Main Street Russellville

• Russellville designated as official Main Street City by Gov. Bill Clinton.
• Open House signified official opening of the Main Street Russellville office in the Worthen Bank building with Angela Halverson (Woker), program manager.
• Mini-Grant Program awarded two $1,000 matching fund grants.
• Antiquated parking meter posts removed from downtown sidewalks.
• Street signs replaced in downtown area.
• Flagpole Island at intersection of W. Main & Arkansas Ave. landscaped.
• Downtown Clean-Up held included trash pick-up, mowing & weed-eating.
• Resource Team Visit conducted by Matt Hussman; Nat. Main Street Center, Sandra Hanson & Cynthia Haas; Main Street Arkansas, Dave Timko; Main Street Batesville, and Robert Atkinson.
• 1st Annual Downtown Fall Festival & Chili Cookoff took place.

TOP

• “A Taste of the Valley” fundraising tasting party premiered at the Hughes Community Center, showcasing the wares of 28 River Valley food purveyors with music provided by Jazz Reunion.
• Main Street Russellville got a new address at 100 N. Denver. Peters Family Living assisted with the move.
• Lefler’s Fashions, at 103 N. Commerce selected for $4,000 matching funds Model Business Grant.
• Betsy McGuire hired as director of program.
• Retailing-The Basics Workshop conducted by Dave Timko.
• A professional services survey and a business survey were used to obtain information targeting the perceptions of downtown professionals and merchants.

TOP

• Two male Gingko trees planted at City Hall.
• Existing trash receptacles cleaned and painted.
• J. Thacker Shoes approved for $4,200.00 matching funds Model Business Grant.
• Received a County Courthouse Restoration Grant in the amount of $5,000 for the Pope County Courthouse.
  Mugs, t-shirts, sweatshirts, aprons and caps bearing the MSR logo purchased for use as promotional items.
• Received a Main Street Arkansas award for Special Achievement in Organization for Membership and Fundraising.
• A consumer interest survey was conducted during activities at Taste of the Valley to target public perceptions for improvements to the downtown business district.
• Taste of the Valley won the Arkansas Festival Association’s ALFIE Award for Best New Festival of 1994.
• Introduced the first in a series of limited edition Community Christmas Ornaments featuring the 1931 Pope County Courthouse.
• Received a Main Street Arkansas Award for Special Achievement in Membership and Fundraising presented to MSR by Governor Jim Guy Tucker.
• Main Street Russellville hosted a day-long series of meetings at the Chamber of Commerce to develop recommendations for Streetscape Improvement Plans. The meeting was conducted by Main Street Arkansas’ Sandra Hanson and Nancy Lowe.

TOP

• Awarded a $15,000.00 matching funds Model Business Grant for Hall Studio.
• Acquired a water source at the Flag Pole Island for ease of maintenance.
• Expanded the downtown merchant’s Promotional Flag Program with “Sale” flags. American Flags were also added to the program through a donation by the Disabled American Veterans.
• Hosted a mini Taste of the Valley during the Icebreaker Party at the ational Town Meeting on Main Street Conference held in Little Rock.
• Helped organize a successful reception and book signing for the authors of The South at Hall Studio.
• Hosted a group of city officials and volunteers from Holly Grove, AR at the request of the local U.S. Forest Service officials.
• The J.L. Shinn Building, Russellville’s oldest commercial structure, benefited from a successful rehabilitation project and shed new light on the potential for adaptive reuse of historic structures.
• The University of Arkansas’ Community Design Center (UACDC) agreed to work with MSR and the community to develop a Maste Plan for Downtown Public Improvements.
• A Christmas Open House was hosted by the MSR board at the home of Peggy Talkington as a thank you for program supporters and volunteers. The event was such a success that it was decided that this should be an annual tradition for MSR.

TOP

• Russellville’s Historic Downtown Commercial District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Sixty buildings are included in the district.
• Through a partnership with Main Street Russellville the City of Russellville successfully acquired the old post office building/federal building from the General Services Administration (GSA). The City’s intended use for the building was for a much needed expansion of city offices.
• Awarded a $15,000.00 matching funds Model Business Grant on behalf of The Frame Shop for rehabilitation of the Hamilton Building at 203 W. C St.
• Presented a workshop, The Art of Customer Appreciation, conducted by Mark Miller, Main Street Arkansas Business Consultant.
• Established a fifth committee dedicated to the preservation and redevelopment of Russellville’s historic Missouri-Pacific railroad depot. The mission of the Friends of the Depot is to build community awareness for the value of the Depot, promote it as an asset to the community, and raise funds toward the development and preservation of this local historic landmark. As part of their initial efforts this committee developed a logo that was applied to special t-shirts and note cards in time for the 5th Annual Downtown Fall Festival & Chili Cookoff. A special children’s t-shirt proclaiming “Clikkety Clak…bring the Depot back!” and wooden train whistles proved to be a big hit at the festival.
  
