604 replies to this topic

[ironchapman]

What's being built in Little Rock?

Post any comments or updates here.

[Mith242]

I admit I haven't kept up as much with Little Rock as I should.  Seems like they recently built a new office building near the downtown area.  But maybe that's been there for a little while now.  Of course I think most people know about Clinton's Presidential Library.  I belive Little Rock and North Little Rock have been competing against each other to build a baseball stadium.  Other than that, you'll have to get more info from some Little Rock people around here.

[Mith242]

Since I mentioned something about minor league baseball I have a question for some Little Rock people.  I was wondering how the Travelers were doing and how attendance has been going.  We're supposed to be eventually getting a sports complex up in Springdale and one of the main goals they have is to get a minor league baseball team.  It's great having all the Razorback sports up here, but it would be nice to also have something else.  I was just curious how things were going in Little Rock to help get an idea of how things might be up here.

[johnnydr87]

I know I'm going to be forgetting about a lot of projects.  I'll probably edit more in later.  Here are all I know of (quotes from Arkansas Business):

2004/2005 Recap

Inland Maritime Musuem, on the banks of Arkansas River (in progress
"And, of course, central Arkansas had a banner year. North Little Rock landed the USS Razorback with more boats — and the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum — to come."

Picture of the submarine getting tugged up the Arkansas River, with Clinton Center to the right.  

Little Rock River Rail (in progress)
This vintage river rail system goes through North Little Rock and Little Rock downtowns.  It reached its expected occupancy rate for the year (120,000) in less than eight months.
Route, phase 2 in construction, and phase 3 (not shown) in the works):

On the CAT website (Central Arkansas Transit), it discusses building a light rail to the airport.

Heifer International Global Village
HI is a popular nonprofit organization based in Little Rock.  The global village is expected to outdraw the Clinton Library.  There are two other prominent nonprofit organizations based in Little Rock: Lion's Services for the Blind and WinRock International.   Politicians often discuss in making a "nonprofit corridor" in Little Rock to attract other organizations, similar to the Research Triangle in NC. The HI building will be much more efficient than most buildings.  Descriptions by HI:

The overall master plan for the new Heifer International Center is a series of concentric rings that expand outward from a central gathering space. The design is not only practical; it's also symbolic, representing the "ripple effect" created from Heifer's unique Passing on the Gift cornerstone.



The building's semi-circular shape stretches in an east-west direction, which allows the greatest amount of sunlight into the building. The narrow floorplan (only 62 feet wide) further enables natural light to penetrate to the center of every floor.



This illustration of a cross-section through the constructed wetland area shows the elevation of the office building, as well as the raised walkways that will allow visitors easy access from the parking lot.


These south and north elevation studies show how solar access will be controlled by both architectural elements and landscaping.


Clinton Center:
"Then, there’s the William J. Clinton Presidential Center & Museum — a $165 million showplace that has brought national and international attention to Arkansas, not to mention a visitor count running well ahead of projections."


Little Rock Nature Center by Audobon


Witt Stephens, Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center
Little Rock
Once this center is finished, it will the last of the four nature centers to be built. This center will be built in central Arkansas one block away from the Clinton Center.

Baseball stadium for Arkansas Travelers


Arkansas' first skyscraper revitalization:

Arkansas River Trail
A 20 mile loop trail on the Little Rock and North Little Rock banks


And others...too tired to find.

[Mith242]

I forgot about some of those projects.  I am still disappointed that northwest Arkansas wasn't selected as a site for one of the nature centers.  It just seems silly for me to have to go down to Ft Smith to see the nature center that focuses on the Ozarks.  I'm not sure if other parts of the state thought too much money has been spent recently in this part of the state so this is how they made up for it or what.

[johnnydr87]

First Security Center (finished)


300 Third Tower (in progress):

Edited by johnnydr87, 15 June 2005 - 09:36 PM.

[johnnydr87]

Landmark for Little Rock competition (all speculation):





And here's the article:

Creating a landmark
The work to make an abandoned bridge a symbol




This much is certain.

Sometime next year the 120-year-old Junction Railroad Bridge will be reopened as a pedestrian bridge across the Arkansas River connecting Little Rock’s River Market entertainment district to North Little Rock’s Alltel Arena. A $1.6 million matching grant from the state Highway and Transportation Department assures that much. What is less certain but very possible is that the bridge will see additional entertainment-oriented private development, either on the bridge itself or at either end. That idea of creating an “inhabited bridge” with restaurants or other development is being explored by the Junction Bridge Collaborative. This body consists of a county-appointed public facilities board and a group of interested citizens. They are coming up with ideas on what to do with the abandoned but structurally sound bridge that came into the hands of the city earlier this year.

