HomeMy WebLinkAboutGranite Mountain Neighborhood work planGranite Mountain Neighborhood
Community Improvement Work Plan
Improvement Association Plan of 2011
Overview:
Community Image
The Granite Mountain Neighborhood Improvement Association would like to encourage
individuals/businesses in the community to become more active in the rehabilitation and
renovation of existing homes. We also want to counter any negative perception of the
Granite Mountain Neighborhood by embellishing the neighborhood's physical
appearance.
Housing
There is currently construction of a $2.5 million Senior Housing Complex which is an
energy -efficient structure of single -dwelling apartments for residents 65 years and older.
As residents of the Granite Mountain Neighborhood, we will provide a well -maintained,
child -friendly, adult and senior -friendly environment for ourselves. Housing for
apartment -dwelling will remain accessible and affordable.
Community Preservation
The population has increased notably with the addition of Stonewood Apartments, and
will increase again with the $2.5 million Senior Housing Apartments, which are currently
under construction estimated to open in September 2011. We are also currently working
on the enactment of a Neighborhood Reinvestment Plan to aid homeowners in
renovating and improving existing homes. The addition of the Audubon Arkansas facility
has added to our community pride & allowed others to see & enjoy the beauty of our
wonderful Granite Mountain Park area.
Infrastructure and Transportation
The addition of covered CAT A bus stops, additional street lights, mowed highway areas,
and improved drainage throughout the community will enhance the lives of the residents.
Parks and Recreation
Recreation opportunities will support the productive lives of all interested residents. The
Granite Mountain Neighborhood will be clean, well lit, and safe. The area will contain a
well -kept neighborhood park, covered bus stops, and recreation programs for youth and
seniors, and walking/bike trails.
The addition of a walking trail and picnic area to the Audubon Arkansas facility, which is
being funded by a $100,000 grant, which will allow residents to glimpse a more
community leisure area than was available when Gillam Park and Pool were
neighborhood amenities.
Historic Preservation
The Granite Heights subdivisions, along with their phases, may be eligible for inclusion
on the National Register of Historic Places because of the development history.
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COMMUNITY IMAGE:
GOALS:
• Improve the overall appearance of the neighborhood by creating an aesthetically
pleasing, unique, and inviting environment that promotes the Granite Mountain
area, and fosters neighborhood pride
OBJECTIVES:
• Increase our population
• Maintain, beautify, renovate, and make improvements to property -owners'
existing homes and surrounding properties
• Maintain mowed and weeded grassy, city -owned areas along Springer Blvd. from
the railroad tracks at Union Rescue Mission to the northern boundary of the
Granite Mountain Neighborhood
• Attract people to the neighborhood
• Create a neighborhood beautification program
• Encourage the Granite Mountain Neighborhood Improvement Association and
individuals/businesses in the community to become more active in the
rehabilitation and renovation of existing homes
• Counter negative perception of the Granite Mountain Neighborhood by improving
the neighborhood's physical appearance
• Promote positive aspects of the Granite Mountain Neighborhood
ACTIONS:
• Create a Granite Mountain Neighborhood Improvement Association
Reinvestment Homeowner's Grant Program for homeowners who belong to the
association to provide matching grant funds for home improvements,
renovations, beautification, and maintenance
• Encourage and strengthen support of the neighborhood association by the
residents
• Support and continue an annual neighborhood clean-up day
• Work with Public Works and the Granite Mtn. Neighborhood Improvement
Association to keep the grassy areas along Springer Blvd. mowed and weeded
• Work with Public Works, Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, and the Granite Mtn.
Neighborhood Improvement Association to prune vegetation that obstructs view
into the Granite Heights Park
• Encourage homeowners to exhibit pride in their homes and properties
• Maintain the Granite Heights Park
• Develop a brochure promoting positive aspects of the neighborhood
• Encourage beautification projects
• Continue to sponsor programs to educate homeowners about responsibilities of
owning and maintaining a home (i.e. neighborhood crime watch, association
membership, etc.)
