LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Dunbar Historic Neighborhood Association and the Quapaw Quarter Association are both celebrating a small victory in their fight to preserve history in Little Rock.
On Thursday, E&Y Custom Homes brought forth plans for redevelopments to the Little Rock planning commission.
The developments would take place on 1516 S Ringo Street in Little Rock, where planned to build two brand new modernized homes.
However, the group received pushback from community leaders like Angel Burt, the Executive Director of DHNA. For months, she has actively fought to keep the history of that block along S Ringo Street intact.
"We can modernize a whole lot of things. However, things that are significant to your history, to your culture, have to be preserved," Burt described.
She said there is no price tag you can put on the priceless properties, adding that they're more than just homes.
"This is a place that was the first for everything, and so we have to show homage. We have to show respect and honor. This home sits on what we call the Bush Row from this businessman, John E Bush, who started insurance companies across the country," Burt added.
Developer Erica York spoke out at the meeting and explained how she didn't expect the resistance. She also explained how they had already built in the area before.
"We've built six beautiful homes in this area already and are trying to meet a need of fixing the housing crisis," York described.
According to the E&Y website, there are two duplexes that she designed and built that are essentially in the backyard of the place where they are hoping to develop more.
After the commissioners heard both sides of the argument, the commissioners voted to reject the developer's proposal to build the two brand-new modernized homes.
While Burt is celebrating that decision, she said that it is her fight to remind those of the past will never stop.
“We're doing everything possible to keep the integrity of this block and of these homes,” Burt said.