About

Argenta Downtown Council Board of Directors

John Crow, Chairman

107 Liquor

Allen Engstrom, Vice Chairman

CFO Network

Holly Fish, Secretary

EGP, LLC

Kyle Pitts, Treasurer

Ifrah Financial Services

James Alger

Delta Trust

Eddie Armstrong

Arkansas State Representative

Jeff Baskin

Laman Library

Louis France

Reno’s Argenta Café

John Gaudin

Argenta Wealth Management

Harry Hamlin

Mitchell Williams Law

Fletcher Hanson

Grubb & Ellis

Bob Hardin

Hardin & Grace, PA

Charlie Hart

Resident

Ashley Hight

NLR Chamber of Commerce

Jane Johnson

DFI Architectural Signs

Michelle Ketzscher

Ketz Gallery

Paul Leopoulos

Thea Foundation

Tom Marr

Dept. of Arkansas Heritage

Greg Nabholz

Sperry Van Ness-Nabholz Properties

Larry Pennington

Pennington Studio/Claytime Pottery

Dr. Kathleen Rea

Regeneration Fitness

Christian Shuffield

Argenta Farmers Market

Bob Stroud

Foundation Pro

 

Argenta, the historic heart of downtown North Little Rock, is a vibrant and desirable community, valued as a Regional destination and recognized as a dynamic and progressive City Center.

The Argenta Downtown Council, founded in 2007 by local business and property owners, is committed to providing an environment for economic development to occur and to support the local business in the Argenta Arts District. The organization is recognized as a leader, advocate and resource in assuring that downtown is a safe, clean, green and vital place.

ADC Programs

Safe: The Public Safety Ambassador Program assists in creating a secure, well-managed and welcoming environment to everyone who visits Argenta.

Clean: The Clean Team Ambassador program helps provide a clean, well managed and welcoming environment to property owners, residents, guests and visitors of Argenta.

Green: The Green Team Ambassador program is responsible for improving the landscaping and annual color in the downtown area. 140 flower pots, 40 hanging baskets and 35 colorful beds are seasonally planted along Argentas unique streetscape.

Sustainable: The Argenta Downtown Council and its members support sustainability through the Argenta Farmers Market. The ADC contributes facilities and funding to promote and grow the healthy local foods market, a new concept in Central Arkansas.

The ADC served as ambassador to the Argenta District Master Plan adopted by the City of North Little Rock. The ADC worked with all the stakeholders and property owners to make a plan which is not only beautiful but also can realistically be developed. The plan includes retail and office with a strong emphasis on increasing residents and filling in empty spaces.

In the last five years there has been over 200 million dollars in new or announced private and public investment, events have increased 200%, restaurant taxes increased 36% and hotel taxes 58%.

In Dec 2009, the NLR Advertising and Promotion Commission recognized the ADC for their efforts and dedication in developing North Little Rock’s Tourism Industry. In 2011 the ADC was awarded the Arkansas Parks & Tourism Henry Awards – Bootstrap Award.

In 2009 over 70% of property owners within a designated district voted to establish a Central Business Improvement District and to assess themselves to support the Argenta Downtown Council programs of Clean, Green and Safe. Click here to view the Central Business Improvement District.

Argenta Downtown Council – Public Safety Ambassadors

Position Title:    Public Safety Ambassador (PSA)

Objective:

The overall mission of the Public Safety Ambassador program is to assist in creating a secure, well-managed and welcoming environment to all parties who frequent Downtown North Little Rock (Argenta), including but not limited to: tourists, business people, and local and regional residents.

Under direct supervision, Public Safety Ambassadors will serve as the eyes and ears of the North Little Rock Police, Public Works, Planning, and Codes Departments, Historic District Commission, City Administration, Argenta Clean Team Ambassadors and will serve as public ambassadors of the Argenta Downtown Council. PSAs will patrol specified areas, thereby providing a visible uniformed presence to observe and report street disorder. PSAs will also serve as sources of information to the public, police officers, local businesses, tenants, and other agencies and organizations.

