property
Mabelvale Rezoning: 180 Acres Mixed-Use Plan
Little Rock planners vote July 28 on Mabelvale rezoning. Mixed-use development could bring apartments and retail to southwest corridor by late summer.
How we reported this
City planners have scheduled a July 28 vote that would rezone 180 acres along Mabelvale West Road from single-family residential to mixed-use commercial, opening the door for apartment complexes and small retail strips in this southwest Little Rock pocket.
The timing aligns with Little Rock’s updated comprehensive plan, which city staff released in March and which calls for denser development along major corridors to accommodate projected population growth of 8 percent by 2030. Local real estate agents report steady buyer inquiries since the draft map appeared online in April, with several investors already securing options on vacant lots near the old railroad spur.
Local anchors driving interest
Mabelvale borders the Little Rock Port Authority’s southern rail line and sits less than two miles from the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College campus on South University Avenue. Both sites already generate daily traffic that rezoning supporters say could support new ground-floor shops and upper-level housing without new road construction.
Current listings show 42 single-family homes for sale in the 72209 zip code, with a median asking price of $189,500 as of June 30, according to the Little Rock Realtors Association multiple listing service. That figure sits 14 percent below the citywide median and has drawn out-of-town buyers looking for entry points before the zoning change takes effect.
Next steps for buyers and residents
The Planning Commission meeting starts at 4 p.m. on July 28 at City Hall on Markham Street. Property owners inside the proposed district can submit written comments until July 21 through the city’s planning department portal. Those who want to tour the area can start at the Mabelvale Community Center on Mabelvale Cutoff Road, where a public information board displays the draft zoning map.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.