January 2025 Meeting Minutes (Approved)

Little Rock Downtown

Neighborhood Association

General Meeting

January 2, 2025 | 6:00 PM

Sue Cowan Williams Library

1800 S Chester St, Little Rock, AR 72206

MINUTES

IN ATTENDANCE

Kathy Wells, Brittany Nichols, Danny Lewis, Rip Weaver, Arion Crenshaw, Scott Holladay, Patti Hedrick, John Hedrick, Tricia Bean, Angel Burt, Patrick Sampson

CALL TO ORDER & INTRODUCTIONS

In the absence of President Thomas, VP Wells called the meeting to order at 6:04pm in the new meeting space at Sue Cowan Williams Library. Current officers, dues-paid members, and guests gave introductions.

QUORUM & APPROVAL OF MINUTES

There were 9 dues paid members in attendance, so quorum was met. No prior meeting minutes were presented for approval.

OFFICER REPORTS

President Sarah Thomas

Absent; no report.

Vice President Kathy Wells

VP Wells reported that the Coalition for Little Rock Neighborhoods, for which she is president, had sent a letter of opposition to the Little Rock Planning Commission about the proposed replat of 1516 S. Ringo Street in the Dunbar Historic Neighborhood. This is in support of the LRDNA, Dunbar Historic Neighborhood Association, and the Quapaw Quarter Association. More discussion on this came later in the meeting.

Secretary Brittany Nichols

Secretary Nichols reported current association membership status: 19 individual and 1 business.

Treasurer (Position Vacant)

As Secretary Nichols assumed the duties of Treasurer DiPippa upon her resignation, she gave the association’s financial update. Current account balance: $501.15 PayPal + $1322.73 Arvest Checking = $1823.88

COMMITTEE REPORTS

None

2025 OFFICER ELECTIONS

Nominating Committee chair, Secretary Nichols, put forth the following slate of candidates for 2025:

• President: Brittany Nichols

• Vice President: Kathy Wells (incumbent)

• Secretary: Rip Weaver

• Treasurer: Danny Lewis

As no other nominations were offered, a motion was made to accept this proposed slate by acclamation which passed unanimously. Congratulations to the newly elected officers!

OLD BUSINESS

1516 S. Ringo Street Development & Historic Preservation Committee Formation

Discussion continued on the development plans at 1516 S. Ringo Street in the Dunbar Historic Neighborhood. A local developer has proproposed to replat the property and build two houses. This is the former location of the historic Bush House, home of Tuskegee Airman Milton Pitts Crenchaw. The building was demolished last spring by the developer, over the vigorous protests by neighbors and historic preservationists.

Angel Burt, Dunbar Historic Neighborhood Association (DNHA) executive director, and Tricia Bean, Quapaw Quarter Association (QQA) executive director, shared their concerns about the proposal. After much discussion, LRDNA members voted to join DNHA, QQA, and other groups opposed to the planned development which is inconsistent with the historic character of the block. 

The proposal is scheduled for consideration at the next Little Rock Planning Commission (LRPC) meeting on January 9, 2025 at 4pm in the Board Room at LR City Hall. President Nichols and VP Wells urged members and others concerned with historic preservation to attend. LRDNA will share more information on this meeting through its social media. Further, President Nichols will submit a formal letter of opposition to the LRPC before the January 9 meeting on behalf of the LRDNA.

At the conclusion of this discussion, President Nichols resolved to form the LRDNA Historic Preservation Committee. VP Wells accepted to chair the committee.

NEW BUSINESS

Association Membership Increase & Membership Committee Formation

A goal of the executive committee for 2025 is to increase both individual and business memberships. President Nichols resolved to appoint a Membership Chair to focus on this effort. Arion Crenshaw, a real estate agent who recently relocated from Austin, TX to downtown Little Rock, shared his interest in this role. Mr. Crenshaw attended the December meeting + holiday party and is a dues-paid member. He was appointed chair for 2025.

SoMardi Gras Festival & Parade

President Nichols announced that the association will have a float again this year. Event date is March 1, 2025. A motion to budget $200 for float supplies passed. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to President Nichols by email at LittleRockDNA@gmail.com. 

Keep Little Rock Beautiful Citywide Cleanup

The 16th annual citywide cleanup organized by the non-profit, Keep Little Rock Beautiful (KLRB), will take place on March 8, 2025 from 8am - 12pm. The event is part of the Great American Cleanup. President Nichols encouraged members to volunteer their time to keep our city clean and beautiful. LRDNA will organize a volunteer group and share more information closer to the event date.

KLRB will provide t-shirts and cleanup supplies (bags, safety vests, gloves, and litter grabbers) and offer organizational and safety tips to help groups hold successful cleanups. If you have your own group or know one that might be interested in hosting a cleanup, visit the event’s webpage here to learn more and to complete a volunteer APPLICATION. Deadline to register is February 7, 2025. 

Sponsors and donors for the event are also needed. They help fund the cost of volunteer t-shirts and supplies mentioned above. President Nichols moved for the LRDNA to donate $100 to KRLB; the motion passed unanimously. 

To make a donation to KLRB, click here. Questions, registration issues, or if you want to be an event sponsor, email maria@klrb.org.

2024 Cleanup Results (from www.KeepLittleRockBeautiful.com)  

558 Volunteers1127 volunteer hours628 bags of litter collected24,059 pounds of litter and bulky waste363 block cleaned75 acres of public spaces cleaned22 tires collected67 bags of recyclables collectedValue of volunteer time $38,839 (based on Keep America Beautiful formula)

Communications Committee Formation & First Meeting

President Nichols appealed for association members to join the new LRDNA Communications Committee which will be chaired by Secretary Weaver and will hold its first meeting at 5pm on January 23, 2025 at Pettaway Coffee. This committee will assist with community outreach and various communication efforts for LRDNA including social media. If you would like to participate, contact Chair Weaver at LittleRockDNA@gmail.com. 

NEXT MEETING & ADJOURNMENT

Next membership meeting is set for February 6, 2025 at 6pm at Williams Library. President Nichols adjourned the meeting at 7:05pm.

Jan 2025 LRDNA General Meeting MINUTES (Approved 03062025).odt

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