307 replies to this topic

[skirby]

Aporkalypse, on Jul 27 2006, 02:10 PM, said:

Don't you think the residential development of Lafayette Square and the Donaghey Building right in the middle of Main will spur commercial redevelopment below them?

Most of the storefronts are already filled by businesses like Bennett's military, a liquor store, and RAO Video.  It would just be nice if the types of businesses were scaled up a bit and the storefronts renovated in the area near the Rep.

I knew Stephens bought up the property in the area and was looking to build a new home for the Rep, which lost out on a Reynolds foundation grant.  I also knew he was looking at renovating the Center Theater as an arts/upscale movie hall but the building turned out to be in pretty poor condition.  

What do you think Stephens plans are for the area and do you know the timetable?

The other area that needs redevelopment is the eastern portion of Markham downtown.  As you from the Clinton library East everything is nice and redone until you pass the police station and there are 3 blocks in poor condition there before you get to the Train Station.  There is a homeless shelter there that has tons of vagrants around it all times of day and frankly this has been a tremendous deterrent to redevelopment.  Were the city able to encourage them to move this I think the entire Clinton/Markham corridor downtown could be in pristine condition within 5 years.  Connect the trolley to the train station and then it would really make that street something special.

If you look at Main St. there is not a whole lot there. Between 2nd and 3rd there is parking with the westside being Stephens owned. Between 3rd and 4th there is Bennett's, a liquor store and a tattoo place on the westside and on the east is Mr. Kools and a wig store. Between 4th and Capitol there is nothing on the westside (Stephens owned) and KATV and a few other offices. Between Capital and 6th there is Lafayette Square with planned retail on the westside and the eastside contains the failed Mall. Stephens owns other property on the street not listed. At 610 Main is also a small condo project with planned retail.
I don't see anything being done on Main concerning Stephens until his hotel rehab project is finished. There is always hope that Doyle Rogers can find someway to use the old Blass Building.
As far as Markham goes I read that the building is used to give out free meals has been sold and it will be used for something else.

[Aporkalypse]

skirby, on Jul 27 2006, 02:55 PM, said:

If you look at Main St. there is not a whole lot there. Between 2nd and 3rd there is parking with the westside being Stephens owned. Between 3rd and 4th there is Bennett's, a liquor store and a tattoo place on the westside and on the east is Mr. Kools and a wig store. Between 4th and Capitol there is nothing on the westside (Stephens owned) and KATV and a few other offices. Between Capital and 6th there is Lafayette Square with planned retail on the westside and the eastside contains the failed Mall. Stephens owns other property on the street not listed. At 610 Main is also a small condo project with planned retail.
I don't see anything being done on Main concerning Stephens until his hotel rehab project is finished. There is always hope that Doyle Rogers can find someway to use the old Blass Building.
As far as Markham goes I read that the building is used to give out free meals has been sold and it will be used for something else.

So is the Center Theater project dead?


Do you see downtown LR projects stagnating for a while as projects take place in NLR?  The lower prices and especially large tracts of vacant land over there are attractive and while Main St is improving, there is zero foot traffic over there right now, day or night.  I don't know if Main St Argenta can emerge as a solo entertainment district.

[skirby]

Aporkalypse, on Jul 27 2006, 03:31 PM, said:

So is the Center Theater project dead?
Do you see downtown LR projects stagnating for a while as projects take place in NLR?  The lower prices and especially large tracts of vacant land over there are attractive and while Main St is improving, there is zero foot traffic over there right now, day or night.  I don't know if Main St Argenta can emerge as a solo entertainment district.

I do not know anything on the Center Theater although it was to be included in the REPs plans before they were not funded.
The one advantage for Argenta is they have buildings in place between Broadway and 7th.

