Sonya Kindall sent in a question about what a downtown Maumelle might look like. If I was an artist I would draw it. I will attach some photos, but they only provide bits and pieces of a broader vision. The location is rather obvious - Tract D between Kroger and Wal-Mart NM. The proximity to Willastein and potential for pedestrian traffic is considerable if it was planned accordingly. Small one way streets entering a town square with a traffic flow that would encourage pedestrians and optimize safety. The traffic flow should generally be secondary to the generous walkways/sidewalks meandering toward Willastein and a pedestrian overpass across Club Manor. It would be something similar to the Southlake, Texas , but about a fifth the size - maybe smaller. 2, maybe 3 story buildings with mixed use developments (something new to Maumelle) -- some residential units on the upper floors for people wanting small townhouses. The businesses could be a variety of smaller boutique shoppes, indoor/outdoor cafe, perhaps some music/entertainment, a small pub, offices, etc. The only part the city would play is in the foundation of the central park and walkways which should be family oriented (splash park, fountain, able to convert to a holiday theme or public gathering). The process would be to build the improvements/park and hold the property owners to a very strict design standard in lieu of the city building the improvements in that district. If market forces prevail, the properties develop at a brisk pace - if they dont people have a nice park to enjoy in the meantime. All a city really should do in this instance is make conditions favorable for business and build something people could enjoy -- the rest is up to the business world. Without a doubt it would take some investment for the improvements, but as anything this large subject to approval by voters. It could be something truly unique for this residentially dominated community of ours. Strips malls and box stores come and go, but a town square stays with you.
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 03:43:19 +0000
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