$22 million Main Street redevelopment project dedicated

A $22 million redevelopment of a historic structure on Little Rock’s Main Street was formally dedicated Thursday, the latest effort in an ongoing process to revitalize the once active downtown stretch. The Mann on Main project in the former Blass Department Store at Fourth and Main streets was opened during a ceremony that featured Gov. Mike Beebe and Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, who both stressed the importance of bringing life back to the once-thriving area. It’s been plagued in more recent years by vacant structures and boarded-up windows. “Main Street was and is the most important street in the state of Arkansas,” Stodola said. “It’s a crossroads to the capital. It’s the crossroads to the river. It’s the crossroads to the excitement and activity that downtowns bring to a community.” Beebe called the downtown area “the front door to our state” and stressed how important it is as a reflection of all of Arkansas. Click here to read the full article from Arkansas Online: $22 million Main Street redevelopment project dedicated