• Work with the Enterprise Community Development Corporation to find out how to
secure grant money for housing subsidies (Stephens neighborhood)
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HOUSING:
GOALS:
• Enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood by strengthening the housing
fabric through home improvement grants for homeowners & the development of
new housing facilities
• Stabilize and increase property values
• Plan and implement homeowner programs designed to renovate and rehabilitate
older homes
• Remove substandard houses and re -sell remaining lots
OBJECTIVES:
• Encourage home ownership and responsible property management
• Encourage accountability among property owners, leasees, and renters
• Encourage the Granite Mountain Neighborhood Improvement Association to
become more active in the rehabilitation and renovation of existing homes and
surrounding properties
• Maintain, beautify, renovate, and make improvements to property -owners'
existing homes and surrounding properties
• Provide grants/awards to homeowners to renovate, rehabilitate and improve
existing homes
• Foster a spirit of communication between neighborhood businesses and
homeowners
• Control use of rental properties
• Support city program to fund minor repair and painting with Fa-ade
Enhancement Program
ACTIONS:
• Promote new construction of housing opportunities in the neighborhood such as
the Senior Homes at Granite Mtn.
• Work with the Little Rock Housing Authority to assist with providing affordable,
energy -efficient housing for seniors
• Develop programs/services lists to help welcome new residents to the
neighborhood (local handymen, etc.)
• Develop neighborhood -oriented facilities and community -gathering centers
• Work with Housing and Neighborhood Programs to identify residents who qualify
for home rehabilitation assistance programs
• Sponsor quarterly home improvement workshops utilizing local tradesmen and
businesses
• Create a Granite Mountain Neighborhood Improvement Association
Reinvestment Fund for homeowners who belong to the association to provide
grant money for home improvements, renovations, beautification, and
maintenance
• Advocate adequate funding in annual budget for the program which grants up to
$1,500 to a low-income family to paint their house
• Patronize and recognize local businesses that provide a positive contribution to
the neighborhood
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COMMUNITY PRESERVATION:
Provide a support program that allows residents to maintain, reinvest in, renovate, &
make improvements to their homes and properties
OBJECTIVES:
• Increase our population
• Maintain, beautify, renovate, and make improvements to property -owners'
existing homes and surrounding properties
• Maintain mowed and weeded grassy, city -owned areas along Springer Blvd. from
the railroad tracks at Union Rescue Mission to the northern boundary of the
Granite Mountain Neighborhood
• Attract people to the neighborhood
• Create a neighborhood beautification program
• Encourage the Granite Mountain Neighborhood Improvement Association and
individuals/businesses in the community to become more active in the
rehabilitation and renovation of existing homes
• Counter negative perception of the Granite Mountain Neighborhood by improving
the neighborhood's physical appearance
• Promote positive aspects of the Granite Mountain Neighborhood
ACTIONS:
• Create a Granite Mountain Neighborhood Improvement Association
Reinvestment Fund for homeowners who belong to the association to provide
grant money for home improvements, renovations, beautification, and
maintenance
• Encourage and strengthen support of the neighborhood association by the
residents
• Support and continue an annual neighborhood clean-up day
• Work with Public Works and the Granite Mtn. Neighborhood Improvement
Association to keep the grassy areas along Springer Blvd. mowed and weeded
• Work with Public Works, Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, and the Granite Mtn.
Neighborhood Improvement Association to prune vegetation that obstructs view
into the Granite Heights Park
• Encourage homeowners to exhibit pride in their homes and properties
• Maintain the Granite Heights Park
• Develop a brochure promoting positive aspects of the neighborhood
• Encourage beautification projects
• Continue to sponsor programs to educate homeowners about responsibilities of
owning and maintaining a home (i.e.: neighborhood crime watch, association
membership, etc.) .
• Work with the Enterprise Community Development Corporation to find out how to
secure grant money for housing subsidies (Stephens neighborhood)
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INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION:
i ey-1 1II&I
Improve and maintain an adequate infrastructure network, including an effective
drainage system and roadways within the neighborhood to produce a safe and attractive
neighborhood environment
OBJECTIVES:
Identify and correct drainage problems throughout the neighborhood
Add more street lights
Maintain mowed and weeded grassy, city -owned areas along Springer Blvd. from
the railroad tracks at Union Rescue Mission to the northern boundary of the
Granite Mountain Neighborhood
• Continue bus routes
• Install covered CAT A bus stops
• Enforce speed limits to ensure the safety of residents and pedestrians
• Improve traffic flow throughout the neighborhood
ACTIONS:
• Correct drainage issues for homeowners/residences on the west side of East
38th Street, Debusk, and Snow Circle in Granite Heights #3 and other residences
in Granite Heights #1 and #2 with drainage issues
• Work with Public works to correct drainage issues in Granite Heights Park
• Work with Public Works to place drains along the backyards of the residences
adjacent to Granite Mountain
• Clear the drainage ditch at East 38th and Springer Blvd.
