Business leaders and North Little Rock city officials broke ground Wednesday on a $25 million mixed-use development next to Simmons Bank Arena along the Arkansas River.
The development, known as the Arena District, will include a relocated Willy D’s Rock and Roll Piano Bar, long a fixture of the River Market in Little Rock, and a new Aloft Hotel.
This marks the fourth major groundbreaking for the city this year. Other projects being developed in the area include the new North Little Rock Conference Center, the enhanced Second Street Promenade, a new Hilton Tempo Hotel and the ATG Pavilion.
“These projects don’t happen without vision, persistence and teamwork,” said Chris Kent, executive director of Argenta Downtown Council.
Kent thanked local officials and project partners, including Greg Nabholz, CEO of Nabholz Properties, who he said has persisted and believed in this project from day one.
Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde, a North Little Rock native, said the event was not just about breaking ground, but also about building excitement. He looks forward to Willy D’s moving into the development and adding music, laughter and “probably a few off-key sing-alongs” to the Arena District.
“North Little Rock keeps proving it knows how to dream big,” he said.
North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick said he is looking forward to the 7,000-square-foot event center that will be located in the district. When people wanted to host large dinners in the city, he said he had to send them to Little Rock for a place with enough space. Once the event center opens, he will not have to do that.
The Arena District development will also bring more business and economic growth to the city, which has already been growing quickly in recent years.
Umang Patel, president of Little Rock hotel-development firm Conway Management, said the new Aloft Hotel will feature five stories with 96 rooms. He described it as a hotel geared toward “tech-savvy travelers” who appreciate social scenes.
“It’s going to have kick-ass vibes,” he said.
Willy D’s owner, Danny Brown, acknowledged that the 20-plus years the bar has been in the River Market have been good for the business, but when the chance to move across the river came up, he knew it was the next chapter.
The new bar will feature two stories and outdoor patios. He said that the original location will continue to stay open throughout the construction of the new location.
“Come and get your Willy on,” he said.
City officials expect the ribbon-cutting for the project to take place in about 18 months.
Feature image: Business leaders and North Little Rock officials break ground on the planned Arena District development. (Photo by Alex Hardgrave)
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