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Geyer Springs and Wakefield
Neighborhood Action Plan2007
Table of Contents
Geyer Springs Summary 3
Wakefield Summary 11
Future Land Use Map 18
Zoning Map 19
Master Street Plan Map 20
Neighborhood Goals 21
Helpful Telephone Numbers 33
The City of Little Rock would like to thank the Greater Second Baptist
Church, the Geyer Springs United Methodist Church, and the Southwest
Community Center for being gracious hosts and providing meeting space
during the development of this neighborhood action plan.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 2
Geyer Springs Neighborhood
The northern boundary of the Geyer Springs Neighborhood is Fourche Creek, and the
eastern and southern boundary is the Missouri Pacific Railroad line. The western
boundary of the neighborhood is University Avenue. The map below illustrates these
boundaries.
Fourche Creek, being the northern boundary of the neighborhood, creates a 100 and
500-year floodplain on the extreme northern boundary of the neighborhood. The
neighborhood experiences an increase in elevation as one continues from the creek
southward, shifting rapidly out of the floodplain area into a gently sloping plain typical of
southern Little Rock.
Neighborhood Contact:
The City of Little Rock Planning and Development Division made contact with the local
neighborhood association in 2002 to obtain input on the Geyer Springs Neighborhood
Action Plan. Surveys were distributed to residents door to door. Residents of the Geyer
Springs Neighborhood were asked to complete and return the survey in the bulk mail
envelope provided to them. The survey was an attempt to sample each household in
the neighborhood. Surveys returned and correctly completed totaled approximately
125.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 3
Neighborhood Survey:
In 2000, the Geyer Springs Neighborhood Association volunteered to hand deliver
surveys and return-mail envelopes to all households in the study area. The Department
of Planning and Development estimated (based on 2000 Census data, building permit
data and demolition permit data) that there are 861 households in the study area. Of
these households, 128 surveys were returned. This represents an estimated 14.9%
response rate. This percentage is an estimate because there is not a guarantee that
every household received a survey. City staff considers this method not to be
statistically accurate because the survey may be biased due to the method of delivery.
Although this survey method is not statistically accurate, the Planning Department does
feel it is an acceptable method for receiving “feed-back” from area residents. This
survey method allows for the person completing the form to indicate his/her pleasure or
displeasure with a particular activity in the area while remaining totally anonymous.
While these results may not accurately reflect the desires of the neighborhood as a
whole, the information provides a good base point for committee members and city staff
to begin developing an Action Plan.
Development History:
The general election of 1959 took in the Geyer Springs Neighborhood as part of the
forty-third annexation. This annexation is now known as the largest in the history of the
City, accounting for over 14,000 acres. As such, the Geyer Springs Neighborhood was
only a small portion of the annexation accounting for approximately three percent or 500
acres of the total annexation.
Subdivision development in the neighborhood began in the early 1950s. By 1959 when
the area was annexed, approximately 30 percent of the current subdivisions had been
built. Subdivision development continued throughout the 1960s but began to slow in the
early 1970s. Approximately 60 percent of the current subdivisions were developed
between 1960 and 1970, but only 10 percent of these were developed between 1970
and 1985. By then, the area was largely built-out.
Socioeconomic Profile:
The overview analysis of population
started with 1970 Census data. The
graph illustrates the Geyer Springs
Neighborhood population from 1970 to
2000. The population decreased by
approximately 20 percent or 500
residents from 1970 to 1990, but it has
remained stable from 1990 to 2000. This
population decrease could be attributed
to the shift in age distribution in the
neighborhood. An analysis of age
distribution for the neighborhood from
Geyer Springs Neighborhood
Population 1970-2000
0
1
2
3
1970 1980 1990 2000Thousands
Census YearTotal Population
United States Census Bureau 2000
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 4
1970 to 2000 indicates the population age shifting. The total number of people eighteen
and younger has decreased, but the total number of people eighteen to sixty five has
increased. This shift reflects an aging population. Demolition of some housing in the
area could have also attributed to the decline in population.
2000 Census data for
census tract 20.01-block
group 1 was used for the
socioeconomic profile for
the Geyer Springs
Neighborhood. The block
group boundaries closely
correspond to the
neighborhood boundaries
and therefore should
provide an accurate
representation of the
population. According to
the 2000 Census, the total
population of the
neighborhood was 2,153
with 58 percent being
female and 42 percent
male.
The chart below illustrates the age distribution for the Geyer Springs Neighborhood.