• Maintain street lights on all major roads and residential streets
• Install street lights around the new senior housing complex at Granite Mountain
• Discourage speeding on Springer Blvd. by using speed limit signage
• Work with the Central Arkansas Transit Authority (CATA) to ensure bus routes
are continued in this area
• Solicit CATA to install covered CATA bus stops at Baltimore & Springer Blvd. and
in front of the new senior housing facility
• Ask Public Works to install "truck weight limit" signs on Springer Blvd. at the I-
440 entrance and along Springer Blvd. between Detroit & Works Barber Shop.
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PARKS AND RECREATION:
GOALS:
Create and maintain passive and active recreational activities within the neighborhood
and Granite Heights Park to produce safe recreational neighborhood programs
OBJECTIVES:
• Support efforts for safe parks and recreational facilities and activities in the
Granite Mountain Community
• Ensure parks are safe and maintained
• Provide recreational activities for senior citizens
ACTIONS:
• Work with the City of Little Rock's Parks and Recreation Dept. to create a
comprehensive development plan for Granite Heights Park
• Work with Granite Mountain Quarries to replace the bathrooms in Granite
Heights Park with an open-air covered pavilion, replace deteriorated wooden
picnic benches, and replace rusty playground swings and equipment
• Work with Public works to correct drainage issues in Granite Heights Park
• Re-build/re-surface the walking trail in Granite Heights Park
• Encourage the City of Little Rock's Public Works Dept. to maintain Granite
Heights Park by mowing and weeding weekly
• Encourage the City of Little Rock's Public Works Dept. to maintain Granite
Heights Park by removing tree limbs and debris as needed
• Encourage the City of Little Rock's Parks and Recreation Dept. to maintain
Granite Heights Park by removing underbrush around the walking trail, tennis
court, and along the fences leading into the park
• Coordinate with Greater Friendship Baptist Church and Pat Williams, tutoring
program coordinator, to provide additional recreational resources for youth and
seniors
• Work with Audubon Arkansas to re -surface the basketball court nearby and
replace the goal and nets
• Support Audubon Arkansas in the creation of a public walking trail on its facility
• Get corporate sponsor of recreational activities
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION:
_ GOALS:
Nominate portions of the neighborhood to be listed on the National Register of Historic
places.
OBJECTIVES:
• List the Granite Heights Subdivisions on the national Register of Historic Places.
• Inform the property owners of the advantages of being on the National Register.
• Instill pride in the neighborhood for being part of a historic district.
ACTIONS:
• Research the history of the development of the Granite Heights Subdivisions and
_ complete the Determination of Eligibility
• Secure funding for professional survey work to be completed or enlist volunteers
from the neighborhood to survey houses.
• Secure funding for professional completion of the nomination form to list the
district on the register.