  This committee also raffled a collectable Currier & Ives print of a locomotive as part of their fundraising efforts. During the festival, the Arkansas Railroad Club and the Pacific Limited Group helped to bring approximately 200 passengers from the train station in Little Rock to the depot in Russellville to join in the day’s activities.
• Under the direction of Dr. David Glasser the University of Arkansas Community Design Center (UACDC) presented Phase I of a Master Plan for Downtown Development. Along with their findings they presented a three dimensional model of the area of study to MSR’s Board of Directors. The next phase involved broad based input from the community for further development of the plan.
• Governor Mike Huckabee presented a Main Street Arkansas Award to Mike and Joy Miller during the Arkansas Municipal League Conference in Hot Springs. The Shinn Building Rehabilitation Project received the award for Special Recognition in Economic Restructuring.

TOP

• A Downtown Revitalization Grant enabled Main Street Russellville to present a $3,500 check to the City for exterior restoration of the Old Post Office/Federal Building.
• A grant from the Dept. of Commerce provided $2,963.04 in new computer equipment that included a 16 Compaq PC Deskpro 2000, V50 monitor, HP deskjet printer and Microsoft Office 95 software.
• The historic Harkey Home was purchased by Jim Olson. After a thorough interior and exterior rehabilitation it is home to J.N. Olson Realtors.
• Two downtown businesses celebrated special anniversaries: KARV Regional Radio celebrated its 50th Anniversary and First National Bank celebrated its 100th Anniversary.
• Main Street Russellville actively participated on the Vision 2020 steering committee and worked closely with the chairman, Jim Diamond, and the Downtown Revitalization Focus Group during this community visioning process. During Vision 2020 the Prairie Creek Passage Committee formed and received several grants for development of the hiking, biking and pedestrian pathway along Prairie Creek.
• The UACDC completed the final phas of its study of Russellville’s Central Business District. The study included a model of proposed downtown public improvements based on the findings of the study. The model was unveiled to an approving audience during the annual Taste of the Valley. After the unveiling the model was on traveling display in the lobbies of First National Bank, NationsBank, Simmons First Bank, the Chamber of Commerce and Wildflower Retirement Center. It was also displayed during a Vision 2020 Town Meeting and a meeting of the city council. Surveys were also available at each display for public comments.
• Main Street Russellville’s first Arkansas Heritage Event was a walking tour of the Downtown Historic District conducted by Ken Story, historian with the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program.
• Worked with the Chamber of Commerce’s Community Enhancement Committee to raise funds for a bust of Dr. Thomas Russell, Russellville’s namesake. The Chamber facility is located on the approximate site of Dr. Russell’s brick home.
• The Friends of the Depot (FOD) continued to work toward the city’s acquisition of the historic Missouri-Pacific railroad depot. The committee displayed depot exhibits during Taste of the Valley. U.S. Representative Asa Hutchinson came to town to discuss the future of ISTEA and the FOD hosted an Ice Tea & Cookies reception to discuss this source of funding for the Depot Project. The committee’s hard work and perseverance paid off when the city council approved a contract with Union Pacific during the November council meeting.
• A rotating schedule was created for board members to attend monthly city council meetings to increase MSR’s presence.
• A ten member Advisory Board was created after discussions with the Main Street Arkansas staff. In the six years since the MSR program was implemented it had grown in scope and diversity. As the program dealt with an ever increasing number of issues vital to downtown development the benefits that broad based counsel from an Advisory Board could have on the program was realized.