Fifty nine percent of the population in 2000 was between the ages of 18-64. This
percentage was about the same as the citywide average for this age group. The
second largest age group in the neighborhood in 2000 was those less than eighteen
years of age. This group accounted for 31 percent of the neighborhood population.
The age distribution percentage for those under the age of 18 in the neighborhood was
higher than the citywide average of 24.7 percent. The smallest age group in the
neighborhood was those 65 and older. This group accounted for 9.8 percent of the
neighborhood population, which was lower than the citywide average of 11.7 percent.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 5
The Geyer Springs
Neighborhood experienced a
major shift in its racial
composure over the ten years
between censuses. In 1990,
the neighborhood had a
population that was 78.2
percent white. That
percentage dropped to 42.4 in
the 2000 census. The black
population has gone from 20.9
percent in 1990 to 51.2
percent in 2000. Likewise, the
other category in the census
data (Native American,
Hispanic or Latino, and Asian)
has gone from 1 percent in 1990 to 5.9 percent in 2000.
This chart illustrates
the 2000 income
distribution in the
neighborhood. The
largest income group
(16.7 percent of the
neighborhood)
earned less than
$10,000 per year.
This is quite a bit
higher than the city
average of 10.9
percent. Also,
according to the
1990 Census data,
no one in this
neighborhood earned
more than $75,000.
As the chart shows, more than 4% of the population earned more than $75,000 in the
2000 Census.
Geyer Springs Neighborhood Geyer Springs Neighborhood Geyer Springs Neighborhood Geyer Springs Neighborhood
Age Distribution Percentages 2000Age Distribution Percentages 2000Age Distribution Percentages 2000Age Distribution Percentages 2000
31%
59%
10%
Persons less
than 18
Persons 18-
64
Persons 65
and over
Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2000
United States Census Bureau 2000
Geyer Springs Neighborhood Household Incom eGeyer Springs Neighborhood Household Incom eGeyer Springs Neighborhood Household Incom eGeyer Springs Neighborhood Household Incom e
0.00%
2.00%
4.00%
6.00%
8.00%
10.00%
12.00%
14.00%
16.00%
18.00%
0-
10
10-
15
15-
20
20-
25
25-
30
30-
35
35-
40
40-
45
45-
50
50-
55
55-
60
60-
65
65-
75
75-
100
100-
125
125-
150Inco m e Range (In Thousands)Inco m e Range (In Thousands)Inco m e Range (In Thousands)Inco m e Range (In Thousands)Percentage of Neighborhood PopulationPercentage of Neighborhood PopulationPercentage of Neighborhood PopulationPercentage of Neighborhood Population
United States Census Bureau 2000
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 6
Circulation:
The Geyer Springs neighborhood street
system is a modified grid. This makes it fairly
easy to get around the neighborhood, but
discourages cut-through traffic.
Geographically the study area is small, but
within the area there are two arterials and
one collector. Arterials provide movement
through and around the City. University
Avenue is one of these arterials providing
north-south access through Little Rock.
University Avenue is the western boundary of
the study area. Mabelvale Pike-Geyer
Springs Road is the second arterial serving
the neighborhood, also as a north-south
road. Mabelvale Pike-Geyer Springs cuts
through the neighborhood and functions as a
secondary or relief route for University
Avenue.
Much of the road through the Geyer Springs
neighborhood is not improved to full arterial
standard, but Mabelvale Pike is currently being widened to four lanes with sidewalks on
both sides. The city is also conducting a feasibility study on widening Geyer Springs
Road from 57th Street to 65th Street including a railroad overpass. Both University
Avenue and Mabelvale Pike-Geyer Springs Road provide the neighborhood residents
with access to the full arterial network.
Only one bus route goes into the neighborhood. Route 17 (Mabelvale) travels down
University. This route continues south to the commercial areas of southwest Little Rock
and then to Mabelvale before returning. To the north, the route proceeds to I-630 and
on to downtown via the State Capitol complex. A second route (15-65th Street) travels
south of the neighborhood and could be accessed after a short walk. This route serves
the eastern section of southwest Little Rock and proceeds north to the Governor’s
Mansion area and on to downtown.
Mabelvale Pike is now a four- lane road from Asher
to Geyer Springs Road.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 7
The City Master Street Plan bicycle
section recommends a Class III
bicycle route through a section of the
neighborhood. A Class III route is
signed but does not have area set
aside solely for bicycles. The route
follows Mabelvale Pike to Doyle
Springs Road and on to Patterson
Road. The widening at Mabelvale
Pike is going to include an eight-foot
bike lane from Gum Springs to Asher
Avenue.
