Cafe La Petit Roche

[itk]

I agree, something like US 71 in KC or like US 75 (Central Expressway) in Dallas would be great for I-630. I'd love to see that happen at some point. It needs to be 8 laned at some point and the interchange with I-430 needs to be redone badly.

I lived in KC one summer. The fountains, sculpture, and aesthetically-designed freeways and roads added a lot to that city. I expected very little but ended up really liking the place.

I can tell you the I-430/I-630 is a major, major priority for AHTD. It also has some federal earmark money (I can't remember how much). I don't know what's been publicaly released about that project, but I'll tell you (act surprise when you see pictures of it later in the newspaper/tv), you didn't hear it from me, that we're talking big-time big-city type freeway to freeway improvement. Like something you'd see in Dallas, Atlanta, LA, etc. I know for a fact that it's on the fast-track, and it's being worked on feverishly.

In the case of Hwy 71 in KC, I'd guess that the extra cost for aesthetic improvements were pretty minor, i.e., wouldn't require major design changes to the overpasses, maybe aestheticaly pleasing material for the retaining walls, some nice landscaping, etc. I'd bet the farm, though, that KC paid paid for all that extra stuff, not MoDOT.

[Mith242]

I can tell you the I-430/I-630 is a major, major priority for AHTD. It also has some federal earmark money (I can't remember how much). I don't know what's been publicaly released about that project, but I'll tell you (act surprise when you see pictures of it later in the newspaper/tv), you didn't hear it from me, that we're talking big-time big-city type freeway to freeway improvement. Like something you'd see in Dallas, Atlanta, LA, etc. I know for a fact that it's on the fast-track, and it's being worked on feverishly.

In the case of Hwy 71 in KC, I'd guess that the extra cost for aesthetic improvements were pretty minor, i.e., wouldn't require major design changes to the overpasses, maybe aestheticaly pleasing material for the retaining walls, some nice landscaping, etc. I'd bet the farm, though, that KC paid paid for all that extra stuff, not MoDOT.

Any idea what type of time period we're talking about here?

[skirby]

There was an interesting story on KARK news last night. It said that two years ago LR tried to get Wal-mart to put in a store in the Boyle Building on Main St. Wal-mart's reply was there wasn't enough downtown population. With the announcement this week that WM was to add 1500 stores the story said that some of these stores will be in existing urban buildings. KARK said that the powers to be in LR may go back to WM to look again at downtown LR. I not a big fan of WM, not that I am anti- Wal-mart, I just don't like walking from one side of their stores to the other. If I want to walk that much I can take my dog for a walk.

[itk]

Any idea what type of time period we're talking about here?

About as fast as a mega-project can go. I think it's already got NEPA clearance-- if not I can't imagine that being a big deal because hardly any property will be affected. Even with a grade-seperation over Shackleford and a 4-stack interchange. It's my understanding that AHTD wants to put it into the next 07-09 STIP (statewide transportation improvement program). AHTD may put in a interim/temporary improvement in the 07-09 program first until funding is secure for the main improvements.

[skirby]

With the AT&T buyout of BellSouth what will happen to Alltel? Will Verizon buy out Alltel?

[Mith242]

With the AT&T buyout of BellSouth what will happen to Alltel? Will Verizon buy out Alltel?

There's been talk of Alltel being bought out and they've managed to hold their own so far. But I guess you never know what might happen, especially if the market keeps consolidating.

[skirby]

Is it time for a new hotel in downtown LR/NLR? Revenue was up over 12% last year. In Arkansas last year there were 10 hotels with room revenue of $25.000 and up. Seven of those were in the LR/NLR area and five of those were in downtown LR/NLR. The Peabody topped out at $40,500+ per room.

[Aporkalypse]

Is it time for a new hotel in downtown LR/NLR? Revenue was up over 12% last year. In Arkansas last year there were 10 hotels with room revenue of $25.000 and up. Seven of those were in the LR/NLR area and five of those were in downtown LR/NLR. The Peabody topped out at $40,500+ per room.

I think so. As much new hotel building and renovation as has occurred in the downtown area the last couple of years it seems that this year the rooms are packed right now and the convention and event business in LR is doing very well.

It's no secret that the reason LR was initially turned down for the NCAA tourney was because of a lack of "quality" hotels, the NCAA wants 9 - one for each team and one for the NCAA itself. LR now meets those requirements and at this rate it should only improve its qualifications. This also probably was a trigger for us getting the SEC Women's Tourney twice.

A lot of the good things going on in LR are because of the hotels. A lot of the hotel boom was because of the Clinton Library. The impact of the Library is so much greater than the building itself.

[Aporkalypse]

Went home for this weekend to work and visit family. Alas, no pictures as I was working 7A-7P Sat and Sunday. There's a big pile of rubble where UAMS's dorm once stood, which was impressive. I noticed there was quite a bit of steel up at the Midtowne Center as well as at Pleasant Ridge Towne Center and both of these seem to be progressing quickly. I was amazed at how Hwy 10 between I-430 and Chenal seems to be developing - in the last 6 mos there are new office buildings and several shopping centers. That area will no doubt fill out in just a couple of years at this rate.

[Mith242]

A lot of the good things going on in LR are because of the hotels. A lot of the hotel boom was because of the Clinton Library. The impact of the Library is so much greater than the building itself.

Yeah even if you don't like Clinton I think everyone has to admit the great importance the Presidential Library has had on the city. Maybe some of the things that have happened would have eventually but at the least the library really sped things up.

