Hot Springs board tables proposal to remove Church Street lot from short-term use after nonprofits and residents object

The Hot Springs Board of Directors voted to table Ordinance O-26-10, which would remove the Church Street parking lot from the city's short-term facility use policy and restore it to primary parking function.

Deputy City Manager Lance Spicer briefed the board on the lot's history and use, noting the city received the lot from the convention/visitors bureau in 2022, invested in paving and improvements, and had recently reclassified some downtown spaces to unregulated parking. Spicer said the Community Resource Center at 109 Hopson and other city facilities are available alternatives for social-service activities.

Nonprofit volunteers and service providers urged the board not to displace monthly resource distribution and food outreach that occurs at Church Street. Janice Davis of the Giving Team said the lot supports 20'25 vendors and local partner agencies that provide food, health screenings and other basic services; she described cases in which on-site help connected people to emergency medical care. "These people aren't leaving trash. They're not an eyesore. They're people," Davis told the board.

Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Harrison and other business representatives said the lot is the primary entrance to downtown, noted parking pressure for convention events and asked the city to find an alternative site. Board members emphasized the need to balance downtown parking with continuity of services and requested more time for stakeholder meetings and transition planning.

The board approved a motion to table the ordinance to May 5, 2026 and instructed staff to convene nonprofits, Convention & Visitors Bureau representatives, downtown businesses and transit operators to identify options that keep services accessible while protecting parking for events and employees.

Next steps: staff will arrange stakeholder meetings and return recommendations prior to May 5.