Existing Zoning:
The Geyer Springs
Neighborhood is zoned
primarily R2 (single
family residential) with
a corridor of
commercial zoning and
office zoning along
Mabelvale Pike and
Geyer Springs Road.
Single-family zoning
makes up 71% of this
neighborhood. There
are two areas of Multi-
family housing (MF24
and R5), and they
comprise less than one
percent of the total
area. All commercial zoning (C1, C2, C3, C4, and PCDs) combined makes up 18% of
the total area. The area between University Avenue and Geyer Springs Road is
primarily zoned (C3, C4, I2) for large lot developments. These larger lots are mostly
accessed from University Avenue rather than through the neighborhood. Since 2000,
there have only been three zoning changes in the neighborhood. One was a Special
Use Permit, one was a Conditional Use Permit, and one was rezoning from General
Commercial (C-3) to Open Display Commercial (C-4). The Special Use Permit allowed
a day care family home to operate in Single Family, R-2 zoning. The Conditional Use
Permit was granted to allow the Geyer Springs Church use of a church education
building as a dormitory for seminary students and their families.
View of new bike lane on Mabelvale Pike.
Geyer Springs Zoning 2006
Commercial
18%
Industrial
5%
Multi-family
Residential
1%
Parks and
Recreation
4%
Office
1%
Single-family
Residential
71%
City of Little Rock, Department of Planning and Development 2006
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 8
Existing Land Use and Future Land Use:
Existing Land Use and Future
Land Use largely reflects the
Zoning pattern. The Geyer
Springs Neighborhood is 60%
single family residential.
Apartments are located at 51st
Street and Mabelvale Pike and
at Geyer Springs Road and 53rd
Street, but multi-family
residential only accounts for 2%
of the future land use plan.
Commercial and office accounts
for 16% of the plan and is mostly
found along Mabelvale Pike.
Larger lot commercial and
industrial are sited between
University Avenue and Geyer Springs Road. Non-residential uses have stayed along
the edge of the neighborhood and have not intruded into the core. The Future Land Use
Plan recognizes the neighborhood school and the local churches.
In August of 2000, Ordinance 18,326 was passed to amend the Land Use Plan in this
area and in the Wakefield
neighborhood. Approximately
230 acres of land in this vicinity
were modified in an attempt to
make the land use plan more
accurately match the existing
zoning for the area. While most
of the changes in this ordinance
took place in the Wakefield
Neighborhood, several of the
changes did occur along Geyer
Springs Road. The area west of
Geyer Springs Road, north of 65th
Street, and east of University was
changed from Mixed Commercial
Industrial to Commercial under
this ordinance. Other smaller
changes were also included.
Geyer Springs Future Land Use 2006
Public
Institutional
4%Multi-family
Residential
2%
Low Density
Residential
3%
Parks and
Open Spaces
14%
Office
1%
Single Family
Residential
60%
Commercial
16%
City of Little Rock, Department of Planning and Development 2006
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 9
Building Permit Information:
An examination of the building permit data from January 2002 to the present indicates
that 24 single-family residences have been built in the Geyer Springs Neighborhood.
This subdivision, Mystery Woods, was the first private residential development in this
neighborhood since the early 1970s. The average construction value of these units is
$105,250. No additional multi-family units have been constructed in this area.
Construction of non-residential structures in the area over the past four years has
yielded three new commercial buildings and one office building. Construction values
are estimated at $654,000. Reinvestment in the area due to residential renovations has
accounted for $505,542. Additions have totaled $210,600. A total of five single-family
residences have been demolished since 2002.
Members of the Planning Department conducted a windshield survey in June 2006.
Mabelvale Pike is undergoing major reconstruction at this time to widen into four lanes.
Many of the homes in this neighborhood appeared to be in good condition while a few
needed minor repairs.
Parks Plan:
Benny Craig Park is located on Gum Springs Road, and it is the main park for Geyer
Springs residents to use. This park is approximately 22 acres and is classified as a
community park. It has a softball diamond, playground, tennis/basketball court, and
picnic tables. The park was initially developed in 1968 in the low-lying land adjacent to
one of the principal branches of Fourche Creek. Benny Craig Park has had some major
improvements over the last few years. The bleachers and signage have both improved,
and the restrooms have been renovated. The playground area also saw renovation in
the form of new equipment, resurfacing, and new containment systems. The existing
pathway had a new overlay put down, a water fountain has been purchased and
installed, and the ballpark fence has been totally replaced. As of June 2006, the tennis
courts are pending to be resurfaced.
