North Main Street area focus of revitalization plans

Over the years, many people have worked in and around the area, and steps towards the revitalization have been ongoing. The areas of focus will center on a large open space near the North Main Street parking lot, officials said.

"Not as many people frequent North Main Street as they do Spring Street, and we want to change it that and turn Main Street into a destination area," said Glenna Booth, economic development coordinator with the Historic District Committee. "We also want to remind people that all of Eureka has something to offer them."

The Eureka Springs Downtown Network will be adopting all of the gardens located on North Main Street because of limited attention from Public Works, officials said.

"Budget cuts within Public Works have cut what workers can do throughout town," said Jacqueline Wolven, executive director of ESDN, a Main Street Arkansas organization. "There isn't enough manpower to take care of all the gardens, so weeding, planting and pruning will now be up to the Downtown Network."

The Mayor's Arts Council and Community Development Partnership will present plans for a Musical Sculpture Park. The park has been funded by the Arkansas Arts Council and is the creation of artist Ranaga Fabiarz.

The park sculptures will double as giant instruments that can be hand-played by visitors, Booth added.

The Historic District Committee invites the public to hear about the project plans, ask questions, volunteer and propose their own ideas toward the revitalization at a meeting on Thursday, Aug. 9 at 5:30 p.m., at the Writer's Colony.

Brief presentations will be made by Pat Lujan, Eureka Springs Downtown Network and Eureka Springs Preservation Society regarding the garden project and new benches for the area.

Bruce Levine will also give an update on the proposed in-town trail, which passes through the Main Street district.

Refreshments will be provided at the meeting. For more information, contact Glenna Booth, 479-253-9703.