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i ht lS ubdiv'iort�' : arkg
Granite'
e g s.. . '' -
Ftrst f rL W k ; oc Igr ; s
By OZALL SUTTOY. I coruttucte s nee.* 1G5I are av tl-•fairs Redevelo me t Project
(Deaseerat Staff Writer 1 ble for 'ego occuWcy. A'Iarge sec bn of the 102 acres/'
Granite Heights, now the XEgroes co stitute aprnximately north of Granite iHeighls U. to by
lonaking, stands to be the first 10 per ce t o' the population ob a used for light) industry such
standard subdivision avails le to national 1 ve j commercial warehouses. s
ILittle , Rock's 29.000 Negro rest- Reasons q 1r n; park Planned, 1
dents. Tti.o to sons are frequently Ric- _Art eight -acre park will see as
w•
The subdivision, h!ch ha been to by I onserve
cc and 7 c3nstruc Ion a buffer zone between the -rest-
Tdesignated Granite Heights, is 10- cornpanie f�r the )shortage I in.•dential area a d .the 56 acres for
sated on U. S. Highway 65 outh, private ham develo ments avail- light indNstry.� •!,
three miles from the dow• town able to egrocs: I i I believe t at this project
'area, and within Little Roc s city i A sh rt1ge available and where slug housing has been torn
1 limits. It is a 16-acre plot su tvid- ° �a down: where a. dies have been
desirable. ite� o>� w!ic:t to deccl- T
led into 62 residential lots. 9 relocated to o d housing and
op a 'sub -vision. Q
Granite Heights ts"not cs ctial. where land has ¢een rcdecelopdd
ly designated for \egrocs, f r the 2. A bet of that Negroes are poor isand is available' without rbstric-
Fedetal Housing Authority f rblds property rill they, don't lions to race, for prKate construe -
any restrictions as to race any pbliation keep up I -iei� homes and financial lion of. quality homes, will have
project carrying its "stamp f ap- However, much of the concept a positive effect on the entire city
pro.al." Granite Hc!gh,s, eve)- of Little Rock.' -said 0ox Banner.
of the se and point �s being dis•
Deed by the Little Rock H using pelted w th statistics based on executive ' dircel:or the Little
Authority, certainly Carrie the Rorie Housing -Auth ity.
! studies of th situation.
�FHA's okay, 1 Everyone in- �.ittle Rock here-*
Taylor •s that , the studies fit; from this progress, but the
its 69 lots are avnilanie any have prow n hat non -whiles of the most cure
ct bencrlt is to those now
PC who wants to build a home. .amc cc •tor tic class as whites ,n better housiP and to those
but is expected that most. if not ;ake equ: 1 pride in: their homes
all of those srckidS Ilo:ne !!leg in and, equal re7ponsibilities in their who will buy I'g end build homes
the area will he Nezrc.cs• r+blica�inn ! ih Cranitc Height!." he added.
As an area avatlab'c to N ernes The G :mite HCig`rts develop.'Sonic 10 lots In the area have
t ; it is expected to help ra. l!rt` been sold ;.`ri '.nt oleic: concerning
rest shorts r of :ncnt is t e result of a combined
g ) private home others are bci,:� received by the
effort of large number of Little
sites for the race. Housing Authorit • daily.
Rock's ei izens. both white and
'Houalnx Nerds Cited. _ _��-----
j To a large extent. Nezroc have Ncgro, to make some new home
not !hared in the great home sites avai ble to Negroes. r
ariety 5110,w Slated l
-building boom in Anierlra. Toltoivs S roey- 1
For example. of! approxltnately The Urban' League, through the At S011ither1r, State
mitine million dwrfling uncon- help oft the Social Science depart- Nlagnolla—South rn Slate Col -
strutted in the United Stags be-. ment at I hilander Smith College, ict;e %ill present th second annual
twern 1935 and 1950. s:ightl4 mire made a st rdy in the city to deter- HARD-VARKi oar etiis ' show in
than one per cent Was available mine the approximate number of the college•aurlitoriiem,January 31.
for Ncgrnrs. Nc--roeq n the midrile income This ybe spon- _
j This ex!sls in spite of a 435 per. bricket d •ruing to build homes. gored byAipha Psi Ontega. ralinn-
! rent increase :n n while pop u• - The sled , although' not totally at honorary draniitics society.
latinn in metrolml! : -areas during inclusive• proved (avorable, Iaighliglit or the shiny will he
I that time. The Gr. nitc Heights subdivision selection of Mks outhcrn State
\ccorAing• to the 'igures �f the will Deco) y a portion of what was Callece Iroi:i apt.. axiti'rtel} 13
National Urban League .which once the largest srum area in contestants represcr ling dor�tifur• i
• dears extensively in the Nc;,ro :he city o Little Rock. tes and stude t or>�anizations.
