HomeMy WebLinkAboutdowntown_update
The
Downtown
Neighborhoods
Plan
for the
Future
2006
i
DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOODS PLAN COMMITTEE
Kathy Wells, Chair
Patrick Burnett
Tony Curtis
Brad Farmer
Veronica Goodloe
Beverly Jones
Connie Manning
Angel Murray
Cheri Nichols
Lisa Riahi
Sharon Welch-Blair
Karol Zoeller
August 2006
Prepared by the Downtown Neighborhoods Plan for the Future Committee
Contact: Kathy Wells, Chairman 375-6987
* * *
Printed by Little Rock Department of Planning
723 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72201
Contact: Brian Minyard 371-4790
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DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD’S PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
Introduction ..............................................................................................................2
Achievements of the Plan ........................................................................................3
Vision Statement ......................................................................................................6
Goals
Executive Summary .....................................................................................8
Community Preservation .............................................................................9
Housing ......................................................................................................10
Social Services ...........................................................................................13
Historic Preservation..................................................................................14
Public Safety ..............................................................................................16
Public Schools............................................................................................18
Economic Development .............................................................................19
Transportation and Infrastructure ..............................................................21
Land Use and Zoning .................................................................................23
Recreation and Open Spaces......................................................................26
Implementation
Responsibilities of Neighborhoods, City, and Others................................28
Existing Conditions................................................................................................29
Monitoring, Evaluating and Updating the Plan ....................................................39
Appendix
Zoning and Land Use Maps ......................................................................42
Listing of Vacant / Unsafe Structures and Weed Lots..............................46
Community Comment ................................................................................52
The 1999 Downtown Neighborhoods Plan for the Future .........................54
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INTRODUCTION
Area: Interstate 630 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive - Roosevelt Road - Interstate 30
This 2006 Update is a revision of the Plan for the Future adopted in March 1999, by the
Little Rock Board of Directors, as well as the Little Rock Planning Commission.
Residents continue their belief that close links between the commercial and residential
area north of Interstate 630 and the residential area south of the Interstate should be recognized
in city planning. As more residents come back, this becomes more important than ever.
This area includes neighborhood associations, crime watches, city-formed historic
districts and a state-authorized historic district surrounding the Governor’s Mansion and State
Capitol. All the area lies in the Pulaski County Enterprise Community, and numerous blocks are
eligible for Community Development Block Grant aid.
This Plan acknowledges overlapping policies and connections to other planning
documents that concern this area and adjacent areas, including The Framework for the Future
Plan for the commercial district and the MacArthur Park area; the Six Bridges Plan; the
Downtown Corridors Study; the Capitol Zoning District Commission Master Plan; the
Downtown Partnership Plan; the River Market Plan and the Pulaski County Enterprise
Community Plan.
Within these boundaries are three neighborhoods, each with its own distinct history. In
the center, between Main and State Streets, is the Governor’s Mansion neighborhood, where
development flourished from the 1880s to the 1920s. The neighborhood east of Main developed
during the same period, but on a more modest scale and with a more diverse population. From
approximately State to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive is an historically black residential area,
sometimes known as the “Center City” neighborhood, where most development occurred from
about 1900 to 1930.
Currently, we have 6,316 population, of which 74 percent is black, 24 percent is white
and two percent is Hispanic and other races. The age groups are 61 percent for those 18 to 64
years old; 24 percent for those under 18; and 14 percent for those over 64. We have 2,726
households. One-parent households are 11 percent of the total, while one-person households are
29 percent of the total. The neighborhood lost population and housing stock following the
January, 1999 tornado.
A third of our households lack cars, and public transportation is inadequate. Over 68
percent of the households have low to moderate income, and over five percent have an income
over $100,000. In housing, 29 percent are owner-occupied, 49 percent are rental dwellings and
22 percent of our houses are vacant.
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Achievements of the 1999 Plan
(Text of state laws may be found at: www.arkleg.state.ar.us and city ordinances at: www.littlerock.org.
Select “municipal code”)
Community improvement work since adoption of the Downtown Neighborhoods Plan for
the Future 1999 has resulted in these accomplishments:
Community Preservation
• The population increased notably in loft apartments, new apartment buildings and
renovated residential property from the bank of the Arkansas River southward. Since
1999, 248 building permits were issued for work totaling $4.6 million on 159 residential
properties.
Housing
• Approval of $1 million to aid homeowners to rebuild after the 1999 tornado under the
city’s Targeted Neighborhood Enhancement Program.
• Passage of Act 1538 of 2001, which authorizes cities to recover the costs of work done to
maintain health and safety on rental property, where landlords fail to make necessary
repairs.
• Passage of Act 1205 of 2003, which allows the purchaser of a tax-delinquent property to
clear the title in a shorter period than before. Those items left unsold go to the Negotiated
Sales List. Yet, when sold, the law still had allowed the former owner two years to
redeem the property, obstructing any re-development for that time. The redemption
period was cut to 90 days.
• Passage of City Ordinance Number 18,742 on September 3, 2002, that required out-of-
state property owners to name a local agent to take service on city notices of rental
inspections and orders to make repairs. To date, x property owners have complied with
city orders to name a local agent to ensure rental inspections are effective, and tenants are
provided safe and healthy living conditions.
Historic Preservation
• Publication of the Historic District Infill Development Plan in August 2000 to guide
redevelopment in the downtown area damaged by the 1999 Tornado. Six house plans
were provided for public use.
• Expansion of the Capitol Zoning District boundaries and protections south to Roosevelt
Rd., and west to Chester St., in August, 2001.
• Creation began in 2004 of the Dunbar Historic District between Chester St. and Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.
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Public Safety
• City efforts to resolve problems of the homeless began with an August, 2003 task force
report outlining the size and complexity of the problem facing the downtown business
district and residential areas, which called for a public-private partnership to continue this
work.
• City Ordinance Number 18,939 was approved on September 16, 2003, that revised the
zoning code and provided a new definition of homeless shelter. The new rules require a
conditional-use permit from the city to begin operation, and provide procedures for
revocation of the permit if the facility becomes a nuisance to the neighbors.
• Passage of Act 678 of 2005, which establishes regulations on halfway houses for convicts
whose good behavior earned them probation or return to the community in advance of
their parole. An operator must comply with all local housing codes for health and safety,
and failure to comply is grounds to lose the state license, as well as state funding for
operation. The Arkansas Department of Community Correction administers the program.
Act 679 of 2005 also regulates operation of halfway houses.
Land Use and Zoning.
• Passage of a Group Home zoning revision on September 6, 2005, Ordinance Number
19,395, that meets Fair Housing standards at the same time it regulates group homes,
which have in some cases operated so badly as to be a nuisance to neighbors. A
companion policy to begin rental inspections of these facilities was pressed by
community activists, and supported by city staff. Currently, these facilities are deemed
commercial, and neither inspected nor held to minimum health and safety standards for a
residential property use.
• Passage of a Design Overlay ordinance, Number 18064, on July 20, 1999, that provides
for new construction in an area to be architecturally compatible with surrounding homes.
The ordinance applies to three areas abutting the Capitol Zoning District. The first area
is generally, but not all of the area between 15th, 19th, Commerce and Scott Streets. The
second area is generally, but not all of the area between Wright Avenue, State, 20th and
Chester Streets. The third area is generally, but not all of the area between Chester,
Roosevelt, MLK, and 21st Street.
