Land Development Today - July/August 2007 - (Page U11)

Situated at the northeast corner of Third and Cumberland streets, the 300 THIRD TOWER is a landmark structure for residents and visitors alike as they arrive in the city. The building rises 218 feet, offering residents views of the Arkansas River, the River Market, and the Clinton Presidential Library and Park to the east and the downtown skyline and State Capitol to the west. Urban Rock Renewal Rebirth of the BY JAY HOLSTEAD Sustainable Redevelopment in Central Arkansas: River Rail over The Arkansas Cold air conditioning blows down on my three-year-old son Graham’s face and hair. Beneath us through the floor we can feel the River Rail’s replica vintage electric streetcar wheels “clickclack” along the embedded steel rails as we cross the Main Street Bridge over the Arkansas River. He points with enthusiasm and smiles at the World War II era U.S.S. Razorback submarine and the 19th century Arkansas Queen paddleboat, both docked in the water at the Arkansas Maritime Museum on North Little Rock’s river bank. Graham and I have just departed from North Little Rock’s riverfront park where both a large, crowded rock concert and the 7th inning stretch of the Arkansas Travelers baseball game can be seen and heard simultaneously in the background. Far below us on both banks, in both directions along the river are crowds of people enjoying crafts, food, entertainment and even some sustainable technology and natural science booths at this year’s “RiverFest.” As we arrive back over land onto the Little Rock side, I smile at Graham sitting in my lap while focusing back across the river at the white roof and red brick facade of the statuette Alltel Arena. Adjacent to the now decade-old arena and closer to the water, a new mid-rise, upscale residential complex called The Enclave at the Riverfront is under construction. The two stand as a strong allegorical reference to me of where our community began its revitalization journey and where that journey is continuing to take us today. The Journey Central Arkansas is experiencing consistent physical and economic growth. At the core of this growth are the sister cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock, identified as the “Six Bridge District” and named such for the six historic bridges that cross the Arkansas River connecting them. Together, through the early to mid 1990s, the cities worked with both public and private entities to create and launch a new vision for steady and positive redevelopment. This vision quickly became a reality; blossoming into a major reshaping and appreciation of our built and Sustainable Urban Redevelopment 11

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Land Development Today - July/August 2007

Cover Contents Our Voice: Industry Advocates Your Voice: Reader Response Cover Story: Preparing Your Tax Strategy The Rules of the Game Historical Redevelopment Project Profile: Seattle’s High Point Retention: From Ravine to Road Land Use: Picatinny Arsenal Mixed Use: Florida Offices Industry News Products/Services Showcase Classifieds Recommended Reading Advertiser Index Editorial Board The Last Word: What? Me Plan… Urban Development

Land Development Today - July/August 2007

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