LR partnership's chief ready to start

Special to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - 03/20/2015 - Gabe Holmstrom - New Executive Director for Downtown Little Rock Partnership
Special to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - 03/20/2015 - Gabe Holmstrom - New Executive Director for Downtown Little Rock Partnership

Gabe Holmstrom said he'll spend a lot of time in meetings over the first six months at his new job as executive director of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership. His No. 1 objective is to "get to know the players and board members and to learn the lay of the land."

Holmstrom starts April 6.

The nonprofit group works to strengthen downtown business, cultural, entertainment, recreational and residential communities. The goal is to enhance downtown Little Rock's image.

Holmstrom, 38, follows Sharon Priest, the previous executive director for 12 years and a former Little Rock mayor and two-time Arkansas secretary of state. Priest retired at the end of January.

"Obviously, I have big shoes to fill," Holmstrom said. "It's impossible to drive through downtown today and not see the remarkable change that occurred under her leadership."

Holmstrom said he knows downtown Little Rock has many different residential and commercial property owners and developers, all with varying views and opinions on the best ways to develop the area.

"As more and more people become involved and invest in downtown, there are more opinions and interests to balance," he said.

The Downtown Little Rock Partnership defines downtown as the area between the Arkansas River and West Roosevelt Road. The large patch includes the state Capitol area, City Center, Financial District, South Main, the Creative Corridor, River Market District, MacArthur Park Historic District, Pettaway Neighborhood, Governor's Mansion Historic District and Dunbar School Neighborhood and, east of Interstate 30, the Clinton Presidential Park and Hanger Hill.

Until January, when the General Assembly convened under a new governor, Holmstrom was chief of staff to the Arkansas House of Representatives. He resigned at the beginning of the current legislative session but still has commitments for consulting work with several legislators. Prior to that, he handled public affairs for one of the state's largest advertising and public relations firms, Little Rock-based Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods. He also logged a decade in state and federal government and politics.

Rett Tucker, a downtown partnership board member and developer -- both commercial and residential -- said Holmstrom's skills are well-matched to the objectives of the downtown partnership.

"We've always been a good cheerleader for downtown, but we've also been a catalyst to make things happen," Tucker said of the partnership. "And we think Gabe will fit into that role nicely."

The River Market District was first to come alive with one-of-a-kind eateries, coffee shops, boutiques and other retail. Activity is now spreading to the historic central business district and along Main Street.

"We'd like to see a healthy, vibrant downtown, with all the sections knitted together where people feel energy and life everywhere downtown, not just in one particular sector of downtown," Tucker said.

Holmstrom has a personal interest in seeing downtown grow and prosper. He's raising his family at a house on Louisiana Street where they've lived since 2011.

"There's something to be said for being able to go out to eat, see a show at the [Arkansas Repertory Theater] and then it taking only three minutes to get home," he said.

Said Ross Cranford of Cranford Co., a former colleague at Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods: "I've always half-jokingly referred to Gabe as the Mayor of Quapaw Quarter, and now he's expanding his domain."

"He really brings people together from all across the board," said Cranford, a member of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership board. "He has a real knack for getting people to work together from different points of view."

Holmstrom wouldn't say much about his plans beyond the first six months, but he is committed to expanding on the excitement surrounding the Main Street Food Truck Festival. This year's festival is set for Oct. 3.

"That needs to be captured and built on," he said.

Business on 03/24/2015

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