Metroplan announced in 2020 a substantial investment in a regional pathway network to connect Central Arkansas communities within its four-county jurisdiction. The announcement represented a shift in traditional transportation thinking. Local leaders embraced active transportation not as a luxury, but as a critical pillar of thriving communities.
Crafton Tull was selected in 2021 to lead an 18-month process to create the master plan for the network, which connects the region&rsquo;s center to its fringes along six corridors. The Central Arkansas Regional Greenways Plan maps approximately 222 miles of trail network at an estimated cost of nearly $280 million. Crafton Tull, along with Toole Design, led the effort to identify routes, establish design criteria, prepare estimates of probable cost, and prioritize investments based on public input. Metroplan officially adopted the 279-page final report in May 2023. What started as an ambitious vision is becoming reality, with several planned segments in design and some in construction.
Each of the 19 communities within the study area is unique, with varying levels of political and financial support. Metroplan and the Crafton Tull team navigated these differences and facilitated a collaborative process to create a unified vision for the Central Arkansas Regional Greenways Plan.
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Learn about Crafton Tull's work on Central Arkansas Regional Greenways Plan.

Crafton Tull | Central Arkansas Regional Greenways Plan

[X] Central AR Regional Greenways Plan

Education

Awards

PLA, ASLA

Learn more about Dave Roberts and his role and experience at Crafton Tull.

Crafton Tull | Dave Roberts

Dave is responsible for overseeing and contributing to site planning and urban design projects that include community redevelopment plans, corridor plans, campus master plans, parks &amp; recreation system plans, as well as bicycle &amp; pedestrian network plans. Dave often presents sessions at conferences in the Mid-South region on planning healthy communities, urban planning strategies, and the benefits of placemaking. His daily responsibilities also include administration of the marketing department and business development for the firm.

Many cities prioritize improving walkability in downtowns and commercial areas, not just to enhance safety or to develop community character, but because there is real potential for financial return on investment. Investments in walkability, which measures an area&rsquo;s ease of connectivity via non-vehicular transportation, can include sidewalks, multi-use paths, streetscape enhancements, and traffic-calming measures. While these projects might be more often categorized as infrastructure, they do much more than provide a mode of transportation. They have the power to transform local economies.
Places where people feel safe and comfortable walking are places where businesses can thrive. Bustling downtown districts offer a variety of things to do - restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, and breweries - all within walking distance of one another. Increased foot traffic creates higher property values in these areas and the surrounding neighborhoods as well. Over time, the tax value per acre in these dense, walkable areas will outpace areas that are more dependent on vehicular traffic. This has been confirmed in multiple studies by <a href="https://www.urbanthree.com/">Urban3</a>, a company specializing in revenue modeling and cost of service analysis for cities.
Not only do these compact, walkable places generate more tax revenue per acre, they require less extensive infrastructure networks compared to sprawling, car-dependent developments. For cities, this results in lower costs for road maintenance, utilities, and public services. It&rsquo;s a win-win.

<img src="https://api.www.craftontull.com/media/uploads/insights/walkable_downtowns/walk_audit.webp" alt="" width="1920" height="915" />
Any city, big or small, with goals to invest in walkability should consider these steps:
<ol>
<li>Conduct a Walk Audit: Begin by assessing the current state of pedestrian infrastructure. At Crafton Tull, I work with cities across the state hosting walk audits that bring together city and business leaders. We identify areas lacking sidewalks, dangerous intersections, and discuss best practice site planning methods. The walk audit and final report helps prioritize improvements and allocate resources effectively.I recently hosted a walk audit in Prairie Grove with Mayor David Faulk and 20 members of the community. Mayor Faulk believes the walk audit identified changes that could create a more prosperous downtown. &ldquo;The walk audit has been a great asset to us, and I would highly recommend this activity to all municipalities,&rdquo; the mayor said.</li>
<li>Engage the Community: Involve residents, business owners, and other stakeholders in the planning process. Their input can help ensure that improvements meet local needs and build support for larger initiatives.</li>
<li>Develop a Pedestrian Master Plan: Create a comprehensive strategy that outlines short-term and long-term goals for improving walkability. This plan should integrate with existing transportation and land-use policies to ensure a cohesive approach. The planning team at Crafton Tull is well-versed in creating <a href="https://www.craftontull.com/expertise/industries/active-transportation">bicycle and pedestrian master plans</a> that prioritize investments and unite communities in a shared vision.</li>
<li>Implement Quick Wins: Start with low-cost, high-impact improvements such as repainting crosswalks, installing pedestrian signals, or creating pocket parks. These visible changes can build public support and demonstrate immediate benefits.</li>
<li>&nbsp;Establish an Overlay District: Update land-use regulations to encourage mixed-use development, higher densities in appropriate areas, and pedestrian-oriented design standards. Over time, this can help create the type of built environment that supports walkability.</li>
<li>Invest in Key Corridors: Identify main streets or commercial districts that could benefit from significant pedestrian improvements. Concentrate initial investments in these areas to create showcase projects that can catalyze further development.</li>
</ol>
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While the initial costs of improving walkability can be substantial, the long-term economic benefits far outweigh the investment. Cities that prioritize walkable infrastructure often see returns in the form of increased tax revenues, reduced infrastructure maintenance costs, and a better sense of community character.
The benefits of walkability investments can compound over time. As initial improvements attract more pedestrians and businesses, they create a cycle of increased activity, further investment, and economic growth. This snowball effect can transform struggling urban areas into vibrant, prosperous districts that contribute significantly to the city's overall economic health. Connecting these walkable districts to the surrounding neighborhoods will increase visibility and activity for the businesses who will benefit from the foot traffic.
Investing in infrastructure that promotes walkability represents a strategic economic development opportunity for cities. As cities compete for talent, businesses, and investment, those that prioritize walkability will be well-positioned to thrive economically while offering a higher quality of life for their residents. The journey towards enhanced walkability may begin with small steps, but it leads to transformative economic outcomes that can reshape the urban landscape for generations to come.
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Related Projects

