including those of the Capitol Area, are
becoming increasingly important as
locations for uses that will help to
energize the core. In that regard, ser-
vice businesses, dining and entertain-
ment, and particularly housing and
accommodations, are uses that should
be encouraged.
Housing opportunities should be em-
phasized. Mixed use projects that
incorporate commercial uses with
residences could be successful here
and would greatly extend the hours of
activity that will help to animate the
street.
In general, a moderate density of de-
velopment should be promoted
throughout the Capitol Area; this is a
density that will be compatible with
historic resources and also reinforces a
pedestrian -oriented scale. Buildings
averaging three stories in height are
therefore envisioned, with some vari-
ety in scale in different sectors of the
neighborhood.
10
The protection of significant structures
and historical views also remains an
important land use consideration.
Policies have consistently stated that
development in the Capitol Zoning
District's Capitol Area should defer to
the Capitol building, in particular, in
the way in which they protect views to
the State House dome. To some extent,
this means that development should
remain at a moderate scale.
A key factor in the development of the
Capitol Area will be, how the state
decides to meet its needs for office
space in the future. The best way to
encourage private investment here will
be to demonstrate a public commit-
ment by locating state offices in the
Capitol Area. This may occur in a
variety of ways, but what is important,
is that the gesture be made.
A particularly important site lies at the
northeast corner of Woodlane and
Capitol Avenue. This site is positioned
at the foot of the Capitol building, and
its potential development is a keystone
in setting the character for future
building. If this site is developed with
an adequate critical mass and designed
in a compatible manner, it could estab-
lish a direction for the Capitol Area.
Summary Report: 4Plans
DOWNTOWN FRAMEWORK - CORRIDORS - 6 BRIDGES - CAPITOL ZONING
LAND USE GOALS
URBAN DESIGN GOALS
11
A variety of elements can add accents
To activate the area with a mix of uses
To establish a distinct identity for the
to the setting and help to link various
neighborhood
issues into an overall urban frame-
To promote the development of more
work. These include improvements to
institutional and professional office
To provide an attractive foreground for
the streetscape, construction of special
uses
the capitol
plazas and gateways, and enhance-
ments to circulation systems. Many of
To promote the development of hous-
To define and enhance views to the
these activities extend beyond the
ing that is compatible with the scale of
Capitol
Capitol Zoning District Commission's
the neighborhood
immediate jurisdiction and require
To enhance the character of individual
cooperation among other state agencies
To provide reliable public transporta-
neighborhoods within the Capitol Area
as well as the City of Little Rock. It is
tion to serve the area
important that the Commission work
To enhance the pedestrian experience
proactively to facilitate such improve-
throughout
ments.
With this vision in mind for the Capi-
tol Area, a series of goals for land use
and urban design are established to
guide development. These are pre-
sented in more detail in the next sec-
tion .
Summary Report: 4Plans
To establish a sense of visual continu-
ity within individual neighborhoods
DOWNTOWN FRAMEWORK - CORRIDORS - 6 BRIDGES - CAPITOL ZONING
RESOLUTION NO. 10,717.
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS IN SUPPORT
OF THE PLANS FOR DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK.
WHEREAS, a committee of "stakeholders" was formed to
develop a plan for Downtown; and
WHEREAS, after several months of work by the Planning
Committee, a set of goals and objectives was developed and
distributed to various groups and individuals in Downtown; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown Framework for the Future (Goals,
Objectives and Action Statements) provides the basis on which
(re) development of Downtown can be achieved; and
WHEREAS, the UALR Donaghey Project for Urban Studies and
Design developed design concepts for six corridors in Downtown;
and
WHEREAS, the Downtown Framework and design concepts for the
six corridors were presented for comment at meetings throughout
the City; and
WHEREAS, the UALR Donaghey Project for Urban Studies and
Design and a team of consultants developed the Six Bridges
Framework Plan with input from "stakeholders" through public
meetings; and
WHEREAS, the Capitol Area Framework Master Plan, developed
for the Capitol Zoning District Commission by consultants,
updates the previous standards in order to preserve the capitol
Area has been reviewed'by interested parties and adopted by the
Capitol Zoning District Commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.
SECTION 1. The Board of Directors of the City of Little
Rock does support the vision, goals and concepts expressed in
the plans for Downtown Little Rock.
ADOPTED:
ATTEST:
December 7, 1999
s/Robbie Hancock
ROBBIE HANCOCK
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
s/Tom Carpenter
THOMAS M. CARPENTER
CITY ATTORNEY
APPROVED:
s/Jim Dailey
JIM DAILEY
MAYOR
RESOLUTION NO. 127
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LITTLE
ROCK, ARKANSAS IN SUPPORT OF THE
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE OF DOWNTOWN
LITTLE ROCK.
WHEREAS, a committee of "stakeholders" was formed to
develop a plan for Downtown; and
WHEREAS, after several months of work by the Planning
Committee, a set of goals and objectives was developed and
distributed to various groups and individuals in Downtown;
and
WHEREAS, this Downtown Framework (Goals, Objectives
and Action Statements) provides the basis on which
(re) development of Downtown can be achieved; and,
WHEREAS, the Donaghey Project for Urban Studies and
Design developed design concepts for various corridors in
Downtown; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown Framework and corridor design
concept were presented for comment at meetings throughout
the City; and,
WHEREAS, the Six Bridges Framework Plan by the
Donaghey Project for Urban Studies and Design and
consultants was developed with input from various
"stakeholders" over three meetings; and,
WHEREAS, the Capitol Area Framework Master Plan,
developed for the Capitol Zoning Commission by consultants
updates the previous standards in order to preserve the
Capitol Area has been reviewed and modified based on
comments from businesses and residents.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.
SECTION
1.
The Planning Commission of
the City of
Little Rock
does
support the vision and goals
as expressed
__ in the plans
for
the future of Downtown Little
Rock.
ADOPTED:
q q
ATTEST:
APPROVED:
,INA
,ice