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Council approves roughly $3.6 million budget amendment for downtown conference center
Summary
The North Little Rock City Council approved Resolution R2558 amending the 2025 budget to add about $3.6 million toward a planned downtown conference center at 120 Main, bringing the project's city allocation to roughly $12 million, city staff said.
The North Little Rock City Council voted to adopt Resolution R2558, a budget amendment that adds about $3.6 million to the conference-center appropriation, city staff said at the meeting.
City finance staff told the council the amendment would add approximately $3,600,000 to the project and, combined with previously budgeted amounts, bring the city’s allocation for the conference center to roughly $12 million. Amber, a city staff member who presented the amendment, said the increase covers architects and construction-management costs and is intended to support the downtown project.
The amendment drew questions from council members about total project cost and location. Mayor Hartwick said the conference center will be “right here across where the city services used to be at 120 Main” and described the project as an investment intended to increase hotel stays, restaurant business and tax revenues downtown. A presenter who described contacts with the Chamber of Commerce said event organizers have told the city they need a 400-seat venue and the center is already receiving rental inquiries.
Amber said the $3.6 million amendment builds on earlier allocations, noting the city had about $3.0 million in the 2024 budget and $6.0 million in the 2025 budget for the project; she described the figure as an approximate total for the city’s planned commitment. Council members pressed for additional detail on construction oversight; Amber said the appropriation covers the architect and construction manager but she was not the project’s construction manager.
Council members voted in favor of the amendment on a roll call. On the motion: Council member Ross—Yes; Council member Hamilton—Yes; Council member Hart—Yes; Council member Robinson—Yes; Council member Baxter—Yes; Council member Harris—Yes; Council member Insilaco—Yes. The resolution passed.
City staff said the conference center will be managed as a downtown facility and that rental bookings are already under discussion; staff did not provide a final project completion date at the meeting.
