Difference between revisions of "Central Little Rock Urban Renewal Project"
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The '''Central Little Rock Urban Renewal Project''' was begun in 1961 as a joint effort of the [[Urban Progress Association]], the [[Little Rock Housing Authority]], [[Downtown Little Rock Unlimited]] the [[City of Little Rock]], and local architects. The project's roots lay in the [[Main Street 1969 plan]] created by the [[Arkansas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects]] in the spring of 1957. The Central Litle Rock Project became a national model for urban revitalization in the 1960s, bolstered by a $18.8 million loan from the federal Urban Renewal Administration secured in large part by U.S. Senator [[J. William Fulbright]] in June 1962. | The '''Central Little Rock Urban Renewal Project''' was begun in 1961 as a joint effort of the [[Urban Progress Association]], the [[Little Rock Housing Authority]], [[Downtown Little Rock Unlimited]] the [[City of Little Rock]], and local architects. The project's roots lay in the [[Main Street 1969 plan]] created by the [[Arkansas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects]] in the spring of 1957. The Central Litle Rock Project became a national model for urban revitalization in the 1960s, bolstered by a $18.8 million loan from the federal Urban Renewal Administration secured in large part by U.S. Senator [[J. William Fulbright]] in June 1962. | ||
| − | The renewal project included proposals for an Arkansas Exchange market for good manufactured in the south-central part of the country, a sports center and marina along the Arkansas River, a downtown local and interurban bus terminal, a convention center, a Variety Lane pedestrian district for retailing in an area bounded by West Capitol, West Eighth, Spring, and Center streets, underground fallout shelters, parking ramps, upscale apartments, and plazas across from the [[new Tower Building]] and along Main Street. The renewal project also had a special committee designated for work on a proposed [[Quapaw Quarter]] of historic homes just south of downtown. The plan included projected razing of 2,292 houses and tenement units. In all, more than five hundred acres of the central business district fell under the jurisdiction of the renewal project. | + | The renewal project included proposals for an Arkansas Exchange market for good manufactured in the south-central part of the country, a sports center and marina along the Arkansas River, a downtown local and interurban bus terminal, a convention center, a Variety Lane pedestrian district for retailing in an area bounded by West Capitol, West Eighth, Spring, and Center streets, underground fallout shelters, parking ramps, upscale apartments, and plazas across from the [[new Tower Building]] and along Main Street. The renewal project also had a special committee designated for work on a proposed [[Quapaw Quarter]] of historic homes just south of downtown. The plan included projected razing of 2,292 houses and tenement units. In all, more than five hundred acres of the central business district fell under the jurisdiction of the renewal project, and fifteen percent of the city as a whole. |
| − | The project was occasionally deemed "socialistic" by commentators and members of the public. Major features of the plan eventually became the [[Main Street Mall]] and the [[Statehouse Convention Center]] in downtown Little Rock. | + | The total cost of the project was $82 million. The project was occasionally deemed "socialistic" by commentators and members of the public. Major features of the plan eventually became the [[Main Street Mall]] and the [[Statehouse Convention Center]] in downtown Little Rock. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
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*Ernest Dumas, "Mid-Little Rock Renewal Plan Wins Approval," ''Arkansas Gazette,'' June 12, 1962. | *Ernest Dumas, "Mid-Little Rock Renewal Plan Wins Approval," ''Arkansas Gazette,'' June 12, 1962. | ||
*John L. Fletcher, "Little Rock Leads in New Endeavor of Urban Renewal," ''Arkansas Gazette,'' November 19, 1961. | *John L. Fletcher, "Little Rock Leads in New Endeavor of Urban Renewal," ''Arkansas Gazette,'' November 19, 1961. | ||
| + | *Matilda Tuohey, "Little Rock Has Massive Urban Renewal Program," ''Arkansas Gazette,'' February 17, 1963. | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 12:07, 24 August 2008
The Central Little Rock Urban Renewal Project was begun in 1961 as a joint effort of the Urban Progress Association, the Little Rock Housing Authority, Downtown Little Rock Unlimited the City of Little Rock, and local architects. The project's roots lay in the Main Street 1969 plan created by the Arkansas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects in the spring of 1957. The Central Litle Rock Project became a national model for urban revitalization in the 1960s, bolstered by a $18.8 million loan from the federal Urban Renewal Administration secured in large part by U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright in June 1962.
The renewal project included proposals for an Arkansas Exchange market for good manufactured in the south-central part of the country, a sports center and marina along the Arkansas River, a downtown local and interurban bus terminal, a convention center, a Variety Lane pedestrian district for retailing in an area bounded by West Capitol, West Eighth, Spring, and Center streets, underground fallout shelters, parking ramps, upscale apartments, and plazas across from the new Tower Building and along Main Street. The renewal project also had a special committee designated for work on a proposed Quapaw Quarter of historic homes just south of downtown. The plan included projected razing of 2,292 houses and tenement units. In all, more than five hundred acres of the central business district fell under the jurisdiction of the renewal project, and fifteen percent of the city as a whole.
The total cost of the project was $82 million. The project was occasionally deemed "socialistic" by commentators and members of the public. Major features of the plan eventually became the Main Street Mall and the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock.
References
- "Bright Promise Lies in Central City Project," Arkansas Gazette, June 13, 1962.
- Ernest Dumas, "Mid-Little Rock Renewal Plan Wins Approval," Arkansas Gazette, June 12, 1962.
- John L. Fletcher, "Little Rock Leads in New Endeavor of Urban Renewal," Arkansas Gazette, November 19, 1961.
- Matilda Tuohey, "Little Rock Has Massive Urban Renewal Program," Arkansas Gazette, February 17, 1963.
