The Pine Bluff Urban Renewal Agency is moving forward with its downtown projects and other developments throughout the city. In their monthly meeting on Tuesday, the board was presented with two presentations in reference to the two URA projects that Level 5 Architecture was approved to provide stabilization and development.
The first presentation from Justin Gilmore Principal of Level 5, focused on the facility needs assessment and the executive summary for the downtown buildings located on the east side of Main St. Gilmore explained that the goal for those buildings is to preserve and provide restoration to reconstruct them back to the time they were built.
In relation to the total price of the preservation and restoration Gilmore explained to the board that it amounted to $2,539,660. He also specified that the vital part of preserving those buildings is to replace the roofing of those properties. After being asked by Maurice Taggart, why the price was that amount, Gilmore responded this way.
Gilmore also advised the board of state and national grant opportunities for restoration projects similar to the downtown buildings and offered assistance in completing those applications for extra funding.
The second presentation presented by Level 5 was focused on the Go-Kart Track development for 2100 E. Harding. Gilmore provided a visual presentation of how the facility would look featuring the Go-kart track, a mini-golf course, and an arcade amounting to a projected price of $2.5 million.
After the board questioned the profitability of the development, Hosea Jackson the owner of 1911 Construction who will be constructing the project, gave his thoughts.
On the subject of housing, the Director of the Urban Renewal Agency Chandra Griffin, explained that two areas are currently under pre-approval for the development of those properties. Dr. Ryan Watley of Go Forward Pine Bluff who is partnered with URA spoke to the board about where they are in relation to the agency’s request for quotation for the lots located at 1101 W 23rd to develop single-family homes.
The board also approved a request for approval of a contract for 216 S. Main St., one of the housing developments projects for the agency.
