HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC2001-008 Letter To Anne Guthrie From Quapaw Quarter Association 06/21/2001Landmarks
of Greater
n rust Little Rock
Q uapaw Quarter Association
1315 South Scott Street ■ P.O. Box 165023 • Little Rock, AR 72216.501-371-0075 • FAX 501-374-8142
June 21, 2001
Ms. V. Anne Guthrie
Little Rock Historic District Commission
500 W. Markham
Little Rock, AR 72201
Re: COA for Parking Lot at 600 Ferry Street
Dear Anne,
This is in response to the application by the City of Little Rock to build a parking lot at
600 Ferry Street for the new Little Rock Visitor Center. While the Quapaw Quarter
Association has been a long-time supporter of the city's restoration and proposed use of
the historic Curran Hall, the request for an additional parking lot in the neighboring
residential area creates a special concern.
Primarily, we question the need for additional parking in the area. There will be parking
available immediately behind Curran Hall on the north side of 6`h Street. Presently, there
is ample parking space along Sherman, East Capitol, Ferry, and 6th Streets that will be
available to visitors as well. Additionally, there is the post office parking lot across East
Capitol from Curran Hall. This lot is rarely full during the post office's normal business
hours, and I'm sure a satisfactory arrangement could be worked out between the city and
the post office for employee, RV, bus, and special event parking at that location.
While it is our sincere hope that the Visitor Center will be very successful and draw a
substantial number of tourists, at the present time there is no good indication of the traffic
volume that the new Visitor Center will generate in the long term. Undoubtedly, the
center will receive a large number of visitors initially, considering the many local citizens
who will wish to see the new renovation for the first time. It will take several weeks or
months to determine a true level of traffic volume. However, it seems premature to
create a new parking lot until the need has been clearly established.
Therefore, for the above reasons, the Historic District Commission is encouraged to reject
the proposal for a parking lot at the corner of Sixth and Ferry Streets (600 Ferry). If I can
be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
7�4
Roger D. Williams
Executive Director