Southside Main Street Project
The Southside Main Street Project (SoMa) is an historic neighborhood association formed of residents and business owners along Main Street from Twelfth to Seventeenth streets south of I-630 in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. The project is about a decade old and is sponsored as a pilot program of Main Street Arkansas. The mission of SoMa is to "promote and enhance the economic development, public relations, historic integrity, and quality of life for the citizens of the neighborhood."
A South Main Urban Plan for the neighborhood by UALR architect and planner George Wittenberg III, grandson of architect George Wittenberg, has been under development for ten years but is getting its first public viewing in 2008.
The executive director of SoMa is Judi Casavechia.
Community Bakery is located in SoMa at the corner of 12th and Main. The Arkansas Community Arts Cooperative is located near the corner of 14th and Main. The local Jobs Corps, E-Z Mart, Midtown Billiards, The Box restaurant, and Besser Hardware are all located in SoMa or on the fringes.
References
- Kyle Brazzel, "Alphabet City," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, May 20, 2008.
- L. Lamor Williams, "Southside Main Street Invites Passers-By to Have a Seat, Enjoy," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, May 20, 2008.
