CONWAY — The future of a much-debated Depression-era sidewalk in front of the University of Central Arkansas president’s home will be in the hands of the Conway City Council.
On Tuesday, the board of the Faulkner County Historical Society recommended that UCA and the city, which owns the walkway on Donaghey Avenue, repair rather than destroy the sidewalk because of its historic value.
“Since this has been declared a city sidewalk, we will await the City of Conway’s decision regarding replacement or major repair,” university President Allen Meadors said in a statementet mailed by UCA spokesman Jeff Pitchford.
Pitchford said Meadors had no further comment.
Meadors wanted to replace the traditional concrete sidewalk, which has some cracks, with stamped concrete, a decorative and more expensive walkway.
On June 1, the UCA board of trustees approved the plan,but that was before UCA Archivist Jimmy Bryant discovered the sidewalk’s New Deal history and brought it to Meadors’ attention.
Conway Mayor Tab Townsell said Tuesday that he will take the issue to the City Council since it involves “a public issue.”
“I wouldn’t want to make aunilateral decision by myself,” Townsell said.
The mayor also plans to take a look at the walkway with the city engineer “to assess it” and see “what needs to be done,” he said.
In a letter on behalf of the Historical Society, its president, Circuit Judge Charles E. Clawson Jr., wrote, “it is our opinion that every effort should be made to save this piece of UCA and Conway history.”
“Most will agree that the sidewalk is in reasonably good condition,” Clawson added. “There are some areas of concern particularly in and around the portion which has been raised by tree roots, but nothing which would appear to require its removal and destruction.”
The letter, addressed to Townsell and Meadors, noted that the National Youth Administration, a part of the Work Progress Administration during the Great Depression, built the sidewalk.
“The NYA was a national program created to serve needy high school and college youths [through] work study projects at the school,” the letter added.
“As part of the New Deal, this in our opinion has a significant meaning for UCA which was the beneficiary of a great many WPA projects. Removal of this emblem of this nation’s effort to lift itself from catastrophic economic times would be a significant loss.”
City Attorney Mike Murphy, who joined historical society members in viewing the UCA sidewalk recently, said last week that it appeared the walkway fell within the 980-foot right-of-way.
“I am sure the city and UCA are going to work together on this and take into consideration what the Historical Society recommends,” Murphy added.
Indeed, the letter seemed to suggest a compromise.
“There is no reason it [the sidewalk] could not be leveled and repaired and if it is extended south toward Robins Street, the imprinted concrete could be used for that section,” Clawson wrote.
“A border of pavers or stamped concrete could be used to blend the section with the extension,” he added. “There must be any number of ways that this sidewalk can be saved and made compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.”
Clawson also offered a financial suggestion to UCA and the city, which have both faced budget problems.
“We would suggest that all avenues be explored for funding [through] the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program or possibly a grant from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resource Council,” Clawson wrote.
A North Little Rock man, Tommy Clement, said he was about 18 or 19 when he helped build the sidewalk in the late 1930s. “I wouldn’t fight either way,” he said, but “would like to see it saved.”
Arkansas, Pages 7 on 06/30/2010