Trolley on President Clinton Avenue
$1.5 billion dollars. A top ten designation. Those are impressive numbers by any account. But, just in case that first number didn't sink in, let me spell it out: One point five billion dollars. That's how much economic development has come to Little Rock's Rivermarket area since the primary street through it was renamed "President Clinton Avenue." Because of all that development, the American Planning Association has named President Clinton Avenue one of the ten "Great Streets in America." It's quite an honor and a city business leader told the American Planning Association that the area is "an overnight success 20 years in the making. By way of history, the city started talking about the idea of transforming the area and its boarded up warehouses in 1982. When we moved to Little Rock in 1986 the first major part of the project was underway - the creation of the first part of a water front park along the Arkansas River. Development continued over the next decade, with the construction of the central River Market building, hosting eateries and shops. One year later the decision was made to build the Clinton Presidential Center at the west end of the street. The library opened in November of 2004. Today, the area is an exciting hub of activity; a walk through it will find you wandering among restaurants, museums, art galleries, entertainment venues, apartments, condominiums and hotels. The River Rail electric trolley (pictured above) carried 200,000 passengers during its first year. Perhaps the most impressive result of the initial Rivermarket development has been the spread of renovation work to other parts of Little Rock's downtown area. Planners are now predicting continued expansion of business and housing development, helping Little Rock secure a reputation as one of the outstanding cities of the South. $1.5 billion dollars is no small potatoes, by any estimate!
For more info: American Planning Association
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