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 $32,000,000 reinvested directly into our community,” the host said, and officials tied that revenue to renovations and new construction.

An unidentified speaker cited local economic results for 2025: “In 2025 alone, we created 600 new jobs,” and asserted about $670,000,000 in capital investment into North Little Rock that year. City leaders and the mayor said those investments supported improvements to fire stations, community centers, parks, public‑safety equipment and critical infrastructure.

Development and neighborhood growth
Developers and business owners discussed growth around the Arena District and Argenta. Greg described a mixed‑use development that includes a 96‑room hotel, restaurant and bar concepts and proximity to the new event center, saying the project aims to bring more people to live and work downtown. Local retail openings mentioned included Edwards Food Giant and HomeGoods; one business owner credited the entertainment district’s outdoor dining and events with higher foot traffic.

Public‑safety facilities
Fire and police representatives described improved facilities funded by the sales tax. Chief Tucker described the city’s new 24,500‑square‑foot fire station, saying it includes 14 individual bedrooms, five drive‑through engine bays and expanded staff offices and is roughly 6,500 square feet larger than the department’s previous station. “This is our fourth new fire station due to the tax, and we’ve renovated the other seven fire stations due to the tax,” Chief Tucker said.

Shay, speaking for the North Little Rock Police Department, said the department wants to be known beyond enforcement and described officers’ community engagement and the morale benefits of the improved facility: “When you come to work and you come to a building like this … it’s awesome.”

Community and recreation
Representatives of the Special Olympics and local residents described the city’s recreational facilities and programs. A tennis participant credited the junior program and indoor courts at Burns Park with helping athletes progress and compete regionally; she said about 100 kids participate in the junior program. Other speakers described improved accessibility at parks and community centers and said the renovated facilities bring daily users and volunteers together.

Mayor’s summary and next steps
In closing remarks identified in the program as coming from Mayor Hartwick, the mayor thanked council members and residents, credited the half‑cent sales tax (passed in 2023) for projects including a splash pad, renovations at Burns Park (including Fun Land, which was rebuilt after a tornado), renovated community centers and street and drainage work, and said he looks forward to the city’s future. The Event Center is expected to open in early 2026; city officials said additional development in Argenta and the Arena District will continue to be promoted.

What’s not decided or verified here: speakers made investment and job‑creation claims (for example, figures for capital investment and jobs in 2025) that were asserted at the event and were not independently verified during the program.