Main Street Arkansas Update - October 1, 2007

October 1-5

Cary out all week at the National Trust conference

Monday - Mark & Susan – Texarkana
Tuesday - Mark & Susan - Texarkana
Wednesday - all staff – Community Development Society Conference - Conway
Thursday - Greg, Nancy & Mark – Hardy – 4-Point Training
Friday – Susan, off

A Few Lessons Learned In El Dorado. Seriously.
http://www.swtimes.com/articles/2007/09/24/bus_columns/michael_tilley/tilley01.txt
this is a great piece on downtown El Dorado. I encourage you to read it.

http://destinationdowntown.blogspot.com/
This is where we’ll first post the pdf’s of the presenter’s presentations. But for now enjoy a little video from a production of Steel Magnolia’s I shot during the tour of the historic cemetery.

Check out the new Main Street West Memphis website at www.mainstreetwestmemphis.org

Congratulations to the AHPP & Boyd Maher for their $150,000 Preserve America grant. It will be used for preservation planning & heritage tourism related purposes.

IN THIS ISSUE:
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LR CENTRAL ARTICLE IN VANITY FAIR
LISC RESOURCE FOR REVITALIZATION PLANNING
COMMUNITY LEARINING TOOL FOR RURAL LEADERS
PIECE ON ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT
HISTORIC MCDONALDS SIGN TO STAY IN PINE BLUFF
NLR TIF STUFF
GRANT OPPORTUNITY
HELENA MODEL OF SMART GROWTH WSJ ARTICLE
STATUE OF THE FONZ PLANNED FOR MILWAUKEE – HOW CAN YOU MODEL THIS IDEA?
SEAS TO FLOOD HISTORIC SITES
MORE ON THE BLYTHEVILLE SALES TAX
MAIN STREET HARRISON PRESS
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Through a Lens, Darkly
http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/09/littlerock200709?printable=true¤tPage=all

Revitalization Planning Guide Released
The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) recently released “Commercial Revitalization Planning Guide” as a resource to help plan and implement commercial corridor revitalization programs. Fore more information about the guide, visit www.lisc.org/content/publications/detail/6100.

Community Learning Tool for Rural Leaders
The Southern Rural Development Initiative (SRDI) and the Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) launched a Federal Funds Analysis Database to help rural leaders easily compare their community needs to actual federal resources. Learn more about the database and the type of information it yields at http://www.srdi.org/srdi/transf/FederalFundsIntro.htm.

SRDC Report Proposes a Bold Plan for Entrepreneurial Development in Southern States
The Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC) recently published "Blueprint for the Rural South: Discovering New Ideas, Applying New Strategies," a report on their findings from more than one year of meetings and interviews with nearly 600 people from many Southern states. The report calls for investment in three areas: (1) education and workforce development, (2) economic/ sustainable development, and (3) leadership and citizen participation. To view the full report visit http://srdc.msstate.edu/sp/blueprint07.pdff

Historic McDonald’s Sign to Stay in Pine Bluff
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/202421/

NLR City Council OKs 4 TIFs Downtown
http://www2.arkansasonline.com/news/2007/sep/25/nlr-council-oks-4-new-tax-increment-finan-20070925/?subscriber/national
- subscriber only, sorry
If you want to watch a fun discussion about TIF’s, check out the archived city council meeting here: http://northlittlerock.ar.gov/city-government/webcast-link/ It’s the September 24 meeting.

December 1, 2007: Conservation Assessment Program. Museums with small to mid-sized collections are eligible to receive professional assessments of the museum's collection and environmental conditions. Museums with buildings more than 50 years old may receive the services of an architectural assessor. The services are available to eligible museums on a first come, first served basis. Applications will be available on October 5, 2007. To request an application call 202-233-0800 or e-mail cap@heritagepreservation.org. The application will also be available for download at www.heritagepreservation.org/cap/.