[theman]

Aporkalypse, on Jul 27 2006, 03:31 PM, said:

So is the Center Theater project dead?
Do you see downtown LR projects stagnating for a while as projects take place in NLR?  The lower prices and especially large tracts of vacant land over there are attractive and while Main St is improving, there is zero foot traffic over there right now, day or night.  I don't know if Main St Argenta can emerge as a solo entertainment district.

I don't think that LR projects are going to stagnate while these NLR projects come on line.  They have just started on the new Nature Center behind the Museum of Discovery.  Lion's World Services for the Blind plans to build a new campus near the Clinton Library and Heifer International.  And Moses Tucker is not finished building projects downtown either.  The thing is Stephens needs to go ahead and announce what he is going to do with all of the property along Main St.  With the Lafayette Square project and the recent announcement that the Donaghey Building will be turned into condos, Stephens should go ahead and announce his plans to compliment these developments.

[jcaruth]

this should be very informative on continued development of main street:

Main Street Arkansas is sponsoring a conference on downtown revitalization Sept. 11-13 at The Peabody Little Rock. Dan Carmody of the Downtown Fort Wayne, Ind., Business Improvement District and Kennedy Lawson Smith of the Land Use Economic Group will be the keynote speakers. The cost is $90 through Aug. 18, and $120 after. For more information, call (501) 324-9880 or register online at www.destinationdowntown.org.

[North Pulaski Player]

I'm telling you guys if someone was to put a full-sized movie theater downtown (preferably in the River Market District), that alone would bring tons of foot traffic in the district every evening and night. All types of businesses that cater to the 20-40 year old crowd would try to set up shop in the area, including retailers. Has noone thought of putting like a 6-8 screen movie theater in the River Market District area yet?

[mcheiss]

North Pulaski Player, on Jul 28 2006, 10:48 PM, said:

I'm telling you guys if someone was to put a full-sized movie theater downtown (preferably in the River Market District), that alone would bring tons of foot traffic in the district every evening and night. All types of businesses that cater to the 20-40 year old crowd would try to set up shop in the area, including retailers. Has noone thought of putting like a 6-8 screen movie theater in the River Market District area yet?

Sounds like a good idea. Springfield is putting a multiplex in their downtown sometime in the near future.

[Architect]

mcheiss, on Jul 28 2006, 10:41 PM, said:

Sounds like a good idea. Springfield is putting a multiplex in their downtown sometime in the near future.

In addition, what about Starbuck and a bookstore, preferrable Borders.  There was a rumor years ago that Border's was searching in that area - was probably untrue.

[skirby]

Architect, on Jul 29 2006, 02:42 PM, said:

In addition, what about Starbuck and a bookstore, preferrable Borders.  There was a rumor years ago that Border's was searching in that area - was probably untrue.

I always thought the old Blass Department Store on Main would be a great place for a bookstore. The district needs a 24/7 diner. Man can't live without late night early/morning eggs or pie.

[skirby]

Some pictures of the River Market area. Some old some new.

The newest addition.





Entryway for the new Game and Fish project.



Last full building not rented in the River Market District.





Others views









Game and Fish entry looking south.











Taking it easy.



20th Ann. of CAT. Free rides on the trolley.

[Aporkalypse]

skirby, on Aug 25 2006, 10:05 AM, said:

Last full building not rented in the River Market District.

Great pictures.  I like the new sculptures and statues, though the rabbit is kind of bizarre.


I've been trying to figure out for years why nobody's rented the building above.  It seems like I would be perfect for a restaurant (especially seafood) and that open area on the lower floor you walk across could make the best beer garden or dining patio in the state.

[mcheiss]

Great shots Skirby!!

What's the Game & Fish Project? I hadn't heard anything on that one.

[skirby]

mcheiss, on Aug 25 2006, 01:00 PM, said:

Great shots Skirby!!

What's the Game & Fish Project? I hadn't heard anything on that one.

Thanks. The project is the Nature Center by the Game and Fish Commission. It is the last of the four planned by the state.