In February the Arkansas Times urged local governments to turn the bridge into an icon for the area, using the bridge as a platform for a world-class structure that would both symbolize the city and be a social gathering place. The Times published a series of concept drawings from a number of local architects that depicted ideas of how the bridge might be developed. Proposals included restaurants, office space, a hotel attached to the north end of the bridge and a city park.

The bridge presents planners with a number of challenges, even for something as relatively simple as a pedestrian walkway. The southern end of the bridge is permanently raised over the ship channel, forcing pedestrians to climb stairs or stop and wait for an elevator from the main bridge level to the raised bridge portion and then down again. One solution is to build the walkway across the top of the superstructure of the lower bridge, which would put it almost exactly at track level of the raised portion of the bridge. In addition to creating a level walkway, this solution preserves the track level of the lower bridge portion for future development. Millie Ward, president of Stone Ward Advertising and this year’s president of the Downtown Partnership, has been a strong advocate for exploring private development options. Earlier this fall, Jim Schimmer, executive director of the Downtown Partnership, sent out about 50 packets to developers connected to the Urban Land Institute advising them of the availability of the bridge for redevelopment. Ward’s agency has also been in contact with CNN, the Wall Street Journal and a variety of trade magazines to get the word out about the interest from local government in seeing the bridge developed.

At a public meeting in August, a participant suggested that instead of widening the bridge to build a restaurant or shops, a developer could simply pull refurbished railroad dining cars onto the bridge and create a restaurant. A railroad buff attending the meeting added that a number of the old stainless steel cars were stored in Kansas City and were for sale. The length of the bridge could accommodate seven or eight cars, which could be used for a number of purposes, including the restaurant. That idea is now being championed by a number of committee members as the most practical way to place structures on the bridge. The pedestrian walkway would run above the train cars and would have stairs leading down to track level. In addition, the bridge could be widened with light steel walkways at track level to provide access to the train cars and possibly outdoor seating.

Another factor that will eventually play into the bridge’s future is the potential availability of inexpensive city-owned land adjacent to the north end of the bridge in North Little Rock. Available, that is, for the right idea. The possibility of a hotel or some type of entertainment complex that would tie into the bridge and complement the River Market entertainment district on the opposite end of the bridge has been bandied about.

(One prominent developer predicted, however, that a hotel was six years away, due to a raft of new rooms about to come into the downtown market from the new Radisson, Holiday Inn and a refurbished Legacy — not to mention developer Jimmy Moses’ idea for a hotel at Second and Commerce Streets.)

At press time the Junction Bridge Collaborative was waiting on a report from McClelland Consulting Engineers that would identify any structural problems preventing construction of the pedestrian walkway above track level. If that hurdle is met, it is likely that the pedestrian walkway will get underway in January while the Downtown Partnership continues to look for the right developer and vision to create a spectacular destination.

--- By Alan Leveritt ---

[johnnydr87]

Fancified Marina, Downtown Little Rock:
If this project goes through, it will remind me of the beach-side cities: rows and rows of boats and upscale condos:




Central High Museum, Commemorative Coin:

"It has been a big day for the Central High National Historic Site.

A bill to create a commemorative coin cleared Senate committee. A companion bill has passed the House committee. It could raise $4 million for the historic site.

The Senate Appropriations committee has approved $5.1 million to build a permanent visitor center at the site. It still needs Senate and conference approval, but this is an important step in having a new center ready for the 50th anniversary of the school crisis in 2007."

[Arkansawyer]

Here's something pretty cool that's going up on the North Little Rock (Dogtown, as it's affectionately known in these parts) side of the river. It's called Argenta Place, getting its name from the name for North Little Rock back in the city's early days. This picture is quite large, but I couldn't find a smaller one.

[johnnydr87]

Whoa, that's really neat and different.  

Definitely has that that real, "inner city," urban feel... not the flashy, glamorous, shiny, plastic look of most developments.

[skirby]

One interesting project is the redevelopment of the old YMCA building. It is one of the projects being done by Tower Investments in the city.
Tower Investments YMCA

It is located just South of Arvest Bank's Little Rock headquarters. Also, across the street from Arvest is the new federal courthouse expansion. This is an $83 million dollar project.

The other project by Tower Investments is called Lafayette Square, which is a Main Street redevelopment.
Lafayette Square

[johnnydr87]

skirby, on Jun 16 2005, 07:40 AM, said:

One interesting project is the redevelopment of the old YMCA building. It is one of the projects being done by Tower Investments in the city.
Tower Investments YMCA

It is located just South of Arvest Bank's Little Rock headquarters. Also, across the street from Arvest is the new federal courthouse expansion. This is an $83 million dollar project.