National Publication Touts Helena-West Helena as City with 'Smart Growth'

KIPP School raises test scores, stimulates economic development in rural Arkansas
Smart Growth

The editorial appeared in the August 4, 2007 edition of the publication and was written by Arkansas editorialist Kane Webb of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, specifically opining the impact that the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) School has had on the city. He outlines the details of the school, its success rate, as well as how the school is expected to transform the downtown area while catalyzing economic development. To preview the article, click on the following link: http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB118618703415787941.html (subscriber only link) or http://www.kidsohio.org/20070215.htm for all to read free [can’t wait until Mr. Murdoch drops the pay wall at wsj.com]

Statue of The Fonz Planned for Milwaukee

A nonprofit group called Visit Milwaukee is hoping to raise $85,000 to build a life-size bronze statue of Henry Winkler's famous "Happy Days" character. So far, the group has raised $45,000 with a goal of unveiling the statue next year.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=667373

My question to you is: who might be worthy of a statue that could promote tourism in your community. My work on a Mary Steenburgen & Joey Lauren Adams statue for my hometown of North Little Rock begins today. 

Scientists: Rising Seas Will Flood Historic Sites
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/09/24/rising.seas.ap/index.html

More on the Extension of the Blytheville $0.01 Sales Tax
http://arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?lID=71&sID=72&ms=73&cID=8&aID=99746.76690.111871

Important Main Street Harrison story
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18864144&BRD=1815&PAG=461&dept_id=516928&rfi=6

Main Street Arkansas Update - September 24, 2007

September 24-28

Monday - Mark, Susan, Greg - out
Tuesday - Susan & Greg - out
Wednesday - Greg - out
Thursday -
Friday – Cary, Susan & Caroline – Lakeport

It’s a time of change here at the AHPP. Our long-time director Ken Grunewald’s last day is October 31. Additionally, Elizabeth Blackwell, our Education Outreach Coordinator is moving to Denver next week to work for the Colorado Historical Society. Of course, her husband, Chad Blackwell, Executive Director of the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas will follow, so we’re losing him too. We’re deeply saddened by all of the departures but wish each of them luck in their next endeavors.

Destination Downtown

So good to see those of you who could make it to the conference in Natchitoches. We had a strong turnout. The sessions were excellent and the evening events were extraordinary, including an incredible fireworks show put on by the city of Natchitoches just for conference attendees. Thanks to our good friends in Louisiana for all their hard work. Next year’s conference is scheduled for October on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

File Size Limitation

DAH has instituted a 1.2 MB file size limitation on all emails. So, if you try to send us an email with an attachment larger, it will be rejected. We will begin using www.yousendit.com to send emails larger than 1.2 MB or we will take advantage of the DAH FTP (file transfer protocol) site in certain cases.

Personnel Policies

Last weeks e-blast mentioned an issue with a non-profit relating to their personnel policies. I noted that this would be a good time to check to ensure yours are up to date. Our friend, Stephanie Redman, with New Mexico Main Street, points out that www.boardsource.org has a good policy guideline documents. They offer several electronic documents on this topic, including a general brief, as well as papers on performance review, EEO, sexual harassment, and workplace environment available for $8. Also, I have a template I can send you at no charge. The boardsource pieces have probably been vetted a little more, so it might be worth your $8 investment.

http://www.mainstreetarkansas.blogspot.com/

If you haven’t checked out our blog in a while, please do. I’ve updated it with pictures from Destination Downtown, as well adding video by uploading the TV commercial for El Dorado’s MusicFest. I did all of this in about 20 minutes, exponentially quicker than it takes to have a full-fledged website updated. Something to consider.

IN THIS ISSUE
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TONS OF PRESS
DOWNTOWN ART IDEA
WEBSITE OF USE
THE GEOGRAPHY OF FLAVOR
NATURE TOURISM WORKSHOP
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New Life, New Hope

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Style/201826/

Nice piece in Tuesday’s D-G. It addresses the economic impact of historic preservation, Main Street, the RHDI, Lakeport and many other areas relevant to our work. The work of ARC is noted, and it’s made public that they will receive an Honor Award at the upcoming National Trust Conference in St. Paul.

