OPINION

OPINION | REX NELSON: City on a roll

Construction on the $128 million expansion and renovation of the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock hasn't been slowed by the pandemic. The project, a public-private partnership, is receiving nationwide attention in architectural and construction circles. About $31 million of the money needed to complete the building is coming from the city of Little Rock thanks to a hotel tax revenue bond. The center is scheduled to open in early 2022.

A recent update at the website ArchDaily noted: "The original 1937 facade of the Museum of Fine Arts has been revealed as the new north entrance, and restoration work on the limestone facade will begin this fall. The concrete blossom roofline--a key element of the building's architecture--will create a connective axis through the building. To date, 2,700 cubic yards of concrete have been poured--much of it provided by Little Rock-based Bass Commercial Concrete.

"Construction on the steel structure for the two-story gallery and collections space is underway with steel sourced by WW/AFCO and C&F Steel Erectors. Inside the 1937 building, a new glass balcony marries the historic building into the contemporary design of the newer spaces. Glass for these balconies as well as for the glass-enclosed gathering space at the north entrance will be sourced by Glass Erectors Inc."

Victoria Ramirez, the Arkansas Arts Center executive director, told KUAR-FM: "People are looking for good news, and this is definitely a good news story. It's a tangible story, too. You knew when we started construction. People saw the demolition, and they saw a lot of the work that was being done. ... This is something that's tangible, and people can actually go by and see it."

Ramirez encouraged Arkansans to drive by MacArthur Park.

"They'll be able to see these enormous concrete slabs that comprise the new roofline, which is one of the signature aspects of the building's design," she said. "When Studio Gang designed the arts center, it was really that jagged roof that they saw as being the focal point of the design. When you drive by, you can see that it's starting to take shape. We're fortunate that everybody at the job site is staying safe. They're following the construction protocols that Nabholz and Pepper and Doyne--the three construction companies--have put together. ... There are so many unknowns in the world. But one thing we do know is the arts center is going to open, and it's going to be a place we all can be proud of."

Anthony Alleman, the project executive for Pepper Construction, called it "one of the largest and most complex projects I've directed due to the integration of a one-of-a-kind custom addition as well as extensive renovations of the existing buildings and integrating new mechanical systems throughout the facility. Our team shares the Arkansas Arts Center's commitment to hire local contractors to complete this historic project. Along with having an immediate impact on the local economy, it will attract people from throughout the region to visit Little Rock for decades to come."

While that massive project moves forward, so does an even bigger effort at the Port of Little Rock to build a regional fulfillment center for Amazon. That facility will employ more than 1,000 people. While it's a given that the economic boom will roll on in northwest Arkansas, many Arkansans have failed to notice that the capital city has been on a bit of a roll. Take, for example, the July 29 announcement that Fiocchi of America, the U.S. subsidiary of an Italian company, will move into an existing facility on 145th Street, invest $15 million and manufacture small-caliber ammunition.

"Fiocchi's decision to establish a new manufacturing location speaks volumes about our work force, logistical advantages and ease of doing business," said Mayor Frank Scott Jr.

Fiocchi's general manager pointed to the state's skilled labor force, its positive business climate and its location. Infrastructure was also part of the mix, according to Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde.

"Infrastructure investment is a top priority of mine, and manufacturers like Fiocchi choose to locate here because of our infrastructure," he said.

Though this facility is a few miles away, Little Rock's greatest assets in the years to come will be the Port of Little Rock and Clinton National Airport. That area is one where water, air, rail and ground transportation come together like few other places in the country. With Amazon taking the lead, Little Rock is positioned to become an important distribution hub.

Each quarter, ManPower Group, a work-force solutions company based in Milwaukee, produces an employment outlook survey to measure employers' intentions to increase or decrease the number of employees. The forecast has been produced for almost 55 years.

The forecast for this year's third quarter was the result of more than 7,700 interviews with employers. Participants were asked: "How do you anticipate total employment at your location to change in the three months to the end of September 2020 compared to the current quarter?"

Guess what? Of the 100 biggest metropolitan statistical areas in the country, the Little Rock MSA ranked second, trailing only Columbia, S.C. Formerly hot areas such as Dallas, Austin, Miami, Phoenix and Washington, D.C., expect a decrease in employment while central Arkansas employers expect gains.

"This ranking speaks to our city and central Arkansas' momentum," Scott said. "Our city and the region remain open for business amid a global pandemic."

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Senior Editor Rex Nelson's column appears regularly in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He's also the author of the Southern Fried blog at rexnelsonsouthernfried.com.

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