Transportation and Infrastructure
• City-paid maintenance of sidewalks began for the first time in the 2005 city budget.
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VISION STATEMENT
The East of Main, Governor’s Mansion and Center City neighborhoods - collectively known as
the Downtown Neighborhoods - will be safe and attractive places for a diverse population to
live, work, shop, and play.
As residents of the Downtown Neighborhoods, we will send our children to neighborhood
schools that will be well maintained and serve as neighborhood centers. The area will be “child
friendly.” Single parents will benefit from good child-care programs and other services that
meet their needs. Our youth will enjoy recreation and job training in the neighborhood, and
good employment opportunities will be in or near the area.
Our senior citizens will enjoy retirement because shops suit their needs, delivering items such as
food and medicine. Services such as health care will be affordable and accessible. Recreation
opportunities will meet their needs. Senior citizens will be encouraged to remain in their own
homes with programs to support their need for health care or house maintenance. They will
enjoy community activities that support productive lives.
We will walk to neighborhood businesses that satisfy all of our basic needs for goods and
services. Many businesses will be owned by residents, and they will provide jobs for more
residents. Small businesses will be incubated in the homes, then find reasonably-priced
commercial space in which to expand. Modern technology will enable residents to sell creative
skills and artistic services worldwide without leaving home, promoting a new class of
entrepreneur.
Our diversity will be reflected in the many churches and other religious organizations that meet
spiritual needs of residents. Strong Neighborhood Associations will bring citizens together to
act collectively for the public good.
The Downtown Neighborhoods will be will be clean, well lit, and graced with tree-shaded
streets. The area will be adorned with small parks and community gardens. Facilities promoting
physical fitness will be available to all of our residents, with bike lanes and pathways also
providing an alternate means of transportation.
No homes in the Downtown Neighborhoods will be vacant, and new construction will blend in
with the existing structures, occupying formerly vacant lots. Discrimination will be ended by
lenders and insurance companies, so no longer will they refuse service to a person because of the
downtown address, and mortgage and insurance redlining no longer will hinder development.
Strong enforcement of fair-housing laws will end the practice of refusing a person an apartment
or home because of their color or similar prejudice. Real estate agents will compete to locate
newcomers in our neighborhoods.
Historic preservation will save our best buildings, not only creating appealing homes and
businesses, but also tapping into the lucrative tourism industry. Our historic school buildings
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will remain in use as schools, or, if closed, be redeveloped for uses that benefit our
neighborhoods. Historic preservation efforts coupled with sensitive zoning will maintain our
neighborhood character and prevent damage to our streetscape.
Our historic street grid will be maintained and strengthened, and all the streets will have curbs,
gutters and sidewalks. Public transportation - buses and streetcars - will be readily accessible to
all residents. Our alleys will be improved and in regular use, providing space for off-street
parking.
In administering regulations in the Neighborhood, city officials will understand when to be
flexible, as in helping to start new business or residential projects, or firm, as in enforcing
housing codes for health and safety.
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GOALS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Six interlocking priorities were established, dependent one upon the other. They were:
1. Rehabilitate decayed structures and overgrown vacant lots, residential and
commercial.
• Increase home ownership to at least 60 percent of our housing units.
• Support vigorous city action to hold property owners accountable for meeting
minimum health and safety standards.
• Stop violations of the Fair Housing laws so that a home purchaser or renter is not
refused because of his/her color or other prejudice.
• Stop discrimination by insurance and mortgage companies, which refuse coverage
because of the address (Redlining).
• Improve protections for historic structures.
2. Continue to reduce crime. Focus upon:
• More Community Policing;
• Youth programs; and
• Treatment for drug and alcohol abuse.
3. Promote affordable and accessible health care for all residents, especially the elderly
and low-income families.
4. Establish schools as neighborhood centers, so that lifelong learning is encouraged,
and children have safe places to go all year round.
5. Promote jobs and job training for unemployed and poor residents.
6. Reverse the negative image of the Downtown Neighborhoods by publicizing our safe
and desirable quality of life and attracting people to occupy our vacant houses and
lots.
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COMMUNITY PRESERVATION
Objective: Maintain our diversity of population.
• Support programs that provide assistance to low- and moderate-income families, and
enable them to move up to higher levels of income.
• Vigorously uphold fair housing laws to prevent discrimination.
• Support welfare-to-work programs for residents.
Objective: Increase our population.
• Continue effort to reverse negative perceptions and promote the area for business,
residential, shopping and recreational activity.
• Work with city officials and economic development leaders to provide incentives and
financial rewards for selecting these neighborhoods in which to live and do business.
• Provide adequate public transportation - bus service, bike lanes, etc. - to prevent
traffic congestion from vehicles likely to accompany increased population.
Objective: Maintain our diversity of income levels
• Support programs that provide assistance to low-income families, to enable them to
obtain higher incomes. Control “gentrification.”
• Support investment in the neighborhoods by families of all income levels, and assure
current residents are not displaced in the process. The quantity of available property
should reduce the likelihood of major displacement, since the primary need is to bring
back residents and business to fill vacant houses and lots.
Objective: Support ALERT Centers and their services to benefit housing, fight crime, and
aid residents in meeting their needs.
• Advocate adequate funding in the annual city budget.
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HOUSING
Objective: Promote downtown living.
• Publish a brochure detailing available properties, and referrals to historic property
restoration resources, grants and tax credits.
Objective: Conduct a vigorous city program of rental property inspection.
• Advocate strong enforcement, and adequate budget and staff for the program with
city officials, applying to local landlords and absentee owners both.
Objective: Increase owner-occupied homes to 60 percent of our residential housing units.
• Link to objective to increase population, and promote additional homeowner families
to fill vacant homes and lots.
• Obtain 10-year freeze on property taxes for family renovating older home.
• In re-use of blighted properties, make sure ownerships are promoted, to meet the goal
of 60 percent owner-occupied housing, while rental properties are monitored to keep
this in the desired proportion.
• In promoting new rental property development, encourage duplex, triplex and
carriage house units, which are most compatible with current practices. This would
also help assure landlords remain close to their renters, and manage their properties
better. This style of housing would also support diverse family groups from single-
person households to extended-family households that include several generations
together, or large numbers of children. Block-long apartment complexes would be
discouraged. Apartment complex design would have to be compatible with
surrounding structures.
Objective: Redevelop vacant lots and re-occupy vacant houses and apartments.
• Use CDBG programs for low-income families to acquire these homes and lots.
• Establish a new Targeted Neighborhood Enhancement Area and bring those benefits
to this area, and to this Plan, following the requirements set under Act 320 of 1997.
• Promote more use of the Urban Homestead Law by which a property unsold at tax
auction may be acquired for $1 for use as a dwelling for a low-income family.
• Support the Downtown Little Rock Community Development Corporation in
promoting single-family house purchases. The CDC has built four homes and has
two more in construction.
• Support renovation of rental property that meets minimum health and safety
standards, and provides affordable housing to low-income families, such as Kramer
School Loft Apartments, and Mahlon Martin Apartments, projects of the Downtown
Little Rock Community Development Corporation. The ARC of Arkansas has
renovated and operates Trinity Apartments and Eastside School Apartments, and the
Community Mental Health Center similarly operates Kathleen Peak Apartments for
persons with mental illness.
