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Inspector tells Little Rock board a downtown commercial building is unsafe; neighborhood urges demolition
Summary
Permit reviewer Mister Whitener told the board a commercial property is structurally compromised—missing insulation, likely knob‑and‑tube wiring, rotten framing and failed roof—and staff refused to issue a permit until a full engineering renovation plan is provided; a neighborhood representative urged demolition so new homes can replace the blighted site.
At the May 26 agenda‑setting meeting, the City of Little Rock Board of Directors heard a staff presentation on a derelict commercial property that is the subject of a permit hold.
Mister Whitener, the staff member who reviewed the file, said he took over the case less than a year ago and inspected the interior for the first time. He said the structure had significant deterioration: no insulation, likely knob‑and‑tube wiring, failing roof, cracked stucco with water‑wicking and rot, broken windows and inadequate ADA facilities. "This thing is in a lot worse shape than siding is gonna fix," Whitener said, explaining he declined to issue a permit and asked for a fuller plan, including structural, mechanical and electrical engineering.
Director Miller questioned whether any engineer‑prepared plans had been submitted; staff confirmed the only plan on file was a short three‑paragraph submission dated April 27 that appeared after the 90‑day period the board had previously given the applicant. Miller noted that the limited plan did not address electrical, foundation or ADA issues and that the department had not issued permits for that reason.
A neighborhood association representative urged the board to remove the blighted structure to improve the streetscape, saying new homes nearby made demolition appropriate. Board members thanked Whitener for his work and said staff will require a complete plan before any permit is issued.
Outcome: staff did not issue a permit and asked the applicant for a complete renovation plan with engineering details; the neighborhood asked the board to pursue demolition if the property cannot be made safe.
