The city of Pine Bluff Economic and Community Development Committee meeting, held on Wednesday, covered a range of topics, including a demolition project, grants and updates on various city projects. Council members present included committee Chair Lanette Frazier and member Latisha Brunson. Pine Bluff Mayor Vivian Flowers, Southeast Arkansas Planning Commission Director Larry Reynolds, Economic and Community Development Director Lori Walker Guelache and Larry Matthews, project manager, were also in attendance.
The committee discussed a resolution for an award related to a piece of property.
“It’s a demolition of an interior demolition of a property that we have obtained that we want to rehab and make available to low-income, to a low-income family to purchase,” Guelache said.
The project involves a first phase of interior demolition, and Chris Warrior was identified as the lowest bidder. A conflict of interest policy associated with federal funds requires the city attorney to render an opinion before the project can proceed to the council for approval and then to HUD. The motion to accept Warrior’s bid was made and seconded, moving it to the full council.
The city was awarded a grant and has received the grant agreement. A budget amendment is needed to add these funds to the 2025 budget, as the federal fiscal year began on Oct. 1, and a draw needs to be made within a certain timeframe to activate the grant. Brunson made a motion to accept the budget adjustment for the grant to be added to the 2025 budget, which was seconded and approved to move forward to the full council.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
An update was provided on the purchase of the apartment building at 4500 Union Ave. Bids have been received for interior work and the roof. The roof contract came in over the $35,000 threshold, requiring council authorization for the mayor to sign the contract, according to Matthews, who said it would be around $60,000 to replace the roof in both of the units. The committee approved the funding for the roof bids, allowing the mayor to sign the contract, and this will also move to the full city council.
Matthews went over city project updates during the meeting, saying that the Main Street project is about 75%-80% complete, with asphalt down and cleaning that was done for homecoming. They are awaiting the energy company to finish boring for streetlights and landscaping. The irrigation system is already in place, and the project is expected to be completed before Thanksgiving.
A request was received regarding a hazardous sidewalk on Fourth Avenue, where Pop’s Barbershop has been remodeled. The city is awaiting a cost estimate from a contractor to redo the sidewalk.
The possibility of applying for TAP funds through the state Department of Highway Transportation was discussed for sidewalk improvements, potentially for a larger area rather than just the strip on Fourth Avenue. Guelache noted that the grant cycle typically opens in March or April, with funding notification in the fall for the following year.
“The Grant Street project is moving along, with progress being made on 13th Street after some utility hiccups,” Matthews said. “It is currently 20%-30% complete.”
The Barraque Street Plaza project is 100% complete, and Flowers will be consulted on seating arrangements for the area.
Matthews reports the University Drive Sewer and Arkansas River Sewer Projects are 100% complete. Funds have been appropriated to help business owners convert to the new sewer lines.
The Delta Rhythm & Bayous Cultural District Wellness Park had a soft opening last week, Matthews said, and is complete except for some landscaping rocks that were not as specified by the architect. A hard opening has not yet been scheduled, pending the replacement of the rocks. Amenities include pickleball courts, pingpong tables, chess tables, and workout equipment with Bluetooth speakers. The artwork on the restrooms is also finished.
MLK Park is complete, with fences up and grass in good condition. They are awaiting netting for the field and back-ordered large soccer field goals. “The concession stand and bathrooms are in surprisingly good shape,” Matthews said.
A significant concern was raised regarding the security and maintenance of park bathrooms to prevent damage and vandalism, especially given past issues and rising insurance rates. Suggestions included aligning bathroom open hours with park hours, considering weekend staffing rotations, and exploring technology solutions like camera monitoring and remote locks.
“I know we always talk about costs, but sometimes we have to bite the bullet in the front end so we won’t have to worry about it on the long end,” Frazier said.
The possibility of free Wi-Fi downtown was discussed as a potential incentive for businesses and residents. An update was requested on the status of microloans for businesses. It was clarified that direct public money cannot be allocated to businesses due to state laws. Still, funds can be used for capacity-building purposes for agencies providing technical assistance.
There is a potential opportunity through a Community Development Block Grant program in the 2026 budget for micro-enterprises (five or fewer employees, one of whom is low-income) for financial assistance, with a small budget of $40,000.
Plans are underway to replace the single flagpole with a design that includes three flagpoles to display the state flag, the United States flag and a future Pine Bluff flag.
There was also a suggestion to recognize the city’s multicultural population through exhibits or other forms of recognition.