About
In the heart of downtown, the River Market District offers a market hall with an exciting mix of vendors that will entice your senses.
In the heart of downtown Little Rock, the River Market District, by day, offers a market hall with an exciting mix of food vendors that will entice your senses and fit any culinary cravings.
Shop for fresh fruits and veggies, visit several art galleries and souvenir stores, dine at a variety of restaurants, take a trolley ride or stroll through the park. In addition, take in multiple works of public sculpture, experience several local history museums and attractions and enjoy incredible and relaxing views of the Arkansas River.
Looking for a night out on the town? The River Market District is the best place to find live entertainment and local music. Offering entertainment from acoustic, techno, alternative, piano bars, rock, jazz, classical and country. If a lively, high-energy atmosphere is what you are looking for, the district's bars, restaurants and pubs offer a night on the town you'll never forget.
This revitalized area also offers diverse residential, commercial, entertainment and cultural venues such as loft apartments, luxury condominiums, remodeled and newly-developed office and retail space, restaurants, bars, and much more.
President Clinton Avenue was designated one of "10 Great Streets for 2009" by the American Planning Association's Great Places in America Program. This exemplifies Little Rock's strategic vision, planning and work of the past 20 years transforming the once desolate downtown area into a true destination enhancement.
History
Located along the scenic south shore of the Arkansas River is Little Rock's River Market District. Once a desolate area with many empty and condemned buildings, the revitalized River Market District now spans the length of President Clinton Avenue and encompasses a 10-block area of the city.
Since development began in the early 1990's, the River Market District has continued to thrive with many new and exciting destination enhancements – the Arkansas Studies Institute, part of the Central Arkansas Library System and dedicated to Arkansas history and archives; the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center; residential development such as 300 Third Tower; and the River Market Tower. Within walking distance, the Clinton Presidential Library has the energy that attracts tourists and residents alike to the area.
Ottenheimer Market Hall is an exciting public food market that will entice your senses with its relaxing entertainment and rich cultural experiences. It offers an international and diverse medley of owner-operated shops and stalls with everything from barbecue to sweet delights to tacos and pot stickers.
The River Market opened with great fanfare in Little Rock in 1996. The Market is the cornerstone of a $300 million riverfront development project designed to utilize the scenic charm of the Arkansas River, Riverfront Park and existing historical structures along the riverfront. The River Market District is located within the oldest section of the city, known as the Quapaw Quarter. Serving as one of the River Market District's cornerstones, the Central Arkansas Library System has revamped a 1920s-era warehouse into Little Rock's main library facility.
Ottenheimer Market Hall is a year-round, indoor market encompassing 10,000 sq. ft. and features a 40 ft. vaulted roof. There is also an outdoor farmers market with two covered pavilions totaling 15,000 sq. ft. It is a beautiful, elegant structure that fits well with adjoining buildings. The development and construction of the Little Rock River Market reflects the continued national growth of farmers and public markets, selling seasonal foods and having a year-round indoor, fresh food market. Public markets offer opportunities for producers, consumers, and community planners to devise new strategies for improving the distribution of food in areas where consumer access to fresh agricultural products is limited.
The Little Rock Police Department provides a unit of officers to patrol the River Market District in theDowntown Division. Officers are assigned to bicycle, foot, and car patrols. The unit is also home to the Little Rock Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Unit. Officers are assigned to day shift and evening shift patrols seven days a week 365 days a year.
The police kiosk is located on the northwest corner of President Clinton Ave. and Ottenheimer Plaza and the unit is currently under the command of Lieutenant James Sloan.