[Cru Jones]

Aporkalypse, on Aug 25 2006, 10:21 AM, said:

Great pictures.  I like the new sculptures and statues, though the rabbit is kind of bizarre.
I've been trying to figure out for years why nobody's rented the building above.  It seems like I would be perfect for a restaurant (especially seafood) and that open area on the lower floor you walk across could make the best beer garden or dining patio in the state.

I agree completely. I've been wondering for the last 2 years why no one has entered this space. As you said, it's set up perfectly for a good restaurant and outside bar/seating.

[Mith242]

Nice pics skirby.      I actually recognize a few of those areas.  Although a lot of those sculptures don't look that familiar to me.  I know the rabbit is new but what about the others?  Did I really miss all of those the last time I was down there?

mcheiss, on Aug 25 2006, 01:00 PM, said:

What's the Game & Fish Project? I hadn't heard anything on that one.

Ugh, don't get me started on the Nature Centers again.  

[skirby]

Mith242, on Aug 26 2006, 06:39 AM, said:

Nice pics skirby.      I actually recognize a few of those areas.  Although a lot of those sculptures don't look that familiar to me.  I know the rabbit is new but what about the others?  Did I really miss all of those the last time I was down there?
Ugh, don't get me started on the Nature Centers again.  

When you go under the I-30 overpass on Clinton Ave. take a left on the sidewalk. It will take you back under the overpass. The sculptures start there and go back towards the River Market. They have been there for sometime.  Although the rabbit is interesting I don't know if it fits in. I know of no relationship between the River Market or Clinton and rabbits.
Don't feel bad about missing something. I see something each time I go there depending on the direction I'm walking or which side of the street I'm on.  I guess you have a reason to come back.

[mcheiss]

Mith242, on Aug 26 2006, 06:39 AM, said:

Ugh, don't get me started on the Nature Centers again.  

That's one argument I remember quite well.  

[Architect]

Mith242, on Aug 26 2006, 05:39 AM, said:

Nice pics skirby.      I actually recognize a few of those areas.  Although a lot of those sculptures don't look that familiar to me.  I know the rabbit is new but what about the others?  Did I really miss all of those the last time I was down there?
Ugh, don't get me started on the Nature Centers again.  

Mith - I must have missed it.  What was your issue with the Nature Center?

[Mith242]

Architect, on Aug 26 2006, 03:21 PM, said:

Mith - I must have missed it.  What was your issue with the Nature Center?

Everyone saw it, he did ask me.      I've ranted a few times in the past on how NWA isn't getting a nature center.  The second biggest metro in the state and we aren't getting anything.  The nature center that represents the Ozarks, perhaps the most widely know region of the state, will be in Ft Smith.  That's the short form of my rants.  I'll spare you any paragraphs of my anger and disappointment.  

[Aporkalypse]

Mith242, on Aug 27 2006, 07:22 AM, said:

Everyone saw it, he did ask me.      I've ranted a few times in the past on how NWA isn't getting a nature center.  The second biggest metro in the state and we aren't getting anything.  The nature center that represents the Ozarks, perhaps the most widely know region of the state, will be in Ft Smith.  That's the short form of my rants.  I'll spare you any paragraphs of my anger and disappointment.  

I don't disagree.  If you're building four, why not five?

I guess some would say NWA is getting one if you consider Ft Smith NWA.

Get used to Ft Smith getting a lot of "carrots" in terms of government spending.  When an area seems like its struggling a bit our leg has a way of trying to make up for it.  I think that's why Ft Smith got the nature center.  The same thing tends to happen a lot in Pine Bluff.  The NWA MSA is perceived as doing so well that I think when things come up nobody wants to put the public funds there, which I don't agree with.

Now, I'm not one to gripe about downtown development at all but why are we building a nature center in the River Market?  This is probably the only time you'll hear me argue that public money should be spend in West LR over the city's core but a nature center would've been perfect near Pinnacle Mtn somewhere.