Main Street in Jonesboro to close on weekend nights

The Jonesboro Sun, September 12, 2009
By Sherry F. Pruitt

JONESBORO — City officials agreed to close Main Street on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in an effort to make the downtown entertainment district safer for pedestrians and more attractive to visitors and street performers.

The agreement came during a Friday morning meeting, Jonesboro businessman Kent Arnold said.

Beginning Sept. 24, a portion of Main Street, bordered by Church and Union streets, East Washington Avenue and Creath and Burke streets, will be closed to through-traffic during certain times.

Main Street will close from 7 p.m. Thursday to 2 a.m. Friday and from 7 p.m. Friday through 2 a.m. Sunday, Arnold said.

“Downtown will be pedestrian-friendly,” he said. “The purpose is to stop 30- to 40 mile-per-hour traffic to beat the stoplights. It takes away the majority of the traffic that’s speeding.”

Phyllis Burkett, Downtown Jonesboro Association president, said the weekend road closures will be a test through the remainder of the year.

“We agreed to try it ... We’ll see what works and what doesn’t,” she said.

Police will set up barriers to prevent motorists from entering the pedestrian-friendly zone.

Security issues

In addition, the Downtown Jonesboro Association will hire an off-duty police officer to patrol and monitor the area on foot or on bicycle, Arnold and Burkett said.

“The off-duty policeman will provide a level of security and put up and take down barricades. We don’t anticipate any problems. We want everyone to feel safe, and we want to create a different atmosphere for leisure time downtown,” Burkett said.

Jonesboro Police Chief Mike Yates said Downtown Jonesboro has potential for growth, adding he is willing to give the pedestrian-friendly zone a try.

“We’ll make sure the public safety needs are met,” Yates said Friday afternoon.

While Arnold has not been approached by any artists who plan to perform on Main Street, he said he has delivered flyers announcing the opportunity to music stores and downtown restaurants.

“People have to get used to the concept,” Arnold said.