Wakefield Park is on Woodson Road in the
Wakefield Neighborhood, and it is easily
accessible to Geyer Springs residents. The whole
Geyer Springs Neighborhood is within eight blocks
of a park area. The third park in the study area is
not developed. The Fourche Bottoms Park is
proposed to be a regional park. The City owns
some of the land for the proposed park – generally
the eastern half. This proposed park is located in
the northeastern corner of the study area and
includes land north, northeast, and northwest of
the Geyer Springs Neighborhood.
Benny Craig Park improvements were made
with Bond Funds.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 10
Wakefield Neighborhood
The Wakefield Neighborhood Plan area is generally located between Interstate 30 and
the Union Pacific rail line, south of the Fourche Bottoms and west of Patterson Road.
This is the area claimed by the Wakefield Neighborhood Association. The map below
illustrates the neighborhood boundaries.
Neighborhood Contact:
The Wakefield Neighborhood was contacted in 2002 in an effort to start a Neighborhood
Action Plan, but there was not enough interest shown at the time.
Neighborhood Survey:
No neighborhood survey has been done at this time.
Development History:
The suburban platting of the area began in the mid-1950s with the Wakefield Village
subdivision. The 65th Street Industrial Park, developed as Little Rock Industrial Park,
was also started in the middle to late 1950s. The remaining area was rural with several
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 11
small developments to the north and south. The election to annex this area into the City
of Little Rock was in September 1959 with the courts giving final approval in December
1961. Most of the smaller subdivisions were developed shortly after the annexation was
finalized. By the mid-1960s the area layout was completed. Since 1970 there has been
little change in the basic development pattern.
Socioeconomic Profile:
The best source for population
data is the 2000 U.S. Census.
The Wakefield Neighborhood
is found in Census Tract
20.02. In 2000, the population
was 5,154. In 1990 there were
5,241 persons counted in the
area. Based on census data,
the highest population level for
the area was reached in 1970.
In 1970 the area was 99.9
percent white, but by 2000 the
portion of the population that was white had fallen to 24.3 percent. This was due to a
reduction in the white population from 5,661 to 1,252 and an increase in the black
population from 2 to 3,199. This is an increase of black population from almost zero
percent to 62.1 percent. The ‘Other’ racial group went from zero percent to 13.6
percent since 1970.
In 2000, the Wakefield area
had a higher percentage of
children (under 18), than the
City average – 34.52
percent to 24.67 percent.
Further, the ‘over 65’
population represented a
smaller portion of the
population than the City
average – 6.83 percent to
11.8 percent. These
numbers indicate a younger
population. Adults 18-64
made up 58.65 percent of
Wakefield’s population.
The number of households in this area reached a peak in 1980 with 2,208. There was a
4.9 percent decline in the number of households between 1980 and 1990. The 1980
and 1990 housing units were basically the same (2,333 and 2,314, respectively), but by
Wakefield Neighborhood Population
1970-2000
1000
3000
5000
7000
1970 1980 1990 2000
Census YearTotal Population
United States Census Bureau 2000
Persons per Household 1960-2000
0
5
10
percentPerson/HH 3.49 3.22 2.53 2.5 2.38
Vacancy 5 5 5 9.2 8.47
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
United States Census Bureau 2000
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 12
2000 there were only 2,167 units in this area. Of these, 87 percent are occupied while
12.8 percent were vacant at the time of the 2000 Census. The housing units that are
not vacant are occupied half by renters and half by owners. Also, 63.9 percent of the
housing units are one-unit houses, while the rest are either apartments or mobile
homes.
A majority, 51.1 percent, of the households qualified as ‘low to moderate’ income based
on 1994 HUD (Housing & Urban Development) estimates, as compared to 46 percent
for the City. In 2000, the household income for the area ranges from under $5,000 to
$100,000. Over 46 percent of the households made less than $20,000 with only 9.7
percent making over $45,000.
Neighborhood Conditions:
Building permit data can be used to get an idea of how the area may have changed
statistically. This information will give the general trend for the area. No new residential
units have been added to the area. A total of 68 units have been removed. Of these,
60 were apartment units. The loss of all but one of the units occurred prior to 1995.
The change in residential units could indicate a continued loss of population. Since
most of the loss was in the first half of the decade, if the vacancy rate recovered the
loss could be minimized.
