The city of Pine Bluff Economic and Community Development Committee, chaired by City Council Member Lanette Frazier, voted on Thursday to authorize the Economic and Community Development Department to apply for a new Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant to complete the long-running Grant Street project.
The vote was a key action during the committee’s morning session, which also featured updates on new housing programs, the status of infrastructure work and the announcement of a major new showcase event for local makers.
Due to increased costs since the original award, the Grant Street project, which aims to connect 13th Avenue to Sixth Avenue, has been halted before completion. The committee sought permission to apply for additional TAP grant funding during the next cycle, with a deadline of April 30.
Council member Bruce Lockett, expressing a sentiment shared by others, noted the extensive history of the project. Lockett remarked on the project’s significant duration, noting that during his time on the City Council, this particular initiative has been the longest effort they have undertaken.
Michael Gilliard, Public Works housing coordinator, reassured the committee that the most time-consuming part of the process — securing right-of-way and easements from property owners — was mostly finished.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Grant Street project was awarded a $385,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Transportation. However, the grant only covers 80% of the project cost, with the city responsible for the remaining 20%.
The Economic and Community Development Committee approved the project to move forward in February 2025.
The grant was awarded to the city as part of its Safe Routes to School plan, which the city has implemented. The TAP grant funding is designated for the Grant Street Multiuse Trail Project, aiming to provide a safe and accessible route for children walking or biking to Coleman Elementary School.
The school, located at 4600 W. 13th Ave., has facilities on both the north and south sides of 13th Avenue and the east and west sides of Redbud Street, which is barricaded during school hours.
According to city officials, 13th Avenue is a major east-west transportation link.
The students are required to cross 13th Avenue for various activities. The streets within the neighborhood are narrow and have no curbs, gutters, sidewalks or shoulders.
The project was initiated following requests from residents and aims to provide a safer route for children walking to and from school, according to Public Works Director Larry Matthews.
In 2022, the City Council authorized the Economic and Community Development Department to acquire necessary easements for the sidewalk project.
The first phase of the project focuses on constructing approximately half of the planned sidewalks, starting at 13th and working toward Eighth Avenue.
During a previous presentation, the Pine Bluff Steering Committee identified two primary concerns for why the sidewalks were needed: the reluctance of children and parents to walk or bike to school and the inadequacy of current street infrastructure.
According to the committee, Pine Bluff faces significant gaps in its sidewalk network, particularly in areas annexed after 1980.
The current phase is nearing closure and is expected to wrap up within the next 30 days, according to Gilliard.
The committee confirmed that the engineering for the entire corridor has been finished, meaning the application will focus solely on construction funding. The motion to authorize the application was passed and will move forward to the full City Council.
In other business, Economic and Community Development Director Lori Guelache announced the launch of “The Delta Ultimate Showcase,” a program scheduled for June designed to promote local entrepreneurs who create hand-made products.
The showcase is open to makers of culinary products, fine art products, industrial art products, information products or textile arts products from Pine Bluff or the surrounding region.
The goal is to help these makers “become known” and connect them to Economic and Community Development programs offering “training and technical systems and lead to opportunities for some financial assistance, as well as some placement or marketplace assistants,” she said.
This event is designed to highlight and support local entrepreneurs and artisans from Pine Bluff and the surrounding Delta region.
According to Guelache, the showcase provides a unique platform for creators who may not yet have the inventory to establish a permanent storefront or independent booth. By participating, entrepreneurs gain visibility and the opportunity to join a comprehensive training and technical assistance program. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance and marketplace placement opportunities for growing businesses.
Guelache called upon the council members to spread the word.
“We’re inviting all of our council members to let anybody know who they know who makes things.” Interested individuals can contact Sarah Price at the Economic and Community Development office at (870) 543-1820 or via email at sarah.frank@cityofpinebluff.org.
Guelache reported that the Community Services team approved three new clients for the permanent housing program and has several applicants for the Jefferson Heights facility.
The department’s prioritization system focuses on housing families. Guelache explained the reasoning.
“We definitely want to prioritize families because the kids get displaced when their parents are homeless,” she said.
The committee recently received the grant agreement for a TAP grant related to the DRB District sidewalks. This project is expected to restore damaged sidewalks and incorporate historical information displays for pedestrians.
Frazier expressed enthusiasm for the project, noting that it is “the part where people can walk down and have different historical information displayed to them.”