Examples of Job Duties:

1.     Patrol designated area(s) on foot as “eyes and ears” of the North Little Rock Police Department, communicating crimes and disturbances via 2-way radio.

2.     Serve as goodwill ambassadors, information sources and positive welcoming advocates for Argenta

3.     Assist with first aid and emergency situations.

4.     Communicate Argenta’s resources, sites of interest and current entertainment, to assist shoppers and visitors throughout Argenta Downtown Council’s Service Area.

5.     Interact with Argenta business representatives and tenants for communications and support including periodically serving as a night-time escort for employees on their way to their vehicles.

6.     Support the North Little Rock Police, Public Works, Planning, and Codes Departments, Historic District Commission, City Administration, and Argenta Clean Team Ambassadors.

7.     Represent the Argenta Downtown Council and the Public Safety Ambassador program in a profession al manner at meetings and special events.

8.     Complete daily activity reports and other assignments as specified by supervisor.

9.     Work on special assignments, both individually and with others.

Qualifications:

1.     Minimum of High School diploma or GED

2.     Related experience in the following fields including Hospitality, Marketing, Public Relations, Public Safety, Security or combination of experience and education.

3.     Minimum age of 18 years.

4.     Excellent interpersonal skills and good physical condition.

5.     Demonstrated experience with public contact positions.

6.     Willing and able to walk and stand outdoors in extremes of climate for an eight hour shift while carrying approximately ten pounds of equipment.

7.     Willingness to wear specified uniform and to maintain a neat, professional appearance.

8.     Ability to work day and evening shifts, weekends and holidays.  The equivalent of a 40 hour week with occasional overtime.

9.     Ability to work well with others and support the Argenta Downtown Council in a wide variety of activities. Must be capable of following written and verbal directives.

10.   Stable work history.

11.   Valid driver’s license recommended but not required.

12.   Successfully pass pre-employment tests; including, controlled substance screening, background investigation and reference checks.

The PSA position starting salary will be $8.50 per hour, with a review and possible pay adjustment after 6 months.

Argenta Downtown Council Public Safety Ambassador – Summary Job Description

The overall mission of the Public Safety Ambassador program is to assist in creating a secure, well-managed and welcoming environment to all parties who frequent Downtown North Little Rock (Argenta), including but not limited to: tourists, business people, and local and regional residents.

Under direct supervision, Public Safety Ambassadors (PSA) will serve as public ambassadors of the Argenta Downtown Council (ADC) and as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the North Little Rock Police and other North Little Rock agencies.   PSAs will patrol specified areas, providing a visible uniformed presence to observe and report street disorder. PSAs will also serve as sources of information to the public, police officers, local businesses, tenants, and other agencies and organizations.

Examples of Part Time Job Duties:

• Willing to work day and evening shifts, overtime, and holidays (Minimum 20 hour work week);
• Willing and able to walk and stand outdoors in extremes of weather conditions for a6-8 hour shift while carrying approximately 10 lbs. of equipment;
• Ability to work a regular schedule;
• Capable of assisting the  Clean Team on a seasonal basis;
• Ability to work with others in a team and respect and accept supervisory guidance;
• Provide assistance with green team activities such as lifting pots, planting flowers, weeding, on a seasonal basis;
• Provide occasional assistance with activities related to festivals and events ;
• Able to communicate authority in a non threatening manner.

Qualifications:

• Clean, tidy, professional appearance;
• No criminal record;
• Education: High School Diploma preferred, GED may be acceptable;
• Physically able to lift 50 lbs.;
• Stable work history;
• Licensed to drive in the state of Arkansas, a good driving record, and reliable daily transportation.

Interested persons should request an application by email: info@argentadc.org.   Return the completed application to the Argenta Downtown Council, Attn: Don Chambers, General Manager, P.O. Box 5721, North Little Rock, Arkansas, 72119 for consideration.  This is an open solicitation to fill the position.  There is no deadline for applications.  The starting salary will be $8.50 per hour plus paid health insurance for qualifying persons.  Please direct all questions regarding the position to Don Chambers, ADC General Manager, 501-786-2324. The ADC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.