Railroad overpass now open to traffic
Traffic began traveling on the new East McCain overpass on Friday, with a dedication ceremony for the official opening of the long-awaited project set for 11 a.m. Tuesday, North Little Rock spokesman Nathan Hamilton said.
The $10.17 million project eliminated an at-grade railroad crossing and replaced it with a bridge over the tracks where East McCain Boulevard becomes Fairfax Drive. The intention was to reduce traffic delays caused by trains at the railroad crossing and to eliminate the risk of vehicle-train collisions.
The improved traffic connection also could open up developmental possibilities east of the tracks, city officials have said. Fairfax Drive ends at Arkansas 161, which crosses Interstate 40 to the south.
Fairfax Drive was closed at the crossing July 11, 2016. The original completion date for the overpass was Jan. 1, 2018, North Little Rock Chief Engineer Chris Wilbourn said last month.
North Little Rock's share of the federal project was $2,034,691, according to the project bid accepted by the North Little Rock City Council in May 2016. The federal share from the U.S. Department of Transportation, distributed through the Arkansas Department of Transportation, was to be $8,138,763.
Commission backs budget plan for '18
In a special meeting Tuesday, the North Little Rock Advertising and Promotion Commission approved its 2018 budget of $7.71 million.
The budget is $471,206 higher than its 2017 budget.
It includes about $160,000 more in projected revenue from hotel room rentals with a new one-half percent lodging tax that takes effect Jan. 1.
The commission oversees the operations and finances of the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau, which includes the North Little Rock Visitors Center in Burns Park.
The commission doesn't receive any funds from the city budget.
The commission is funded from a portion of taxes collected on lodging rentals and prepared-food sales within the city. The city's Parks and Recreation Department receives the bulk of that tax money.
The commission's budget includes 3 percent raises for Convention and Visitors Bureau staff members, Executive Director Bob Major told the commission, with no objections from commissioners.
A 3 percent pay increase is also included for Major, he said, raising his annual salary to $82,915.
The commission usually gives an annual evaluation of its executive director in January and approves the budget at that time.
The North Little Rock general fund budget of $66.58 million, approved by the City Council on Monday, didn't include across-the-board raises for city employees in 2018.
Fit 2 Live director gains $6,000 raise
Among the late additions to the approved North Little Rock general fund budget for 2018 was a $7,086 increase in the Fit 2 Live annual budget.
The biggest part of that increase is a $6,000 raise given to Fit 2 Live Director Isaac Henry for meeting goals set by Mayor Joe Smith when Henry was elevated to the position May 1, city Finance Director Karen Scott said. Henry's annual salary will increase from $44,000 to $50,000, Scott said.
Henry, 34, replaced Bernadette Rhodes, who became executive director of the Patrick Hays Senior Citizens Center. Before that, Henry had been special assistant to the mayor since February 2015.
Henry announced in October his intent to run for the state House of Representatives District 37 position in the May 22 Democratic primary.
Metro on 12/17/2017