Many cities prioritize improving walkability in downtowns and commercial areas, not just to enhance safety or to develop community character, but because there is real potential fo

Walkable Downtowns Drive Economic Development

Many cities prioritize improving walkability in downtowns and commercial areas, not just to enhance safety or to develop community character, but because there is real potential for financial return on investment.

Dave's Work

AICP, PLA, ASLA

Learn more about Julie Luther Kelso and her role and experience at Crafton Tull.

Crafton Tull | Julie Luther Kelso

Julie is a Project Manager and Vice President of Planning for Crafton Tull. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners as well as the American Planning Association and is a licensed Landscape Architect in both Arkansas and Texas. Julie&rsquo;s areas of expertise include large-scale comprehensive plans, bicycle and pedestrian plans, and park system master plans, as well as site-specific projects such as streetscape corridors, trail design, and campus planning projects. She has managed several award-winning projects varying in scale from a few city blocks to several counties.

<h2>A shift in focus</h2>
In 1940, with less than 20 percent of Americans living in rural or suburban areas, metropolitan downtown remained the hub of economic activity in the United States. Even families who lived outside of the city had to travel downtown for entertainment, including theatres, plays, restaurants, gathering space, and commerce. These figures changed drastically when the post-war automobile boom made it possible to live outside the city center where new suburban homes were being constructed at a rapid pace.&nbsp;By 2000, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/censr-4.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">U.S. Census Bureau</a>, half of the U.S. population lived in suburban areas.&nbsp;This mass exodus resulted in outlying shopping malls and big-box retail, with their ample parking and one-stop shopping appeal. They soon replaced downtown areas as the center of retail, culture, entertainment, and gathering space. Downtowns became increasingly neglected as local businesses couldn&rsquo;t compete with big box stores. Research analysts at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/04/retail-meltdown-of-2017/522384/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cowen and Company</a>&nbsp;published a study in early 2017 that found&nbsp;&ldquo;The number of malls in the U.S. grew more than twice as fast as the population between 1970 and 2015.&rdquo; Churches and entertainment venues also followed locating alongside the residential development of the suburbs.&nbsp;

<h2>Downtowns re-emerge</h2>
Decades later, as communities grew with unimpressive, ubiquitous retail corridors, there was a renewed interest in downtowns and the sense of place found there.&nbsp;The homogeneity of &lsquo;Anywhere USA&rsquo; left people searching to rediscover the shared experience found downtown.&nbsp;In no place is this seen more clearly than in the retail sector. Research firm&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cushmanwakefield.us/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cushman &amp; Wakefield</a>&nbsp;published a study finding mall visits declined 50 percent between 2010 and 2013. Nine once formidable department stores filed for bankruptcy in 2017 alone. The result intensified an effort first brought about in the late 1990s and early 2000s to recreate downtowns on a national scale by reconfiguring the traditional indoor mall into new urban lifestyle centers that modeled downtown scale, walkability, and architecture.&nbsp; Ironically, due in part to the affordability of available space, actual downtowns became prime spaces for local businesses, retail, restaurants, and community destinations.&nbsp; In 2012, the U.S. Census Bureau issued a press release stating &ldquo;Between the 2000 and 2010 censuses, metro areas with 5 million or more people experienced double-digit population growth rates within their downtown areas.&rdquo; The takeaway: it is time for cities to build on this momentum.&nbsp;
<img src="https://api.www.craftontull.com/media/uploads/insights/american_downtown/broken_arrow_downtown_copy.webp" alt="American Downtown - Broken Arrow" width="800" height="451" />

<h2>Development trends</h2>
Municipalities, large and small, see the need to help quell the longing for a sense of place; urban planners come in to lighten that load. Christopher B. Leinberger, in a research brief conducted for The Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program explains &ldquo;Early progress must be made in building this expanded definition of infrastructure&mdash;along with a believable commitment to provide the rest&mdash;in order to attract the private sector developers and investors who will ultimately drive the downtown turnaround.&rdquo;&nbsp;Municipalities are hiring planning and design consultants to redesign public spaces, knowing that private investment will soon follow.&nbsp;These projects often start with streetscapes, pedestrian spaces, bike lanes, plazas and pocket parks. Revitalization comes about when the public and private sector interests align. As a result, young professionals have begun to flock to live, work, and play in an authentic environment with layers of architectural history and development over time, rather than the re-created, mass-produced copies on the outskirts of town.
With the renewed interest and eager consumers, planners focus on a community&rsquo;s cultural, historical, and natural assets to emphasize its sense of place. In the world of Amazon and online shopping, fashion and d&eacute;cor have become homogenized. With the shift back to downtown, embracing a local pride and an authentic vibe is a valued commodity.

Cities are experiencing renewed interest in downtowns and the sense of place found in these importance spaces.

PROJECTS

Central Arkansas Regional Greenways Plan