604 replies to this topic

[Mith242]

Arkansawyer, on Jul 19 2005, 01:56 AM, said:

Just out of curiosity, did the NWA edition of the ADG carry this story, or did you hear of it elsewhere?

Now, from my own personal experience, this is an extremely dangerous area. I-630 abruptly stops at a traffic light, and cars often have to jam on the brakes, having been cruising at 65 mph down the highway, to come to a complete stop. The area becomes very congested, and is not the easiest place in which to maneuver a vehicle to the proper lane or exit. Put simply, it can be a traffic nightmare. I haven't read the whole article, so I don't know where it says the $61 million will come from, but I really hope they get on the ball and start these much-needed improvements under way.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes it was in the northwest edition.  They've gotten a lot better but for a long time our edition was basically your copy of the paper with the Northwest Arkansas Times (the local paper they bought out) added after it was reduced to a single section.  I mean we would have movie listing for Little Rock and not even northwest Arkansas.  Even after they added things like movie listings for northwest Arkansas they still had the Little Rock ones too for a long time for some reason.  
I'm not an expert on this particular area.  Does this have anything to do with the area in North Little Rock on I-40?  Can anyone tell me what they are doing there?  Seems like they've had it narrowed down for quite a while now and I'm not sure exactly what they are doing.

[fromdust]

Arkansawyer, on Jul 19 2005, 12:56 AM, said:

Just out of curiosity, did the NWA edition of the ADG carry this story, or did you hear of it elsewhere?

Now, from my own personal experience, this is an extremely dangerous area. I-630 abruptly stops at a traffic light, and cars often have to jam on the brakes, having been cruising at 65 mph down the highway, to come to a complete stop. The area becomes very congested, and is not the easiest place in which to maneuver a vehicle to the proper lane or exit. Put simply, it can be a traffic nightmare. I haven't read the whole article, so I don't know where it says the $61 million will come from, but I really hope they get on the ball and start these much-needed improvements under way.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i am not familiar with this area since i have never been to little rock. i-630, why would an interstate have a stop light? could you explain this for people who do not know what you are talking about?

[Mith242]

fromdust, on Jul 23 2005, 01:29 PM, said:

i am not familiar with this area since i have never been to little rock. i-630, why would an interstate have a stop light? could you explain this for people who do not know what you are talking about?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am not very familiar with Little Rock myself, but I believe I-630 is just a small interstate road that goes around part of Little Rock.  After a while it basically just ends and eventually ends at a stoplight.  I don't think it was exactly the greatest planning, but when it was built I don't think there was anything in that area where it ends.  That and I think they might have also been running out of funds.

[johnnydr87]

Yep.  It ends at a stoplight.  If you've ever been on a toll bridge on a major highway (like those in N.O.), the situation is very similar.  Everyone is speeding along and then the traffic lights come into view and everyone slows down abruptly.

[arkansas_buff]

When I-630 was built, it was dubbed one of the greatest freeways in the country.  It runs from downtown to West Little Rock.  Sure, it ends at a stop light, but there are "full speed" ramps onto I-430 at that Junction if you are just passing through.

[arkansas_buff]

For more info on the Northbelt Freeway simply go to the Metroplan Website.

[Mith242]

arkansas_buff, on Jul 26 2005, 02:16 PM, said:

For more info on the Northbelt Freeway simply go to the Metroplan Website.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the info.      By the way welcome to the Arkansas forum.  Sorry I haven't done so earlier.

[Aporkalypse]

I-630 is an interstate that runs East-West through the core of the city of Little Rock only along a roughly 10 mile route through downtown as it comes off of I-30 and it ends as it meets I-430 which runs North-South.  The terminal portion of the interstate continues on and ends at a stoplight and becomes Financial Center Parkway which in turn becomes Chenal Parkway, emptying into the high-growth suburban West Little Rock area.  This area has the highest traffic counts in Arkansas as well as the interchanges with the most accidents on annual insurance reports.  The Northbound ramp from I-630 onto I-430 gets backed up badly in the afternoons as does the entry from I-430 onto 630 in the mornings.  There has been talk about a new interchange for 430 and 630 for some time as well as widening all of 630 to 8 lanes, which would be difficult.  The biggest problem area in Central AR is the the initial portion of I-30 through downtown NLR and LR as it carries the highest counts in AR.  It badly needs to be widened to 8 lanes but cannot be due to the fact the current bridge can only handle 6 lanes of traffic and widening the rest would create a dangerous bottleneck at the bridge.  