[Mith242]

With the AT&T buyout of BellSouth what will happen to Alltel? Will Verizon buy out Alltel?

The more I read and hear about the AT&T deal the more I worry about Alltel. I'm certainly not saying it isn't possible for them to continue the way they have but with the way the phone companies and consolidating and not relying on one aspect of communication the harder it looks like the future could be for Alltel to fend off future takovers.

[Aporkalypse]

The more I read and hear about the AT&T deal the more I worry about Alltel. I'm certainly not saying it isn't possible for them to continue the way they have but with the way the phone companies and consolidating and not relying on one aspect of communication the harder it looks like the future could be for Alltel to fend off future takovers.

SBC/AT&T will be stopped soon enough, they are pushing the antitrust thing pretty far by attempting to acquire BellSouth (which would also reunite ownership of Cingular under one flag). I would worry about Verizon going after Alltel as it needs to do what it can to keep up.

[Mith242]

SBC/AT&T will be stopped soon enough, they are pushing the antitrust thing pretty far by attempting to acquire BellSouth (which would also reunite ownership of Cingular under one flag). I would worry about Verizon going after Alltel as it needs to do what it can to keep up.

I suppose one good thing is that Alltel seems to not be too interested in being bought out. Although I guess they still have to worry about a more hostile takeover. For that matter maybe if the deal was sweet enough from Verizon they'd be a bit more interested. I can't say I've kept up with Alltel news very closely.

[Aporkalypse]

I suppose one good thing is that Alltel seems to not be too interested in being bought out. Although I guess they still have to worry about a more hostile takeover. For that matter maybe if the deal was sweet enough from Verizon they'd be a bit more interested. I can't say I've kept up with Alltel news very closely.

Talked to somebody I know that's in the know. If SBC/ATT can acquire BellSouth they will have to spin off Cingular/ATT Wireless as a separate company. If that is the case this company is less of a threat to Verizon and Alltel.

[Mith242]

Arkansas Business had an article saying that Alltel doesn't make a good candidate for a buyout at the moment. Of course this could change and it might also depend on what someone like Verizon is wanting.

[skirby]

This week during the annual meeting of the Little Rock Downtown Partnership Henry Cisneros, the former Department of Housing & Urban Development secretary during the Clinton administration, made the comment that LR could become one of the South's major cities in the next 20 years. He talked about the redevelopment of downtown and the advantage of LR being located in the center of the state. Because of the location it is a gathering place for the state. Mr. Cisneros even went as far as to state that LR could become the next Charlotte.

[Aporkalypse]

This week during the annual meeting of the Little Rock Downtown Partnership Henry Cisneros, the former Department of Housing & Urban Development secretary during the Clinton administration, made the comment that LR could become one of the South's major cities in the next 20 years. He talked about the redevelopment of downtown and the advantage of LR being located in the center of the state. Because of the location it is a gathering place for the state. Mr. Cisneros even went as far as to state that LR could become the next Charlotte.

I'd like to see that but to do it I think we'd have to see more jobs, a lot more. Right now LR's metro is growing at a similar rate to the Memphises, Tulsas and Birminghams of the world but not the Charlottes or Nashvilles.

[skirby]

I'd like to see that but to do it I think we'd have to see more jobs, a lot more. Right now LR's metro is growing at a similar rate to the Memphises, Tulsas and Birminghams of the world but not the Charlottes or Nashvilles.

When I read about this I wondered if he was just talking to the people in place. If he was in Memphis would Memphis be the nest Charlotte? Does he really believe this about LR or is this a feel good remark?

[CentralArkansas]

When I read about this I wondered if he was just talking to the people in place. If he was in Memphis would Memphis be the nest Charlotte? Does he really believe this about LR or is this a feel good remark?

Probably a bit of both. LR has more potential than the vast majority of cities, but at the same time major things would have to happen to become the next Charlotte.

[Architect]

Probably a bit of both. LR has more potential than the vast majority of cities, but at the same time major things would have to happen to become the next Charlotte.

I agree. There is lots of momentum, but some major things would have to happen for it to really take off.

[vbfl85]

To be more realistic, Little Rock could become the next Birmingham or Memphis.

[turboturtle]

How about Little Rock becoming the next Little Rock? When does a city 'max out'? When do you say, okay, we're done. Nothing else can be done.

[johnnydr87]

When does a city 'max out'? When do you say, okay, we're done. Nothing else can be done.

Never.

The things that worry me about Little Rock's future growth are:

1. Little Rock needs some major Universities.

2. Little Rock needs a few major companies.

[Aporkalypse]

Never.

The things that worry me about Little Rock's future growth are:

1. Little Rock needs some major Universities.

2. Little Rock needs a few major companies.

I don't think it will get better than UCA and UALR. I do think #2 is dead on.

I also think shirking off the desegregation shroud and getting the schools in Pulaski Co arranged more logically could really help.

[vbfl85]

Tourism needs to be a big part of Little Rock, people need to know that its there and realize how nice it is. I think many people may have a false impression of LR from things such as the HBO documentary "Bangin in the Rock". Maybe the 7 proposed casinos will get built and that in turn will help Little Rock and the rest of the state by increasing tourism which will generate jobs and money.

As for the schools and big business thing johnnydr87 is right. I think the schools will be a bigger issue and the sad thing is that it will be hard to change this late in the game. A major university should have been established years ago, so they will have to build off of what they have.