I housing problem!. the percentage of 16i Ptructures. 149 n:cup:et]
lof increase in urtmn d%t Ilinrs---onl1 I%v had baths and inside Southern State Secs
• Iamong the white hopulatic dur- toilets, a d only 13 had water. i
ing that period has been on v MI. pipet{ fnsi a the house. 1.-000 Fl roliniellt
Those close :o t!:•z housin situa• The tot 1 tax revenue for the ltlagnolia—Southelrn• State Cnl-
• j tion estimate that the sa pro- city from the arcs was just 525 lege here wilope its doors for t
t portions have existed sine 1950. per mont . Yet this area caused the 1957 sprig se�ester January i
Perry T2ylor, executive secre- a heavy h rden on ifie police, fare 21. i
tart of the Greater Llttl Rock and health- depart^tcns. approximal ly 3.000 1 students t
Urban Lcague. paid that csti- Atlunllyt Granite :sleights is a are expected tp enrinll for the new i
t" i mated.2 per cent of the new homes part of tht 102-acre Granite ?loun- session whichl will'enct ltlay 24. 1
Newspaper article from the ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT January 6, 1957
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FUTURE LAND USE:
LAND USE
Acres
%
RL
Residential low density
94.18
11.58%
RM
Residential medium density
12.11
1.49%
RH
Residential high density
34.10
4.19%
PK/OS
Park Open Space
485.38
59.66%
PI
Public Institutional
1.96
0.24%
MX
Mixed Use
7.44
0.91 %
C
Commercial
7.16
0.88%
LI
Light Industrial
17.73
2.18%
1
Industrial
9.13
1.12%
STD
Service Trades District
19.81
2.43%
M
Mining
22.42
2.76%
NOT
Not shown (i.e: freeway)
102.22
12.56%
813.65
100.00%
ZONING MAP:
ZONING
ACRES
%
R2
Single Family
406.31
49.94%
R2 CUP
Single Family Conditional Use permit
3.12
0.38%
R3
Single Family
202.36
24.87%
R4
Two family district
0.54
0.07%
PRD
Planned Residential district
12.63
1.55%
PD-R
Planned district - residential
12.35
1.52%
0.00%
PR
Parks and Recreation
31.59
3.88%
0.00%
C3
General Commercial
15.00
1.84%
C4
Open Display commercial
4.05
0.50%
PCD
Planned Commercial District
0.99
0.12%
0.00%
12
Light industrial
46.28
5.69%
13
Heavy Industrial
42.13
5.18%
M
Mining
7.02
0.86%
NOT
Not zoned, not in ETJ limits
29.28
3.60%
813.65
100.00%
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POPULATION IN AREA -
TOTAL POPULATION BY RACE:
874
Hispanic or Latino
6
0.7%
White alone
67
7.7%
Black or African American alone
789
90.3%
American Indian
6
0.7%
Some other Race alone
2
0.2%
Two or more races
4
0.5%
POPULATION OVER 18 VOTING AGE:
TOTAL POPULATION:
642
Hispanic or Latino
6
0.9%
White alone
65
10.1%
Black or African American alone
564
87.9%
American Indian
6
0.9%
Some other Race alone
1
0.2%
HOUSING OCCUPANCY:
TOTAL UNITS:
328
Occupied:
299
91.2%
VACANT
29
8.8%
STRUCTURES BY TYPE:
TYPE BUILDING
QUANTITY
PERCENT
VARIABLE RECREATION
2
0.5%
CHURCHES
5
1.3%
CLUBS
1
0.3%
SINGLE FAMILY
235
60.3%
DUPLEX
42
10.8%
MOBILE HOME
3
0.8%
APTS: 3-6 UNITS
2
0.5%
APTS: 7-20 UNITS
3
0.8%
ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
89
22.8%
GENERAL COMMERCIAL
1
0.3%
FOOD SALES
2
0.5%
SPECIALTY
1
0.3%
MOTOR SERVICES
1
0.3%
OFFICE
1
0.3%
UTILITIES
1
0.3%
GENERAL STORAGE
1
0.3%
390
100.0%
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CRIME STATS IN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATInN AREA nNi v-
GRANITE MOUNTAIN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
INCIDENT TYPE
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011*
TOTAL
HOMICIDE
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
RAPE
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
ROBBERY
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
3
3
3
1
3
4
1 2
3
3
9
1
3
38
BURGLARY/B&E
7
9
6
5
5
5
6
7
8
12
19
0
89
LARCENY
10
7
8
15
10
10
11
7
9
17
8
7
119
VEHICLE THEFT
3
4
3
3
2
2
3
5
0
1
1 1
0
27
ARSON
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
2
TOTAL
23
24
21
24
21
21
22
22
22
41
29
10
280
Note: 2u11 tigures are incomplete.
