Main Street talks preparation for Murphy Arts District

EL DORADO — Main Street El Dorado is embracing the new arts and entertainment district that is under construction on the south end of the Union Square District.

The group supports the concept so much that board members have agreed to consider extending the Main Street service district south of Cedar Street.

Board president Paul Choate asked Main Street Arkansas officials about the matter on Tuesday.

Greg Phillips and Mark Miller, director and small business consultant, respectively, of Main Street Arkansas were in town to perform an annual assessment and accreditation of the local program.

El Dorado Festivals and Events, Inc., is helming the $80 - $100 million project to repurpose several downtown properties into a mix of arts and entertainment venues, including a cabaret, restaurant, theater, art gallery, amphitheater, and children’s playscape.

The Murphy Arts District will be centered around Jefferson, Cedar, Locust and Hill.

The first phase of the project is slated for completion in late September.

Plans are under way for a reported $1 million-plus grand opening celebration at that time.

Main Street El Dorado has agreed to step back and allow Festivals and Events to take the lead on bringing entertainment to town, saying that it will partner with Festivals

and Events on some events.

One of those events is Main Street’s flagship fundraiser MusicFest.

The 30th annual celebration of MusicFest is set for Sept. 29 and 30.

“One of the biggest attractors downtown going forward is Festivals and Events. Their northernmost property is facing our Main Street service border at Cedar,” Choate said Tuesday.

“We want to wrap our arms around Festivals and Events. We want it all in the family,” he continued.

“He’s basically saying we want to expand our footprint,” expounded Beth Brumley, Main Street’s newly hired executive director.

“All you have to do is do it. You don’t have to run it by us. If you redraw the map, unless you’re expanding to a non-historic part, make the appropriate changes and send it to us,” Phillips said.

Choate said Main Street is seeking stronger partnerships within the community, noting that Festivals and Events and its lead project complement the promotions component of the Main Street approach to improving the economic vitality of downtown.

Choate advised board members to weigh the pros and cons of the proposed expansion of Main Street’s southern boundary and discuss the issue at the group’s next regular meeting on June 13.

He also said Main Street will be working with downtown merchants to prepare for the opening of the new district and ongoing entertainment events.

“We want to change the mentality of what MusicFest weekend is going to bring to the community,” he said.

Ideas that have been discussed include sidewalk sales and outdoor food sales to complement events as they are going on downtown.

“We want to draw more people downtown and allow the merchants and restaurants the opportunity to showcase what they have,” Choate said.