I-40 is being widened through NLR to 6 lanes, the portion between NLR and Conway was just resurfaced and as of now it is not going to be widened further.

The North Belt Freeway has been partially completed, the first segment is I-440 between I-40 (where it used to end) and U.S. 67/167 and provides an alternate route to bypass downtown for people in the Northeast corridor (NE North Little Rock, Sherwood, Jacksonville, and Cabot).  It is supposed to eventually run all the way around and connect to 430 forming a loop around the city.  Federal funding is secured but the route through Sherwood is a problem as it is all developed already.  There was some talk about making this a toll road to help pay for I-49 but that was squashed.

[Mith242]

Aporkalypse, on Jul 31 2005, 01:39 PM, said:

I-630 is an interstate that runs East-West through the core of the city of Little Rock only along a roughly 10 mile route through downtown as it comes off of I-30 and it ends as it meets I-430 which runs North-South.  The terminal portion of the interstate continues on and ends at a stoplight and becomes Financial Center Parkway which in turn becomes Chenal Parkway, emptying into the high-growth suburban West Little Rock area.  This area has the highest traffic counts in Arkansas as well as the interchanges with the most accidents on annual insurance reports.  The Northbound ramp from I-630 onto I-430 gets backed up badly in the afternoons as does the entry from I-430 onto 630 in the mornings.  There has been talk about a new interchange for 430 and 630 for some time as well as widening all of 630 to 8 lanes, which would be difficult.  The biggest problem area in Central AR is the the initial portion of I-30 through downtown NLR and LR as it carries the highest counts in AR.  It badly needs to be widened to 8 lanes but cannot be due to the fact the current bridge can only handle 6 lanes of traffic and widening the rest would create a dangerous bottleneck at the bridge. 

I-40 is being widened through NLR to 6 lanes, the portion between NLR and Conway was just resurfaced and as of now it is not going to be widened further.

The North Belt Freeway has been partially completed, the first segment is I-440 between I-40 (where it used to end) and U.S. 67/167 and provides an alternate route to bypass downtown for people in the Northeast corridor (NE North Little Rock, Sherwood, Jacksonville, and Cabot).  It is supposed to eventually run all the way around and connect to 430 forming a loop around the city.  Federal funding is secured but the route through Sherwood is a problem as it is all developed already.  There was some talk about making this a toll road to help pay for I-49 but that was squashed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I had thought the talk of the North Belt Freeway being a toll roas was for it to pay for itself.  But what do I know I'm not from that area.  It will be nice to see I-40 being six lanes at least through North Little Rock.  Although having it six lanes to Conway would be nice too.  As long as it doesn't take away money from road projects up here in northwest Arkansas.  

[johnnydr87]

Some are reposts.........:

arkansas_buff, on Jul 30 2005, 10:26 PM, said:

New condos via renovations are also coming to the following locations... thanks to Tower Investments of CA.

Arkansas Building
3-story historic office building
Planned condo, office and retail conversion - to begin 2005


Boyle Building
12-story historic office building
Planned condo, office and retail conversion - to begin 2005


Historic YMCA Building
4-story downtown building- across street from Metro Bank Tower (40 stories)
Planned condo- office and retail conversion - to begin 2005


Interior Courtyard of YMCA


Lafayette Building
10-story historic office building
Planned condo, retail & office conversion - to begin 2005


MM Cohn Building
5-story historic office building
Planned condo, retail & office conversion - to begin 2005

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Arkansawyer, on Jul 30 2005, 09:38 PM, said:

I think Little Rock is already in the second stage you're talking about. We've had a lot of success with urban living here already, and the the new projects, which keep coming, are getting bigger.

Besides 300 Third, here are some of the notable new residential projects in downtown.

First Security Center:
14 stories mixed-use building
$25 million
24 condominiums
The parking deck in the picture is new $6.5 million River Market Parking Deck.


