Hope Downtown Network Holds Annual Meeting

The Hope Downtown Network had its yearly meeting at the Chamber of Commerce. Barbara Noble made a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting which was seconded and passed. The financials were discussed with a motion to approve by Noble, seconded and passed.

Downtown Network president John Sitzes listed improvements to downtown Hope Since July 1st 2022. They include a Pavilion Park Sign, the Pocket Park, Cinderblock wrap for the Hub dumpsters, Addition of Klipsch speakers to the Hub, stop signs on Division St., Sidewalk Art, Artists Exhibits, Fall Trade Day, Car Shows, Spring Train and Trade Day, Big Sounds Downtown, new benches, ribbon cuttings, Fair and Christmas Parades, Back to School Bash held by Farmer’s Bank (very well-attended), Christmas Open House, City-wide Cleanup, the beginning of construction on the Street Scape Project.

Taste of Hope will take place on October 7th.  There is the hope to get more vendors.  It is open for anyone to be involved. That night there will be a walkthrough art exhibit and other activities which those who have paid the $30 entrance fee can participate in. Jennifer Block from Southwest Arkansas Arts Council will be organizing a paint by numbers mural on the side of the Pocket Park. There will also be a live auction.

The money that is raised by this event will be used for a major project to do downtown such as a clock tower or lighting to bring people into downtown.

Other cities have similar events and they are big hits.

The event had food to be sampled from La Mangonada, Amigo Juan’s, Tailgator’s, and Sheba’s restaurant.

President John Sitzes mentioned the Tourism Commission being the first sponsor for $500 and said that the partnership with the Tourism Commission

The Hope Downtown Network will host the Hospitality Table next Tuesday. The Network will provide food at the event, which have to be individually wrapped and will also provide some items for the gift basket.