Shiloh Neighborhood Association

07/29/2025

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Friends,

It’s no surprise Little Rock was recognized for having one of the fastest-growing economies in the region. We are second only to Nashville in economic growth when compared to other state capitals and regional cities. Our success comes from the real teamwork among the Little Rock Regional Chamber, the City and multiple other stakeholders, and because of innovative approaches that build and support our workforce.

The City of Little Rock’s partnership with the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College through Career Climb is an excellent example of a rigorous workforce training initiative that provides opportunity for young people and helps sustain our economy. The first cohort from that partnership completed the program last week. Read more about the program in this week’s Inside The Rock.

Whether through Little Rock’s Career Climb and City-funded Summer Youth Employment, or the many other programs and opportunities across Little Rock, together we are developing a strong and sustainable workforce that will position us for greater regional economic benefits in the years to come.

I appreciate you!


Top of The Rock
Marking Milestones with the City of Little Rock
The people who serve the residents of Little Rock are City Hall’s most important assets. Our 2,500 team members support our residents and guests, and we count on them to deliver quality service no matter their jobs. Some members of our team have been valuable employees for decades, and this year we recognized three individuals setting longevity milestones.

Lt. C.P. Thomas is approaching 51 years as a Little Rock police officer. His 50th anniversary with LRPD was last July. During his illustrious career, he has received multiple awards and commendations, including the first-ever Medal of Valor presented by the Little Rock Board of Directors in 1986.

Over the past 50 years, the City has doubled in size geographically and the police force has tripled. At the same time, Lt. Thomas has adapted to advancements in technology that changed and improved policing. He said he most enjoys the camaraderie he shares with other officers: “Since I do not fish, hunt, or play golf, the best activity for me is to work and enjoy the relationship I have with other supervisors and officers.”

Susie Matheny, a recreation facility supervisor with the Parks and Recreation Department, has been with the City for 40 years. Her connections to the Parks Department go back further than that, though, because she benefited from recreational programming at East Little Rock Recreation Center as a youth, and that helped her receive a college volleyball scholarship.

The 2024 Parks Department employee of the year, she is proud that Little Rock is truly a “City in a Park,” and appreciates the construction and renovation of numerous parks and community centers over the course of her tenure. She said: “Little Rock is a growing city that has a lot to offer, and I have had the pleasure to work in such a beautiful city for over 3/4ths of my life.”

Tom Carpenter, the City Attorney, hit the 40-year mark as a city employee last fall. His numerous honors include the Arkansas Municipal League’s Distinguished Service Award, the Golden Gavel Award from the Arkansas Bar Association, and Outstanding Contributions from a City Attorney by the International Municipal Lawyers Association.

As the City’s chief legal counsel and advisor to the Mayor and Board of Directors, Tom said he appreciates the opportunity to listen to residents and work to solve their problems. In addition, he said: “I am also pleased that the manner of hiring attorneys has changed so an attorney can have a complete career with the City, receive valuable compensation, and have done something to better the community in the process.”

I appreciate Lt. Thomas, Susie Matheny and Tom Carpenter for their decades of hard work for the City of Little Rock, and we are grateful to for their vast experience, knowledge and importance to our team.

Updates in The Rock
Partnership Produces Results
Last week, our inaugural partnership with UA-Pulaski Tech culminated with a graduation ceremony for Little Rock Career Climb participants who earned a certificate in advanced manufacturing.

This rigorous, six-week training featured classroom instruction on a variety of topics, including robotics, hydraulics and blue prints. At the same time, participants earned valuable assistance with resumé writing and interviewing skills during this pilot apprenticeship program. Graduates gained OSHA certification and are job-ready.

The City of Little Rock provided wages to participants during the program and UAPTC covered tuition. We appreciate UAPTC and Chancellor Dr. Summer DeProw for what we hoping can be a successful, long-term partnership. Alongside our Summer Youth Employment Opportunity, this pilot was a catalyst for young men and women across the City as they prepare for the workforce. Through Career Climb, the City is helping youth navigate their career pathways through hands-on training, mentorship, and professional development.

Learn More About Career Climb
LR Recycles Day is Saturday

Join the Little Rock Sustainability Commission and our partners, Keep Little Rock Beautiful and the Little Rock Zoo, on Saturday, Aug. 2, for the next Little Rock Recycles Day event.