The Wakefield Neighborhood area has completed the first round of inspections as part
of the rental inspection program. Only 30.39 percent of the rental units passed the first
round of surveys. There were 941 units surveyed for this work. Most of the rental units
and most of the substandard units are apartment buildings.
Based on a June 2006 windshield study conducted by members of the Planning
Department, many of the homes in the Wakefield Neighborhood were found to need
some maintenance, and there are several homes in the Wakefield Drive area that
appear vacant. Most of the other homes in this area appear to be in good condition.
There is also a Boys and Girls Club
located on Harrow Drive.
Circulation System:
The Wakefield Neighborhood area is
basically a modified grid street system,
which makes getting around fairly
easy. Interstate 30 forms the southern
boundary of the area. There are
several arterials within or adjacent to
the study area. Arterials are designed
to get people and goods around and
through the City. University Avenue is
a principal arterial, providing north-
Boys and Girls Club located on Harrow Drive in the Wakefield
Neighborhood.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 13
south access within Little Rock. Geyer Springs Road also functions as an arterial,
providing north-south access within Little Rock. The only east-west arterial is 65th
Street. This street provides connections to all the north-south arterials mentioned as
well as Interstate 30.
There are several collectors within the study area. A Collector should get people and
goods from the neighborhoods to the arterial system. Lancaster, Young, and Patterson
Roads function as collectors. Due in part to the interstate, Young and Lancaster Roads
work together to ‘collect’ trips and provides access across the interstate. These roads
both provide access from the neighborhoods to the arterial system and across a barrier
(Interstate 30). Patterson Road provides a connection to 65th Street and Mabelvale
Pike (both arterials) from the industrial area and the Geyer Springs neighborhood.
The Central Arkansas Transit Authority is primarily a radial bus system. That means
numerous bus routes go from downtown to other sections of the metropolitan area. A
transfer station downtown allows for connections to other routes.
Two bus routes service the area – Route 15 (65th Street) and Route 17 (Mabelvale).
Route 15 enters the area at 65th Street and I-30. It completes a loop along Scott
Hamilton and Lancaster Roads, returning to 65th Street and I-30 to head downtown via
the Governor’s Mansion area. Route 17 services the western edge of the
neighborhood. This route continues north to downtown via the University Mall area and
south to Mabelvale via Geyer Springs/Baseline area. Between these two routes,
residents and employees can access the commercial areas of southwest Little Rock
and downtown.
The City Master Plan bicycle section recommends a Class III bicycle route north and
south through the western side of the neighborhood. A Class III route is signed but
does not have an area set aside for bicycles. The Class III route follows Patterson
Road to Wakefield Drive to Portsmouth Drive and across I-30 on Stanton Road. Young
Road (from Stanton Road to Enmar Road, then up Enmar Road to Forbing Road) is
also a Class III. This route continues to other routes west of University Avenue. None
of the Plan’s routes for this neighborhood have been implemented.
Existing Zoning:
In the Wakefield Neighborhood area, 55% of the land is zoned for Residential or Multi-
family use. Industrial uses make up 33 percent of the area with 318 acres of land. The
industrial area is mostly confined to the area lying between Geyer Springs and
University Avenue.
Only a small portion is zoned Commercial. These areas are clustered along Geyer
Springs and 65th Street, and the industrial areas are in the western portion of the
neighborhood parallel to University Avenue.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 14
Since 2000, there have been 18
zoning actions approved for this
area. Six of these were for
Wireless Communication Facilities.
Three of the changes were for
rezoning. The corner of Geyer
Springs and Forbing Road was
changed from C-3 General
Commercial to C-4 Open Display.
A parcel on W. 65th Street was
rezoned from OS Open Space to
C-4 Open Display Commercial for
St. Jude Packaging. Also, West
Tree Service revised their Planned
Industrial Development to allow for
tree service business with parking.
One Special Use Permit was granted in 2004 to allow a daycare in a home. One
Conditional Use Permit was granted to allow Precious Moments Preschool in a Single
Family area.
Five variances have been granted since 2000. One was for signage at Church’s
Chicken on Geyer Springs, and another two were for signage at 7411 Geyer Springs
Road and 6117 W. 65th Street. Another variance was granted for Administrative Appeal
on W. 61st Street to allow vehicle storage. The fifth variance was to permit construction
of an addition at 7715 Geyer Springs with reduced setbacks.
Existing and Future Land Use Plan:
The City’s adopted land use plan is similar to the zoning plan for this area. The area
between University Avenue and Geyer Springs Road is shown for industrial use.
