From the President
Hello neighbors!
Have you seen the “Community” sculpture on the Promenade in Allsopp Park? Actually… It’s not there yet, but it will be soon! The front cover page shows the sculpture superimposed onto a photo of the location where the sculpture is to be installed. This will be Hillcrest’s first public art (that I’m aware of), and it is very exciting! Thanks to Director Dean Kumpuris and the Sculpture at the River Market organization for this great opportunity! Please see the separate article in this edition to learn more about the sculpture, the artist, and how you can support this and future pieces of public art in Hillcrest.
Another project in the works is the UAMS “Energy Project” along the Pine/Cedar corridor. UAMS C.O.O. Christina Clark presented preliminary plans at the September HRA meeting. You may already know the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees recently approved a $156 million bond issue for the project to move forward. Ms. Clark has agreed to return with updates as the project progresses. We will give you plenty of notice so you can calendar and attend.
Parking is an issue we have begun looking into in more detail. It’s been challenging for years, and it’s not going to get any better with all the great new restaurants and businesses popping up! Don’t be surprised to learn we’re considering creative solutions like public transportation. Rock Region Metro has pilot projects throughout Central Arkansas, and it’s time for Hillcrestians to consider all forms of public transportation. Stay tuned!
HarvestFest is right around the corner! October 12! Thanks to our friends at the Hillcrest Merchants Association for all the hard work that goes into hosting the best festival ever! Please come by and visit your HRA and HMA friends at the information booth. We will be accepting memberships for 2020 if you would like to get ahead of the game. And don’t forget the HarvestFest Pancake Breakfast at Pulaski Heights Presbyterian Church from 9:00—11:00am. Hope to see you there!
The Design Overlay District Committee continues their methodical consideration of potential ways to help preserve the historical character of Hillcrest. Any recommendations coming out of this effort will be broadly shared and your feedback strongly encouraged. Thanks again to Bruce McMath and the rest of the committee (listed below) for their hard work.
The Hillcrest Historic Neighborhood Design Handbook is a creation of the HRA Preservation & Planning Committee and contains a wealth of information and suggestions for preserving the historic character of Hillcrest. We hope you find its content helpful. Please keep it around the house and share with neighbors, both current and future!
Lastly, I appreciate the increased number of folks that have helped on the board and committees lately. There is still plenty of work to go around. Keep in mind we will have a number of board positions available each spring going forward. Please reach out if you have time and energy to share! My email address is eric@hillcrestresidents.org.
Best regards,
Eric McDaniel