CRIME STATS IN STUDY AREA:
GRANITE MOUNTAIN AREA
INCIDENT TYPE
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011*
TOTAL
HOMICIDE
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
3
RAPE
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
2
2
0
0
0
6
ROBBERY
3
2
1
1
1
1
4
1
1
2
0
1
18
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
8
7
4
1 3
8
11
11
6
1 5
10
1 5
7
1 85
BURGLARY/B&E
19
23
25
22
21
23
29
21
34
22
26
4
269
LARCENY
32
37
22
41
38
39
38
35
42
38
33
29
424
VEHICLE THEFT
12
11
8
5
15
9
8
12
9
3
6
2
100
ARSON
3
0
1
2
1
1 0
2
1
1
1 3
1 0
0
14
TOTAL
78
80
62
74
86
83
92
78
94
1 79
1 70
43
919
"Note: 2011 figures are incomplete.
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CONDITION OF STREETS:
The following chart is an assessment of city street conditions in the area. The list does not
include any private streets such as Harris Circle, Sabbs Circle, Richardson Place and Bledsoe
Circle. Springer Boulevard (HWY 365) is AHTD maintained. The list is a grading of each street
under 5 categories (surface fatigue, surface utility cuts, traffic volume, surface rutting and
drainage issues) and the higher the total score (sum) the greater the need for an asphalt overlay.
The list also shows streets without curb and gutters such as Carolina Street.
DATE
STREET
FROM
TO
WIDTH
GRADE
1
2
3
4
5
SUM
07/11/08
Baltimore
Springer
Detroit
23.5
1
1
1
0
0
160
07/22/08
Detroit
Springer
Cul d Sac
23.5
4
0
1
2
0
365
07/22/08
Chicago
Baltimore
Cul d Sac
23.5
4
0
1
0
0
325
07/22/08
38th
Springer
Athens
23
2
1
1
0
1
250
07/22/08
Jeck Ct
38th
38th
16.5
2
0
1
0
0
185
07/22/08
Albright Cir
38th
Cul d Sac
23
2
0
1
0
0
185
07/22/08
38th
Springer
Cul d Sac
23.5
2
1
1
0
0
230
07/22/08
Debusk
38th
Cul d Sac
23
2
0
1
0
0
185
07/13/11
Gillam Park
Springer
End
23.5
1
2
2
2
0
290
07/13/11
Dover
Milburn
Edge
23
2
3
1
2
1
380
07/13/11
Edge
Springer
End
23
2
1
2
1
0
295
07/13/11
Simpson
California
Edge
23.5
4
2
1
1
1
455
07/13/11
Carolina
Springer
End
23
3
0
1
5
5
455
07/13/11
Vinice
Gillam Park
End
23
1
0
1
0
1 0
115
07/13/11
Milburn
Simpson
Dover
23
2
0
1
0
1 0
185
07/13/11
Granite Mtn Cir
Gillam Park
Edge
23
1
1
1
0
0
160
07/13/11
Granite Mtn Cir
Gillam Park north
End
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1
0
1
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0
115
07/13/11
Avon
Granite Mtn Cir
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45
07/13/11
Younger
Granite Mtn Cir
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45
07/22/08
Snow Cir
38
Cul d Sac
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185
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The History of the Granite Mountain Community
Granite Mountain is a historic African -American community located on the south side of
Fourche Creek named such because of the stone quarried from the hills and mountains
around the community. The valuable granite is used to build roads, tabletops, cabinet
tops, and roofing. Granite Mountain was once the home of the Quapaw Indians.
Granite Heights is the subdivision located in the Granite Mountain Community.
An article published in the Arkansas Democrat on Jan. 6, 1957, said Granite Heights
was the first standard subdivision built by the Little Rock Housing Authority for "Negro
residents" in Little Rock. It is located on U.S. Highway 65 south, three miles from
downtown and within Little Rock's city limits. There were about 28,000 black residents
in Little Rock at that time. It was said that the subdivision would ease the shortage of
private homes for people of color. However, the lots were available to anyone who
wanted to buy homes in the area.