• Support redevelopment work of the Philander Smith Community Development
Corporation.
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• Support formation of an effective Land Bank to acquire vacant property and
redevelop it.
• Create a database of vacant houses and make it available to the public.
• Establish other city programs to enable vacant houses to be re-used. One important
service of city financing would be to provide seminars to instruct homeowners how to
maintain their homes, as a condition of receiving public money.
• Change state Constitution to allow city acquisition of abandoned property and
promote its redevelopment.
Objective: Repair or demolish condemned houses, with the emphasis upon rehabilitation of
structures listed as repairable by city staff.
• Create a city policy to rehabilitate condemned houses rather than demolish them by
promoting salvage of the condemned houses.
• List and map addresses of condemned houses to promote rehabilitation, by
publicizing list. (See Appendix.)
• Establish city program of incentives for repair rather than demolition.
• Fund demolition in city budget so burned houses and public nuisance structures are
removed.
Objective: Promote re-use of properties unsold at delinquent tax auctions.
• Promote purchase of delinquent-tax properties and publicize availability of this type of
property.
• List and Map tax-delinquent properties. (See Appendix)
Objective: Eliminate redlining by insurance companies that hinder redevelopment because
persons are denied insurance because of the address.
• Educate residents about their rights.
• Ask concerned group, perhaps ACORN Fair Housing organization, to lead the project.
Objective: Eliminate discrimination that denies a person a home or apartment because of
their color or other prejudice, known as Fair Housing violations.
• Support vigorous enforcement of Fair Housing laws.
Objective: Offer programs to educate public on financing a home, and maintaining it.
• Support and expand home loan counseling funding in the city budget, so the city may
contract for such services and serve the neighborhoods.
Objective: Vigorous city enforcement to hold out-of-state property owners accountable for
failing to meet minimum health and safety standards in their rental housing.
• Support city enforcement of an ordinance requiring landlords to meet minimum health
and safety standards, and that out-of-state landlords name an agent for service in the city,
to facilitate official contact with owners where defects are found, and remedies required.
Objective: Establish a vigorous program to board and secure vacant structures, and keep
them secured.
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• City housing officials must make this a priority, and fund it.
Objective: Support vigorous enforcement of city ordinances to keep vacant lots mowed and
clear of litter.
• Advocate adequate funding annually for funds cutting weed lots.
Objective: Support city program to fund minor repair and painting with Facade
Enhancement Program.
• Advocate adequate funding in annual budget for the program, which grants up to $1,500
to a low-income family to paint their house.
Objective: Support new programs to enable the homeless to leave the streets for safe
housing and find jobs to support themselves, as well as obtain treatment for those suffering
addiction or mental illness.
• Advocate adequate funding for these programs, which are being detailed in the Ten-year
Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, a public-private partnership.
Objective: Improve city and state regulation of group homes.
• Support city-zoning changes to uphold Fair Housing laws and provide for regulation of
group homes, which have sometimes become a nuisance to neighbors, which was enacted
September 6, 2005, by the Little Rock Board of Directors. Support 2005 state regulations
for group homes for ex-convicts, which provide for close communication with city
officials.
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SOCIAL SERVICES
Objective: Assure affordable and accessible health care for all residents, especially the
elderly and low-income families.
• Advocate these policies with elected officials at all levels of government.
Objective: Support programs for single-parent households.
• Develop job training and job-seeking skills workshops, such as are being conducted
by the Pulaski County Enterprise Community.
• Assure families at risk are enrolled in prevention programs such as Healthy Families,
which offers the mother of a newborn child a variety of support services that continue
until the child starts kindergarten.
Objective: Develop more summer employment for youth.
• Support expanded city-funded youth employment opportunities.
Objective: Develop more employment programs for youth.
• Support expanded Youth Employability Program of the Little Rock Education
Commission and similar programs.
Objective: Assure programs assist our elderly residents with necessary transportation,
home health care, home maintenance and other programs, to enable them to continue
living independently in their own homes.
• Support elder-care law practices, which would provide the elderly with representation
in dealing with government agencies and better enable the elderly to conduct real-
estate transactions and other business. The elderly are a target for fraud of all kinds.
• Establish a maintenance program that provides financing and volunteer labor for low-
income elderly persons whose homes are found deficient by city housing inspectors
and who cannot afford to make those repairs. Link the program to persons brought
before the Environmental Court, since many fail to make repairs because they cannot.
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Objective: Educate owners and prospective owners of historic houses.
• Establish one-day seminars detailing restoration techniques and resources.
Objective: Survey neighborhoods and document all historic buildings.
• Use 1998 updated Survey of Capitol Zoning District Commission.
• Survey remainder of area, first with Certified Local Government (CLG) grants sought
by city officials, and if these prove unavailable, the city should fund the work
directly. CLG funds are provided by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program.
• Target Historic Public Schools in surveys to ensure these buildings are identified and
remain in use as schools or rehabilitated for new uses, such as a community center
offering programs in literacy, job training, recreation, child care, elderly daycare
programs, and similar concerns.
Objective: List all buildings and districts eligible in the Arkansas and/or the National
Register of Historic Buildings.
• Obtain funding for preparation of Arkansas and/or National Register nominations,
first through Certified Local Government grants from the Arkansas Historic
Preservation Program to the City of Little Rock, through its Dept. Of Housing and
Neighborhood Programs, or by direct city funding if these prove unavailable.
• Work with the Quapaw Quarter Association on opportunities to use student interns
and volunteers to prepare Arkansas and/or National Register nominations.
Objective: Protect historic buildings from demolition or inappropriate alterations.
• Protect properties with city ordinances, state law and the Capitol Zoning District
Commission laws.
• Amend the Little Rock Historic District Ordinance by city officials to make the
historic district designation more palatable, by clarifying its administration and
including minimum maintenance standards, and economic provisions.
• Pass state legislation, with support of city officials, that enables Arkansas cities to
choose from a variety of methods for protecting historic buildings from demolition
and inappropriate alteration, including landmark designation and conservation
districts.
• Support and publicize the revised 1998 statutes of the Capitol Zoning District
Commission to extend greater protection to historic buildings in the Mansion Area.
Objective: Ensure that infill construction is compatible with the historic architecture of the
Downtown Neighborhoods.
• Publicize city design guidelines for new development.
• Publicize and expand a “Design Overlay Ordinance,” which provides guidelines for
new construction in areas of Downtown neighborhoods not otherwise protected. (See
model under Land Use and Zoning Chapter.)
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• Support efforts of the Little Rock Historic District Commission and Capitol Zoning
District Commission to ensure new construction is compatible in the MacArthur Park
Historic District and the Mansion Area.
Objective: Rehabilitate all historic buildings.
• Support and expand the program by city officials to provide funds to owners of
historic homes to make repairs.
• Apply flexible housing code enforcement by city housing inspectors, so that
rehabilitation projects are not deterred.
• Use city housing programs combined with other funding sources to make
rehabilitation projects possible.
• Establish new incentives for owners by city ordinances to promote rehabilitation of
historic buildings.
• Amend state law, if necessary, to permit the City of Little Rock to seize vacant,
derelict structures from unresponsive owners while rehabilitation still is possible, and
then make the structures available to individuals, nonprofits or developers for
rehabilitation
• Assemble related program representatives together to provide “one stop shopping”
for persons interested in undertaking rehabilitation projects, including city agencies,
lenders, neighborhood associations, historic preservationists and other stakeholders.