Come by the Zoo’s east parking lot at the intersection of Zoo Drive and Monroe Street to drop off recyclable materials including documents for shredding, electronic waste, plastic bags, glass, bicycles, and household items or clothing in good condition. All recyclable materials will be accepted on Little Rock Recycles Day, from 9 a.m. to noon.


Ahead in The Rock
Here’s a quick look at what’s going on this week in the City of Little Rock:

Tuesday, July 29: The Little Rock Board of Directors will set the agenda for its next regular meeting at 4 p.m. in the Board Room at City Hall, 500 W. Markham St. All board meetings are open to the public, and all meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

Tuesday, July 29: The Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority is hosting a series of public meetings regarding proposed rate changes for wastewater customers. A meeting is set for Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Willie L. Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, 3805 W. 12th St.

Saturday, Aug. 2: As a reminder, Little Rock Recycles Day is Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. If you missed the June event because of the inclement weather, be sure to stop by Saturday at the east parking lot of the Little Rock Zoo.

Mayor Frank Scott

07/20/2024

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Friends,

On Tuesday, the Little Rock Board of Directors will consider a comprehensive plan to re-invest in our City and create safer streets and stronger neighborhoods. If the Board approves the plan Tuesday, Little Rock voters will decide in the Nov. 5 general election whether to increase the city's sales tax by one percent.

Board action is a milestone in our ongoing, months-long conversation with residents about how to shape the plan to focus on Little Rock's priority needs. We have held dozens of listening sessions and formal and informal discussions to develop this proposal. Our vision is that the tax plan will bring new progress and prosperity to Little Rock for generations to come.

With the Board's approval, voters will decide on a 5/8ths-cent sales tax to pay for capital projects like vehicles for our police officers, equipment and renovations for our fire stations and quality-of-life enhancements. The 5/8ths-cent tax would end, or "sunset," after 10 years. Another 3/8ths of a cent will be permanent, and it will fund ongoing maintenance and infrastructure needs.

We hope you were able to attend our community meetings, or that you have learned about the plan through our website or social media. We value and appreciate all voices in our City, so if you need more information, reach out to our team. Also, please feel free to contact your city directors ahead of Tuesday's meeting.

An additional sales tax would generate more than $650 million over 10 years, while Little Rock taxes would remain competitive or lower than sales taxes in many surrounding areas and comparable cities in the United States.

The plan was built upon the priority needs of the City based on input from residents, city officials and the Board.

Our focus is on the "four Ps:" Public Safety, Public Infrastructure, Parks and Recreation and the Port and Economic Development. The proposal includes:

Funding for Public Safety including advanced technology to equip the Little Rock Police Department's Real-Time Crime Center, acquisition of new LRPD vehicles, support of our 21st Century policing efforts and Community Response Teams, and purchase of new Fire Department vehicles and apparatus.
Public Infrastructure dollars to pay for priority street, sidewalk and drainage improvements across our City. This is what City Director B.J. Wyrick calls the "nuts and bolts," and we address those important needs in the plan.
Generational investments in Parks and Recreation to include our first-ever youth outdoor and indoor sports complexes, revenue-generating projects that advance our public safety focus by providing opportunities for kids. We will re-imagine War Memorial and Hindman Parks, refurbish Rebsamen Tennis Center and our municipal golf courses, complete a senior center and provide essential upgrades across our parks system.
Support for our industrial park, the Port of Little Rock, to attract new jobs that grow our economy. Over five years, the City's $30 million investment in the Port has led to an $831 million return in capital. We must keep the progress going to benefit Little Rock and the entire region.
We encourage you to visit our website for full details on the plan, including spreadsheets and an FAQ. We look forward to more conversations in the months until the election as we demonstrate how this plan will allow us to deliver better Results For the Rock.

Residents learn information about the sales tax plan during recent community meetings. The City has received input from hundreds of residents over the last several months regarding the plan, with full details available on the City website.
Pathways to Prosperity

Last week, we convened lenders and community bankers from across the City to focus on our collective efforts to promote financial equity through affordable housing. Our first "Pathways to Prosperity" convening featured stakeholders seeking housing solutions for our community.

Because of a deficiency of affordable housing units in Little Rock - some estimates suggest a need of more than 10,000 units in Little Rock - the City is committed to the public/private partnerships required to create new housing for our residents. In the last two years, we have built 154 affordable housing units, with a new goal of adding at least 200 more.

