LITTLE ROCK – As the state’s capital city takes the next step in its Downtown resurgence, the City of Little Rock and the Downtown Little Rock Partnership will host a Community Open House next week for residents and stakeholders to offer feedback and learn about the Downtown Little Rock Master Plan.

The meeting is at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 501 W. Ninth St. The open house is the official launch of what’s expected to be a nine-month process to create the first-ever downtown master plan.

The Little Rock Board of Directors in June allocated $745,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to the Downtown Little Rock Master Plan. The planning process is guided by Sasaki, an international integrated design firm with significant experience in downtown master plans. Sasaki has experience planning in downtowns such as Raleigh, North Carolina, Greenville, South Carolina, and Houston, Texas. Sasaki will analyze current efforts and build off successes to develop a plan to guide capital projects and regulatory policy for the next decade and beyond.

“This is a benchmark moment for Downtown Little Rock, and we want every voice to be heard as we move forward with a plan to guide Downtown growth and development for generations to come,” Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. said. “There’s so much enthusiasm about our City’s urban core, from the progress within its anchor institutions like the Clinton Presidential Center and the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts to the growth and excitement in the River Market, Creative Corridor and SoMa. It’s a great time to work toward an even brighter future for Downtown!”

Mayor Scott has appointed groups of Downtown stakeholders to serve on key committees throughout the planning process, and wide-ranging public input is essential for the plan. Leaders are asking people who live, work or play Downtown to take part. Downtown is the economic and cultural heart of Little Rock and of Central Arkansas. Everyone in the city and region has a vested interest in the success of the core of Little Rock.

“The heart of our city will look very different in just a few years thanks to major public and private investment,” said Gabe Holmstrom, Executive Director of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership. “This master planning process will ensure we have a roadmap for the next two, five, even ten years for our downtown, and it’s vitally important for our community to get involved on the front end.” 

Following the Community Kickoff Open House, there will be additional public meetings and a series of public surveys. Starting Oct. 10, residents can learn more about the Downtown Master Plan and submit ideas at http://downtownlittlerock.engage.sasaki.com/