In 1930, the Rev. Horace Springer Sr. built the first home in Granite Mountain. In 1941,
the Springer Store was established as a neighborhood store. It sold snacks, candy, ice
cream, cigarettes, and soda pops. It soon expanded and included two gas pumps, an
icehouse, a shoeshine parlor, and a drive-in restaurant. They had the best barbecue
and chilidogs dogs in town. It was the largest black grocery store in the surrounding
area of Little Rock.
In 1952, the U.S. Government built Booker Homes at Granite Mountain for returning
World War II African American veterans, and for low-income residents. There were 233
family units, and it had a spectacular view of Little Rock from up on the hill. Also called
Booker Homes Public Housing Project, the concrete and brick homes were a source of
pride for the community. However, by the 1980s, Booker Homes had become crime and
gang infested. It was torn down in 2001 by the Little Rock Housing Authority. The
property was then transferred to the City of Little Rock.
The Granite Mountain Neighborhood Improvement Association worked together with the
Housing Authority of the City of Little Rock and Neighborhood Builders, Inc. to build
Homes at Granite Mountain completed in December 3, 2001. It is a 52-unit multifamily
housing community on Springer Boulevard where the former Granite Mountain
Elementary School and Apollo Terrace were located. The $4 million mixed -income
development features two and three bedroom townhouses.
Another addition to the Granite Mountain Community is the 52-unit Stonewood
Apartments that opened in 2005. It is owned by the Watershed Human Development
Corp. and is located on Springer Boulevard next to the railroad tracks. The association
worked closely with the Little Rock Housing Authority, the builders, and the city to insure
the apartment complex would enhance the community.
The City of Little Rock renamed the stretch of Confederate Boulevard from the train
tracks at Biddle Shop to Gillam Park to Springer Boulevard on Jan 9, 1974 to honor the
Springer family. However, the signs were not changed until Nov. 3, 2004, during the
Clinton Library opening. The Richardson, Bledsoe, Sabb, and Harris families also have
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streets named after them inside the Homes at Granite Mountain between Edge Street
and Gillam Park Road.
The Granite Mountain Community includes 2 parks: Granite Heights Park which is
currently being restored, and Gillam Park. The Little Rock Parks and Recreation and the
Granite Mountain Neighborhood Improvement Association worked together to repair and
open the Granite Heights Park on Springer Boulevard and East 381h Street in 1967. The
residents of Granite Mountain Community also enjoyed the pavilion and other facilities at
Gillam Park including the Gillam Park Swimming Pool until both were closed in the
1990's. The Granite Mountain Neighborhood Improvement Association is currently
working with both the City of Little Rock and Granite Mountain Quarries to once again
restore and improve Granite Heights Park.
Gillam Park was developed in 1940 and is comprised of 436 acres. It was established
as the first park for blacks in Little Rock in this part of the city. In 1951, the first
swimming pool for African Americans opened at Gillam Park. The park included
ballparks, an indoor skating rink, a playground, a swimming pool, and concession
stands.
The park was named after Isaac T. Gillam, a former slave who served in the Union
Army, the Arkansas Legislature and as a Pulaski County Coroner. Before the pool
opened, adults and children swam in the bauxite pits or the Arkansas River. Tragically,
many people drowned before the pool opened. Before integration, Gillam Park was the
only city owned park for family recreation, picnics and social events.
Gillam Park was shut down in 1996. The swimming pool was renovated and reopened
in 1998, only to be closed again in 2000 by the Little Rock Parks and Recreation
because of declining use. The community hopes to reopen the swimming pool again in
the near future because of the new housing developments in the neighborhood.
Gillam Park today remains a beautiful forest with some of the oldest trees in the state of
Arkansas including huge oak and pine trees that are about 200 years old. There is a
beautiful oxbow lake or U shaped lake, wetlands, natural opening glades, and rocky
outcrops with many rare species of plants. Much of Gillam Park, sixty eight acres of land
that surround the building and previously known as Booker Homes, was leased to
Audubon Arkansas for 100 years as park property from the City of Little Rock. Through
Audubon Arkansas, Gillam Park now has a nature center with a system of trails
throughout the park with educational hikes. There are also plans for wildlife observation
stations, a nature trail with tables and benches to enjoy the beauty of nature in different
places throughout the park, a floating classroom, and pavilions for neighborhood
residents to enjoy.