•
Objective: Use CDBG funds for historic preservation projects.
• City officials must allocate funds for this purpose.
Objective: Create the Dunbar Neighborhood as a National Register Historic District.
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PUBLIC SAFETY
Objective: Establish the perception that our neighborhoods are safe.
• Publicize police statistics that show reductions in crime. (See Appendix.)
• Increase Community Police hours to evenings and weekends.
• Establish a zero-tolerance policy for petty crimes.
• Discourage loitering.
• Target criminals for habitual-offender penalties that increase prison sentences and
keep them longer from returning to the neighborhoods. Support prosecutor and staff
in asking for such penalties.
• Coordinate police patrols and crime watch activities, and improve exchange of
information.
• Control truck traffic on residential streets.
• Add streetlights.
• Keep ALERT Centers open later.
• Support School Resource officer assigned to Dunbar Junior High School. Expand
program to elementary schools.
• Promote enrollment of residents in the Citizens Police Academy to improve
understanding of police operations.
Objective: Improve remedies to close down a nuisance such as a drug or gang house.
• Pass legislation allowing neighbors to sue owner for damages in Small Claims Court.
(A bill was proposed in the 1997 General Assembly but did not pass.)
Objective: Encourage community police officers to purchase homes or rent in our
neighborhoods.
• Promote use of city program of low-interest loans to officers who buy homes in older
neighborhoods. The 1994 program uses local lenders and loans from the Arkansas
Development Finance Authority (AFDA).
• Encourage city hiring of residents to become police officers.
Objective: Eliminate drug and alcohol addiction, which stimulate numerous crimes.
(Eighty percent of the inmates of the Pulaski County Regional Detention Center have a
history of drug/alcohol abuse. That matches a national study of prison inmates, which
found 80 percent of prison inmates linked to drug and alcohol abuse.)
• Support and expand city Fight Back programs and projects funded by the city
Prevention, Intervention and Treatment Division. Treatment works, but available
resources fall short of meeting the need.
• Publicize and support treatment programs, which include 212 meetings weekly of
Alcoholics Anonymous, and 38 meetings weekly of Narcotics Anonymous and
Cocaine Anonymous. List and promote outpatient treatment programs and residential
programs, both private and public.
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• Support and expand city treatment for alcohol and drug abuse, including treatment for
adults in residential centers, the Women’s Outpatient Treatment program; and the
Adolescent Treatment Program.
• Support and expand Operation Safe Summer, Youth Initiative Projects, and Our
Clubs in our facilities.
• Support community crime prevention programs.
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Objective: Establish schools as neighborhood centers
• Offer computer access and other facilities evenings and weekends.
• Amend educational codes to promote full-time use.
• Offer community programs evenings and weekends.
• Offer adult education classes leading to the GED.
Objective: Landscape schools and recruit community groups to maintain them
• Invite school PTA groups, and area organizations such as the Quapaw Home and
Garden Club to landscape schools.
Objective: Promote excellent public schools as a reason for living in Downtown
Neighborhoods.
• Market our schools vigorously as part of the new promotion campaign sponsored by
the Alliance to Save Public Schools, which is directed at real-estate agents and
homebuyers.
I.
Objective: Encourage business mentoring programs to improve job opportunities for
youth.
• Work with summer program of the Little Rock School District.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Objective: Promote interaction between the community and businesses.
• Support the Southside Main St. Program, a nonprofit corporation that promotes retail
activity on Main St. And nearby areas.
Objective: Increase cooperation between zoning officials and developers to renovate
existing properties and build new ones.
• Revise city and Capitol Zoning Commission laws so they are more understandable.
• Create “one-stop shopping” to obtain permits and meet all government requirements
without delay or trips to various agencies.
• Maintain close relationship with city legislative program.
Objective: Recognize the economic development value to urban forestry, further described
in chapter on Parks and Recreation.
• Continue to promote urban forestry, especially planting of curbside trees to shade our
streets undertaken by Tree Streets, a private organization.
Objective: Increase Small Business development.
• Continue to support the Pulaski County Enterprise Community, which has a Small
Business Incubator program.
Objective: Publicize available commercial properties in a brochure and circulate to
Realtors and others.
• Work with Realtors to print and distribute the information.
Objective: Target jobs training and mentoring toward current residents, to enable them to
improve their incomes.
• Work with current programs of the city and the Pulaski County Enterprise
Community.
• Support welfare-to-work programs for residents.
Objective: Attract a discount store to serve the neighborhoods.
• Add population and raise incomes of residents, and stores will follow.
Objective: Attract other businesses and services, such as pizza places that make home
deliveries, another grocery, another pharmacy, video stores, cafes, a sporting goods store,
and more restaurants open after 8 p.m.
• Work with the Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce on a campaign.
• Work with the Downtown Partnership on a campaign.
Objective: Establish a fixed-route trolley line along Main Street from Markham south.
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• Persuade city officials and transit officials to plan and fund the route, to promote
tourism between the River Market District and the Central High Visitors Center, and
later the Museum.
Objective: Promote successful re-development of the Job Corps Center at Vance and
Charles Bussey Ave. A new facility is under construction, and upon completion, the current
building, a former high-rise hotel overlooking Interstate 30, will be sold.
• Assure community involvement in any redevelopment of this public property.
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TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Objective: Provide adequate transportation for additional population attracted to the
Downtown Neighborhoods.
• Improve bus services with CATA, to get more frequent schedule.
• Establish bike lanes that enable adults to go to and from work; children to go to and
from school; and families to circulate together.
• Persuade city to resume responsibility for maintenance of alleys, as the means of rear
parking access to homes.
• Promote good design in new garage construction, such as joint driveways serving two
adjacent lots, which would separate at rear of houses to serve separate garages. (See
Design Guidelines.)
• Recognize street parking as part of the planned provision for parking, and support an
ordinance to allow for on-street permit parking, by the block.
Objective: Promote increased use of the bus service.
• Ask CATA to operate a shuttle in blocks surrounding the new downtown transfer
station to bring in riders to catch buses at the station, and return them to homes or
firms off regular bus routes. Create a “circulator loop.”
Objective: Provide additional public funding for public transit.
• Support the proposed county 1/4-cent sales tax for public transit.
Objective: Enlist Utility Companies to support improvement efforts.
• Arrange for gas and electric company meter readers to report problems such as
clogged storm drains, potholes, sewer backups, etc.
Objective: Preserve and restore granite curbstones.
• Assure public works crews and utility repairmen are instructed to preserve granite
curbstones in place, and to return them once work is performed. Replace these where
destroyed by public works activity.
Objective: Repair problem streets.
• Fix bad drainage in 2300 block of State St.
Objective: Improve traffic circulation and parking.
• Eliminate one-way streets north of 14th St. (As of this writing, some of these street
are being converted to two way, (Louisiana and Center).
• Make 14th and 17th two-lane streets.
• Create bike lanes. See draft map of proposed bike paths.
• Consider redesign of the I-630 and Center intersection to add right-turn only lane, but
not at the cost of maintaining links to the Central Business District.
• Make alleys the area for utility lines.
21
Objective: Maintain and strengthen the grid of streets and alleys.
• Encourage access to parking from alleys.
• Coordinate utility work and resurfacing projects to avoid unnecessary patches.
