2026_03_Proud_WEB

north little rock PROUD

Our city continues to grow and prosper! We recently opened our new North Little Rock Event Center and have already held several events. We are excited to now have an event center in North Little Rock! Our new Central Fire Station will open on June 9, 2026 and everyone is welcome to join us for a tour of the state-of-the-art facility which includes a baby drop. Construction of the Tempo and Aloft hotels continues to make great progress downtown. In addition, both hotels will bring new entertainment and dining opportunities to our city. Throughout our city, neighborhoods continue to thrive and improve making North Little Rock a great place to live. I encourage you to get outside and enjoy our beautiful city as well as our parks. We have something for everyone in North Little Rock. Thanks to our dedicated city employees for their service. I am proud to be your Mayor.

Mayor Terry C. Hartwick

Publisher: Mayor Terry C. Hartwick

Editor: Shara Hutchcraft, shutchcraft@nlr.ar.gov

Photography: Emilee Hagewood & Brent Walker

Graphic Design: Mark R. Potter

Mayor’s Youth Council

Mayor’s Youth Council Scholarship CAR WASH & GARAGE SALE

Saturday, May 9th

Lakewood Pool Parking Lot

Mayor’s Youth Council consistently volunteer throughout our city and county each week. We are so proud of this group of students and their contribution to our community. Please contact Jill Mills at 501-804-8950 or jillmillsnlrmyc@yahoo.com to learn more about the North Little Rock Mayor’s Youth Council.

Serving Others

Officer Shana Cobbs and retired Captain Ron Messer of the North Little Rock Police Department put their cooking talents to work recently, preparing a warm and comforting lunch for the guests of Jericho Way, a day resource center serving our unsheltered neighbors in Central Arkansas. Mayor Terry Hartwick and several City staff members joined them in the kitchen, coming together to cook and serve barbecue chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and cookies—a meal made to nourish both body and spirit. Our team was honored to show their gratitude and looks forward to continuing to support our most vulnerable residents.

CENTRAL FIRE Station #1

The new Central Fire Station #1 located at 13th and Main Streets is nearing completion. The community is invited to join us for the Grand Opening on Tuesday, June 9th at 11:00 am. Work on the entrance plaza, planters, and flagpoles is almost complete. Small final touches are going on inside the building to prepare for a walk through and to finalize the project.

Grand Opening

Faulkner Lake Road project wins Engineering Excellence Award

The City of North Little Rock and Halff Engineering were recently recognized by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEA) of Arkansas as a 2026 Engineering Excellence Award winner for the Faulkner Lake Road project. ACEA of Arkansas recognizes Arkansas engineering projects that demonstrate a high degree of achievement, value, and ingenuity. For years, Faulkner Lake Road in the eastern part of North Little Rock flooded every time it rained. What began as a recurring frustration became a serious safety hazard as drivers navigated standing water and risked dangerous conditions. Residents voiced their concerns loudly and clearly. Determined to change that story, the City of North Little Rock and Pulaski County funded a $4.3 million project to raise the roadway above the base flood elevation of 244 feet and widen the road. Addressing the flooding issue was also preparing for the future, as North Little Rock is quickly expanding to the east.

!nk Volunteers at NLR Animal Shelter

Employees from Ink in Maumelle, Arkansas recently volunteered their time at the North Little Rock Animal Shelter. Since 1988, Ink has been helping brands, groups, and events launch successful merchandise campaigns by focusing on the most important element of any t-shirt — the person wearing it. Ink knows the formula to create retail-quality apparel, and they share it with anyone who is willing to listen. To make the best t-shirts, you need the best people. Ink believes in giving back to the community and working together as a team. Thanks to Ink for your support.

NORTH LITTLE ROCK EVENT CENTER

The City of North Little Rock held the Grand Opening and Tour of the new North Little Rock Event Center on March 10. The new event center was constructed on land owned by the city where the former North Little Rock City Services building was located at 120 Main Street.

Sponsors of the new event center are Centennial Bank and Mainstream Technologies. The design and construction team includes: CBM Construction and Taggart Architects. The modern layout allows the venue to support civic gatherings, fundraisers, conferences, concerts, product shows, and private celebrations. The new North Little Rock Event Center will have a direct economic impact in North Little Rock by increasing sales tax revenue. The consistent influx of visitors to the area will attract retail establishments, restaurants, and hotels.