The other project by Tower Investments is called Lafayette Square, which is a Main Street redevelopment.
Lafayette Square

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cool.  According to the satellite image, it's right beside the tallest building in Arkansas, the Metropolitan National Bank Tower.

Pics:








Some Buildings in Lafayette Square:

Edited by johnnydr87, 16 June 2005 - 11:35 AM.

[skirby]

There is a 200 million expansion going on at UAMS in mid-town. Some of the recent projects at this site include the Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neuroscience Building:

Also, there is the Jones Eye Institute expansion:

Overview of UAMS:

[johnnydr87]

The Old Junction Bridge (former railroad) by the riverfront might be getting a nice facelift and converted to a pedestrian bridge/multiuse thingy. I would much prefer that it be turned into a nicer landmark as in my previous posts.  I remember one of my first trips to Little Rock, when I was a little kid....thinking the bridges were hideous.  They are rusting and in shabby condition from their unuse.  Since the bridges are basically permanent, I'm glad they're making it useful.  Here is a UALR report and photos:



Junction Bridge Conceptual Design report
February 11, 2004

Executive Summary: Junction Bridge Conceptual Design report
Presented to the Pulaski County Bridge Facilities Board

Presented by the professional team

The Bridge Design – Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership, Portland, Oregon (architects urban design specialists), Greg Baldwin FAIA, Partner, Charles Kelley AIA, Urban Designer – contact number: 503.224.3860

The Urban Design – George Wittenberg AIA, coordinator for urban design, The UALR Urban Studies & Design program, Steve Rousseau AIA, urban design consultant – contact number 501.324.9255

The Junction Bridge Facilities Board has been given the charge of improving the Junction Bridge, converting it from a historic service as a Rail Bridge to a Pedestrian Bridge.To guide this effort they have adopted goals and objectives that shape investment on the bridge while limiting liability, minimizing long term maintenance, and achieving the aspirations of Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Pulaski County.   Although the Facilities Board’s jurisdiction is limited to the Junction Bridge, there are many projects Little Rock and North Little Rock that provide access to the bridge.  These projects are likely to be built by others.  They are anticipated and included in the master plan and were reviewed and accepted by each of the Cities and the County.  By coordinating plans on either side of the Junction Bridge, the Facilities Board has taken steps to ensure that the bridge is properly integrated into the long term development plans for Little Rock and North Little Rock.



The Junction Bridge Master Plan
A bridge is simply meant to connect one place to a second place over a third place.   In recognition of this, the Junction Bridge Master plan identifies key improvements in Little Rock, North Little Rock and on the Junction Bridge.  Each place makes a contribution to the experience of approaching, walking, and lingering on the Junction Bridge.   The Long Term Master Plan describes principles for enhancements that derive a place for in Little Rock, North Little Rock, and the Bridge.  The value of improvements on the bridge and in the reconnected cities makes a destination within the region while uniting the cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock.

The Junction Bridge Master Plan anticipates an initial public and private investment in the Junction Bridge, with enough improvements in the touchdown areas to get on and off the bridge in a significant and experiential way.  This first improvement is designed so that it will not preclude other development opportunities associated with improving access to the bridge and enhancing development opportunities around the bridge within the master plan for the bridge.  The magnitude of this first improvement is dependent on fundraising efforts planned with the completion of this study.  

The scope of the Junction Bridge Project extends into Little Rock and North Little Rock Touchdown Areas.  These areas have development potential, connections, and symbolic elements that can be organized with the design of the bridge.  Together, with the bridge they form three places that reinforced by incremental investment over time.

Place 1. Little Rock

Conversion of Junction Bridge into a major attraction will add to and reinforce the goals of the 6 Bridges District Plan for Little Rock.  The urban design concepts resulting from this new bridge project will provide new options for residents and visitors in the existing River Market District.  The project will also impact the overall growing south side, the Capital City side, of the river.  The plan for the Little Rock side of the river refocuses the parking, walkways, and future development toward the newly improved Junction Bridge.  In the immediate touchdown area, the Junction Bridge will be the distinct icon for the Little Rock River District, with new development projects generated along its edges.  The touchdown area will, as well, become a symbolic point of arrival and gateway to the River District, anchoring a new public place for Little Rock’s River Market district, while reinforcing pedestrian linkages along the 14-mile Millennium Trail and to the Presidential Library.

A Historic Context
The history of the railroad bridge and its movement patterns expressed by its rail tracks provide a basis for the design of the “immediate” touchdown area adjacent to the bridge’s south tower.

