Diamond Center

The Diamond Center was the centerpiece of the failed Project 2000 plan to replace Barton Coliseum on the State Fairgrounds with a downtown multi-use sports arena. The Diamond Center was to be a $42.1 million arena in the city of Little Rock. Project 2000 would include improvements to Riverfront Park, an expanded Statehouse Convention Center, a new main branch public library, several new or relocated museums, repaired streets and sidewalks, and better policing and rental property inspection. The idea was to achieve economic growth by attracting corporations and a modern workforce with more visible amenities, better city services, and other aesthetics and quality-of-life improvements. Boosters of the plan were Jimmy Moses, Mark Grobmyer, and Wally Allen of the nonprofit Little Rock Downtown Partnership.

References

• Margaret Arnold, "Revival of LR Riverfront Fosters Optimism About New Prospects," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, May 22, 1983.
• Kyle Brazzel, "James A. Moses: Success Finally Came Downtown for Jimmy," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, October 21, 2001.
• Leroy Donald, "Excitement of Developers Builds Downtown, Along River Front," Arkansas Gazette, June 5, 1983.
• Mark Oswald, "Activist Groups File Suit, Saying Arena Study Panel Leaves Out Poor, Blacks," Arkansas Gazette, February 25, 1983.
• Mark Oswald, "River Development Ideas Include High-Rise, Museum," Arkansas Gazette, June 1, 1983.