Industrial use accounts for 25% of this area. Areas of mixed commercial industrial are
shown along 65th Street.
Commercial land use only accounts for 10% of this area. The largest commercial area
is along Geyer Springs Road with smaller areas at Lancaster and 65th Street. There are
approximately 113 commercial structures. The majority of these are along either Geyer
Springs Road or 65th Street. Of these 113 structures, some are heavy commercial uses
and related to the industrial, some are retail commercial for the area residents, and
some are highway commercial targeted at interstate traffic.
City of Little Rock, Department of Planning and Development
2006
Wakefield Zoning 2006
Multi Family
Residential
3%
Parks and
Recreation
1%Commercial
10%
Office
1%
Industrial
33%
Single
Family
Residential
52%
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 15
Residential land use accounts for
45% of this area. There are almost
1,400 residential structures in this
area. The residential uses are
located between the two industrial
areas on either side of 65th Street.
Building Permit Information:
An examination of the building
permit data from January 2002 until
the present indicates construction
of single-family units to be almost
nonexistent. In the four-year
reporting period, only one new unit
has been added in the Stonegate
Subdivision. No additional multi-family units have been added.
Since 2002, three new commercial buildings have been added to the neighborhood with
a construction value of $1.18 million. The industrial sector of this neighborhood has had
a total of $3.3 million dollars in construction and additions since 2002.
Reinvestment in the area due to residential renovations has accounted for $756,765.
Additions have totaled $68,050. Six single-family residences in this area have been
demolished since 2002.
Parks Plan:
The City Park System Master Plan shows three parks in or adjacent to the study area.
Two of these parks are developed. The first park is Benny Craig Park, which is located
in the Geyer Springs Neighborhood. This park is easily accessible to Wakefield
residents.
City of Little Rock, Department of Planning and Development
2006
Wakefield Future Land Use 2006
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450CommercialIndustrialMixed UseMulti-family ResidentialPublic/InstitutionalParks and Open SpacesSingle FamilySuburban OfficeService Trades DistrictAcres
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 16
The second developed park is
Wakefield Park on Woodson Drive.
This park is a neighborhood park
and contains approximately 9.5
acres. It has a softball diamond,
playground, basketball court, tennis
court, and picnic tables. The park
was developed in 1973. Wakefield
Park has had bleacher and signage
improvements. The tennis courts
there have been resurfaced, and the
pathway has a new overlay.
Playground improvements have
been made here in the form of new
surfacing and containment systems.
A water fountain has also been
purchased and installed.
The third city park in this area is undeveloped. The Fourche Bottoms Park is planned
as a regional park in the northeastern corner of this study area.
In July 2001, the City of Little
Rock did a study on all of the
parks within the city limits. This
study produced a map of areas
that are not within an eight-
block range of a park area. A
small portion of the Wakefield
Neighbor-hood is just outside of
this eight-block range. This
area includes Timber Lane and
Southern Oaks Drive. The
following map illustrates the
existing parks (solid polygons)
and the deficit area (hatched
polygon). As the map shows,
the eight block deficit falls in
between Benny Craig Park and
Wakefield Park.
Wakefield Park improvement completed with City of Little Rock
Bond monies.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 17
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 18
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 19
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 20
Neighborhood Goals and Objectives
The following goals and objectives were compiled and written by the Neighborhood
Action Plan core group. This group consisted of the following members:
Jay Hocott
Anna and Randell Templeton
Marilyn Hays
Wilandra Dean
Jean Crow
Tara Malone
Ben and Glenda Clay
Evelyn Bass
Reginald Ray
Mickey Brown
Rich and Betty Snyder
Parwinder Singh
Reba Pettus
City of Little Rock Staff:
Brian Minyard
Eve Gieringer
The core group has prioritized the following goals. The objectives listed for each goal
have been put in order of top priority.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 21
Public Safety Goal: Improve public safety of citizens in area. Support enforcement.
The Southwest Police Station off of Baseline Road is an excellent
community resource.
Objective: Increase number of patrols in area.
Objective: Encourage citizens to report suspicious activities and communicate with
police.
Objective: Increase funding to fill vacancies on police force.
Objective: Increase number of substations in area.
Objective: Enforce truancy laws.
Objective: Support county regional detention facility.
Objective: Eliminate speeding in area.
Objective: Enforce noise ordinance.
Objective: Reduce drug activity in area.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 22
Natural Environment Goal: Support the Natural Environment.
Objective: Do not support B.F.I. expansion of the landfill.
