The Pine Bluff Urban Renewal Agency (URA) met for their monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 20, and approved several topics on their agenda. The meeting had the majority of their board present including the Director of URA Maurice Taggart, commissioners Lloyd Franklin Sr, Kirby Mouser, Jimmy Dill, and newly appointed commissioner Lynn Guynn.
Before the meeting, Lynn Guynn was introduced by Mayor Shirley Washington. Guynn replaces Rita Conley, who resigned prior to the end of her term, which was scheduled to conclude September 30. Commissioner Guynn has a background in real estate.
The board has multiple projects underway, including getting an abatement for 2100 Harding in order to create a go-kart track. Taggart made the board aware that 1911 Construction Company, Inc. is interested in a public-private partnership to build the go-kart track.
The former Walmart building at 2901 Pines Mall Drive was also on the agenda. A commercial appraiser is needed to set the use-value of the building for the agency. For this purpose, the commissioners all approved JLL Valuation and Advisory Services, LLC at a total cost of approximately $6,500. Taggart also requested an action to approve the bid to fix the roof at 216 S Main St. The bid from Fraley Roofing, Inc. out of North Little Rock, Arkansas was approved for $75,000.
The purchase of nine properties — 300 S Main St, 302 Main St., 304 Main St., 306 S Main St, and 310-314 Main St. — was also approved at a total of $160,000. Taggart spoke with Deltaplex and explained how this purchase adds to the agency’s downtown project.