Preservation Alliance says tax credits help economy

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Style/201836

Antebellum Home Gets Fresh Start as a Museum

1859 Lakeport Plantation Restored to be a Delta Attraction

http://www2.arkansasonline.com/news/2007/sep/23/antebellum-home-gets-fresh-start-museum-20070923/?subscriber/national
Nice mention of the RHDI in this piece

Arkansas Tourism Looking Good (Joe David Rice Commentary)

http://arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?lID=71&sID=72&ms=73&cID=m&aID=99721.81535.111846

3rd Times a Charm for Sale of Downtown NLR Property

http://www2.arkansasonline.com/news/2007/sep/20/3rd-time-charm-sale-nlr-parcel-20070920/

http://arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?lID=84&sID=85&ms=86&cID=Z&aID=99719.30438.111845

TIFs for Downtown NLR

http://www2.arkansasonline.com/news/2007/sep/20/nlr-mayor-says-tif-districts-are-rx-downt-20070920/
and the predictable discord from the school district
http://www.nlrtimes.com/articles/2007/09/23/news/news01.txt

9 County Area Dreams for a New Dawn

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/National/202198

The nine counties are: Jefferson, Arkansas, Desha, Chicot, Bradley, Ashley, Lincoln, Drew and Cleveland.

High Profile: John Greer

John is one of Arkansas’s finest preservation architects. He’s a former Chair of the Little Rock HDC.
http://www2.arkansasonline.com/news/2007/sep/23/john-thomas-greer-20070923/

Looking to increase the presence of art in you downtown? Check out the storm drain art here:
http://buzzfeed.com/buzz/Storm_Drain_Graffiti

www.floorplanner.com

A web-based floor planning application that creates complex layouts for any room in your home

The Geography of Flavor
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/21/AR2007082100362.html

NATURE TOURISM WORKSHOP TO BE HELD IN BRINKLEY

A full day nature tourism workshop will be hosted October 27, 2007, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm, at the Brinkley Convention Center in Brinkley by Audubon Arkansas, the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The workshop is designed to provide expertise, resources and information for landowners, farmers, and small business owners interested in developing or expanding businesses to offer natural and cultural tourism.

Speakers will include Marla Johnson, CEO of Aristotle, Inc.; Jody Pagan, wildlife biologist for Five Oaks Wildlife Services in DeWitt; Harrison Pittman, director of the National Agricultural Law Center at the University of Arkansas School of Law; Dr. Dan Scheiman, Audubon's director of bird conservation; David Long of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; and Allen Stanley of the Arkansas Small Business Development Center.

The afternoon “Resource Buffet” will offer business owners, landowners and civic leaders an opportunity to meet one on one with the morning’s speakers. Topics for discussion will build on the morning’s offerings and include funding, habitat management, regional tourism opportunities, legal concerns, marketing options, business plans and business development.

The workshop fee is only $20, or $30 per couple, and includes lunch and a workshop resource manual. Students are no charge, but luncheon reservations are required. Reservations and payment are being received at the Monroe County Cooperative Extension Office. Call 870-747-3397 for reservations.

Destination Downtown 2007 Slide Show

www.eldoradomusicfest.com

Main Street Arkansas Update - September 17, 2007

September 17-21

Monday - Destination Downtown

Tuesday - Destination Downtown

Wednesday - Destination Downtown

Thursday - Caroline & Mark - Sheridan: Arkansas Downtown
Network Presentation. Cary, out

Friday - Cary, out



We're saddened to report that Melvin Schexnayder, husband of long time
MSA Advisory Board member, Ms. Charlotte Schexnayder died Wednesday.
Please keep their family in your thoughts during this difficult time.

http://www.wmctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7065607

If you'd like to send a note to the family and don't have their address,
please let me know and I will pass it along to you.



All programs requiring mini-grant reviews by MSA should now send their
projects directly to me.


Corky Keating has left Main Street Osceola. We're working with MSO on
their next course of action.



Fayetteville Downtown Partnership Folds Due to Lack of Funding

http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/57108/

they will try to operate as a volunteer staffed organization

Lots of lessons about diversity of funding to be learned from this.



The citizens of Blytheville passed a quarter-cent sales tax Tuesday. By
all accounts, downtown will see some of the benefits of the increased
revenue including continued renovation work on the Greyhound Bus
Station.