A special thanks to Central Arkansas Entertainment for all of their help with the Grand Opening. To book an event at the new North Little Rock Event Center contact Raúl Fernández at 501-975-8866 or nlreventcenter@nlr.ar.gov.

NORTH LITTLE ROCK EVENT CENTER

Grand Lobby/Pre-Function Area: The Grand Lobby spans approximately 3,000 square feet and features soaring 17foot ceilings.

Catering Kitchen: The 1,368-square-foot catering kitchen is a perfect space for caterers, featuring a large walk-in cooler, four stainless steel tables, food warmers, a scullery, commercial-grade tea and coffee makers, an ice machine, and hanging electrical receptacles. There is a loading dock for easy access to the kitchen. This kitchen will bring upscale catering and excellence to the event center.

Centennial Bank Ballroom spans 12,600 square feet with 21-foot ceilings. The ballroom can be divided into sections for breakout meetings.

Mainstream Technologies Board Rooms: Two rooms, each approximately 500 square feet, can be opened as one meeting room or divided into two separate meeting rooms.

• Back of House Service Area: Catering Kitchen, Service Corridor and Service entrance with large overhead door.

• Back of House Storage Area: Approximately 1,600 square feet. Conveniently located, adjacent to the receiving/service area.

• The Greenroom provides a comfortable private space for performers and speakers to prepare, relax, and get ready before taking the stage. The 237-square-foot room has a vanity, a small refrigerator, a television, and a separate restroom.

• An Outdoor Plaza area, 40’ x 70’, is available for rental for events. Tents can be set up in this area for cocktail receptions and other events.

PATRICK HENRY HAYS SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER

The Hays Center offers a wide range of programs, fitness classes, events, and activities designed to keep adults 50+ healthy, social, and inspired!

Membership: $45/year

*Must be 50+

Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm

Ballroom & Event

Host your next event in the Patrick Henry Hays Senior Center ’s 5,000 square foot ballroom – a spacious and elegant venue perfect for a variety of occasions!

by Marriott

Sitework is nearing completion, with utilities currently being brought to the site. This important milestone positions the project well as we prepare to transition into the next phase of vertical construction. Aloft Hotels by Marriott’s estimated completion is near the end of 2027.

Willy D’s dueling piano bar is currently under construction and has a target completion date of November 2026.

Progress continues to build on the Tempo Hotel in the Arena District, where the project has officially gone vertical and crews are now constructing the fifth floor. With the structure steadily taking shape, work is advancing smoothly and coordination across all phases remains on track. In the weeks ahead, construction will continue upward while preparations begin for the next stage, including the interior build-out. An exciting announcement is coming soon regarding the rooftop bar and restaurant partnership! The development remains on schedule, with an anticipated opening in mid-2027, bringing a new level of energy and hospitality to the Arena District!

A Tribute to Sandra Taylor Smith, North Little Rock Historian

In the 1980s and early 1990s the Argenta neighborhood was arguably the worst neighborhood in the city and one of the worst in Central Arkansas. The part of Argenta from 4th Street south to the Arkansas River had been torn down by Urban Renewal to remove blight. The Urban Renewal maps listed every house from 4th Street north to the railyard, meaning every house in Argenta, as “unsalvageable” and they were all slated for destruction until Urban Renewal ran out of money.

During all this upheaval, Sandra Taylor Smith, the city’s historian, started pushing for historic district status for Argenta. Sandra did the research on the neighborhood. A nomination was then sent to Arkansas Historic Preservation Program for approval to be followed by submission to the National Register. Argenta would be the state’s first working-class historic district. Argenta was listed on the National Register as a historic district. Over half of the structures in the district had to be considered contributing, which meant they were not substantially altered from the original state. The Argenta district was the first non-contiguous district in the state with both a residential and a separate commercial sector. Legislation written by Sandra was then submitted to the City Council to make Argenta a local ordinance district. This required the formation of a Historic District Commission which would have to review and approve any major exterior changes to the

contributing structures in the district.

In North Little Rock Sandra also did the architectural resource surveys for Park Hill, Edgemont, and the Baring Cross neighborhoods. Sandra surveyed Hillcrest, Central High, Downtown, and Capitol Zoning neighborhoods in Little Rock. Her reach across the state included surveys in Harrison, Fort Smith, Conway, Morrilton, Eureka Springs, El Dorado, Hot Springs, Osceola, Rogers, Hamburg, West Memphis, Huntsville, Heber Springs, Benton, Rector, Tyronza, Piggott, Mountain Home, DeWitt, Jonesboro, Lake Village, Mahony, and Boonville.

