Mayor Shirley Washington gave her State of the City address Monday night before the monthly City Council meeting where she covered several big things that has happened for Pine Bluff over the past year.

One of the big things is a decrease in violent crime in both the adult and juvenile sectors.

Washington said that Pine Bluff experienced 112 straight days without a homicide in 2022, the longest period of time without a homicide within the city since 2016.

The Mayor also noted improvements to overlay projects to improve city streets along Hill Avenue, 32nd Street, Harbor Oaks Drive, North Dollarway Road, and South Mulberry in addition to work on Olive Street and Hazel Street.

She said that the city plans to use money from the American Rescue Act to complete four major infrastructure projects within the city, to include repairing streets and filling potholes.

Washington said that partnerships with Go Forward Pine Bluff will help bring new projects to fruition in the downtown cultural district.

Washington also said dirt will be turning soon on the new Marriott Hotel at the Pine Bluff Convention Center in addition to the new hotel at Saracen Casino. She said the two hotels will not compete against one another, and explained why.

The Mayor also said that it will take time to build Pine Bluff back up. She said it takes longer to rebuild than it takes to tear down, and it is going to require time to do so.

Following the Mayor’s address, the Pine Bluff City Council conducted their meeting. They passed three resolutions with the first authorizing the Mayor to convey 0.534 acres to the Convention Center Commission. The additional land will help accommodate the hotel project on the property.

A second resolution was passed allowing the Mayor to enter an agreement with the P3 Development Group, Inc. to demolish and reconstruct a hotel at the Convention Center.

A third resolution will allow the Pine Bluff Street Department to hire a second full time diesel mechanic to assist the department with repairs and maintenance.

All resolutions were passed by a 6-2 vote, with Alderman Steven Mays and Alderman Glen Brown Sr. being the two no votes on each resolution.