TOP

• The Downtown Merchants Association decided to change their name to the Russellville Downtown Association to reflect the changing mix of downtown merchants, professionals, and residents.
• Through a foundation of the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce an ISTEA grant was applied for the Prairie Creek Passage pedestrian greenway project. The visioning process MSR underwent with the UACDC and the Vision 2020 process was a catalyst for this project.
• On March 5, 1998 Gov. Mike Huckabee and many of his staff attended the Governor’s Forum Day in Russellville. Members of his staff were expected to drop by the Depot for a short visit concerning the proposed Depot Project. What a surprise when the Governor made the stop as well. Friends of the Depot committee members and Main Street Russellville board members met with dignitaries later in the day to generate awareness and support for the project.
• The Union Pacific Foundation approved a grant in the amount of $1,500.00 to MSR. Jack Kyle presented a check to board president Peggy Talkington, executive director Betsy McGuire and Friends of the Depot co-chairs Laura Shinn and Lisa Kirchner at an awards luncheon given by UPRR at Italian Gardens Café on March 10, 1998. The donation was utilized as the budget for the FOD committee.
• Main Street Russellville was awarded $9,998.00 in matching Model Business Grant Funds for the future home of Shiloh Glass Works at 308 W. B St. Unfortunately the funds were returned to the State of Arkansas due to the changing circumstances of the business owners.
• The 1st Annual Thanks with Franks was held during Arkansas Heritage Month events in May. This hot dog cookout featured Arkansas products and was Main Street Russellville’s thank you picnic to the community for six years of success in preserving our downtown’s heritage through redevelopment and revitalization. Approximately 375 hot dogs and lots of Yarnell’s ice cream were served. A National Register plaque ceremony, recognizing 32 contributing buildings in Russellville’s Downtown Historic District also took place that day. Cathie Matthews, Director of the Dept. of Arkansas Heritage and members of the Main Street Arkansas state staff were also present.
• On behalf of the Downtown Diggers, Mary Cohoon accepted the JC Penney Golden Rule Award Honorable Mention for the group’s ongoing landscaping efforts at the Flagpole Island.
• Second floor development in the downtown business district was recognized with a series of news articles published in The Courier. The three highly visible articles were entitled: Upstairs, downtown: Main Street Russellville, the new frontier-May 10; Upstairs, downtown: a commercially friendly frontier-June 26; Upstairs, downtown: residential-August 9
• The second oldest building in downtown Russellville, the Captain R.J. Wilson Building, was purchased by the Van Christiansen family of Russellville. The Christiansens met with MSA Architectural Consultant Nancy Lowe concerning interior and exterior improvements. The new owners wanted to have a retail or professional tenant on the first floor and add second floor residential apartments at a later date. The building, a major anchor in the downtown district is located at 301 W. Main and is the former location of the Electric Moo.
• Mr. and Mrs. Van Moores donated items from the New Store, a downtown landmark, for display in the Depot. The New Store was a general merchandise store that operated from the 1870’s to 1977 in downtown Russellville. The items were turned over to the Tech Museum of Prehistory and History for proper storage. Judith Stewart-Abernathy, museum director, continues to work with the Friends of the Depot to develop exhibit space in the Depot.
• Main Street Russellville executive director Betsy McGuire was one of 33 Year III students that graduated from the Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. The Institute offers a comprehensive curriculum of professional skills and personal growth training in community development and community leadership development. Course work stresses the development of an individual’s ability to act as a facilitator for planning and as a catalyst for action. One hundred and thirty-five students representing 14 states attended the institute in August. McGuire’s tuition was provided through Entergy Arkansas.
• Main Street Russellville was selected for participation in the Fundraising Technical Assistance Program sponsored by Main Street Arkansas. Smith Project Development of Hot Springs contracted with MSA to provide five Main Street Cities with specific fundraising technical assistance, including project research for the participating communities.
• The Russellville Downtown Association/Promotion Committee joined the River Valley Accessibility Council in an effort to make downtown accessible to all citizens. Preliminary contact with downtown businesses and property owners was made by fellow merchant/property owner Bill Peters to garner information and suggestions. During a regular meeting of the RDA, the group unanimously approved a proposed plan for implementing the accessible parking spaces in the central business district. The plan was then presented by Bill Peters on behalf of the River Valley Accessibility Council during the October City Council meeting where it was unanimously adopted. The City completed this project in 1998.
• The Friends of the Depot committee continued their mission of raising community awareness for the Depot with additional projects that included the development of a brochure, and the 1st Annual Omelet’s & More fundraising breakfast during the Downtown Fall Festival & Chili Cookoff.
• The Main Street Russellville office benefited from the donation of an executive style desk, matching credenza, and two four drawer file cabinets from NationsBank. Free delivery and set up was provided by Peters Family Living.
• A window and interior store display workshop “Great Changes” was conducted in the Community Room at the Chamber of Commerce by Charles Harris of Little Rock. Mr. Harris also made a presentation the following day during the regular meeting of the Russellville Downtown Association. A door prize of a free store window display was won by C&D Drug Store.
• Main Street Russellville joined forces with Tropical Gardens and the Russellville Recreation and Parks Department on a tree planting program for city property. MSR purchased 20 white Natchez Crepe Myrtles, a sugar maple and a Sioux pink Crepe Myrtle for designated areas along the city right-of-way on Denver Ave. Cost of the trees was $460.
• A Downtown Revitalization Grant in the amount of $3,500.00 was awarded on behalf of the proposal for Phase I of Pocket Park Development/Burris Plaza.
• Nineteen Downtown merchants participated in the first Downtown Russellville Christmas Cash promotion. No purchase was necessary for customers to receive a ticket to participate in the drawing for $2,000.00 in Downtown Christmas Cash.
• Main Street Arkansas recognized achievements in downtown revitalization across the state during the Arkansas Municipal League’s Fall Conference in Pine Bluff. Two of the awards went to achievements in Russellville: Best Business Commitment to Downtown went to Robert Keenan of St. Bernard Financial Services Inc. for his rehabilitation of a vacant second story space in the historic Bank of Russellville building.
• Main Street Russellville Executive Director Betsy McGuire was selected by her peers to receive the Executive Director of the Year award.