She presented National Trust of Historic Places nominations for sixty-two nominated sites in Arkansas. This includes Charles L. Thompson buildings state wide, Civilian Conservation Corps structures in state parks, courthouses, commercial districts, cemeteries and residential neighborhoods across the state. The list includes the Mosaic Templars of America Building at 9th and Broadway in Little Rock, the Park Hill Fire Station & Water Company Complex on Magnolia Street in North Little Rock, the Lands’ End Plantation in Scott, the McRae Elementary School in Baring Cross, Arkansas Post Offices with WPA Murals, the Stifft Station Historic District in Little Rock, and two expansions of the Argenta Historic District in North Little Rock.

From 1975 to 1979 Sandra was the National Register Coordinator for the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program.

She was a Preservation Consultant since 1980 and was the Director of the North Little History Commission and the North Little Rock Historic District Commission from 1992 to 2025. Sandra was a founding board member of the Argenta Community Development Corporation and a member of the Main Street Argenta Design Committee from 1995 to 2002. She drafted the ordinance establishing the Argenta Local Ordinance Historic District which was approved by the City Council in 1993, which she wrote the design guidelines for. She also authored design guidelines for historic districts in Fort Smith, Helena, Van Buren, Rogers, Hot Springs, Texarkana, Russellville, and El Dorado. She received the Quapaw Quarter Jimmy Strawn Preservation Leadership Award and the Parker Westbrook Lifetime Achievement Award. She served on the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Alliance, was a tour guide for the Quapaw Quarter Association Tour of Homes, has Co-Chaired

the QQA Christmas Potpourri Tour, was an Ex-Officio Board Member of the Argenta Leadership Council, was President of the Pulaski County Historical Society Board of Directors, and was a Board of Directors member of the Friends of the Old Mill.

If you look at historic preservation efforts across our entire state, you will find Sandra Taylor Smith’s fingerprints on many of them. Her efforts not only started the rehabilitation of the Argenta neighborhood in North Little Rock, but affected neighborhoods throughout

Coming soon! Coming soon!

Arkansas. We in North Little Rock are lucky enough to have experienced a preservation legend in our city and will miss her greatly. Sandra left a rich legacy and was such an asset to our city.

Must live in North Little Rock.

ALAN INGRAM

ALAN INGRAM

MAYOR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM GRADUATE

MAYOR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM GRADUATE

High School and college students ages 16-24.

Clerical, Laborer and Recreational positions available.

Students can work up to 352 hours.

Party like it' s 1976!

Our SquIrRel fRiEnDs are one of tHe leAdinG caUses of elecTrical serVice oUtages.

WHAT: A PARTY to celebrate the Old Mill being a City Park since 1976! Free admission! Refreshments, prizes, giveaways, talks, & tours!

WHEN: Saturday, May 16, 2026 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Old Mill 3800 Lakeshore, NLR

G et your groove on and dress in your b est 1970's attire! Can you dig it?

Our LIBRARY

This year has started off strong at your North Little Rock Public Library System — with vision boards, teen sewing, quilting parties, Spanish for Adults, goat storytime, a Bridgerton Tea, and even a wedding! Join us this summer for our Unearth a Story Summer Library Adventure, with programming that will encourage all ages to dig deeper at the library. Kick off the fun on May 30, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Laman Library. Check out all of the summer events at the North Little Rock Library System at: nlrlibrary.org/events.

Sanitation Reminder

Plac ement of Trash Container Plac ement of Trash Container

Place container on a flat surface, close to the street.