• Budget for city maintenance of alleys.
Objective: Ensure curbs, gutters and sidewalks on all streets.
• Repair curbs and gutters.
• Add sidewalks where they are missing.
• Support expanded city sidewalk maintenance funding.
Objective: Maximize options--buses, streetcars, bicycles, etc.
• Add bicycle lanes on some neighborhood streets.
• Add walking paths.
• Add streetcar routes in the neighborhoods.
Objective: Restore boulevard structure to 2100 block of Broadway.
• Obtain support from Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, which has
authority over the street, since it is also State Highway 70.
22
LAND USE AND ZONING
Objective: Establish a sustainable growth plan for the city, which will benefit these
neighborhoods.
• City directors should pass a sustainable growth plan ordinance.
Objective: Develop regulations modified for the special needs of older areas that have long
been developed.
• Repeat language of the River Market Design Guidelines in ordinance 17,240:
“Guidelines and strategies must be in place to protect the Downtown
Neighborhoods from the negative impact of poorly planned or incompatible
projects. Incompatible development has the potential to destroy the attributes that
will attract people to the Downtown Neighborhoods. Buildings, signs, street
furnishings and landscaping should all be designed to complement and encourage
pedestrian use during the day and night. Careful planning is necessary to insure
the proper placement of such items to avoid visual clutter.”
• Review and remove spot zoning areas of unsuitable use, such as a block of C-3
commercial property that in fact has residences on the land, and which is surrounded
by other residences zoned residential, on East 21st Street.
• Incorporate Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) in the design
of new structures, modified as necessary to fit character of the neighborhood. (See
draft city ordinance.)
• Allow garages and storage buildings on lot lines (reduced setbacks).
• Encourage home-based occupations, a lower level of activity than a home business,
without the traffic or noise concerns of a home business.
• Encourage mixed-use (both residential and business) activity in small commercial
structures in residential blocks, but do not lift restrictions to protect homeowners
from traffic and noise.
• Review sign ordinances and consider changing sizes for commercial structures that
are out of character with the neighborhoods. For example, provide for no signs on
poles; for no backlit signs, favoring a directional light on the sign instead; and for no
spillover, favoring shaded lights instead that focus light where desirable, and avoid
light undesirable to neighbors. Many commercial firms are close, or even next door,
to residences in our neighborhoods, and these provisions would remove some
problems.
• Establish and enforce standards for minimum repair and appearance on commercial
structures.
• Support expanded application of design guidelines for new development.
Model Design Overlay Concept
The Downtown Neighborhoods are unique historic areas. Collectively, they
represent some of the most important phases in Little Rock’s history, from the boom era of the
post-Civil War years to the tumultuous school integration period of the late 1950s.
23
All of this history is embodied in the neighborhoods’ buildings, many of which already
are recognized landmarks. Dunbar Junior High School, the Villa Marre, Trinity Episcopal
Cathedral, the Hotze and Hornibrook Houses, and the Governor’s Mansion are just a few of the
scores of significant structures in the Downtown Neighborhoods.
In recognition of the importance of preserving the historical and architectural character of
neighborhoods that are among the city’s oldest, two sections of the Downtown Neighborhoods
presently receive some protection from harmful development. A small portion of the MacArthur
Park Historic District extends south of I-630, into the Downtown Neighborhoods, and the
Capitol Zoning Mansion Area encompasses about 90 square blocks surrounding the Governor’s
Mansion. In both of these special districts, review procedures help to ensure that new
development enhances the neighborhoods’ unique character rather than destroying it.
Very detailed architectural guidelines such as those followed in the MacArthur Park
Historic District and the Mansion Area probably are not warranted in most other sections of the
Downtown Neighborhoods. However, some level of protection is needed to prevent, or at least
to provide an opportunity to modify, new development of the type that recently occurred at 15th
and Rock Streets, a project which clearly does not “fit” the neighborhood and was strenuously
opposed by neighbors -- but was allowed by city zoning.
A “design overlay” for the Downtown neighborhoods would enable residents to monitor
development proposals and participate in their review. Design standards would concentrate on
the major features of new construction--siting, height and width, roofline, materials, placement
and proportions of windows and doors, parking--rather than on the smaller details that
sometimes consume time in the MacArthur Park Historic District and the Mansion Area. The
object would not be to stop new development but to make sure new development strengthens
and enhances the Downtown Neighborhoods.
Siting
New buildings should be positioned on their sites in a manner similar to nearby existing
buildings. In a residential area, this means having the same front- and sideyard setbacks as
surrounding houses; in a commercial district, it may mean having no setbacks at all.
Height and Width (Proportion)
In order to fit into an established neighborhood, the height/width ratios, or proportions, of new
buildings should mimic those of existing buildings. In the Downtown Neighborhoods, this
generally will mean that new buildings that are wide and low should be discouraged because the
majority of existing late-19th and early-20th century buildings are more vertical in proportion
than horizontal.
Roofline
Shape
The shape of the roof of a new building should be similar to roofs of existing buildings. Gabled
and hipped roofs predominate on houses in the Downtown neighborhoods; roofs of other shapes
(flat, mansard, etc.) Should be discouraged on new houses.
Pitch
24
The pitch, or degree of slope, of a roof is a critical element in the design of houses and other
buildings that will be located in a residential setting. Existing houses in the Downtown
Neighborhoods generally have steeply-pitched roofs; lower rooflines should be discouraged in
new construction.
Materials
Wood is the predominant building material in the Downtown Neighborhoods, with the majority
of existing houses being sheathed in clapboard siding. A number of brick houses and commercial
also are present. New construction generally should employ these materials--wood and/or brick--
and avoid other types of materials that have not traditionally been used in the Downtown
Neighborhoods (stucco or Dryvit; stone; concrete block; aluminum, vinyl, and steel siding, etc.)
Windows and Doors
Fenestration--the arrangement, proportions and design of windows and doors--is an important
design element that often is given little consideration in new construction. The fenestration of
new buildings should be similar to that of existing buildings in the Downtown Neighborhoods.
Generally, this will mean generously-sized window and door openings that are taller than they
are wide; placing several door and/or window openings in all facades (i.e., no blank walls); and
having a front door that faces the street and clearly says “this is the main entrance to this
house/building.” (Note: New buildings sometimes have their main entrances off a parking lot
rather than facing the street. This arrangement definitely should be discouraged in the Downtown
Neighborhoods.)
Parking
The Downtown Neighborhoods developed before automobiles became the primary mode of
transportation for most people, so driveways, garages and parking lots are not part of the historic
development pattern of the neighborhoods. In order to accommodate cars without destroying the
historic character of the Downtown Neighborhoods, parking behind buildings should be
encouraged. Alley access to rear parking should be promoted. Front-yard parking should not be
allowed in either residential or commercial development.
25
RECREATION AND OPEN SPACES
Objective: Promote recreation with a brochure listing available parks, bike trails and
facilities.
• Obtain city aid to print and distribute the brochure. Correlate with the existing
brochure detailing a walking tour of historic structures, a private printing.
Objective: Turn vacant lots into wildlife areas and promote visits by residents.
• Work with wildlife enthusiasts in neighborhood, and city officials to obtain owner
consent for use of vacant lots. Promote groups to visit such as church and school and
youth groups.
Objective: Assure recreational opportunities suited to needs of the elderly.
• Open adult day care facility.