Mabelvale Pike improvements near BFI.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 23
Housing and Code Enforcement Goals: Strengthen codes and strengthen
enforcement of codes while educating the public of existing codes.
Objective: Support the development of a “LandBank” for the City of Little Rock.
Objective: Beautify the area through community and individual efforts.
•••• Reduce the number of weed lots.
Un-mowed property.
Objective: To eliminate auto related code problems in the area.
Inoperable automobiles.
•••• Work to eliminate cars parked in backyards.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 24
•••• Work with owners and the city to remove jacked-up cars from backyards
•••• Remove abandoned and/or inoperable vehicles from neighborhood.
Objective: Work with the City of Little Rock to develop better ways to enforce codes.
•••• Work with City to help develop a better process for cleaning up weed lots.
•••• Educate citizens about the Alert Center and its role in bettering the
neighborhood.
Objective: Work with the City to reduce the amount of debris and trash in the area.
•••• Encourage city trash collectors to pick up large items regardless of a
special request.
•••• Educate neighborhood residents about dumpster locations and dates the
dumpsters are there.
Objective: Increase funding for Housing Department.
• Seek funding sources and solicit the City of Little Rock to remove
demolished or burned structures in a timely basis.
• Increase funding for mowing weed lots.
• Work with the City of Little Rock to improve funding for more officers with
better pay to enforce codes for the area.
Objective: To eliminate illegal dumping in the area.
Dumped couch on Ballinger Road.
•••• Encourage neighbors to watch for illegal dumping and to report it to the
Housing Department.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 25
Objective: Contact neighborhoods as a part of the code revision process.
•••• Enhance Communication between the neighborhoods and city staff.
Objective: Encourage the City of Little Rock to develop a resolution banning pit bulls
in the City.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 26
Transportation and Infrastructure Goals: Improve vehicular and pedestrian
movements in area to provide safe and efficient travel. Enforce applicable laws to
enhance the area. Bring all infrastructures up to city codes.
Objective: Work with the city to develop a sidewalk system around Geyer Springs
and Wakefield Elementary Schools
A woman walks where a sidewalk should go in front of Geyer Springs
Elementary.
•••• Install sidewalks at local schools, not only on the school property but also into
the surrounding neighborhoods. Schools to receive sidewalks are listed with
the highest priority first: Geyer Springs Elementary, Wakefield Elementary
•••• Install sidewalks on Ballinger Road.
Objective: To improve drainage in the neighborhood
•••• Flooding of 5900 Geyer Springs due to restriction of water flow to the North
compounded by increased run off on newly paved areas. Needs to be
investigated by the Engineering staff. Take appropriate steps to alleviate
problems.
Objective: Bring neighborhood streets up to code.
• Install curb and gutter on streets with open ditches.
Objective: Work with city to implement the following street improvements:
•••• Widen Woodson Road to Master Street Plan standards.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 27
A school bus occupies more than half of Woodson Road.
•••• Investigate traffic light installation at 53rd and Mabelvale Pike.
•••• Stripe crosswalks at 53rd and Mabelvale Pike. Investigate whether a flashing
sign is appropriate.
•••• Investigate installing a guardrail on the north side of Gum Springs Road at
Rosemoor Drive.
•••• Widen Ballinger Road, especially the end leading towards Patterson Road.
•••• Reduce the speed on Mabelvale Pike from 40 to 35 to begin at Asher Ave to
the beginning of the bridge just before 49th St. and reduced to 25 to
University Ave.
•••• Investigate ways to slow down traffic along curve on Gum Springs Drive near
Rosemoor Drive.
•••• Repave Lancaster Road.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 28
Objective: Work with the city to make the railroad overpass at Geyer Springs Road a
priority.
A train stops traffic on Geyer Springs Road.
•••• Neighborhood groups are to lobby the City of Little Rock Board of Directors
and Metroplan to start the process of building.
Objective: To work with the city to eliminate some of the heavy truck traffic through
the neighborhoods
•••• Re-route BFI trucks to use Asher Avenue instead of Mabelvale Pike
•••• Re-route 18-wheelers to use 65th Street and other arterials instead of
Woodson Street.
Objective: To reduce the skunk and wildlife problem
• Expand city programs to deal with issues such as skunk and possum
eradication.
Objective: Work with Central Arkansas Transit Authority to improve bus service to the
area.
• Establish a bus route on Gum Springs Road.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 29
Objective: To see the Mabelvale Pike project completed to the specifications
promised by the Highway Department
Construction at Mabelvale Pike and Geyer Springs Road.