IN THIS ISSUE:
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AHPP PRESERVATION PLAN SURVEY

AR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY ANNUAL CONFERENCE OCT 3 IN CONWAY

PARAGOULD HOSTS BLUE MONDAY SEPT 17

RUSSELLVILLE WINDOW DISPLAY WORKSHOP PRESS

TEXARKANA GRANT PRESS

LAKEPORT GRAND OPENING

GRANT OPPORTUNITY

ARGENTA CDC & THE FOI - LESSONS THAT C3 PROGRAMS SHOULD GLEAM

INTERESTING ARTICLE ABOUT FAYETTVILLE IN THE WASHINGTON POST

COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT MANUAL



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PLEASE SHARE YOUR OPINIONS WITH US



The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program staff is preparing to update
the five-year statewide comprehensive preservation plan and we want to
hear from you. An opinion survey will be available on our website until
September 30, 2007. It is vitally important that our constituents'
opinions be fully and accurately reflected in the goals and objectives
that will guide program decisions through 2012.



Please take a few moments to visit the website and complete the survey
at http://www.arkansaspreservation.org/planning-survey/ and share your
thoughts with us. If you need additional information or you prefer that
a hard copy be mailed to you, please contact Mona Hughes at (501)
324-9783 or by email at mona@arkansasheritage.org.




Community Development Society to hold annual conference in October


Little Rock, AR - The Arkansas Community Development Society's annual
conference is scheduled for October 3 at the Brewer-Hegeman Conference
Center on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.

This year's theme is "Developing Partnerships for Community
Development."

Gov. Mike Beebe has been invited to deliver the keynote address. Maria
Luisa M. Haley, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development
Commission, is also scheduled to speak.

Several regional leaders will share their experiences in partnerships,
and panels will address partnerships in education, health care, housing,
tourism, marketing and entrepreneurship.

The Arkansas community Development Society is a nonprofit professional
organization whose purpose is to advance community development and the
community development profession in Arkansas. Members include
professionals in education, health care, social services, state and
local government, utilities and economic development as well as
community volunteers and civic organizations.

Registration is $45 in advance and $60 after Sept. 28. The registration
fee includes lunch and membership in the Arkansas Community Development
Society.

For registration information, contact Mary Ellen Klotz at 501-450-5372.
For additional information on the conference, you may also call Dr. Mark
Peterson, ACDS president, at (501) 671-2072 or Basil Julian, vice
president for programs, at (501) 682-7392.

KASU Blue Monday - Paragould

KASU presents William Lee Ellis at the next Blue Monday-Paragould on
September 17th from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Brittny's Steakhouse in downtown
Paragould.



Good Russellville Press for the Window Display Workshop:

http://www.couriernews.com/story.php?ID=15976



Main Street Texarkana Grant Press:

http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/localnews/2007/09/14/main-street-receives-funding.php



LAKEPORT GRAND OPENING

From Delta Byways and Arkansas Parks & Tourism

The opening festivities for Lakeport Plantation
http://mailsage.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=1C0TGU4cic> in Lake
Village <http://mailsage.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=1C0TGU4cjY> willbe held Sept. 28-30. Lakeport Plantation, the last remaining antebellum home on the Mississippi River in Arkansas that has not been destroyed or altered significantly, is considered one of Arkansas's foremost historic house sites. The three-day event will feature discussions by those involved in the restoration of Lakeport, tours of the house and other facilities, a plantation luncheon, a restoration demonstration and many other activities. The opening ceremonies will take place on Friday, September 28. Lakeport Plantation is an Arkansas State University Heritage Site. All activities are open to the public but pre-registration is required. For more information, call (870) 972-2803.


National Geographic Conservation Trust Grants



The Conservation Trust supports conservation activities that contribute
significantly to the preservation and sustainable use of the Earth's
biological, cultural, and historical resources and fit within the
mission of the National Geographic Society. Grant amounts vary, but
generally are in the $15,000 - $20,000 range. Open applications - no
deadline.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/research/grant/rg2.html



Judge says Argenta CDC should release documents relating to Executive Director's firing under FOI

http://www2.arkansasonline.com/news/2007/sep/12/judge-let-public-see-argenta-firing-repor-20070912/

subscriber only, sorry



Important quotes:

"Ficklin sued the Argenta group Sept. 4 to prevent it from releasing the report to the North Little Rock Times, which filed a Freedom of Information request"



"Ficklin is considering a wrongful-termination lawsuit against the Argenta group."



