Several cities in Arkansas have seen new attractions and development.
In Little Rock, the historic Robinson Center is six months into a $70 million renovation that will retain the outer façade but have a whole new look inside, according to John Mayner, vice president of the Little Rock CVB.
“There will be a new ballroom and meeting space on the back which will overlook the Arkansas River,” he says. “They are also dropping the stage for better acoustics and wrapping the walls with box seating.”
In addition, the adjacent Doubletree Hotel Little Rock is undergoing a $5.5 million renovation and will be physically connected to the Robinson Center when complete. A soft opening of the Robinson Center is expected in the fall, with the grand opening slated for late 2016. Little Rock will also see a new Homewood Suites and Aloft Hotel opening next year. The Aloft will offer 4,000 square feet of meeting space, a restaurant and a rooftop pool.
This summer, the new Amazeum will open near the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. The family-friendly museum will have approximately 50,000 square feet of exhibit, meeting and learning spaces inside, and an acre of ground space outside for seasonal experiments and events. Also coming to town this May is the new Bentonville Film Festival which will specialize in women and diversity in film. Launched by actress Geena Davis, the festival’s board of advisors includes Shonda Rhimes, Angela Bassett, Samuel L. Jackson and Natalie Portman, among many others.
In Fort Smith, ground recently broke on the new U.S. Marshals Museum. A completion date has not yet been set. Another new attraction, The Parrot Island Waterpark, will open this May at Ben Geren Regional Park in Fort Smith and will offer facilities for corporate picnics and group outings.
