City Lab: Lake Village Presented by Greg Nabholz

Contributors Joey Dean – Metro Little Rock Alliance John Gaudin – Argenta Arts Foundation and Mid America Arts Alliance Frankie Gilliam – ASU Delta Center for Health Improvement Sarah Frith– Arkansas Center for Health Improvement Steve Luoni – University of Arkansas Community Design Center Chris Masingill – Delta Regional Authority Vanessa McKuin – Historic Presentation Alliance of Arkansas Heather Nelson – SEAL Corporation Bentley Story – Arkansas Economic Development Commission Zach Taylor – Arkansas Department of Agriculture Dr. Jennifer Connor with the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care

Background Location: Chicot County, Arkansas Officially Founded: 1840 Population: 2,570 Mayor: Joanne Bush

Previous Plans & Studies A Planning Study for Lake Village Chicot County, Arkansas – Univ. of Arkansas Community Design Center, 2003 Chicot County: A Community Leadership Perspective - County Judge Mack Ball Jr., 2008 Powering Rural Development: Chicot County, Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas & ASU Delta Center for Economic Development, 2009

Organizational Recommendations Establish a Regional Alliance focused on transportation related projects emphasizing water, rail, and trails. Chicot County Desha County Washington County, MS East Carroll Parish, LA Madison Parish, LA Establish a Main Street Arkansas program for Downtown Create a Residential Historic District Create a Central Business Improvement District Create an Arts District (same boundaries at CBID) Create a Community Development Corporation Communitywide Energy Retrofit Program

Development Project Recommendations

Gateway Improvements New connector from Highway 65/82 to Downtown Lakeshore Drive at Highway 65/82

Public Mixed Use Facility Downtown Chamber of Commerce Southeast Arkansas Regional Library Entrepreneur Co-Work Space Conference Center Higher Education & Research Center (classrooms, labs) Guachoya Arts/Cultural Center (inc. Performance Hall, Black Box Theater) MOCCA Expansion Culinary Arts Facilities (inc. Community Kitchen) Farmers Market Pavilion with Greenhouse Marina Outdoor Amphitheater Improvements

Regional Trail System Lake Chicot (State Park, County Park) Downtown City Parks Chicot Memorial Hospital Lakeside Public Schools Lakeport Plantation Greenville, MS Eudora, AR Dermott, AR

Marina & Transient Docks Lake Chicot Downtown Chicot County Park Lake Chicot State Park Southshore Cottages Arkansas Tourist Information Center Mississippi River Old River Highway 82 Bridge Area

Marina & Transient Dock Locations

Infill Improvement Projects Neighborhood Housing Developed around existing parks and targeting firefighters, police, and nursing professionals New location for Boys & Girls club to former ROTC building or former Lakeside School site Trail System to link all parks and neighborhoods Acquire Lake Village Athletic Club and turn into a community recreation center Integrate Community Gardens, Greenhouse within the parks and neighborhoods with the downtown Culinary Arts facility as the hub Agritourism opportunities created within the farmland that is between Highway 65/82 and Lakeshore Drive

Private Sector Projects New Hotel Downtown Recruit Local Restaurant(s) to Downtown Retail focused on local art, music, food (Italian Restaurant & Winery) Downtown Marina Retail Fishing & Tackle Shop Outfitters Boat Rental Restaurant Bike Store Artists Loft Housing Teachers Loft Housing Arkansas – Louisiana Railroad – Dining & Excursion Trips

Partners City of Lake Village Chicot County Lake Village Chamber of Commerce City of Lake Village Economic Development Lakeside School District ASU - Lakeport Plantation SE Arkansas Economic Development District Southeast Arkansas Cornerstone Coalition Chicot Memorial Hospital Southeast Arkansas Community Foundation UA – Monticello UA – Pine Bluff Delta Regional Authority Arkansas – Louisiana Railroad

Funding Opportunities Existing City & County Revenue Operational Efficiencies Dedicated Property Tax Millage A&P Tax Revenue New Market Tax Credits Historic Tax Credits Central Business Improvement District State & Federal Grants Revenue Bond Proceeds Private Investment Charitable Contributions

Next Steps - Implementation