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Argenta Riverfront.com

Little Rock Tops List of 10 Best Cities to Live in America!

4/17/2014

Several months ago, there was much buzz and fanfare here in the Natural State, when our fair city of Little Rock topped the Kiplinger List of the 10 Most Livable Cities in America. Every news media in Arkansas picked up the story, and I began to notice that other regional news outlets were covering the story, using the “Little Rock” slant as a geographical marker for a headline. Kiplinger let the Genie out of the bottle on a secret the natives have known forever--Little Rock is a great place to live, work and raise a family.

In case you're not familiar with Kiplinger, they're best known for their newsletter (The Kiplinger Newsletter), which circulates to subscribers interested in financial markets and investing. Widely accepted as a source of sound financial advice, Kiplinger is well-respected within the Investment Community. Their annual list of 10 Great Places To Live is defined by good jobs, reasonably priced homes, decent schools, great health care and manageable size. The spotlight was on cities with metro-area populations of less than 1 million. Statistically speaking, Little Rock has an unemployment rate below the national average (6.6% at the time of the article); Medial Home Value of $195,000, making it an extremely affordable housing market; Excellent Hospitals and Healthcare Per Capita, with UAMS, St. Vincent’s and Baptist; Decent Schools, with Little Rock Central High being cited as one of the top high schools in the country; and a modest but livable median income of $47,731.

Of course the beauty of our city’s “lovely setting in rolling hills between the Ouachita Mountains and the Arkansas River” definitely played in our favor, but most memorable is the fact that Little Rock is the center for all things happening in the Mid-South. Not only is it a key transportation hub, but we are becoming quite known for our tech companies, like Acxiom and HP. We’re the wheel's hub for politics, too. If you don’t believe me just ask Bill Clinton and Mike Huckabee.

Beyond all these “stuffed-shirt” statistical reasons why anyone would want to make Little Rock their home, are literally thousands of other reasons. There is so much to do here! From Riverfest to the Clinton Library, to the multitudes of museums, to camping, we have it all right here. And if you’re willing to travel 45 minutes in any direction, there’s even more to do, see, play and eat.

To see the original Kiplinger article in its entirety, follow this link:
10 Great Places to Live-Little Rock, AR

Argenta Trivia, Argenta History

4/9/2014

Those of us who live in Central Arkansas have heard of the “historic” Argenta neighborhood, but very few people can actually tell you how the neighborhood got its name. Moreover, Argenta has a colorful past, and has been a key piece geography politically, economically and therefore, historically for the residents of Little Rock and North Little Rock for more than a century. In this post we’d like to enlighten you on some Argenta trivia you’ve probably never heard before, and by the time we’re finished we hope you gain a greater appreciation for this wonderful neighborhood in North Little Rock.

We begin with the origin of the name. The land where Argenta sits was once owned by mining magnate Thomas Newton, and the area was named for the silver mines, which were at the old Kellogg Diggins on what is now Mine Road off Kellogg Acres Road, north of the actual Argenta neighborhood. Newton’s heirs named the property, which was originally platted in 1866, and the mines were the beginning of a bit of an economic boon to the area. Unfortunately, the mines flooded in the 1920’s and operations ceased, but not until 70 short tons of silver-lead concentrates were mined at the site, between 1840 and 1926.

It’s also a little known fact that before the coming of the railroads in the 1860’s, Argenta was little more than a sparsely-populated place on the north shore of the Arkansas river, directly across from Little Rock, and it operated primarily as a ferry crossing. There were three ferry businesses operated in the area, including one at the end of what is now Magnolia Street near the Old Junction Bridge across from the “little rock” and one at the end of Locust Street across from Little Rock’s Ferry Street. It all began as a terminal for overland and river traffic. Argenta was also a major junction along the Trail of Tears during the Indian Removal of the 1830s and 1840s.

It wasn’t until 1890 that Argenta was annexed by the City of Little Rock, without annexation, and to the vexation of many Argenta and North Little Rock businessmen. Although several attempts were made to overturn the annexation, none were successful.