• Support and expand active senior recreation program.
• Provide better van transportation to activities and organize car pools to get the elderly
to the Adult Center on W. 12th Street.
• Develop activities within the neighborhoods.
• Encourage programs that provide interaction between seniors and youth.
• Develop a program at Pettaway Park, based at the ALERT Center at 500 E. 21st
Street.
Objective: Assure Recreation for Youth.
• Work with city and transit officials to provide transportation to existing sites for
organized activity in and out of the neighborhoods.
• Develop active competitive and recreational teams or leagues for tennis, baseball,
soccer, gymnastics, and dance.
• Support expansion at Dunbar Community Center to add facilities.
• Support continued operation of Dunbar Community Garden.
Objective: Assure tree-shaded streets along main avenues in the neighborhoods and small
parks and community gardens scattered across the area.
• Establish an active street tree program that includes planting, removing and pruning.
• Work with city parks officials on an Urban Forestry nursery.
• Convert vacant lots to “play lots” or landscaped community gardens.
Objective: Beautify our Gateways - entrances to the neighborhoods, including I-630 and
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive; Broadway and I-630; Main and I-630, and Roosevelt
Rd. And Broadway.
• Support concept of Gateway to our Historic Governor’s Mansion District proposed
by Capitol Zoning District Commission, which calls for landscaping and
Interpretative Plaza at I-630 and Center St.
• Encourage local businesses and organizations to sponsor plantscapes.
26
• Plant trees along Broadway, Chester, Main and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr.
Objective: Ensure major institutions have landscaped exteriors that promote a good image
of the neighborhoods.
• Recruit community groups to landscape and maintain Parris Towers, Cumberland
Towers, Philander Smith College, and all public schools, in partnership with the
owners.
• Invite groups such as the Quapaw Home and Garden Club to take part in such
projects.
Objective: Promote physical fitness.
• Open existing facilities to all in neighborhoods, especially schools and churches.
27
IMPLEMENTATION
Throughout the discussion of the Goals of the Plan, the responsibilities of organizations or
agencies to realize the Plan have been noted. Also listed were prospective partners in these
revitalization efforts. Here a summary of those organizations is noted:
Neighborhood Associations
Downtown Neighborhood Association, East of Broadway Neighborhood Association
City of Little Rock:
Little Rock School District and PTA organizations
Pulaski County government
Central Arkansas Transit Service
Pulaski County Enterprise Community:
Downtown Little Rock Community Development Corporation
and
Philander Smith Community Development Corporation:
Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce
Arkansas state government
Capitol Zoning District Commission
Federal government:
Private Agencies:
Southside Main St. Program
MORE, advocates for Main St. Redevelopment
Quapaw Quarter Association
Tree Streets
Quapaw Home and Garden Club
Philander Smith College
ACORN
ACORN Fair Housing
Dunbar Alumni Association
South Main Improvement District
Center City Coalition of Congregations
28
EXISTING CONDITIONS
The Downtown Neighborhoods Plan area today offers an exciting mixture of historic
mansions, Victorian cottages, and more modern homes and apartments that have attracted and
held a variety of residents, black and white, rich and poor. Demand for houses is strong and
sales are profitable. City investments have improved housing for poor families. The
neighborhoods are a major retirement center, with several large apartment complexes serving
those residents. The neighborhoods are near the Central Business District firms, the Capitol, the
Federal Building and Federal Courthouses, The University of Arkansas Law School, the Clinton
Presidential Library, the Clinton School of Public Service, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the
University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Center and St. Vincent Infirmary, making the area
attractive to employees of these institutions. Under construction is the new headquarters for
Heifer International, which will offer more opportunity.
The Neighborhoods are close to our city’s major employers, including the State of
Arkansas, the top employer, and the United States government, the next largest employer,
Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield, a large private employer downtown, and the headquarters
of our largest banks. The classic neighborhood is found here, with tree-shaded streets laid in a
grid of major thoroughfares leading to quieter, residential streets, where children ride bicycles
and residents walk daily for exercise. Our Crime Watches are vigilant in taking back our streets
from the criminals, and members assist our various Community Police patrols and city
employees at our two ALERT Centers.
We know one another, and demonstrate our concern for those less fortunate than we
are. We take pride in our heritage - and we want to maintain that heritage for our children.
Residents work together in neighborhood associations, garden clubs, historic preservation
groups, churches, youth groups, and a variety of other organizations to improve our
neighborhoods.
Our commercial districts include South Main Street, which boasts the best bakery in
Little Rock, and shops and restaurants of all kinds; and the River Market, on Markham Street,
which is a major revitalization project with its own schedule of events attracting the public to its
array of cafes and shops. The Arkansas Arts Center and the Museum of Discovery are part of
our neighborhoods, and so is the Central Arkansas Library System main library, and Williams
Library, at 1800 S. Chester St.
We owe much to the 1988 Plan of the Central City Planning District, whose boundaries
are Interstate 630, Interstate 30, and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. We find the same
conditions and remedies apply today. “The mix of old and new, deteriorating and vibrant,
creates a complex area with several possible futures,” the 1988 Plan said. “In order to maintain
and protect the investments thousands have made in the District, this document proposes
strengthening the existing development and better defining single-family and nonresidential use
areas. The recommended future land use pattern is to emphasize residential use with support
commercial conveniently located to meet the needs of residents.”
29
The 1988 Plan noted that the number of condemned and fire-damaged structures was
significant, more than twice the number of the next highest District in the city. Recurbing and
sidewalk repair are needed throughout the District, the Plan said. The Plan concluded with six
major recommendations:
1. Rehabilitate existing structures in the northeast section of the District.
2. Increase infill residential with rehabilitation of local commercial structure structures
in the eastern portion of the District.
3. Increase infill residential and work on Swaggarty Park in the southern portion of the
District.
4. Increase infill residential in the Central High area with high quality, professional
office and commercial uses around the Children’s Hospital.
5. Improve neighborhood streets and local storm drainage.
6. Reoccupy abandoned (vacant) public structures in the District, use for continuing
education or additional housing.
Executive Summary of Plan Update
The Downtown Neighborhood Action Plan was presented on February 4th, 1999 to the City of
Little Rock Planning Commission and to the Board of Directors on March 16, 1999. Each of
these bodies supported the Neighborhood Action Plan by passing a resolution acknowledging
their support of the vision and goals as expressed in the plan.
The Department of Planning and Development initiated a review of the Neighborhood Action
Plan in September 2004 at the request of area residents. Planning staff contacted other City
Departments for an update of any projects that had been implemented in response to the action
plan. Staff also examined city permits issued for new construction, renovations, demolitions,
etc., as well as Planning Commission activity in the study area from February 1999 to
September 2004. The summary of changes were recorded as follows:
Population and Demographics
The area’s population has declined significantly over the last decade. The city estimated the
area’s population was 7100, based on the destruction of 150 residential units, while preparing
the 1999 Neighborhood Action Plan. The 1990 Census shows a population of 7456 and Census
2000 shows a population of 6316. The Census 2000 population translates into a 784 person
decrease from the 1999 population estimate and a 1140 person (15 percent) decrease compared
to the 1990 Census, respectively. The area’s black population has decreased four percentage
points to 74% based on the 1999 population estimates. The areas white population makes up
approximately 24% of the population while Hispanic, Latino, and other races have slightly
increased in the area now representing the remaining 2%.