A History of Booker Homes from LRHA
Booker Homes were named for Dr. Joseph A Booker, the first president of Arkansas
Baptist College in Little Rock. The public housing project was constructed in 1950. In
1952, the first families had moved in. This project was part of the Urban Renewal in
Little Rock in the fact that some families that were removed from the Ninth Street Area
were residents of Booker Homes.
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This was the first public housing project site exclusively for African American families. At
that time, public housing was segregated in Little Rock. There were 400 apartment
homes built on the site, a combination of four and six units per building. There were
sixty-eight buildings. The units ranged from one bedroom to six bedroom units. The
units were flats (walk-ups) without elevators.
Early on in the history of Booker Homes, residents had to be married and employed to
live there. The one -bedroom units were reserved for elderly residents and had a
dedicated section reserved for them. LRHA were charging rents on the units in excess
of 30% to the resident's income. That was prohibited by the Brooke Amendment of
1969, which addressed discrimination in public housing. The amendment also struck the
employment and marital status requirements.
Little Rock Housing Authority constructed and managed the complex until they asked
HUD to tear the project down. The demolition started in the early 2000's and was
finished in multiple phases of demolitions.
A noticeable amount of the new owners of single family homes in the Granite Mountain
Heights, Granite Mountain Heights #2, and Granite Mountain Heights #3 subdivisions
were residents of Booker Homes. These subdivisions were platted starting in 1956.
*Information provided by Shelly Ehenger, Director of LRHA, July 27, 2011 phone
conversation.
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The Establishment of the Granite Mountain Neighborhood
Improvement Association
Estella Hayes, along with her husband Jeff, reached out to neighbors and hosted a
meeting at their home on 19 Avon Place in the Parkway Addition in the late 1980s. The
attendees included Shirley Clanton, Charlie Reed, Deane Greene, Lillian Springer, Jean
Rouse, and Evelyn Richardson. They discussed what they could do to help improve the
neighborhood. The lack of a drainage system and 3M trains that stopped traffic were
major concerns. That was the beginning of the Granite Mountain Neighborhood
Improvement Association. For years Mrs. Hayes worked on the planning and telephone
committee. The Hayes' raised their five children on Avon Place. She retired in 2002 from
the University of Arkansas Cooperate Extension Service. Jeff Hayes was a surgical
nurse at the VA Hospital, an army veteran in the Korean War, and the first black to enlist
in the Arkansas National Guard. He passed away in 2002.
Evelyn Richardson and her husband, Grover, were the movers and shakers in the
neighborhood that they moved to 52 years ago and raised their seven children. She
proposed the idea that the neighbors start an organization when the City of Little Rock
urged neighborhoods to organize. She was the first president of the association and held
that position until 1999. She was instrumental in helping with the noise abatement
program with the airport. She also helped start the library in Granite Mountain and
received the Ellen T. Carpenter Award for her efforts. She passed away in 2001.
Frank J. Boyle moved to Granite Heights on East 38th Street in 1965. He had been
serving for many years as an assistant to Evelyn Richardson when she was president of
the Granite Mountain Neighborhood Improvement Association. He served from 1999 to
2007. He is a 30-year retired educator, and retired recreation supervisor for the City of
Little Rock. He and his wife, Julia, raised their three daughters in the neighborhood.
Shirley Clanton has lived in Granite Mountain/Granite Heights since 1964. She said
there was a need for the association to make sure everything was kept together in the
neighborhood. She and her husband, James, together raised five children in their home
on the corner of East 38th Street and Springer Blvd. She has been the Granite Mountain
Neighborhood Improvement Association's secretary for many, many years taking the
rein from Desaree Mauldin. She retired from Southwestern Bell/AT & T in 1997.
Stephany C. Ricks Fields moved to Granite Heights in 1964 as a kindergartener at St.
Bartholemew. She married and moved away returning frequently to visit her mother who
remained in Granite Heights. She became an educator and raised 3 sons. After
purchasing a home and living in the neighborhood as an adult, she was elected
president of the Granite Mountain Neighborhood Improvement Association in 2008.
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