However, in 1902, everything changed. That year North Little Rock had expanded its boundaries to include a 12 square-block area from 15th Street on the south to modern-day Pershing Boulevard on the north, and from Pike Avenue on the west to Olive Street on the east. NLR’s next move came during the legislative session of 1903 with the passage of the “Hoxie-Walnut” Ridge bill. The ruse was that the bill apparently concerned only a proposed merger of Hoxie and Walnut Ridge in Lawrence County. The Arkansas Supreme Court held on February 6, 1904, allowed any city or town within a mile of another one to annex all or part of the other, provided voters in the two territories approved. Arkansas Governor Jeff Davis signed the bill on March 16, 1903. By May of 1903, the required number of names had been gathered on petitions, which they presented to the North Little Rock Town Council on May 11, calling for the annexation of Argenta to North Little Rock. The council set an annexation election on July 21. Little Rock unsuccessfully sued to try to stop the election, but the Supreme Court refused to halt it.

From there it became a year-long battle between Little Rock, North Little Rock and those who wanted to give Argenta autonomy as its own city. In the end, Argenta won the fight, and the first Mayor was William Faucette, a North Little Rock businessman and entrepreneur who spearheaded the original efforts to incorporate Argenta by ingeniously taking advantage of the wording in the obscure “Hoxie-Walnut Ridge” bill. Faucette was also instrumental in negotiating with Little Rock and North Little Rock through the details of Argenta’s incorporation.

The Urbanization Of Retailers

4/2/2014

Last December, Walmart opened an 80,000-sq.-ft. store on the ground level of a four-story, 303-unit apartment building at 77 H Street in downtown Washington. It was the first Walmart of its kind. Could the world's largest retailer be ushering in a new era of urbanization, with retail returning to the streets of inner cities and downtown areas?

As reported in our March 25th post, one of the big predictions for commercial real estate is a move away from retail malls for retailers and commercial investors in suburban America. Part of this trend is due to the slow economic recovery, which has been a boon to discount and dollar store retailers. In a recent article for Crew Network, Faith Hope Consolo discusses various reasons for this expansion into urban America for discount retailers (see current trends in retail in north america), not the least of which are population density in urban areas, and the fact that the economic downturn left many urban Americans unable to shop beyond the necessities. In short, there are an abundance of customers who need these stores.

But even outside of big box discount stores, there is a rebirth of restaurants, boutiques and other retail establishments in new residential buildings which seem to sprout up everywhere there is available land to develop in downtown areas. Little Rock is no exception. Rivermarket Towers, Block 2 Lofts and 300 Third Tower are all located in Downtown Little Rock, within walking distance of ArgentaRiverfront. And of course the Argenta neighborhood of downtown North Little Rock has numerous new developments along the trolley line which is lined with retail establishments, as new to the neighborhood as Dickey-Stephens ballpark, home to the Arkansas Travelers.

The Revitalization of Downtown Little Rock's Rivermarket and Main Street District!

3/16/2014

Downtown Little Rock is vibrant and growing, fresh with new attractions, commerce, building, arts and revitalization. One of the most aggressive projects going on under the noses of Little Rock's citizens, but foremost on the minds of Commercial Real Estate developers, is the Main Street revitalization.

Bringing back residents to the Main Street corridor is a conscious strategy to this revitalization process. Beautification, additional retail, pedestrian and bicycle-friendly streets and paths--these are all major contributing factors weighing in on the positive growth of Downtown Little Rock and the Argenta neighborhood of North Little Rock.

This video has been created by Downtown Little Rock Partnership and Station X under the direction of Becky Falkowski (DLRP, PR & Communications Director) and describes the progress being made right now, and the passionate work taking place right now to make it all happen. It's A look at Downtown Little Rock revitalization as seen through the eyes of Little Rock's community leaders and developers.

The Perfect Piece of Property for a Commercial Real Estate Investment

3/9/2014

What are your qualifications for the Commercial Property you seek? What attributes does it need to possess in order to meet the criteria necessary to make it the perfect Real Estate for your company or your client?

