April 2026 Meeting Minutes

General Meeting Minutes – April 2026

Call to Order & Introductions

Meeting called to order at 6:03 p.m.

Committee Reports

Executive Committee

Membership Update

Quorum determined.

Financial Update

• Arvest Balance: $960.68

• PayPal Balance: $852.39

• Total Balance: $1,813.07

DNA sponsored the MacPark 5K with a $50 contribution and partnered with Paws2Create to complete the full $100 mile marker sponsorship.

Officer Updates

Downtown Master Plan Implementation Group

• Discussed the LRCVB “Love You Some LR” campaign.

• Exploring public, private, and philanthropic partnerships.

• $25 million has been dedicated to the River Market Hall renovation project, expected to take at least one year. Officials are working with property owners to temporarily relocate current occupants during construction.

• Findley Vincent Plaza near Robinson is expected to open in May, with a sculpture installation to follow.

• National Travel and Tourism Week begins May 3.

• Beyond the Divide opens April 8 and runs through Juneteenth.

• Bark in the Park (formerly Barkus on Main) will take place May 3 at MacArthur Park.

I-30 Deck Park Community Advisory Board

• Phase 0 has begun and will include preliminary landscaping improvements and detailed construction planning.

Downtown Little Rock Partnership Board

• Brittany Nichols will serve as chair of the Public Spaces Committee, with a focus on public art.

Historic Preservation Committee

Capitol Zoning Hearing – Little Caesar’s in SoMa

• Proposal to install a drive-thru at 1819 Main Street, adjacent to Edwards.

• Hearing scheduled for April 16 at noon at 1100 North Street.

• Brittany Nichols read a proposed letter requesting denial of the design proposal.

• Motion to approve the letter made by Scott Holladay, seconded by Rip Weaver. Motion passed unanimously.

Little Rock Planning Commission – Replat at 1514/1516 S. Ringo

• Item scheduled for the April 9 Planning Commission agenda.

• DNA agreed to support the proposal if Dunbar Neighborhood Association takes action. Motion by Kathy Wells, seconded by Brittany Nichols.

Additional Updates

• Downtown Dwellers has requested repainting of the 1970s mural.

Safe & Clean Streets Committee

• Mural street painting took place on 9th Street the previous Saturday and will continue Sunday from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Volunteers are also needed for bike and pedestrian counts.

• Next committee meeting: April 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Pettaway Square.

• Pettaway Park cleanup scheduled for April 19 at 9 a.m.

• Rachel suggested a DNA membership walkthrough of Beyond the Divide.

Outreach Committee

• Planning continues for the Fourth of July DNA Breakfast at The Empress and Children’s Parade to the Governor’s Mansion.

• DNA Outreach Committee will provide face painting during 2nd Friday Art Night throughout the summer.

By-Laws Review Committee (Ad Hoc)

No report.

Old Business

Parris Towers Follow-Up – Residential Safety Concerns

No updates at this time. Item will remain on the agenda pending a response from Major Cole.

Love Your Block Grant 2026

• Grant opportunity of up to $5,000.

• DNA is partnering with Dunbar Neighborhood Association on an application for a clear sign panel design along the 9th Street Beyond the Divide corridor.

• Grant is an outright award, not reimbursement-based.

• Kathy Wells moved to revise the grant application to partner with Dunbar; CB seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

New Business

Neighborhood Challenge Grant 2026

• Reimbursement grant opportunity of up to $2,500.

• Could support Safe & Clean Streets initiatives.

• Application deadline is April 14.

Public Announcements & Upcoming Events

Neighborhood Announcements

(SoMa, Dunbar, Pettaway, MacArthur, DLRP)

501Fest

Presented by Broderick Bozeman and Dazmine Murray.

• Community-focused event supporting local artists and makers.

• Features vendors, performers, and educational sessions for small and micro-businesses.

• Events are free and family friendly.

• Festival dates:

  • Friday, May 8: 4–8 p.m.

  • Saturday, May 9: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

• Event moving to 2nd Street behind CALS, from Cumberland to River Market Avenue, with plans for a Kids Zone green space.

• Sponsorships are currently being sought.

• DNA may assist through volunteers and promotion.

Additional Announcements

• Police Quarterly Neighborhood Meeting: 12th Street, 6 p.m.

• Mobile Grocery at Buffington Towers (224 E. 7th): April 15 and 29 from 10:30 a.m.–noon

• MacPark 5K: May 1; registration is open. Race begins at 7 p.m. with a party on the north lawn afterward.

• Florence Price Week begins next week. Events include an awards ceremony and a derby-style garden party. Details available through the Dunbar Neighborhood Association page.

• Director Miller reported ongoing issues at 1922 Main Street, where water is being pumped from the basement onto the sidewalk. Citations have been issued. Plea and arraignment scheduled for April 16 at 1 p.m.

• Harmony Health Clinic has closed and relocated.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

Upcoming Meetings

• May 7 – Curran Hall

• June 4 – Curran Hall (Potluck)

• July 2 – Location TBD