Place container at least three feet from anything

Place the opening of the container toward the street

Place all trash inside the container, loose or bagged

North Little Rock Contact Information

Mayor Terry C. Hartwick

501-975-8601 mayor@nlr.ar.gov

City Clerk/Treasurer Diane Whitbey 501-975-8617 cityclerkoffice@nlr.ar.gov

City Attorney Amy Fields 501-975-3755 nlrlegal@nlr.ar.gov

Judge (Traffic) Judge Randy Morley 501-791-8562 melinda.johnson@nlrpolice.org

Judge (Criminal/Civil) Judge Paula Juels Jones 501-791-8559 christina .bowen@nlrpolice.org

Chief of Staff Mike Davis 501-975-8601 mdavis@nlr.ar.gov

City Council

Ward 1 Council Member Nathan Hamilton 501-952-7679 nhamilton@nlr.ar.gov

Ward 1 Council Member Debi Ross 501-753-0733 dross@nlr.ar.gov

Ward 2 Council Member Linda Robinson 501-945-8820 lrobinson@nlr.ar.gov

Ward 2 Council Member Nicole Hart 501-960-2461 nhart@nlr.ar.gov

Ward 3 Council Member Steve Baxter 501-804-0928 sbaxter@nlr.ar.gov

Ward 3 Council Member Ron Harris 501-758-2877 ronharris@nlr.ar.gov

Ward 4 Council Member Vince Insalaco III 501-951-0786 vinsalaco@nlr.ar.gov

Ward 4 Council Member Scott Fowler 501-765-5868 sfowler@nlr.ar.gov

Departments

Airport Virginia Young 501-835-5654 vyoung@nlr.ar.gov

Animal Control Adam Tindall

501-791-8577 animalservices@nlr.ar.gov

Code Enforcement Felecia McHenry 501-791-8581 codedirector@nlr.ar.gov

Communications Shara Hutchcraft 501-975-8833 shutchcraft@nlr.ar.gov

Community Development Bailey Noland 501-340-5342 bnoland@nlr.ar.gov

Construction & Building Services Mary Beth Bowman 501-690-9657 mbowman@nlr.ar.gov

Economic Development Colleen Bailey 501-442-5329 cbailey@nlr.ar.gov

Electric Ryan Wilson 501-975-8888 custserv@nlr.ar.gov

Emergency Services Kim Francisco 501-340-5365 emergencyservices@nlr.ar.gov

Engineering David Cook 501-371-8339 nlrengineering@nlr.ar.gov

Event Center Raul Fernandez 501-975-8866 nlreventcenter @nlr.ar.gov

Finance Ember Strange 501-906-6 332 nlrfinance@nlr.ar.gov

Fire Gerald Tucker 501-340-5385 nlrfd@nlr.ar.gov

Health Gabrilla Couch-Winters 501-791-8551 Gabrilla.Couch-Winters@arkansas.gov

History Commission Sandra Taylor-Smith 501-371-0755 nlrhistory@ nlr.ar.gov

Housing (Northbridge) Yulunda White 501-758-8911 director@northbridgehs.org

Human Resources Betty Anderson 501-975-8855 banderson@nlr.ar.gov

Library Crystal Gates 501-758-1720 crystal.gates@lamanlibrary.org

Mayor's Office Stacia Chastain 501-975-8601 schastain@nlr.ar.gov

Mayor's Volunteer Services Angela Wirt 501-906-6268 awirt@nlr.ar.gov

Mayor's Youth Council Jill Mills 501-804-8950 jillmillsnlrmyc@yahoo.com

Neighborhood Services & Community Gardens Dan Scott 501-791-8500 nlrneighborhoodserv@nlr.ar.gov

Parks & Recreation Kenny Stephens 501-791-853 8 kastephens@nlr.ar.gov

Planning Shawn Spencer 501-975-8835 sspencer@nlr.ar.gov

Police Patrick Thessing 501-771-7102 nlrpd@nlrpolice.org

Safety Kenny Stephens 501-371-8337 safety1@nlr.ar.gov

Sanitation Condo Breedlove 501-371-8340 nlrsanitation@nlr.ar.gov

Patrick Henry Hays Senior Center Jim Scott 501-366-3289 jscott @nlr.ar.gov

Special Projects Dr. Arnessa Bennett 501-975-3737 abennett@nlr.ar.gov

Street Patrick Lane 501-340-5355 nlrstreet@nlr.ar.gov

Traffic Kenny Stephens 501-340-5352 traffic@nlr.ar.gov

Training Development & Fit2Live David Baxter 501-975-8842 dbaxter@nlr.ar.gov

Tourism Karen Trevino 501-758-1424 karen@northlittlerock.org

Unsheltered Community Officer Shana Cobbs 501-975-8780 nlrunsheltered@nlr.ar.gov

Vehicle Maintenance Kenny Brock 501-340-5371 nlrgarage@nlr.ar.gov