OPINION: REX NELSON: The stagnant city http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/may/09/the-stagnant-city-20...

Epaper Logged in as PAT RACOP Settings | Help | Logout

88°
Little Rock
Search ArkansasOnline

FOLLOW US:

Home News Obituaries Business Entertainment Sports Photos Videos Features Events Classifieds Jobs Homes Autos

Core Values Crime Right2Know Traffic Email Newsletters Archives News Tip Whole Hog Sports Arkansas Life Place an Ad
Arkansas Daily Deal
Wednesday, May 09, 2018, 4:33 p.m.
ADVERTISEMENT

Home / News / ADVERTISEMENT

OPINION

REX NELSON: The stagnant city

By Rex Nelson
This article was published today at 2:30 a.m. 1

Comments (11) Font Size

A week ago, I asked a question in this column: Do talented young people across the state still want
to move to Little Rock? Having grown up and attended college in Arkadelphia, I couldn't wait to
move to Little Rock at age 22 in 1981.

I travel this state a great deal to speak and gather column material. The subject of the state's
largest city--where I've lived since returning to Arkansas from Washington, D.C., in 1989--often
comes up. I can tell you that more and more people view Little Rock as a stagnant city, a place
that's simply unable to overcome its high crime rates and the problems with its public schools.

Those of us who work downtown have witnessed the amazing transformation that has taken place
in this neighborhood during the past two decades. With a few more pieces, downtown Little Rock
truly will be one of the most attractive places in this part of the country for entrepreneurs to live
and work. But what's the perception out there? Are the best and brightest across Arkansas still
excited to move to the capital city once they finish college?

"The answer in my view is a resounding no," wrote one reader. "My son is a senior at Arkansas State.
He wants to stay in Jonesboro when he graduates and is already trying to find a job there. His
second choice is Northwest Arkansas. He uses words like 'energy' and 'attitude' to describe those
areas. It's hard to clearly define what makes those areas different. But as Justice Potter Stewart
once said about obscenity, 'I know it when I see it.' My son equates Little Rock with crime,
regression and unimaginative leadership. There's no vision. Even when they try, they fail. ... The
capital city should be more. It should be a place where young, wide-eyed professionals want to be.
It's just not."
MOST POPULAR
My thoughts about Little Rock were spurred by the recent suspension of operations at the Arkansas
Repertory Theatre. That announcement fueled the perception on the part of many across this state
Recommended Viewed Commented
that Little Rock is a city in decline. One veteran educator wrote to say that he has "fought the urge
to make the budget work by eliminating theater, art and music programs simply because they're
indicators that we're indeed a civilized society. Without a soaring trajectory for the heart, the soul
will never follow."

By all means, let's save The Rep. Let's also use its crisis as the launching pad for a conversation
about the trajectory of the city. Arkansans in all 75 counties do better when the capital city is
doing well. To paraphrase an old saying, "When Little Rock sneezes, Arkansas catches a cold." That
remains true despite the economic boom in Northwest Arkansas. With large parts of south and east
Arkansas bleeding population, we simply must have both Northwest Arkansas and the Little Rock
metropolitan area doing well.

Looking at the comments posted on this newspaper's website after last week's column ran, there
was what I call the standard "angry old west Little Rock white man" response. It said that I have the
JOHN BRUMMETT: Target in sight
same "myopic view that has helped make this city what it is today." Let me state for the record

1 of 5 5/9/2018, 4:35 PM
OPINION: REX NELSON: The stagnant city http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/may/09/the-stagnant-city-20...

that I'm a lot closer to age 60 than I am 50. I live as far west in Little Rock as you can get. Yet I
PAUL GREENBERG: Arkansas walks
understand that the future of the city will be defined by its ability to attract talented people. And
the line
folks with talent increasingly want the urban vibe that can only be found downtown. Leaders of the
past can whine all they want while drinking at the big round tables in the men's grill at their
country clubs. They would be better served by understanding what the leaders of the future desire.
REX NELSON: Marking an anniversary

I've not made a decision who I'll vote for in what's shaping up to be a heated race for mayor of
Little Rock. Yet I'm hopeful that it will spur this needed discussion. Given the current situation, it's
among the most important political races in the state's history. Yes, you read that correctly--the
state's history. Bernie's big dumb idea

My favorite piece of correspondence came from a recent graduate of the MBA program at the
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. This person grew up in a town of about 10,000 people an
hour from Little Rock. Here's part of what he had to say: "I never saw myself living in Little Rock in
any version of my future. ... I fell into the 'Northwest Arkansas is superior to the 501' trap in my
SHOPPING
formative, early college days. I wanted nothing more than to live in Fayetteville for the rest of my
life. However, as I began spending more time in the capital city because of my significant other, I Arkansas Daily Deal
began to see things differently. As it never fails to do, traveling to a place and spending time with Take the Family to an Arkansas
its people have a way of sharpening perspectives. Travelers Ballgame for Only $16!
Up to $16 off
"The drives I took showed me that Little Rock has slices of prestige and wealth with staying power. See more Deals
My time spent at restaurants in Riverdale and downtown showed me Little Rock's food scene is
Autos
second to none in the state (although Bentonville is encroaching). Having coffee and drinks in the
2017 Dodge Grand Caravan GT
Heights and Hillcrest showed me there are bright young people who crave millennial amenities."
$22,875; 15077
Parker Lexus
So what's needed? This 25-year-old wrote: "More restaurants, more coffee shops, more breweries,
Search more vehicles
more juice shops, more bike trails, more urban domiciles, more farmers markets. And above all
else a feeling of safety so we can enjoy these places. There aren't many people my age who believe Real Estate
that Little Rock has much of this. That perception desperately needs to change. I love this state 1515 Rockwater Lane North Little
with all my heart. I crave an improved national perception because I've seen the bright minds this Rock, $795,000
3811 square feet
state produces."
View more homes

------------v------------

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.

Editorial on 05/09/2018

Print Headline: The stagnant city

SPONSOR CONTENT

The Surprising Reason Your Teeth Aren’t

White
BY PRONAMEL

Tweet

ADVERTISEMENT

More Columnists*
PAUL GREENBERG: Arkansas walks the line
REX NELSON: The stagnant city
Diverse board's impactful decision coming
Peppery stir-fry recipe a keeper
Red, white, rose go well with pizza
DEAR ABBY: Daughter's declaration of love roc...
PHILIP MARTIN: Do you believe in magic?
MIKE MASTERSON: Here for the coaster
JOHN BRUMMETT: Target in sight
More Columnists* stories >

2 of 5 5/9/2018, 4:35 PM
OPINION: REX NELSON: The stagnant city http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/may/09/the-stagnant-city-20...

Comments on: REX NELSON: The stagnant city

To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online
managers. Read our Terms of Use policy.

Post a comment: PAT RACOP (screen name: Razrbak) Change your User information

Begin typing here...

Preview comment

BigA says... May 9, 2018 at 8:55 a.m.

My grandchildren aren't in school today... they told their parents, their teachers said "nothing is
going on at school today". So, their Mom and Dad aren't making them go to school today... There
are no Bibles in the rooms in the Holiday Inn West hotel; the hotel located near Arkansas Baptist
Hospital, the Arkansas Heart Hospital, a Behavioral Health Clinic, an Abortion Clinic, and the Little
Rock Funeral Home. Remove the expectation of personal growth, learning and hope from a city.
What do you expect to happen now and the future? The reason for stagnation and apathy is us.

( permalink | suggest removal )

doggod says... May 9, 2018 at 9:25 a.m.

Big A. What do bibles in a hotel have to do with personal growth or the state of Little Rock? Also,
many of us who live in the city are not stagnant or apathetic at all! We are working on ways to help
LR thrive and to help outsiders see the city for what it is now, not 20 years ago. Check out SOMA,
River Market, Hillcrest, etc. There is a LOT going on. I hope we can save the REP and finally finish
up the endless construction on Main Street because good things are coming. One more thing: no
offence, but I do not believe your grandkids' teachers said any such thing. I know far too many
actual teachers to believe such nonsense. And if they are not in school, there is something
profoundly wrong with the parents.

( permalink | suggest removal )

HenryP says... May 9, 2018 at 9:45 a.m.

What's needed? New leadership will help.....

( permalink | suggest removal )

TravisBickle says... May 9, 2018 at 9:52 a.m.

Being the fourth most dangerous city in the nation doesn't help.

( permalink | suggest removal )

Dontsufferfools says... May 9, 2018 at 10:03 a.m.

I thought Rex was the traveling barbecue joint reviewer for the state, why is he raging at Little
Rock with this city is too violent, the schools can't teach, and the good folks are scared and moving
to Cabot screed. Heard it before, Rex, you're late to the party. You want to break the poverty cycle
that that's feeding the gangs, petty crime and sapping the schools, it's going to take an effort that
Rex and his GOP cronies aren't really interested in. The governor, which the newspaper just
endorsed, is more interested in $100 million tax cuts than starting a difference-making policy
revolution.

( permalink | suggest removal )

GeneralMac says... May 9, 2018 at 10:04 a.m.

Many people, young and old, will want to learn a little about a city they are considering moving to.
Many will type in.........Little Rock Arkansas..detailed profile.
Here is what they will discover....
population.......198,546
median household income. LR..........$45,605
median household income ar.....$44,334
median price of home LR.........$161,000

3 of 5 5/9/2018, 4:35 PM
OPINION: REX NELSON: The stagnant city http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/may/09/the-stagnant-city-20...

median price of home AR.........$123,000

% of Blacks.........42%
crime rate.........United States ..281
crime rate........Little Rock......748
If young people can choose anywhere to move to, will those statistics impress them or disappoint them ?

( permalink | suggest removal )

GeneralMac says... May 9, 2018 at 10:09 a.m.

Little Rock has a lot of similarity to Birmingham Alabama and Jackson MS.
All 3 are in the south, similar in population have lots of crime, and a DEMOCRAT as mayor.

( permalink | suggest removal )

PopMom says... May 9, 2018 at 11:25 a.m.

Young single people may care more about bike paths and cool looking bars and restaurants. Once
they get married and have kids, they are looking at crime levels and quality of schools. Bloomberg
knew that those were the two most important factors in fixing New York. Improve the schools and
crack down on crime. Make the kids go to school and stop and frisk them and throw them into jail if
they don't.

( permalink | suggest removal )

BigA says... May 9, 2018 at 11:49 a.m.

Doggod. For a self-proclaimed poet, I can’t believe you can’t read between the lines… You asked,
“What do bibles in a hotel have to do with personal growth or the state of Little Rock?” My answer:
The Bible is all about personal growth; it is the instructions for living well… a gift from God.
Removing them from rooms are the acts of people whose goal is to remove hope and the ideas that
promote working for something bigger and more important than ourselves.
You want to save the REP; start in the lobby. The last time I was there I found “art” so vulgar and
offensive I never went back and never took my children there… although they have visited many
other theaters, some, unfortunately, just as bad. If the REP thinks it’s audience is impressed by
vulgar and offensive language, then that is the audience they should expect their support from…
The REP is located in a large city in the BIBLE belt… my experience and education is all about
business and leadership. If I were lining up shows, the shows would cater to the folks, with money,
that live here. They would be shows that these same people could unapologetically tell their
friends about; especially in church.
There is no offence taken… I know how my kids were raised and I know the teachers did not say
anything like what was reported to me… I have a wife that is a teacher… some of my kids are public
school teachers. The problem isn’t with the kids. It is the expectation the kids have about school.
The expectation that “what they can learn EACH DAY is important” is broken. It is the responsibility
of the parents and the teachers to change our school policies and attitudes that do not enhance the
expectation of learning each day, in every grade and every classroom for every child. Hence the
problem is us.

( permalink | suggest removal )

drs01 says... May 9, 2018 at 12:20 p.m.

Now you want young folks to choose Little Rock as their place to live. You cite our revitalized
downtown as the magnet to attract them. But you ignore the major reason we ARE a stagnant city.
Our school system has done more to drive people OUT of this city and will keep them from coming
back. Our school system is the reason we have no private industry growth. There has to be more to
a city than bars, bike trails, restaurants. For over twenty years our so-called city leadership of
retread politicians have ignored the problems at the LRSD and watched them waste away over $1
billion.
Fix the schools and you fix crime, attract private businesses and remove that stagnant label we
have so richly earned over the years.

( permalink | suggest removal )

PAGES 1 next >>

To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online
managers. Read our Terms of Use policy.

ADVERTISEMENT

4 of 5 5/9/2018, 4:35 PM
OPINION: REX NELSON: The stagnant city http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/may/09/the-stagnant-city-20...

Home News Obituaries Business Entertainment Photos Videos Features Events Classifieds Jobs Real Estate Autos Daily Deal

NEWS SPORTS FEATURES cont. WEB EXTRAS cont. CONTACT cont. PUBLICATIONS

Today's Newspaper Arkansas Sports Style Videos Advertising Tri Lakes

Arkansas Whole Hog - Razorbacks Music Photo Galleries Newspaper Staff Three Rivers
Obituaries Preps Family FixIt Pothole Map Website Staff River Valley & Ozark
Opinion / Letters Recruiting Guy Blog Food War Casualties Terms of Use Arkansas Life
National LR Marathon Dining Out Democrat-Gazette Special Sections
SUBMIT
Politics College sports galleries Find a Restaurant History CLASSIFIEDS
Elections Preps sports galleries Television Facebook News Tip
World AP Sports Event or Meeting Classifieds
Travel Twitter
Religion College Football High Profile Letter to the Editor Jobs
CONTACT
Offbeat NFL Weddings/Engagements Honor/Achievement Real Estate
Sister Papers NBA FAQ/Contact Us Wedding/Anniversary Auto
WEB EXTRAS Jobs with Us
Weather MLB Forgotten Password?
PROMOTIONS
Print Edition PGA Email Newsletters Subscriber Help ADVERTISING
Special Offer Emails Newspaper Delivery Democrat-Gazette Store
BUSINESS NASCAR
Bridal Show Advertise with us
Tennis Right2Know Corporate
Business Databases Capture Arkansas
FEATURES Spelling Bee
Business wire Documents
Tech wire Events Calendar Archives
Arkansas stocks Event Photos Statement of core values
Markets

Copyright © 2018, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc.

All rights reserved.
This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc.

Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2018, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast,
rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The AP will not be
held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. All rights reserved.

5 of 5 5/9/2018, 4:35 PM