Project Profile
River Market Livable Communities Initiative
Little Rock, Arkansas
Client: Central Arkansas Transit Authority
Project Summary: The River Market Livable Communities Initiative, sponsored by the Central Arkansas Transit Authority (CATA), is linked to downtown revitalization movements taking place in the cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock.
Project Highlights
Expansion of the downtown Little Rock convention center complex, along with a new River Market commercial district and tourist attractions such as the planned presidential library, has created a need to reinforce these developments through pedestrian and transit linkages. The City’s leadership in North Little Rock is preparing for new development that will result from the opening of the 18,000-seat multi-purpose Alltel Arena located in North Little Rock’s downtown area. The two cities have realized that connecting these two downtown cores through public transportation services will reinforce local and outside interests in visiting these activity centers. A new rail trolley system and enhanced shuttle bus services are under development and will allow residents and visitors to utilize transit to access employment, commercial, and entertainment centers in both downtown areas. The Livable Communities Initiative includes approximately 18 blocks of sidewalk and streetscape improvements, new transit plazas, and a transit terminal/parking facility that will significantly enhance the pedestrian environment in both downtowns. The pedestrian and transit improvements will result in increased utilization of CATA’s current bus and planned rail trolley system and will enhance the economic development potential for the two downtown areas.
Advanced Planning
CATA engaged TGC in 1998 to lead the advanced planning for the River Market Livable Communities Initiative. TGC prepared the concept plan for the initiative that identified the project components that are eligible for federal funding. TGC developed a joint development strategy for integrating private sector participation in the development of the transit terminal/parking facility component of the initiative. TGC pursued Federal Transit Administration Livable Communities Initiative designation for the project and assisted CATA in the pursuit of federal funds. Other TGC advanced planning activities included parking analysis, site selection analysis, environment assessment, site planning, and preliminary design development.