Two Blocks of President Clinton Avenue to be Closed to Vehicles

Little Rock, AR (10 August 2005) Friday and Saturday nights will have a more pedestrian feel in the River Market District, at least for the time being. City officials today finalized plans for Clinton Avenue to be closed to vehicular traffic on Friday and Saturday from 9:00 pm until 4:00 am. The closure is being tested on weekends in August. It will begin on Friday, August 12. After monitoring the results, a decision will be made as to the permanence of the plan.

The closure concept was prompted by an increase in the number of cars cruising through the district. According to Chief of Police Stuart Thomas, “On Friday and Saturday nights, there are people who cruise in their cars through the River Market area. This causes traffic to often back up along Markham for several blocks. It is not uncommon to see cars backed up to the Peabody Hotel or the Old State House.” This line of traffic creates hazardous situations as it crosses several major intersections.

At 9:00 pm, barricades will be erected at the western terminus of President Clinton Avenue (at LaHarpe/Cumberland). Barricades will also be located at Rock & Clinton and Clinton just west of Commerce, as well as at the northern boundaries of St. Vincent Plaza and Ottenheimer Plaza within Riverfront Park. Any cars within the closed-off area will be allowed to exit, but no new cars will be allowed in.

People driving to the River Market are encouraged to park in the Statehouse Parking Deck at 201 Main Street, the River Market Parking Deck at 500 East 2nd Street, or in the nearby area surface lots or street-side parking.

The River Rail trolley will continue to run its regular schedule. It will be allowed access through the barricades.

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