The American Planning Association (APA) announced today that President Clinton Avenue has been designated one of 10 Great Streets for 2009 by APA's Great Places in America program. APA Great Places exemplify exceptional character and highlight the role planners and planning play in creating communities of lasting value.

President Clinton Avenue is singled out by APA for Little Rock’s strategic vision, plan and follow through during the past 25 years to transform the boarded up and abandoned warehouses along what used to be East Markham Street  into a lively entertainment and museum district. Today President Clinton Avenue is a unique part of Little Rock, an avenue defined by its historic character and revitalized surroundings -- the city’s only walkable entertainment district.

“President Clinton Avenue has developed from a forgotten district of abandoned warehouses into a vibrant social hub of our community,” said Mayor Mark Stodola. “In a picturesque and walkable setting, President Clinton Avenue has become the lynchpin of a district that includes a major tourist attraction, an acclaimed lecture series, the farmers’ market and an array of restaurants, musical venues and museums.”

Through Great Places in America, APA recognizes unique and authentic characteristics found in three essential components of all communities — streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces. APA Great Places offer better choices for where and how people work and live everyday, places that are enjoyable, safe, and desirable. Such places are defined by many characteristics, including architectural features, accessibility, functionality, and community involvement.

“We’re very excited to single out President Clinton Avenue as one of this year’s Great Streets,” said APA Chief Executive Officer Paul Farmer, FAICP. "City officials, business leaders, investors and citizens are to be commended for their long-range vision and plan to revitalize this area of Little Rock – something they committed themselves to and began years before the presidential library was even a possibility,” he added.

The story behind today’s President Clinton Avenue began a decade before Bill Clinton was inaugurated president in 1993. Little Rock prepared a downtown development plan in 1982 that called for remaking the abandoned warehouses along the Arkansas River into an active entertainment district with shops, restaurants, nightlife and museums.

Initial steps implementing the plan started in 1986 with development of the 33-acre Julius Breckling Riverfront Park and amphitheater. That was followed in 1991 with construction of the 10,000-square-foot River Market, which was part of a $300 million riverfront development that now houses, among other things, a farmer’s market every Tuesday and Saturday.

Coupled with a $1.5 million bond voters approved in 1994 for walkway improvements and the 1995 East Markham Streetscape Master Plan, the street was on its way to realizing the 1982 vision.

Revitalization efforts along East Markham Street accelerated even more in 1997 when President Clinton announced that his William J. Clinton Presidential Center, including a library and archives, would be located at the street’s eastern end. Since the official renaming of the street as President Clinton Avenue 2001, the city has attracted $1.5 billion in additional economic investments.

Designed by New York City architect James Polshek who worked with the renowned modernist architect I.M. Pei., the presidential library stands out from all points along the avenue. The design, which mimics elements of the I-30 overpass adjacent to center, is inspired by Clinton’s vision of a “bridge to the future.” Demonstrating a commitment to environment sustainability, the library is LEED Platinum with solar panels, a green roof, bike racks and floors made of recycled rubber tires.

Other improvements completed along the avenue since the presidential library opened in November 2004 include the $20 million River Rail electric trolley that connects to North Little Rock on the other side of the Arkansas River.

FACT SHEET
President Clinton Avenue

Designated Blocks

The entire length of President Clinton Avenue is designated an American Planning Association Great Street, between the Clinton Presidential Center and Park to the east and Cumberland Street to the west.  

Summary

The transformation of Little Rock’s East Markham Street to what is now President Clinton Avenue was, in the words of long-time downtown Little Rock business leader  and real estate developer Jimmy Moses, “an overnight success 20 years in the making.”

The foundation of the transformational changes that have taken place here started in 1982 when the city published its downtown development plan, suggesting that the street and its boarded up warehouses become an entertainment district. Initial steps to make good on the plan were taken soon after, most notably with construction of a waterfront park along the Arkansas River in 1986.

