Mayor Scott, Officials Tout Downtown Progress, Encourage Public Input

LITTLE ROCK - The City of Little Rock is making significant progress toward implementation of the City's first-ever Downtown Master Plan, Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., said Friday, as officials encouraged residents and stakeholders to participate in planning for the future 30 Crossing Park.

The 30 Crossing Park is an 18-acre greenspace at the intersection of Second and Sherman streets that Little Rock received following construction of the state's 30 Crossing Project. The planned park will be the site of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership's 14th Annual Downtown Food Truck Festival on Sunday.

Representatives of Sasaki, the internationally recognized design firm tasked with creating a plan for 30 Crossing Park, will be on hand to take public feedback and suggestions at the Food Truck Festival. There, residents can learn more and view interactive displays about the vision for the new park. In addition, Sasaki is hosting a Public Open House on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock Downtown, 333 President Clinton Ave.

Sasaki helped the City develop its Downtown Master Plan, approved by the Little Rock Board of Directors last year..

"30 Crossing Park, in the heart of the River Market, is a vital part of our vision to re-imagine and transform Little Rock's urban core through the Downtown Master Plan," Mayor Scott said. "Community input is a priority as we make plans for the park, just like it was when we worked with Sasaki to set a course for Downtown's future.

"And, because we know that without progress, a plan is just paper, we are excited to be moving forward with implementation of the Downtown Master Plan. The Downtown Little Rock Partnership, Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Little Rock Board of Directors and so many other individuals and organizations are working collaboratively to enhance Downtown for generations to come."

Mayor Scott noted the Little Rock Board of Directors this week approved funding to extend the successful Downtown Ambassadors program for another year. Ambassadors work seven days a week Downtown to welcome guests, beautify the area and improve safety.

During a news conference Friday to highlight the Master Plan, 30 Crossing Park, and the upcoming Downtown Food Truck Festival, the Mayor gave progress reports on several Downtown projects. Those include $10 million in renovations to the Statehouse Convention Center, planned renovations of the River Market Hall, improvements to Finley Vinson Plaza, changes to Cumberland Street and Capitol Avenue west of Broadway to improve cyclist and pedestrian safety, development of the Rose Creek Greenway, Phase II expansion of the Little Rock Tech Park, and modernization of the City's Urban Use Ordinance.

Watch the news conference here: