History of North Little Rock Historic District Commission

In 1991 downtown North Little Rock was considered a run down undesirable place to live or work.  Crime, gangs and neglect of property was at an all time high.  Many of the former single family homes in the downtown had been turned into rental units with no regard to the upkeep or condition of the properties.  A neighborhood organization, Boosters for a Better Downtown North Little Rock, turned to the city for help.  The city’s History Commission, realizing that the downtown is the historic core of North Little Rock, began an intensive architectural resources survey of 300 buildings in the downtown.  During this project, buildings and houses were photographed, architectural information recorded, and research on the history of each property was done.  With this information, the North Little Rock History Commission prepared a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places of the Argenta Historic District.  There was tremendous support for the historic district from the local neighborhood, city government and the National Park Service.  The Argenta Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 15, 1993.  This recognition of the history of the neighborhood gave a new light to living in downtown North Little Rock and suddenly residents were proudly saying “we live in the Argenta Historic District”.

Closely following listing on the National Register of Historic Places, the North Little Rock History Commission prepared “Design Guidelines for Rehabilitation and New Construction in the Argenta Historic District” and legislation to establish a local ordinance historic district.  By Arkansas Legislation, Chapter 172, 14-172-201, “Historic Districts Act,” a municipality can establish a historic district on the same boundaries as the National Register of Historic Places district, with authority to review changes to the exteriors of properties in that district.  A commission was appointed to oversee review of changes in the district and through the efforts of the city and the newly established North Little Rock Historic District Commission, the city passed Ordinance 6768 on December 27, 1993 providing review of all changes, demolition, and new construction in the Argenta Historic District. 

The North Little Rock Historic District Commission has overseen much change in the downtown and guided it to compliment the historic architecture of the neighborhood.  “Repair, don’t replace” is a mantra often used by the Commission.  North Little Rock incorporated a “Minimum Maintenance” clause in its historic district legislation and has been able to successfully enforce it to preserve buildings integral to the history of the city.

The Argenta Historic District was the first working class historic district to be listed on the National Register in Arkansas.  Representing the railroad roots of the city, many of the homes in the district were built for employees of the railroad.

Because of the energies and efforts of the city of North Little Rock in establishing the Argenta Historic District, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation chose downtown North Little Rock as their first Arkansas project.  From this organization the Argenta Community Development Corporation was formed in 1992.  Also as a result of the recognition of the history of downtown, North Little Rock was the largest Arkansas city to establish a Main Street program in 1994.