North Little Rock previews 31,000‑sq‑ft event center and credits half‑cent sales tax for public‑safety upgrades

North Little Rock officials and local residents used a city event to outline new development and improvements, showcasing a 31,000‑square‑foot Event Center expected to open in early 2026 and citing billions in recent local investment and tax‑funded public‑safety upgrades.

The Event Center will include a ballroom, pre‑function area and a prep kitchen and is expected to seat about 1,000 for dinner or host up to 1,500 for shows, the host said. “I’m standing here in front of the future North Little Rock Event Center, a 31,000 square foot facility expected to be open in early 2026,” the host said.

Why it matters: speakers said the center and surrounding projects are part of an effort to attract more visitors and residents to the Arena District and Argenta neighborhood, boost the local economy and create a walkable mixed‑use district across the river.

City funding and recent investment City officials credited a half‑cent sales tax extension for a range of recent projects. “Over the last 3 years, the half cent sales tax has generated…