We recognize city government cannot stand alone in the effort to generate housing opportunities and the generational wealth that comes from home ownership. At the convening, we asked local banks to support us as we consider creation of a Housing Trust Fund. Bankers also heard from Ed Gorman, managing director of Growth by NCRC (National Community Reinvestment Coalition), who outlined strategies for affordable housing and discussed the work that's been done in communities like Birmingham and Atlanta.

As a former banker, I know the importance of bringing together our financial services community as we chart a path forward on housing equity. I appreciate those who attended and everyone working to provide additional housing options for Little Rock residents.

Project Impact
Today (July 15) marks the start of Project Impact, our program to saturate city services in certain neighborhoods of Little Rock. Our current Project Impact area of focus is south of 12th Street to Asher Avenue and west from Woodrow Street to University Avenue.

With Project Impact, we focus on how we can best utilize existing city resources to clean up neighborhoods and reduce crime. We are excited about the initiative and anticipate that residents will be able to see a real difference in their communities. We know that neighborhood revitalization efforts have long-term, sustainable benefits.

We kicked off Project Impact a few days ago with a launch party at Curran Conway Park in the Oak Forest neighborhood. Our appreciation goes out to community partners like Central Arkansas Library System, Central Arkansas Water, Entergy, Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority and more for attending the launch party to ensure residents got connected with resources.

If you would like to volunteer to help make a difference through Project Impact, or if you have questions about the initiative, learn more here.

The Week Ahead
The Little Rock Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, July 16, at 6 p.m. at The Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock's Facebook and YouTube pages. To view the agenda for Tuesday's meeting, click here.
The City's Public Works Department hosts two public meetings this week to provide residents with the opportunity to learn more about and discuss certain infrastructure projects. Today (Monday, July 15), at 5:30 p.m., there will be a meeting at West Central Community Center in Ward 6. Projects to be discussed include widening of Arthur Lane and drainage on Pine Summit Court, Shackleford Road and Dorchester Drive. West Central is at 8616 Colonel Glenn Road. Then, on Thursday, July 18, at 5:30 p.m., a public meeting will be held to discuss improvements to Vimy Ridge Road in Ward 7. That meeting is at Southwest Community Center, 6401 Baseline Road. Residents are invited to attend both meetings.
The Movies at MacArthur series continues Tuesday, July 16, at 6:30 at the MacArthur Museum of Military History, 503 E. Ninth St. The featured film is "Unforgettable: The Korean War Conflict." The event is free.
Don't forget that we can join your community or neighborhood organizations, civic groups, trade associations or other groups to talk about the Results For the Rock sales tax proposal. We want to make sure all residents have opportunities to learn first-hand about the plan, ask questions and provide feedback. Click here to request a presentation or speaker at your upcoming meetings or events.

As always, stay up to date with what's happening in the City on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram via . You can also email me at [email protected] or call my office at 501.371.4744.

I appreciate you!

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07/07/2024

Being the Neighbor advocate, I’ve spoke with several neighbors and it’s all been determined that there’s a common denominator in the nuisances. The proper protocols have been contacted and if you see ANYONE walking as if they’re scavenging and/or looking for trouble, inbox me! This type of behavior will not be accepted in our neighborhood and we won’t be provoked to stoop down to their level. Our next steps will be a VOTE on if our neighbors should keep experiencing this type of harassment or we vote these particular people out of the neighborhood. They can be removed just like Rodney Thomas was. We all have too much to lose to engage in shenanigans that aren’t conducive to our lives or wellbeing.

06/25/2024

Congratulations to APW Member Josie Lenora of Little Rock Public Radio! She received a first place award in the category of Prepared Report > Radio for “Arkansas drops AP African American Studies course."

06/11/2024

Greetings,

Reminder the third round of Public Information meetings begin tonight. The intent of these meetings will be to discuss in more detail the revisions to the manual & appendices, the updated submittal process, and the final steps in the update.

June 3, 2024 - East Little Rock Community Center - 2500 East 6th Street
June 6, 2024 – The Center at University Park - 6401 W 12th Street
June 10, 2024 – Southwest Community Center - 6401 Baseline Road
June 12, 2024 – Adolphine Fletcher Terry Library - 2015 Napa Valley Drive
June 20, 2024 – West Central Community Center – 8616 Colonel Glenn Road


A revised draft of the manual and the appendices have been uploaded to the website, they can be downloaded here: https://www.lrswmanualupdate.com/draftchapters

The City is requesting public comment on the draft chapters and appendices. A form has been created to accept comments which can be found here: https://forms.office.com/r/UAaVmRvzve. Comments can also be uploaded to the website using the Upload Markups option on the homepage of the website.

