Plan sets 3 goals for revitalizing downtown
The Downtown Hot Springs Economic Development and Redevelopment Action Plan, which sets three goals for revitalizing downtown that were developed during six months of research and public meetings, was released to the public Thursday, along with 40 strategies and action items for achieving those goals.
Included among those strategies and action items are visions for redeveloping the Majestic Hotel property to include a performing arts center, an amphitheater, a parking deck and a public bathing facility utilizing the thermal waters from Hot Springs National Park; a roundabout at the intersection of Park, Whittington and Central avenues; a large public sign at the Majestic site or elsewhere welcoming visitors to the “Valley of the Vapors;” the elimination of on- street parking on Central Avenue in downtown Hot Springs; and the creation of extensive bike paths.
The plan, which was released during a public meeting held Thursday evening on the top floor of the Exchange Street Parking Plaza, also includes other “catalytic concepts” that have been mentioned in the past, including the revitalization of the upper floors of downtown buildings for residential spaces. Other suggestions include improvements to broadband access and driving innovation, and the formation of a group of volunteers to advance the agenda for downtown.
The economic development consulting firm of Thomas P. Miller and Associates was hired to create the plan following the fire that destroyed the Majestic Hotel, which has since fallen into the city’s ownership. Thursday’s meeting was hosted by the city of Hot Springs, the West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, and the Hot Springs Metro Partnership.
Goal 1 identified in the plan is to “Enhance the downtown experience by improving the infrastructure and quality of place amenities required to
become one of America’s best small downtowns.”
Goal 2 is to “Create and foster a stronger sense of community downtown.”
Goal 3 is to “Position downtown as a vibrant economic engine to offer a place for its residents to live, work, and play centered on supportive and emerging sectors.”
Goal 1 is to be accomplished by focusing on infrastructure improvements to upgrade aesthetics, walkability, and livability; enhancing and adding new amenities and mixed- use developments designed to meet the needs and expectations of visitors, residents, and business owners; and embracing a more experimental, nimble, and responsive approach to old policies and ways of doing business.
Goal 2 is to be accomplished by improving the physical and social connectivity between the businesses and residents of the central business district and surrounding neighborhoods, and promoting collaboration for downtown initiatives among key stakeholder groups and engaging millennials in the decisionmaking process.
Goal 3 can be accomplished by nurturing a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation; targeting business recruitment, retention, and expansion to key industry sectors; empowering local action in accelerating broadband access, adoption, and application; using downtown as a laboratory for work- based learning and skills training for the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts and area secondary and postsecondary students; and creating a niche of retailers and allied amenities to serve as a trailhead for adventure tourists.
The report notes there were dozens of potential uses for the Majestic Hotel site suggested by stakeholders and the public during several public forums, focus groups, and interviews. Those with the most potential to impact the economy, increase downtown residential activity, and contribute to the overall quality of life and place in Hot Springs were a performing arts center, an outdoor amphitheater, the public bathing facility, and structured parking.
“Hot Springs should consider hosting a national or international design competition. Due to the magnitude and prominence of the site, the design for the redevelopment has the potential to carry the same architectural significance for this generation as the Medical Arts Building did for the generations before it,” the report said.
As far as parking, the report found that on- street parking “creates a visual barrier between motorists and shops, restaurants, and other street level businesses, while it consumes a large amount of public space without contributing to the overall economy.”
By removing the 70 or so free parallel parking spaces along Central Avenue between Park and Whittington to the north and Market Street to the south, “opportunities to increase the walkability and ‘ bikeability’ of the central business district can be increased dramatically. Replacement of this parking can be addressed by increasing the availability, accessibility, and visibility of off- street parking options,” the report found.
“The removal of on- street parking on Central Avenue creates an opportunity to build dedicated bicycle facilities with attractive separations to enhance the safety and beauty of Central Avenue for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists,” it said.
The suggested sign would be placed either at the Majestic site or another prominent downtown location to give Hot Springs an “iconic community symbol that refers to its history in a nostalgic and exciting retro manner, much like similar signs in Portland and San Francisco, the Public Market sign in Seattle, or the famous star in Roanoke.”
“One of the more controversial topics among local residents was the incorporation of a reference or nod to the history of the Majestic Hotel in the new use. Some expressed feelings that the end of the Majestic was so traumatic that any reference to it would be inappropriate, while others believe the Majestic’s historical significance should be acknowledged. If the city successfully removes and stores the letters from the hotel’s rooftop sign, they could be restored ( or slightly modified) to create an iconic sign for the community,” the report said.
For each goal, the report includes funding strategies, policy changes that would have to take place, and the consequences of inaction.