02 Apr 2023 Downtown Conway still the place to be

Posted at 11:24 PMh in Features by

By Lori Dunn

The premiere edition of 501 LIFE Magazine was welcomed by businesses throughout Central Arkansas in May 2008, but no one was more excited than Main Street Conway. The first cover featured a nighttime photo of Front Street with the headline “Revitalized! New energy, excitement in Downtown Conway.”

Conway Downtown Partnership Board Chairman George Covington ( from left) and Executive Director T. J. Johnston stand at the corner of Oak and Chestnut streets in 2008.

Inside, two articles and several pages of photos highlighted the passion that two Conway Downtown Partnership (CDP) leaders had for revitalizing the area that was once the center of commerce. But 15 years ago, then Board Chairman George Covington and Director T.J. Johnston were working tirelessly to entice businesses back downtown. Between 2001 and 2008, $1.75 million in public funds and about $40 million in private investments were secured, and the heart of the community was revived.

Current CDP Executive Director Kim Williams still embraces Covington’s belief that downtown is the heart of the community. “It’s about quality of place,” Williams said. “A healthy downtown helps make a healthy city, and both of those things help quality of life in the area.”

CDP Board Chair Pete Tanguay agrees with Williams. “And when the heart is healthy, the body is healthy,” he said.

CDP was formed in 2001 by a group of citizens from the business and civic community who were determined to keep downtown from heading in the wrong direction. The nonprofit is part of Main Street Arkansas and Main Street USA. One of the partnership’s first initiatives was to create a master plan for the city’s urban core, and in 2002, Conway 2015: A Vision for Success was formally adopted by the city. The plan detailed critical ingredients needed to bring about change and provide a mixed-use, 24/7 environment.

Current Conway Downtown Partnership Board Chairman Pete Tanguay and Executive Director Kim Williams at the same location. Photos by Mike Kemp

“The city has been using that as a blueprint since,” Williams said. In the past 15 years, the amount of development downtown has almost quadrupled. Private investments have made a huge difference to downtown with old buildings being renovated for a second life. Williams also named sidewalk improvements, landscaping and period lighting as changes that enhance downtown locations.

“Each time they work on a street and make improvements, we see private investments pour in,” she said. “We are close to $90 million in public and private investments.”

Williams is starting her 14th year as executive director of CDP. Her dedication to improving downtown has been recognized by her peers across the state. Williams was named Main Street’s Executive Director of the Year for 2022 at the Arkansas Municipal League Winter Conference, a biannual event. “I am still reeling from that,” she said.

A goal mentioned in the May 2008 article was a growing interest in apartments downtown. A multi-story apartment building has been built, and several loft apartments were developed. Additionally, new restaurants in the area keep people downtown in the evening and create a more vibrant atmosphere.

In 2022, public and private investment downtown amounted to more than $20 million. This year, the focus will continue on growing and raising awareness about assets, investments and experiences, Williams said.

A sign greets visitors to Historic Downtown Conway.

Tanguay and Williams said that other organizations working toward the same goal have been a tremendous benefit, including the City of Conway, Conway Corporation, Conway Visitors Bureau, Conway Development Corp and Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. “We have so much momentum aligned with these organizations. It would not be half as effective if we did not work together,” Tanguay said.

The future is bright for downtown Conway, Williams said. She and Tanguay said the slogan “Your Place is Here” is more than words for them. It’s a passion for helping residents and businesses find their place and succeed.

CDP and its sister organizations plan to address more parking and living options. The group also dreams of bringing the Grand Theatre to fruition and expanding public and private art installations. All of the different pieces will help make downtown Conway the best it can be. “It helps set the table,” Williams said. “We can put one plate down but then add pieces that make the table even better. It’s got to be the combination of everything,” she said. For more information, visit downtownconway.org.