The age of area residents has changed slightly with people under the age of 18 remaining
constant at 24%, and the population over 64 has declined four percentage points to 14%. The
18-64 age range still represent the majority of the population at 61%, a three percentage point
increase. The breakdown by sex has become more evenly distributed with 52% women and
48% men. Previously the breakdown was 55% women - 45% men.
30
The Downtown Neighborhood continues to have a high vacancy rate, however, it has decreased
from 23% to a 22% vacancy rate. Only 29% of the homes are owner occupied, an eight
percentage point decrease, and Census 2000 indicates 49% of the units are rentals.
The number of area households has decreased from 2946 to 2726 (7.5% decrease) and the
number of one-person households has increased by six percentage points to 29%, and the
number of one parent household (single parents with children) has decreased significantly from
18% to 11%.
The percentage of low to moderate incomes again remained high, approximately 68% of area
residents. (Based off the Census 2000 Little Rock Median Income $47,446, Low to Moderate
Income Standard (MIS) is 80% of areas median income, Little Rock’s MIS is $37,956).
However, the amount of households earning less than $20,000 decreased two percentage points
to 58% and the amount of households earning over $100,000 more than tripled from 1.5% to
5.2%.
POPULATION CHANGES
Year 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Population 14,938 10,824 9,659 7,456 6,316
Black N/A* 6,784 7,453 5,786 4,662
Total Units 5,548 4,577 4,143 3,811 3,455
Vacant Units 380 534 446 865 761
Owner Units 1,875 1,363 1,277 1,098 1,004
*The race information for 1960 is unavailable because the study area does not conform to the census tracts.
Steadily, population density has decreased in the downtown neighborhood since 1960. The
density is approaching a density of six people per acre similar to the population densities of
suburban subdivisions zoned R-2 Residential District. With the average household size in the
neighborhood is 2.2 people per housing unit density of units per acre transforms to roughly 3.1
dwelling units per acre. Since the neighborhood is approximately 900 acres, pockets of vacant
land and existing business have created the low ratio of dwelling units per acre. The 1999
neighborhood action plan indicates infill development for construction of new homes similar to
the existing fabric of the neighborhood. Encouraged is the revitalization of existing housing
stock and new construction of duplexes, triplexes, and carriage houses to help restore the
density to levels equal to or greater than that of 1960.
31
Population De nsity T re nds 1960-2000
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Ye a rPeople / AcreDens it y
January 21, 1999 Tornado
On January 21, 1999 a major tornado outbreak occurred in Central Arkansas bringing over 30
tornados to 15 Arkansas counties. Several tornados touched down in the Little Rock area
resulting in loss of lives and over 100 injuries. The diagram below shows the area of the
downtown neighborhood effected by the tornado.
TORNADO DAMAGE TOTALS
BASED OFF OF REPAIR PERMITS
PERMIT TYPES ISS
UED
PERCENT
OF UNITS*
Building 81 10%
Demolition 2 <1%
Electrical 27 3 %
Mechanical 3 <1%
Plumbing 12 2%
Roof 35 4%
Total 160 20%
The area of the Downtown Neighborhood hit the hardest.
*The Percent of Units is representative of permits issued compared to all buildings in the tornado area.
The previous diagram shows the area where major damage occurred in the downtown
neighborhood. In the shaded area approximately 20% of all homes and buildings were damaged
which include residential and commercial structures. The neighborhood grocery store was also
destroyed by the tornado, which was later reconstructed.
32
Construction and
Reinvestment
An additional 292 living
units were removed from
this neighborhood since
January of 1999 while only
21 units were added. Of
the single-family homes
destroyed 9 were destroyed
as a result of the tornado
and 15 were removed by the
City of Little Rock because
they were unsafe structures. However, new home construction is slower as new home starts
dropped 20% from 14 to 11. Permits for additions have remained steady with 11 permits for
additions since 1999. The largest project in the area was the construction of the Philander
Smith College Dormitory,
which opened in 2004 and
will have 130 units. The
130 units will add an
additional population of 260
students to the area –a four
percentage point increase in
the area’s population. This
number was not included in
the total residential units
because they are not
available on the open
market.
RESIDENTIAL UNIT CHANGE
(March 1999-October 2004)
Type Demolished Added Change
Homes 78 11 -67
Multifamily 214 10 -204
Dormitory 0 134* 134*
Total Units 292 21 -271
*Not included in the total units because they were constructed for
institutional use by Philander Smith College.
OTHER STRUCTURE CHANGE
(March 1999-October 2004)
Use Type Demolished Added Change
Office 0 0 0
Commercial 1* 1* 0
Public/Institutional 0 1 1
Total Units 1 2 1
*Accounts for the demolition and rebuilding of the Harvest Foods Building
damaged by the January 21, 1999 tornado..
Building permit data shows minimal construction of new commercial, office, and Public
Institutional structures. The one new Commercial construction was the demolition and rebuild
of the Harvest Foods Grocery Store that was damaged by the tornado. Additional retailers were
included in the reconstruction of the building.
33
RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION
PERMITS
(March 1999-October 2004)
Type Num
ber Dollars Percent
Bring to Code 58 $995,194 23%
Interior Remodel 54 $708,407 22%
General Remodel 46 $1,033,228 19%
Exterior Remodel 39 $535,951 16%
Addition 11 $590,076 4%
Storm Repair 9 $380,000 4%
Other 31 $400,209 12%
Total 248 $4,643,065 100%
Building Permit data
reflects significant change
in the residential character
of neighborhood since
1999. Since 1999 248
permits were issued for
improvements of at least
159 residential properties
in the area. The permits
are best used to indicate
dollar investment in the
community as to the fact
that multiple permits for
different aspects of
construction can be issued
for the same project.
Zoning and Land Use
Zoning Cases, (1999- 2004)
Case Type Details
Z-4028-C CUP Arkansas Baptist College
Z-5675-B CUP Student Housing
Z-6730-B CUP Existing warehouse
Z-6765 R-4 to PCD Home to Commercial
Z-6868-A CUP Fence Placement
Z-7013 CUP Dunbar Portable
Z-7013-A CUP Dunbar Portable Placement
Z-7094 CUP N/A
Z-7142 R-4 to POD Home to Office
Z-7312 CUP Church Parking Lot
Z-7341 CUP UU Variances
Z-7347 C-3 to PDR Single Family Home Addition
Z-7395 CUP Office Use
Z-7416 CUP Church Parking and Addition
Z-7498 CUP R-4 to PCD
Z-7648 CUP Childcare Single Family Building
Planning Commission activity in the
area has been light over the last five
years. In April of 1999 several
rezonings and Land Use Plan
amendments were enacted as a
result of the previous Neighborhood
Action Plan. Also, several
Conditional Use Permits were
issued that ranged from church
parking lots to temporary school
buildings. The table at right
indicates the three zoning changes
in the area. Z-7142 was approved
by the Board of Directors on an
appeal.
34
In the mid-1970's state Legislature established
the Capital Zoning District around the
Governor’s Mansion to help preserve and
protect the historical character of the area.