An urban design expression of these historic alignments is as follows:

The track line, which once provided ways for trains & commerce, now provides ways for pedestrian movement and links

Space for tracks now provide entry onto bridge

Links from bridge connect to broader community – west into downtown and east into Presidential Library Park

Landscape design uses this historic track linkage to express pedestrian movement and pathways – and to express the patterns of the open space through which it passes

Place 2. North Little Rock

The urban design plan for North Little Rock responds to the bridge’s profound potential economic impact. The bridge conversion’s resulting “reach” into the downtown opens the downtown to the arena and to the river in new ways. It provides a symbolic and actual connection to the city’s core and River Park, opening new potential for redevelopment and transformation of the city’s edge along the river. The location of the bridge – this ribbon into the downtown – will provide new pedestrian traffic and associated activities to the arena, the park and the newly revitalized downtown core. The surrounding areas will see a 24-hour-a-day riverside for visitors and residents, and the bridge, an icon which will mark the center of an active new river basin.

A Historic Context
The north-south alignment of the now-abandoned rail route through the downtown allows for new development and open space, with connections to the downtown core and the Altell Arena (northern end of the “continuous contemporary ribbon”).

Our concept for this historic alignment includes:

3 blocks of reclaimed land available for open space and project development

new and simpler connections into the downtown core, to the Altell Arena and to Riverfront Park

a new landscaped pedestrian approach to the bridge from the downtown

new pedestrian links from the bridge approach span to Riverfront Park and its expansion eastward
Place 3. Junction Bridge
The Junction Bridge is designed as a destination and shared between Little Rock, North Little Rock, the County, and the Region.  In this regard, the bridge maintains the historic image of the bridge as a tribute to:



The important legacy and many uses of the Junction Bridge and its location on the Arkansas River,

The location of the Petite Roche or Little Rock

the south lift span tower was built on the Petite Roche - a rock that served as a landmark during early settlement in the area-, and

The connection between North Little Rock and Little Rock.

On the one hand the design of the Junction Bridge respects the historic idea of the bridge.  It also represents a revitalized connection between two cities and a stimulus for redevelopment; serving economic and community goals that are supported by:



Bridge access that is designed to capitalize on the different conditions on either side of the river, promoting easy access onto the bridge.

The approach grade in Little Rock and North Little Rock require different ramp systems with equal emphasis on the quality of the access experience.

The design of the landscaped is proposed to be reorganized to make the bridge the focus of the waterfront experience in both cities.

The bridge crossing improvements

They are designed to be places to linger as well as places where events can be staged.

The ramps, stairs, and elevators are designed as exceptional experiences.
  


The updated image of the bridge signals the refocusing of development along the river, providing unique experiences over the river and views of the river and the downtowns of Little Rock and North Little Rock.

The first improvements are designed to provide access on to, across, and off the bridge.  The extent of this work is dependent on the fundraising activities of the Facilities Board.  The Master Plan for the Junction Bridge contains projects that can be funded in a variety of ways.  The most important piece to the Facilities Board is the improvements on and near the bridge.   Other related improvements are important; funded later and designed to follow the principles of the master plan.  In this way, a larger community can make incremental additions to the bridge as funding is available.  In this regard, the first improvement proposed for the bridge is affordable, highly experiential and makes a dramatic change in the use and appearance of the historic rail bridge.

The focus of this conceptual study is to demonstrate how incremental development of the Junction Bridge Master Plan affirms the Junction Bridge and its immediate surroundings as an exciting and desirable destination.  As the two cities grow, the bridge and its immediate surroundings will evolve.The first improvements will be the first step toward making a larger regional attractor from three places that are bound together at this historic location.

[Mith242]

How is the Heifer International Global Village coming along?  Or have they even started work on that?  I remember hearing about it, but don't think I ever heard of of a time table mentioned about it.

[johnnydr87]

Last time I specifically passed by that part of Little Rock I saw a skeleton of the building.  And that was a 1-3 months ago.  It's probably much further along.

[Mith242]

It also looks to be somewhat close to the Clinton Presidential Library. So has that area of Little Rock really been booming?  I thought I remembered an article talking about some nice restaurants opening up around that area to try to cater to some of the tourists.

[johnnydr87]

Definitely.  I read that the library spawned over 1 billion in development before it was even completed.  Hotel renovations, new buildings, new restaurants, etc.

[Mith242]

So I take it that's the booming part of town.  Are any of the other areas in town booming like it?  I've heard a lot of talk in the past about development in the western part of Little Rock.  Seems like they wanted to build a mall and maybe some other stuff out there but there was some opposition and it didn't go through I believe.

[johnnydr87]

Yeah, west little rock is a pretty place.....cultivated and landscaped.  But more like sprawl.