HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-03 email loucks1
Minyard, Brian
From:Robin Loucks <rwloucks@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, May 3, 2021 4:11 PM
To:Minyard, Brian
Subject:HDC 2021-010
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Dear Brian,
Harry and I echo and agree with Carolyn Newbern’s assessment and concerns about HDC 1021-10.
We further wish to emphasize several things, the first of which is the importance of the historic significance of The
Tower Building as the landmark structure of MacArthur Park. Built between 1840-1841 it is one of the oldest buildings in
Little Rock and was built as an Army outpost in the then dangerous Arkansas frontier.(Population in 1850 was 2167 and
considerably less in 1840). It has been on the National Register of Historic Places since the 1970s.
As the first City Park MacArthur Park has been a landmark for 180 years providing spaces for games and meetings, and
concerts, hot air ballooning, fishing, picnicking, horseshoe tossing, Dog Park and other events for all our citizens. The
Signage for the Park should emphasize Highlighting first and foremost the name MacArthur Park on the north side with
the MacArthur Park Museum of Military History and the newly named Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and the Fire House
Hostel Museum with equal sized smaller signs, preferable in more legible colors than gray and lace.
We are also curious as to why the landscaping and fountain in front of the Tower Building are to be removed as it frames
the importance of the historic Tower building. The landscaping and maintence of the lawn has been courtesy of The
MacPark Group, Master Gardeners and fundraising for years.
If erasing all of this with its benches intentional then one must ask if it is hoped that the Homeless population will go
away, or is that just an obviously unspoken question?
To the south has been a Memorial Garden, also slated to be erased. Also landscaped and maintained with funds raised
for benches by the Master Gardeners and the MacPark Group. Come on folks, these were Real people in the community,
loved in the community and well thought of enough for the garden to have been created. Who is designated to explain
this to the affected families and descendants?
Sincerely,
Robin and Harry Loucks
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