A long-awaited project to light up an 11-block section of Park Avenue got underway this week with an official lighting ceremony for one of the historic-style fixtures on Monday.
The lighting installation was made possible through a public-private partnership between the Park Avenue Community Association and the city of Hot Springs, according to a city news release.
Known as the Light Uptown Park Avenue program, the project will cost an estimated $361,900 once completed, and PACA hopes to cover the cost through various fundraising efforts, according to PACA board member Hannah Mills.
The first streetlight was placed in the 400 block of Park Avenue between DeLuca's Pizzeria and Mills' business, the Hot Springy Dingy. The lighting will eventually cover the 11-block area from the 100 block of Park Avenue to the intersection of Circle Drive.
"Adding decorative lights were part of an overall design plan that Whittington Valley, Park Avenue and the city formed back in 2001. The idea was to encourage folks to venture past the end of downtown by adding attractive lighting, plantings, better sidewalks, better pedestrian crossings and slowing traffic with curb bumpouts," PACA President Angie Ezekiel said.
On Monday night, members of PACA and the Hot Springs community gathered to flip the switch on the first light installed in the area. The event also presented an opportunity for PACA to raise money for the remaining 76 streetlights.
About 100 people attended the official lighting ceremony on Park Avenue, during which PACA raised more than $20,000 for the lighting project.
Local philanthropist Dorothy Morris began the giving with a $4,000 check, which will secure a second street lamp in her honor, according to Terry Payne, the city's public information director.
Local coffee shop Red Light Roastery, owned by Adam and Briana Moore, pledged $10,000 in matching funds against other donors and many individuals also made small contributions, Payne said. Community members can purchase their own light for a $4,700 donation to PACA.
The release said that the new streetlights will create a flavor for the Park Avenue neighborhood, while making the area safer for pedestrians and bicyclists at night.
The first light cost about $7,600, including the purchase of the street lamp and setting up the electrical components needed for a series of up to 10 lights. PACA purchased the light using funds it collected from the Summerfest Uptown festival and T-shirt sales.
Under its memorandum of understanding with the city, PACA covered the initial setup of the electrical service account with Entergy Arkansas Inc., and will then submit the first electric bill to the city. From that point on, the city of Hot Springs will cover the electric cost and maintenance of the street lamp.
The city's street division installed the light foundations, the traffic division installed the electrical conduit and is responsible for the wiring and McGrew Electric agreed to provide electrical labor and expertise for the project, including setting the meter base and executing electrical terminations, a release said.
The addition of historic-style lighting is part of a much larger effort to revitalize the Uptown area of the city. So far, new sidewalks, bumpouts, rain gardens, pedestrian crossing signals and ADA improvements have all been made possible with Community Development Block Grants and partnerships with the city of Hot Springs, Ezekiel said.
"We have worked very hard at making that design plan from way back a reality. We have embraced our old name of 'Uptown' and worked toward making this a neighborhood that was a destination, instead of a place to speed through," she said.
Future improvements are already in the making. The next big project is a Park Avenue walking history application that people will be able to access on their cellphones. It will provide visitors and locals alike with information about a vital part of the community's history.
"Building a better community takes a group effort and we are thrilled that pride is returning to this great neighborhood. We want to share the excitement," Ezekiel said.
Local on 11/18/2017