Lesson:

They have a corporate Human Resource Policy (pg. 1 AG's opinion). The policy was allegedly violated in this case. Does your group have a formally adopted policy?


Consider this your reminder about D&O insurance for your organization.

Green Valley In Wal-Mart's Back Yard

Start-Ups Set Out to Sustain Giant's Eco-Friendly Focus


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/06/AR200700602689.html?sub=AR

nice article about Fayetteville in the Post. Thanks to Betsy McGuire for pointing this out.


CRA Manual

The National Community Redevelopment Coalition has updated their Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) manual. It's available for free download in pdf format here:

http://www.ncrc.org/policy/cra/CRA%20Manual.pdf

Main Street Arkansas Update - September 10, 2007

September 10-15

Monday - Susan, PhotoShop Training

Tuesday - Mark, Russellville

Wednesday - Susan, Mark & Nancy – Batesville

Thursday - Caroline, Texarkana; Greg & Cary – “Neighborhoods in Bloom” Federal Reserve Bank Seminar ; Susan, Russellville

Friday –

MSA now has a myspace account. It’s www.myspace.com/mainstreetarkansas All of the programs in the Department of Arkansas Heritage are creating myspace pages because our web provider advised us that one of our partners doubled their website hits when they created a myspace page. Our page is still a little bare bones, but we’re working on it. If you have an account, send us a friend request before we hunt you down and send you one. AHPP has an account as well, it’s URL is www.myspace.com/arhistoricpreservation

Main Street Dumas has hired Jann Farmer as their new Executive Director. Please welcome Jann when you see her.

The University of Arkansas Announces the Hiring of a Professor in Culinary Tourism

http://arkansasagnews.uark.edu/1887.htm

Good Heber Springs Press:

http://www.thesuntimes.com/articles/2007/08/30/news/news06.txt

Main Street Helena Matches DTR Grant with A&P Money

http://www.helena-arkansas.com/articles/2007/09/06/news/news2.txt

Upcoming Main Street Events:
October 5-7 Argenta Street Beat, El Dorado MusicFest & Helena’s Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival

Argenta May Get a Green Grocer

http://www.nlrtimes.com/articles/2007/09/07/news/nws01.txt

links of interest from the article

www.localharvest.org

http://www.rivermerc.com/

American Bus Association Names El Dorado’s “Showdown At Sunset” One Of North America’s 100 Best Events For 200

http://www.buses.org/top_100_events/

Main Street Arkansas Update - September 4, 2007

September 4- 7

Monday - closed, Labor Day
Tuesday - Cary, Dumas, Chamber Luncheon, interviews
Wednesday - Nancy, Helena
Thursday - all staff, FOIA Seminar, NLR
Friday –

Good Main Street Paragould Press:

http://www.paragoulddailypress.com/articles/2007/08/27/local_news/doc46d304a4ec0ab198850287.txt

Dickey-Stephens Park in Downtown NLR Named Baseball Park of the Year
http://www.travs.com/community/news/index.html?article_id=1295

Check out the glowing review here:
http://www.baseballparks.com/Arkansas-1.asp

Next Preserve America Community application deadline Dec. 1, 2007

I’ll remind you again that this is a fairly easy designation to obtain and that there is money available to PA communities. Osceola just received $100,000, Eureka Springs received over $61,000 and we at MSA/AHPP received $100,000.

Free FOIA Seminar

10:00-1:30 at the following locations:

September 6 – NLR, Pulaski Tech’s Grand Hall

September 11- Fayetteville – Donald W. Reynolds Center Auditorium

September 18 – Jonesboro – ASU Convocation Center, Meeting Rooms A&B

September 26 – Hope – U of A Community College Student Center

Contact Josh Blevins at the AGs office to RSVP 501.682.3015 or josh.blevins@arkansasag.gov

ArtLinks, October 21-22, Rogers

The Arkansas Arts Council will present its annual statewide conference on the arts, ArtLinks 2007: Connecting Commerce and the Creative Community, is presented by the Arkansas Arts Council in collaboration with Main Street Rogers.

Oct. 21-22 at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center in Rogers. Registration forms for ArtLinks 2007 are available at www.arkansasarts.org/artlinks or by calling the Arkansas Arts Council at (501) 324-9766