TOP

• Successful bid of $1,500 at statewide auction yielded the Hope, AR Caboose for the Depot Project.

TOP

• City Council approved use of funds from the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) and proceeded with the Depot Project.
• Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center presented Women’s Life Award to Executive Director Betsy McGuire.

TOP

• Burris Memorial Plaza dedicated as a memorial tribute to the six members of the River Valley that lost their lives in the airline tragedy in Little Rock on June 1, 1999.

TOP

• “Strike the Spike” groundbreaking of the Depot Project.
• Burris Memorial Plaza named Best Downtown Public Improvement Project by Main Street Arkansas.

TOP

• “Reunion ‘Round the Rails” celebrated the rededication and public opening of Russellville’s Historic Missouri Pacific Railroad Depot in May.

TOP

• 1st Downtown Art Walk took place in August as a partnership between the Russellville Downtown Association, a committee of Main Street, and the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center.

TOP

• Russellville’s City Hall, located in the historic 1926 Masonic Temple, selected for $81,176.00 Downtown Revitalization (DTR) Grant, the largest DTR Grant awarded at that time.
• Main Street Executive Director Betsy McGuire named Outstanding Woman of the Year by The Courier.
• The 30-year-old Pope County Farmers Market relocated to the historic Russellville Depot.
• The Depot Project Capital Campaign received a Main Street Arkansas Award for Best Creative Fundraising Effort.
• First Friday Downtown Art Walk named Best Special Event by Main Street Arkansas.

TOP

• Main Street Russellville celebrated the 15th anniversary of the program’s downtown revitalization efforts.
• Phase IV of the Depot Project completed at a cost to Main Street Russellville of $62,258.00. Phase IV improvements at the east end of the Depot included the custom fence, reproduction light fixtures, sidewalk, and parking from Commerce Ave. to Arkansas Ave. The funding for this phase was provided by a $5,000 DTR Competitive Grant in addition to Friends of the Depot fundraisers that included Rummage ‘Round the Rails, the Fall Fest Omelet Breakfast, and the ongoing sale of engraved brick pavers.

TOP

• City appointed a nine member Historic District Commission and approved a local ordinance protecting Russellville’s Downtown Historic District. A $3,500 CLG grant provided funding for training three commissioners and staff.
• The 16th Annual Taste of the Valley, Main Street Russellville’s signature fundraiser, raised a record $21,175.00 in sponsorships in addition to ticket sales.
• Phase III (it’s not a type-o! Phase IV was completed first due to the availability of our TEA funds) of the Depot Project is completed at a cost of $64,483.00. Phase III improvements included the sidewalk, curb & gutter and bollards to create a pedestrian friendly multi-use plaza at the entry to the Depot. Main Street Russellville provided funding in the amount $16,283.60 for this phase.
• Mr. Conductor, the life-size bronze sculpture by regional artist Jim Westbrook was installed in the plaza at Russellville’s Historic Missouri Pacific Depot at a cost of $20,000.
• The Downtown Streetscape Design Committee revisited the UACDC’s 1996 Planning Report and began the task of refining those plans for implementing public improvements in Downtown Russellville.
• A $15,000 Slipcover Removal Grant was awarded to the Main Street Russellville program on behalf of the Arkansas Beauty College.

TOP

• City Resolution No. 1114 authorized the development of a Downtown Master Plan through Main Street Russellville.

TOP