We want to keep you updated on the process of this update. Visit our manual update website https://www.lrswmanualupdate.com/ to keep informed on the proposed revisions and updates to the manual.

Sincerely,



Halff
Miles Simmons, PE, CFM
Project Manager

Halff
O: 501.801.2685
E: [email protected]

The City of Little Rock (City) has begun the process of updating their Stormwater Management and Drainage Design manual to improve the effectiveness of their stormwater management program. Stormwater is precipitation that runs off the land and into storm drains, which eventually flow into local wate...

06/11/2024

https://www.clubhouse.com/room/mJzA8por?utm_medium=ch_room_pxr&utm_campaign=SWcoY5l76wcGInl2rAeRzQ-1285094

With Zee Zee Williams, Zuri Boddie and 8 others

06/03/2024

Friends,

One of the most rewarding responsibilities as Mayor is leading a talented team of public servants dedicated to making Little Rock a better place to live, work and play. Our 2,500 City of Little Rock team members serve this City's residents with pride, commitment and a spirit of excellence every day. Whether they are on our public safety front lines in our police and fire departments, or ensuring effective operations behind the scenes in finance or IT, every City employee is critical to the mission of delivering better results for our residents.

Every May, we honor our team members with an Employee Appreciation Week. We also give special recognition to City of Little Rock employees who have made a significant and meaningful difference with our Employee of the Year awards.

Every team member plays a valuable and crucial role in delivering exceptional service to our residents and guests, but this year's Employee of the Year winner, finalists and nominees exemplify our core values such as professionalism, accountability, and a people-centered focus.

The 2024 Mahlon A. Martin City of Little Rock Employee of the Year is April Prewitt, a system administrator in our IT Department. April oversees the functionality and operations of the networks that power our 911 and 311 divisions. Their operations are critical from an emergency response standpoint and as a way for residents to connect to city services. In her job, April is a problem solver who has earned the respect of City leaders and her co-workers.

Most recently, April led a City-wide implementation of Microsoft 365, which IT Director Abdoul Kabauo called a "mammoth undertaking" that was a huge success "as a result of April's versatility and willingness to be a team player, and in some instances, the coach."

April has been employed by the City of Little Rock for 19 years and she has served in several roles within the IT Department. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she has a degree in management information systems from Arkansas State University and an MBA from Webster University. She's a member of the Junior League of Little Rock and of the National Association of Parliamentarians.

April was among three finalists for the Employee of the Year award. Other finalists were Arnuard Crump of the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs, and Dwight Pridgeon of the Department of Community Programs.

Arnuard has been employed with the City for 31 years. In his current position in the Homeless Service Division, he is responsible for making sure our unsheltered residents have resources and support. He was nominated by his colleagues for his willingness to work on nights and weekends to help finding housing for residents who need it, and for demonstrating compassion and professionalism to all.

Dwight, our re-entry coordinator, has worked for the City for about 17 years. A former felon, Dwight experienced first-hand the challenges of re-integration into the community after incarceration. That journey makes him more empathetic and supportive of others who are facing obstacles to re-entry. As DCP Director Dana Dossett noted, it "adds depth to his advocacy, making him a powerful force for positive change in the City of Little Rock."

We are especially proud of April, Arnuard, Dwight and team members who model our core values. We appreciate our employees this week and every week, and we were glad for the opportunity to honor their service with Employee Appreciation Week. The week featured employee recognition events at City Hall and worksites across Little Rock, as well as a family-friendly picnic at Southwest Community Center.

Thank you to our team members!


Bruce T. Moore Way
On Wednesday, we will officially re-name a portion of Arch Street from Fourth Street south past City Hall to "Bruce T. Moore Way" in honor and memory of the legacy of longtime City Manager Bruce T. Moore, who passed away last October.

Bruce loved the City he served with all of his heart and soul. He is sorely missed in City Hall and throughout the community. He was a champion for Arkansas's capital city -- where he was the longest-serving city manager in Little Rock history -- and led our City through sustained periods of growth and transformation. Because he reminded us to put our residents first, it is fitting that Bruce T. Moore Way will be the name of the street leading to the City Hall employee parking lot. All our team members will have the opportunity to reflect on Bruce's life of service and commitment to Little Rock every time they come to work.

