HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC1998-019 Letter To Commissioners From MacArthur Pak Neighborhood Association 09/02/1998MacArthur Park
Neighborhood Association
PO Box 1461
Little Rock AR 72203-1461
2 September 1998
Hand -Delivered
Little Rock Historic District Commission Members 9/2/98
c/o V. Anne Guthrie, Historic Preservation Administrator
City of Little Rock
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing on behalf of the MacArthur Park Neighborhood Association (MPNA) and its
Executive Board regarding an issue before the Historic District Commission. The
Executive Board of the MPNA has met and discussed the request of Second Baptist
Church to construct a 35-space parking lot at a designated site within the MacArthur
Park Historic District and within the boundaries associated with the MPNA.
After discussion and vote, we have come to the clear and unequivocal recommendation
to the Historic District Commission that this application be denied.
It should be noted for the record that this applicant has not contacted the neighborhood
association about making a presentation to the membership.
Our concern with the nature and specifics of the request is as follows:
The area in question is already dense with on -street parking and parking lots.
- Given the specific east/west length of the proposed parking area, it appears that
there is sufficient parking to the immediate north that does not present a longer
distance for people to walk to the entrance.
The opportunity to utilize neighboring parking lots that are otherwise unoccupied on
Sunday appears quite viable.
It would appear that one of the most under-utilized parking lots is available for
Sunday use —the lot to the west of First Presbyterian Church. In fact, it is closer to
the church entrance than the proposed parking area. Also, the walk is a convenient
one, past the church and directly onto 2"d Baptist's block.
We do support our downtown churches and appreciate their contributions to our
community. At the same time, we must balance the encouragement of development
within the MacArthur Park Historic District with the need to act as guardians of its
historic nature and supporters of its viability as a thriving and diverse neighborhood
community. ;
Respectfully,
Michael Preble
President