Mayor: Won't open senior center yet
North Little Rock is waiting for more details from the Arkansas Department of Health before opening the Patrick Hays Senior Center, Mayor Joe Smith announced during his weekly covid-19 briefing Friday.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Wednesday the move to the second phase of reopening that will further ease restrictions on businesses next week, allowing restaurants, bars, movie theaters and other businesses to fill more of their spaces with customers.
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Smith said he doesn't envision the center opening for another three to four weeks.
"Most of our patrons there are a little bit more vulnerable than others," he said.
Eateries urged to add outside dining
Mayor Joe Smith on Friday encouraged restaurants to create outdoor dining this summer as the city waives the requirement for zoning or planning permits for these projects.
Smith said the concept is to allow businesses to serve more customers while following Arkansas Department of Health covid-19 guidelines.
"We will worry about permits in the fall when this dies down a little bit," Smith said.
Smith initially announced this at Monday's City Council meeting during which council members also unanimously approved an ordinance to establish an entertainment district downtown as quickly as possible to help boost the economy during the pandemic.