Capital Commerce Center:
7 stories mixed-use building
$14 million
16 condominiums




Rainwater Flats Condominiums:
$3.5 million
20 condominiums


Site plan:


Argenta Square:
$5 million
56 apartments
This project provides downtown housing to a lower-income demographic. The area in which it
was constructed was formerly run-down lots and empty rental housing.


Argenta Place:
mixed-use building
$11 million
28 condominiums
The picture of this is large, so I provided a link to it.

These are some of the new projects, but many more old downtown buildings have been renovated and turned into residential units as well.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[skirby]

There is a series of news reports on downtown Little Rock development posted on Fox 16.
It is listed under Project Renaissance.

[johnnydr87]

Great link.  This definitely deserves its own thread.

[Arkansawyer]

There are plans for a new 260-unit apartment complex in North Little Rock near Alltel Arena. It will replace an abandoned cookie factory. Read the story in Arkansas Business here.

Edited by Arkansawyer, 01 August 2005 - 02:00 PM.

[arkansas_buff]

NORTH LITTLE ROCK:

The Enclave at the Riverfront is a 260-unit mid-rise apartment complex being developed by Bomasada Group, Inc. in downtown North Little Rock. The property is located on the north side of the Riverfront Drive and east of the Main Street Bridge Street, just across the Arkansas River from the central business district of Little Rock, the River Market District, the Clinton Presidential Center and Park and Heifer International. Alltel Arena is across the street from the project and the new Stephens Baseball Field (Home of the Arkansas Travelers’ AA baseball team) is being developed a few blocks away. The site is adjacent to the Junction Bridge, which when redeveloped, will be a walking bridge directly to the River Market area of Little Rock.

The Enclave at the Riverfront will consist of four stories of living over a parking garage. The project will consist of one and two bedroom apartments.



I've created a new thread for this development if you have comments on this particular development.

The downtown area is becoming a dust bowl w/ 300 3rd, Heifer Intl., Stephens Park, and now this going up!

[Aporkalypse]

Very attractive buildings planned for Argenta, it reminds me of uptown Dallas.

Any word on the riverfront development near Emerald Park in NLR?  Is that underway or about to be?

[arkansas_buff]

The Little Rock Planning Commission met Thursday regarding the place where the Summit Mall was planned to go.  Clary Development Corp is planning a $100 million retail center for the space, which is near the intersection of 430 and Shackelford Rd.

"We think Little Rock is ready for a nice lifestyle type shopping center, a mainstream type shopping center,” said Clary Development Vice President, Jeff Maxwell.

Maybe now we can get something going there!

[Mith242]

arkansas_buff, on Aug 23 2005, 07:49 AM, said:

The Little Rock Planning Commission met Thursday regarding the place where the Summit Mall was planned to go.  Clary Development Corp is planning a $100 million retail center for the space, which is near the intersection of 430 and Shackelford Rd.

"We think Little Rock is ready for a nice lifestyle type shopping center, a mainstream type shopping center,” said Clary Development Vice President, Jeff Maxwell.

Maybe now we can get something going there!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Maybe they can set up something similar to what Roger's is developing.

[Aporkalypse]

Mith242, on Aug 23 2005, 01:30 PM, said:

Maybe they can set up something similar to what Roger's is developing.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think there's a couple of similar things going out on Highway 10 in West LR.

The Bass Pro Shops complex, if they ever get started, is supposed to be a really nice mega-development.

[skirby]

Two new projects for NLR.
A small mixed use project has been announced for Main St North Little Rock. It will contain office/retail/condos. It will only only have eight condos but will add to street activity. It is also on the trolley line. NRL's downtown is doing well.
The other project is the construction of a new building for state use. It will be in the area of I430 south of I40. It will be a green constructed building.

[Aporkalypse]

skirby, on Aug 24 2005, 01:06 PM, said:

Two new projects for NLR.
A small mixed use project has been announced for Main St North Little Rock. It will contain office/retail/condos. It will only only have eight condos but will add to street activity. It is also on the trolley line. NRL's downtown is doing well.
The other project is the construction of a new building for state use. It will be in the area of I430 south of I40. It will be a green constructed building.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Somebody needs to buy up pawn shop row between the bridge and the arena.  Those old buildings could actually be converted to some pretty cool uses.  Right now they're a drag on the area.