I hope you can join us at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday (June 5) as we unveil the street signs and remember Bruce along with his family, friends and co-workers. The ceremony will take place just outside City Hall, at the intersection of West Markham Street and the new Bruce T. Moore Way.

I appreciate the Board of Directors for their decision last fall to rename the street in Bruce's honor.

Thank you, Little Rock!
In the month of May, we visited all seven Little Rock wards to discuss our proposal to transform Little Rock and bring better results to our residents through investing in a one-percent sales tax for safer streets and stronger communities. We value your feedback and are grateful for the enthusiasm we have seen for the proposal.

We will use your input from these discussions to help us finalize the proposal we take to the Board of Directors for its consideration. The Board is responsible for approving the final tax plan and calling for an election, which would take place in November of this year.

In order to continue our growth and attract new residents, we must make this new investment in our community. The tax, which would generate an estimated $650 million over a decade, will go to fund projects and priorities in public safety, public infrastructure, parks and recreation, and the Port and economic development.

Your investment in our City would mean additional vehicles for our police and fire departments to modernize our aging fleets, upgrades in advanced technology within LRPD to help us fight crime, the creation of a Central Park-style green space at War Memorial Park, in the heart of Little Rock, an indoor youth sports complex Downtown and an outdoor sports complex in West Little Rock. We have set aside funding to repave streets and build sidewalks and to make improvements and upgrades across our system of 63 city parks.

We will continue our conversation about the importance of this historic and transformational investment throughout the summer. And, if you missed any of the meetings, you can find all the materials we presented on the City's website, www.LittleRock.gov

Please visit the website or follow the City of Little Rock on Facebook, Instagram, or X to learn more or get updates over the next few months and learn how you can be a part of Results for The Rock.

The Week Ahead
The Little Rock Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, June 4, at 6 p.m. at The Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock's Facebook and YouTube pages. To view the agenda for Tuesday's meeting, click here.
The City's Public Works Department will host an open-forum public meeting today (Monday, June 3) at 5:30 p.m. at Southwest Community Center, 6401 Baseline Road. The purpose of the meeting is to present plans for bridge improvements on Hilaro Springs Road in Ward 2.
Little Rock's Historic District Commission will hold its regular monthly public hearing on Thursday, June 6. The meeting is at 4 p.m. at the Willie L. Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, 3805 W. 12th St.
Thursday, June 6, is the deadline to provide comments on the draft Downtown Master Plan. This first-ever planning document for the future of Downtown has been a collaborative work involving Downtown business owners, merchants, residents and stakeholders over the past few months. Please be sure to share your thoughts on the document by the Thursday deadline!
As always, stay up to date with what's happening in the City on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram via . You can also email me at [email protected] or call my office at 501.371.4744.

I appreciate you!

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Mayor Frank Frank D. Scott Jr

Littlerock.gov lets you can pay city fines online, gather information about various city services, or meet the Mayor. Sign up to receive up-to-date e-newsletters, adopt a pet, or learn more about a city task force.

06/03/2024

Greetings, I am thrilled to declare my candidacy for City Council on this platform. Please follow my new page for updates and to stay connected.

Diamond LaVette

05/16/2024

I'm excited to announce that I'm conducting an experiment with my family business! I plan to advertise consistently and persistently to see the results of my hard work. It's been 11 years since I started this journey, and I won't let anyone discourage me or slander my name and business work ethics. My work speaks for itself, but I owe it to myself to market and motivate myself. Remember, if nobody else markets you, you should market yourself! Check out my profile on Intuit ProAdvisor to learn more: https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=diamond-arnoldjohnson62&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR09kDgoUBjb2dVJ9nNEeNClBZ5JuHdG3O5JcIDrcd5QQ8vr5YTgAad1lAc_aem_AQdFR5m-VZR7n6JRg7ppdLbz6l-IQw-Su4xlXJAXtOTyI-bKxfkO0qTa9wWEx6_MFhoxAQfW7_OdEGsf_li9MJ_i

05/16/2024

I'm conducting an experiment with our family business.

I'm about to advertise like consistently and persistently & watch the results of the hard/smart work.

I haven't gotten this far to be discouraged by someone out of 11 years, trying to slander my name and business work ethics. My work speaks for itself and I owe it to myself to advertise myself and encourage & motivate myself.

If nobody else markets you, you should market yourself!!!!