On February 2, 2017, the Go Forward Pine Bluff task force will hold a question-and-answer session for Pine Bluff residents. This is a follow-up to the January 12, 2017, unveiling of recommendations for revitalizing Pine Bluff. The aim of this upcoming session is to give residents a chance to ask questions, express concerns, and offer their ideas about revitalizing the city. Event details are here:
Question-and-Answer Session for PB Residents to Address Revitalization Suggestions
February 2, 2017 (Thursday evening) at 5:30 pm
Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas
701 Main Street, Pine Bluff, AR 71601
870-536-3375
Background: Past Research and Unveiling of Revitalization Recommendations
On January 12, 2017, The Go Forward Pine Bluff Task Force, with research and advice from UALR’s Institute for Economic Advancement (IEA), unveiled recommendations for Pine Bluff’s revitalization. Their recommendations were based on the results of more than a year of research and strategy planning, funded by the Simmons Foundation, and are now being offered to elected officials and residents for consideration.
The intense, long-term focus on revitalizing the city was precipitated by the collapse of portions of Main Street (starting in 2014), Simmons First National Bank provided funding to the Simmons Foundation for the express purpose of having a task force determine the best method of revitalization. That task force, Go Forward Pine Bluff, defined four main areas for IEA to address: economic development, education, infrastructure/government, and quality of life. While the downtown corridor has received special focus, the entire city of Pine Bluff has been analyzed and included in the plans. More details are in these PB Junction posts: Main Street’s Brain Trust and Main Street’s New Beginnings .
