In The News

Packet House Grill Planned for Historic Little Rock Property

Perhaps you noticed the sold sign on a Cantrell Road landmark in Little Rock, the 142-year-old Packet House.

Did you know the change in ownership means the historic home at 1406 Cantrell Road will return as a dining destination?

Betty Richards hopes to have renovation work started during the next four to six weeks, including the cleaning of the carpets that Eco Clean Solutions will be in charge of the project and completed by spring to unveil Packet House Grill.

“We’re getting the plans all finished up with the architect,” she said.

To read the full article from Arkansas Business.

Keep Cool Under Pressure at Little Rock Climbing Center

Want to get some indoor exercise that’s fun and challenging? Come to Little Rock Climbing Center, 12120 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, with over 4,000 square feet of air-conditioned terrain.

It’s open from noon-10 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 2-10 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and noon-8 p.m. Sunday.

Day passes are $12 for adults, $10 for children. Shoe rental is $4.50, harness rental is $3.50 (get both for $6). Monthly passes and memberships are available.

Don’t know how to climb? You can learn. Introduction to Indoor Climbing ($50) is a one-hour class that teaches fundamental skills such as using and tying a harness, belaying, proper use of climbing signals and bouldering safety. Cost includes a day pass and all rental gear.

Introduction to Indoor Lead Climbing ($50) is a two-hour class that teaches experienced climbers the skills needed for indoor lead climbing including lead belaying, proper clipping techniques, rope management on lead, falling safety and reading a route. Cost includes day pass, rope and rental gear.

Call (501) 227-9500 or e-mail [email info@littlerockclimbingcenter.com].

Agency awards LR $150,000 for project

Grant to help redevelop Main Street
A plan years in the making just found new life with the aid of a federal grant to redevelop downtown Little Rock’s Main Street.

Little Rock, the University of Arkansas Community Design Center and Marlon Blackwell Architect received a $150,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the agency announced Tuesday.

The grant will allow a private developer, Reed Realty Advisors, to take existing buildings on Main Street, renovate them and make them available and desired by arts and cultural organizations, Mayor Mark Stodola said. The revitalization will include four buildings in the 500 to 600 block of Main Street and could possibly move into the 300 and 400 blocks, he said.

A California-based company, Tower Investments, owns the buildings, which are now vacant.

The developer matched the grant, and city staff gave $7,500 in in-kind donations for the project, Stodola said.

Nearly 450 communities applied for the inaugural Our Town grant, and only 51 received a portion of the $6.5 million funding for designing, planning and arts engagement projects. A nine-member panel of the agency reviewed all applications, and it thought it was the right grant and the right time for a revitalization project in Little Rock, said agency Director of Design Jason Schupbach.

“Little Rock has done a lot of preplanning,” he said. “And now it is the moment to invest in design.”

In 2009, the city sponsored a three-day community forum, where architects and urban planners agreed Main Street had room for new construction.

One year later, the federal Environmental Protection Agency chose Little Rock and four other state capitals to take part in its new Greening America’s Capitals project. While the cities did not receive money directly for the grant, the agency hired planners to visit and help brainstorm environment-friendly landscaping and infrastructure methods.

The city applied for the arts grant about three months ago, Stodola said. The project will begin Oct. 1 and is to end Sept. 30, 2012, he said.

The buildings’ upper floors will be used for office and residential spaces, while the lower floors will be for organizations, he said.

“We feel it will help stimulate this quarter,” he said. “The ultimate objective is to have the opportunity to develop a vibrancy on Main Street, similar to the kind of activity in the River Market area.”

This article was published on page 11 of the Thursday, July 14, 2011 edition in the Arkansas section.

Ride to Cure Diabetes

Hank Kelley and family is riding together this October in the JDRF Death Valley, CA Ride to Cure Diabetes to help find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. Their goal together is to raise $24,000 to help cure diabetes. JDRF is the worldwide leader in funding research to find better treatments and a cure for type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly and lasts a lifetime. The Kelley family hopes that through their newsletters, you will be able to see WHO they are riding for, WHAT they are riding for (to find a cure) and HOW they are preparing for the RIDE. The Kelley’s are all over the nation training as one family for this ride of 104 miles and raising support to help find a cure.They pray and hope that you will join them in making a difference! Go to ride.jdr.org to contribute!

To view the Kelley’s newsletter and to find out more on how you can support JDRF, www.kelleycommercialpartners.com

James Harkins – Arkansas Business 2011

James Harkins was just named to this year’s Arkansas Business 40 Under 40 list.

www.arkansasbusiness.com to view James’ profile.

www.arkansasbusiness.com to view the complete list.