What if your company is a small manufacturing facility in Central Arkansas which has outgrown the office, warehouse and manufacturing capacity of your current facility? You would obviously be looking for a piece of property which was reasonably priced, close to major streets and highways to make it easy to ship your goods. Since your site also contains the "corporate headquarters", you would want to choose a place where you're proud to bring customers and prospects. You'd also need a place desirable for your labor force.

What if, as a Commercial Real Estate Broker, your client is looking for a piece of property for a new hotel which caters to the burgeoning Little Rock travel/tourism trade. You would want an attractive property which is close to the action, picturesque and appealing to consumers. Riverfront property near Downtown Little Rock's main attractions certainly fits this bill.

Or suppose your client is a transportation firm needing a "port" along the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System to handle the offloading of cargo, for distribution to places via truck lines and railway? Wouldn't it be nice to find a property along the Arkansas River, centrally located in Downtown North Little Rock, which already contains a 100' Corps of Engineered Sheet-Piling Pier, which is 2 blocks from the intersection of Interstate 30 and Interstate 40, and only a mile from North Little Rock's Union Pacific rail yards?

ArgentaRiverfront.com meets all these criteria. Plus, it's priced to sell. See more on our Information Page, and come see why so many of your future neighbors have chosen this neighborhood to locate their businesses!

A Perfect "Port" Along the Arkansas River

2/22/2014

ArgentaRiverfront.com has actually been used as a port over the years. In fact, it was for this very reason that a 100-Foot Corp of Engineers Approved Sheet Piling Pier for Boat and/or Barge Traffic was first erected on the property.

Barge Traffic is still a huge part of moving goods and services across this great nation. The Arkansas River is part of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, which is our nation’s most inland waterway and is accessible to ocean commerce. Efficient and relatively inexpensive, barge traffic to move commodities of every kind keep our nation operating.

ArgentaRiverfront.com is already set up to be a great place for re-fueling, storage, a distribution center, or more. Over the years, ArgentaRiverfront.com has seen use as a port. Arkansas is the national hub and headquarters to many trucking firms, too: J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. of Lowell, Arkansas Best Corp. of Fort Smith, USA Truck Inc. of Van Buren, P.A.M. Transportation Inc. of Tontitown and Maverick USA Inc. of North Little Rock.

For more information on this property, contact John Martin at Moses-Tucker. (501)376-6555.

Great Resource--Commercial Real Estate Glossaries of Terms

2/17/2014

Commercial Real Estate Glossary

If you're an investor, or perhaps looking to purchase Commercial Real Estate, but you're somewhat unfamiliar with the industry nomenclature, what do you do?

There are many people who don't understand the "language" spoken by professionals in any industry. In Commercial Real Estate, the jargon can be a little baffling if you're a novice in this world. So, if you don't know your "tort" from a "CAM", we're here to provide you with a few excellent resources, to ramp up your Real Estate knowledge.

By simply Googling "Commercial Real Estate Glossary", you'll find a number of web sites which are, for the most part, associated with the Industry. One of those sites is CityFeet.com.
This site is a directory of listings for Commercial Real Estate all over the United States. However, they also have an outstanding Glossary of Terms link, too, which isn't bad.

Another great website is The Center For Commercial Real Estate (CFCRE). This site has an entire section devoted to Commercial Real Estate Leasing Definitions. The site itself is a wealth of knowledge, including tips, techniques and strategies for leasing commercial real estate, as well as comprehensive information about every critical aspect of the actual process itself.

Possibly the most comprehensive glossary we found was on a site called Investopedia.com. This site not only contains hundreds of Commercial Real Estate terms, but also even more general real estate definitions. Very all-inclusive.

And of course, now you have ArgentaRiverfront.com as an additional resource! We aim to please. If you really want to learn more about a great piece of investment property, check out our Info Page. If you'd like a tour of the property, call John Martin at Moses Tucker Real Estate at (501)376-6555.