Additional planning for the district continued in 1991. Expanding on earlier ideas, $300 million in riverfront development resulted including the 10,000 square-foot River Market that opened at the corner of East Markham and South Commerce streets in July 1996. One year later the decision to locate the William J. Clinton Presidential Center at the street’s eastern terminus was announced. Renamed President Clinton Avenue in 2001, the library opened in November 2004.

Today the avenue continues to be a popular destination and hub of activity given its mixture of restaurants, museums, art galleries, entertainment venues, stores, offices, educational facilities, apartments and loft condominiums. Some 30 sidewalk benches, almost 150 street trees, decorative lighting, designed walkways, outdoor sculptures and scenic views make for a memorable experience regardless of the occasion.   

Defining Characteristics and Salient Features
Lively Pedestrian Experience

* Buildings have zero setbacks so storefronts contribute to the avenue’s lively and rhythmic pedestrian experience

* A plethora of activities is concentrated along the avenue: shopping, dining, tours, exhibits, educational programs, entertainment and special events

* $20 million River Rail electric trolley line expanded service to President Clinton Avenue in 2005; trolley carried 200,000 passengers during its first year (2004-05)

* 15,000-square foot farmer’s market occurs Tuesday and Saturday mornings at River Market, which overlooks Riverfront Park

The avenue and adjoining Riverfront Park are the primary venue for annual Riverfest; the family-oriented festival is the single-largest event in Arkansas (more than 250,000 attendees in 2008); goes back to 1977

Sustained Planning Effort

* Implementation of 1982 plan recommendations for East Markham Street entertainment district include building amphitheater at the 33-acre Julius Breckling Riverfront Park in 1987; park immediately adjoins President Clinton Avenue

* Community-wide Future Little Rock planning process in 1991 builds upon 1982 plan for an East Markham Street entertainment district; additional recommendations include electric trolley and walking trail to connect area with central business district

* East Markham Streetscape Master Plan implemented in 1995, including brick sidewalks and new street trees

* Voters approve $1.5 million bond issue in 1994 for improvements to Riverfront Park including new walkways connecting to President Clinton Avenue and Main Street

* City Board of Directors approve a Design Overlay District for the River Market area in 1996; creates a framework and rules for area’s future growth and development

* Other development along street during 1990s includes relocation of  Museum of Science History to the Terminal Building and the Central Arkansas Main Library moves near East Markham and Cumberland streets

Successful Revitalization

* $165 million William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park; includes presidential library, archives building, renovated train depot that serves as a school, and nearly 30 acres of parkland; library building is certified LEED Platinum with solar panels, green roof, bike racks and floors made from recycled rubber tires

* Since streets was renamed (2001), city has attracted $1.5 billion in economic development; $1 million in sidewalk and streetscape improvements also made 

* The Design Overlay District, approved in 1996 and updated in 2003, regulates buildings, signs, street furnishings and landscaping to ensure new development complements existing buildings while maintaining a festive and pedestrian orientation

* River Market District Review Committee requires public hearing for proposed variances to street front buildings; allows citizen input on new development

* The nonprofit Downtown Partnership is advocate for additional downtown growth, especially along riverfront and President Clinton Avenue

* First Security Building (521 President Clinton Avenue) is first new building downtown to contain mixed uses; includes bank, hotel, offices and condominiums

Contextual Design and Adaptive Reuse

* Clinton Library designed by New York City architect James Polshek, who worked for the renown modernist architect I.M. Pei; inspired by President Clinton’s vision of the library being a “bridge to the future,” library building reflects contextual approach, echoing elements of  the Interstate 30 overpass that adjoins Clinton grounds

* Several warehouses renovated for new uses, including two abandoned warehouses at 405 President Clinton Avenue now used by Arkansas Studies Institute

* Terminal Warehouse Building adaptation for Museum Center completed in 1998

* East Markham Street National Register Historic District for Market Row buildings is comprised of four buildings designed by prolific architect Charles L. Thompson during late 19th and early 20th centuries