This area operates as a state-run special
planning and historic preservation commission
that regulates almost 40% of all zoning and
land use decisions in the downtown
neighborhood area. In August of 2000 the
capital zoning district was expanded west
from the mid block of Gaines and State Streets
to Chester Street (between 23rd and Street and
Roosevelt Road, and south from 23rd Street to
Roosevelt Road. Area residents who wanted
more protection of the neighborhood’s historic
character brought the expansion request to
Senator Bill Walker who presented it to the
State Legislature in 2000 where it was
approved.
Capitol Zoning District Area
The shaded area represents the state-run
Capitol Zoning District.
Transportation
Central Arkansas Transit Authority (CATA) contacted staff in response to the neighborhood
action plan. CATA specifically addressed the Dial-A-Ride service that is provided in the area
and states that the service is available for area residents, and discount passes are available for
seniors, the disabled, and students. Furthermore CATA related to other action statements, such
as a fixed route trolley on Main Street, and additional bus service. CATA acknowledged that
they are good ideas but unfortunately are not cost effective at this time and the best way to
increase use is through education. However, they have identified a high priority double track
streetcar line on Main Street from 2nd to 17th Streets on the Streetcar Expansion Plan. Interim
steps for transportation solutions are for citizens to take advantage of the current bus system.
CATA has mentioned that a more cost effective step to improve transportation in the area would
be to increase service frequencies, modify routes, or offer subsidized passes to area residents.
Public Works
Public Works commented on several objectives within the Neighborhood Action Plan.
The plan has identified area resident’s need for alley and road maintenance. Additional goals
were identified in the action plan relating to infrastructure improvements such as burying
electrical lines, adding traffic calming devices such as planters to streets, and improvements to
areas curbs, gutters, and sidewalks. Public Works acknowledged their concerns but stated the
improvements were not cost effective at this time, and does not support the placement of
planters in the road for traffic calming because they could create a hazard for motorists. Public
works noted that City of Little Rock Ordinance states it is the property owner’s responsibility to
maintain and replace existing curbs, gutters, and sidewalks and they expressed the idea that the
community can create an improvement district to fund improvements they desire.
35
Parks and Recreation
Parks and Recreation acknowledged community concerns within the neighborhood. The
department was interested in several Action Statements and expressed that they were either
“willing and ready” or “needed specifics,” concerning the action statements related to team
sports and transportation to organized activity in and out of the neighborhood. Furthermore,
Parks and Recreation has earmarked almost $2 million dollars of its 2003 Bond money for the
Dunbar Community Center expansion. This will provide for replacement of the existing
facilities and furnishings and allows for the expansion of new facilities as determined and
shared by community input. With this bond money Parks and Recreation are planning on
accomplishing several of the neighborhood goals related to “Promoting Physical Fitness.”
Initiated action statements include adding “a pool to Dunbar Community Center,” and the
opening of several existing facilities (schools and churches) all in neighborhoods, however,
there is school board and school staff resistance to opening all buildings for public use.
Parks and Recreation has identified their willingness to consider converting vacant lots to “play
lots” or landscaped community gardens if they can get funding for the projects or volunteers.
Public Safety
The Downtown Patrol District responded to several of the Objectives and Action Statements in
the 1999 Neighborhood Action Plan. Police have indicated that Community Oriented Policing
Officers (COPP ) were examining their hours in order to react and counter crime problems in
the area. Also mentioned by the Police is the ability of residents to view area crime statistics at
Neighborhood Alert Centers.
The neighborhood plan addressed numerous other goals for public safety including: extending
Alert Center hours, publicizing positive crime news, discouraging loitering, and attracting
police officers to live in the area. The Police have recently extended the hours of the Alert
Centers citywide to include Saturdays. In response to additional action statements they
recommend that area residents contact their local Alert Center to address areas of frequent
loitering, and to look into their local crime statistics. Unfortunately publicity of a decrease in
area crime, and the Arkansas Development Finance Authority’s (AFDA) low interest loan
program for police officers, has not been acted upon. The information is readily available to the
media interested parties through the Alert Centers, departmental meetings, and the Department
of Housing and Neighborhood Programs.
The Downtown Neighborhood Consists of several Police patrol Districts. Districts H-401, H-
415, and H-414 represent a majority of the neighborhood and have been used to represent crime
statistics in the neighborhood. Reports of crime incidents from 1997 decreased by almost 50%
compared to 2003 averaging a 5.6% decrease per year. The average number of crime incidents
per year from 1998 - 2003 indicates a 28% decrease in robberies, a 27% decrease in reported
rapes, and a 63.7% decrease in aggravated assaults, as compared to the average rate from 1994 -
1998. Crime statistics below were provided by the Little Rock Police Department. Specific
statistics for 1998-2003 were requests were based off of statistics gathered for the 1999
Neighborhood Action Plan.
36
Similar incidents were analyzed in the neighborhood reflecting changes over the last decade.
Most crime incidents seem to be decreasing in the area with the exception of the number of
residential and business burglaries in recent years. Residential burglaries dropped from 192 in
1994 to only 70 in 1996 but have steadily risen to 110 in 2003. A similar situation exists with
the rate of average business burglaries per year from 1998-2003 indicating an increase of over
40% compared to the 1994-1997. Also on the rise were the average number of homicides per
year due to four reported incidents in 1998 and 1999 and two in 2003.
Selected Incident Totals by Type, and Year 1998-2003
Incident
Type 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Average per
Year
Homicide 2 2 0 0 1 2 1.2
Rape 5 4 4 2 2 6 3.8
Robbery (Business) *5 2 3 6 3 5 4
Robbery (Individual)*36 18 29 27 19 21 25
Aggravated Assault 38 50 35 35 37 59 42.3
Simple Assault /
Terror Threat**
223 175 139 111 124 124 149.3
Arson 5 7 5 2 5 6 5
Burglary (Business) 18 20 10 25 21 18 18.7
Burglary (Residential) 78 95 89 93 101 110 94.3
Burglary (Storage
Type Building) **
5 122 9 9 47 44 22.7
Larceny (From
Vehicle) **
112 100 188 141 159 166 144.33
Larceny
(Other)**
220 154 159 177 212 192 185.7
Stolen Vehicle 44 52 58 68 45 48 52.5
Total 791 701 728 696 776 801 748.3
**Results joined in Comparison Table
**Not Included in Comparison Table
37
Comparison Table: Selected Incident Totals by Type, and Year 1994-2003*
Type 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Robberies 42 43 41 35 41 20 32 33 22 26
Burglary of
Residence 192 93 70 87 78 95 89 93 101 110
Burglary
of
Business
25 15 7 5 18 20 10 25 21 18
Aggravated
Assault 154 123 117 73 38 50 35 35 37 59
Homicide 1 0 0 3 2 2 0 0 1 2
Rape 6 6 6 3 5 4 4 2 2 6
Stolen Auto 90 70 48 49 44 52 58 68 45 48
Arson 4 5 14 0 5 7 5 2 5 6
Total 514 355 303 255 231 250 233 258 234 275
Percent Change - -30.9% -14.7% -15.8% -9.4%-8.2%-6.8% 10.7% -9.3% 17.5%
Other Area Notes
Locally based Heifer International, a non-profit international organization began a community
garden project near the Dunbar Community Center in 2002. The Dunbar Garden Project is a
multi-racial urban school and community garden. This project will help educate area residents
and youth about the environment, self self-sustainability, while also providing technical skills,
leadership and entrepreneurship. The Community Garden works hand in hand with nearby
Dunbar Junior High School and Gibbs Magnet Elementary.
38