Commercial Real Estate As An Investment--Now's The Time!

2/15/2014

"To my realtor, Chernobyl is a fixer-upper." -Yakov Smirnoff
Real Estate can be a very rewarding investment, but it's never a sure thing. And Commercial Real Estate is a different game than residential real estate. Those who have been in the business a while are still learning about the nuances of a market which continues to bounce back from a bubble which burst 7 years ago. What's one man's poison is another man's meat, and there's plenty of meat left on the bone.

ArgentaRiverfront.com could be a real gem in your diamond hunt. Zoned for multiple uses, this property is ready for the picking. But just like any other investment, you gotta know when to make your move. I came across an excellent article from The BiggerPockets.com which speaks to reasons why Commercial Real Estate Investing may be a great move for you right now. In this article, Dave VanHorn offers 3 outstanding reasons why Commercial Real Estate Investment may be your next step. Enjoy this article and please leave a comment here. We'd love to get your thoughts!

http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/05/15/commercial-real-estate-investing/

Interest Rates Continue to Rise--Timing is Everything!

2/9/2014

Purchasing a piece of Commercial Real Estate for Investment purposes is a tricky game. There are so many factors that come into play. Who are you buying for? What purpose is the property best suited? Is this Investment Property priced strategically? Is this an idea location now, or in the future?

Obviously the main question weighing on the minds of investors is, how much money can we make from this property? Obviously the answer to that question is intrinsically attached to all the questions above. One piece of the puzzle, though, which investors must be keenly aware is the rise of interest rates.

Most people in the know will tell you that interest rates are going to slowly creep up this year. Much of the news is spun in such a way as to keep the residential housing market from stagnating. You'll notice prominent stories from important people which state that although rate will creep up in 2014, they are still at historically low rate, and nowhere near the levels of the 1980's, when interest rates made home-buying a real challenge.

In real estate Investment Circles, timing is everything, and borrowing when rates are at their lowest can mean tens-of-thousands of dollars of difference when buying and selling properties. To see the latest on Commercial Realty rates, visit the website RealtyRates.com. And by all means, take another look at ArgentaRiverfront.com. We offer so many reasons for you to invest in this property. Timing is everything, so call or email us today! (501)376-6555.

Argenta hosts the Little Rock Film Festival

2/3/2014

Did you know that Little Rock hosts one of the finest Film Festivals in all of the U. S. of A.? Yep, and the Historic Argenta District of Downtown North Little Rock is host to some of the best venues screening films for the Festival. Tim Basham of Paste Magazine calls the LRFF "one of the best Fests in the country". It's said that the LRFF is bigger in its 7th year than Sundance after their first 6 years. And our Film Festival is GROWING, too!

The Film Festival is centered in the Rivermarket Area of Downtown Little Rock, at the Clinton Presidential Library; and also in the Arts District of Downtown Argenta. The festival is a short walk from ArgentaRiverfront.com, too! We're right in the midst of everything!

Through the years, the Little Rock Film Festival has become a very important stop along the way for several Oscar-Winning films, including both of the Little Rock Film Festival winners of the Golden Rock Award in 2010. In 2011, 3 of the 5 Oscar nominated documentaries held some of their very first screenings at the LRFF.

25,000 people attended the LRFF last year with over 100 films screened. And there's a growing demand for more movies to be premiered at the LRFF. MovieMaker Magazine has named the LRFF one of the “25 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee”. Philip Martin of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette said the festival is ”a watershed event in [Arkansas'] cultural trajectory. It was so well organized, so thoughtfully programmed and so gratifyingly conceived that there’s no reason not to pronounce it a complete, thrilling success.” The LRFF is committed to promoting the film industry in Arkansas and partnering with local organizations and businesses in continuing the growth and development of Downtown Little Rock.

The ArgentaRiverfront.com Commercial Property is so well situated. Movie Stars (and future Movie Stars/Directors), Presidents and Captains of Industry (and barge!), pass so closely to this property. Inquire about this Commercial Real Estate Investment property today!