•••• Monitor installation of additional streetlights on Mabelvale Pike in newly
widened section.
•••• ‘Cover the triangle’ at Gum Springs and Mabelvale Pike
•••• Stripe the southern portion of Mabelvale Pike to make it easier to see.
Objective: To improve signage in the area
•••• Install a “No Outlet” sign at Continental Circle
•••• Install “No Truck Route” signs on Gum Springs Road from Ballinger to
Mabelvale Pike
•••• Install “No Truck Route” signs along 53rd Street by school
•••• Install speed signs on new portions of Mabelvale Pike
Objective: To work with the city to evaluate major intersections in the neighborhood
•••• Install stop sign at Geyer Springs and Mabelvale Pike.
•••• Install a traffic signal at University and 53rd Street
•••• Investigate and adjust left turn signal timing at Fair Park and Asher
Objective: To reduce the amount of mosquitoes in the area
•••• Citizens must call public works at 918-3600 to request mosquito spraying
•••• Increase frequency of mosquito spraying to remove health risks.
Objective: To investigate adding more Hazmat controls for the railroad.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 30
Zoning and Future Land Use Goals: Encourage down-zoning where appropriate and
encourage new businesses that are neighborhood friendly. Utilize existing buildings
before developing new commercial areas. Have city and Neighborhood residents work
together to ensure code compliance.
Objective: Study the possibility of downsizing selected parcels to reflect the
neighborhood’s needs.
•••• Discourage the addition of any more liquor stores or automobile related
businesses in the neighborhoods, especially on Geyer Springs, Mabelvale
Pike and 65th Street.
•••• Encourage new businesses to find productive uses for the existing
commercial buildings on 65th Street.
An abandoned building on 65th Street.
•••• Reduce the zoning of vacant C-4 property to C-3 zoning.
•••• Support attempts to develop home rule legislation to enforce out of state code
violations.
•••• Encourage developers to use the Planned Zoning Development (PZD) form of
zoning rather than straight zoning to ensure appropriate businesses are
brought into the neighborhood.
•••• Streets with one side of residential and one side of commercial should be
zoned for less intense commercial uses.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 31
•••• Rezone the old Maytag place on Mabelvale Pike from I-2 Industrial to C-1
Commercial.
.
The old Maytag building is still shown as I-2 Industrial according to City zoning.
•••• Rezone the mobile home park at 59th and Kerr Road from C-3 General
Commercial to MH Mobile Home.
•••• Rezone the property at 5406 W. 49th Street from I-2 Industrial to R-2 Single
Family.
.
The Mobile Home park on Kerr Road is zoned C-3
Commercial.
This property has been zoned as I-2 Industrial for years,
even though it is a single-family house.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 32
Objective: Encourage compliance of all commercial properties.
•••• Encourage compliance with garage and automotive facilities.
•••• Enforce no parking of commercial vehicles on residentially zoned land (i.e.
semis, delivery vehicles, U-Hauls).
•••• Encourage compliance for illegal businesses operating out of inappropriately
zoned land.
•••• Clean up non-residential property (trash and debris on property).
Objective: Explore opportunities for utilizing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for targeted
redevelopment areas within the plan area.
Geyer Springs/Wakefield Neighborhood Action Plan 33
Helpful Telephone Numbers
Carla Nichols, West 65th Street Alert Center
501-565-7119
501-584-7762 (cell)
Stray Dogs 376-3067
Dead Animals, Special Trash Pick Ups and Illegal Dump Sites 888-2208
Southwest Precinct Police Department 371-4829 or 918-3900
Dumpster Request 888-2208
Toxic Waste Disposal 340-8790
Civil Engineering Manager
Mike Hood, P.E.
Office:(501) 371-4811
Fax:(501) 371-4460
Mhood@littlerock.org
Director of Housing and Neighborhood Programs
Andre Bernard
Office: (501) 371-6825
Fax: (501) 371-4873
abernard@littlerock.org
Environmental Compliance Engineer Neighborhood Action Plan Contact
Vince Floriani Eve Gieringer or Brian Minyard
501-371-4817 501-371-4483 or 501-371-4789
VFloriani@littlerock.org egieringer@littlerock.org
Senior Code Enforcement Officer
Fletcher Smith
Phone: 501-562-0042
Fax: 501-565-0688
FSmith@littlerock.org
Traffic Engineer I
Travis Herbner
501-379-1805
therbner@littlerock.org
Zoning & Subdivision Manager
Dana Carney
501-371-6817
DCarney@littlerock.org