Little Rock, Arkansas, August 18, 2025
News Summary
Major construction activity in Little Rock includes a new construction‑management division at a local engineering firm, groundbreaking for a 900,000+ sq ft logistics facility at the Port of Little Rock, and the start of a $230 million phased renovation of the Jack H. Wilson Water Treatment Plant. Midweek permits also revealed several million‑dollar remodels and a new home build. A recent repeal of extra‑territorial zoning prompted rapid billboard installations outside city limits and a county moratorium to pause certain developments while rules and enforcement are clarified.
Arkansas construction roundup: major hires, big projects and a local zoning clash
Major construction moves are underway across central Arkansas, with a Little Rock firm formalizing a new division and hiring an experienced steel‑industry executive, a national logistics company breaking ground on a large distribution site at the Port of Little Rock, and the start of the state’s largest water‑plant overhaul. At the same time, a new state law that removed extra‑territorial jurisdiction has sparked local disputes over billboards and development just outside city limits.
Top developments at a glance
- New construction-management hire: A Little Rock engineering and construction firm has named a vice president to lead a newly formalized construction‑management division focused on steel projects.
- Amazon logistics groundbreak: Construction has started on a logistics facility at the Port of Little Rock that will top 900,000 square feet and is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs.
- $230 million water-plant overhaul: Work has begun on a nearly 70‑year‑old water treatment plant in Little Rock under the state’s largest planned overhaul for a water facility.
- ETJ repeal spurs billboard dispute: The elimination of city control in areas just outside municipal limits has led to rapid billboard construction in some neighborhoods and a temporary county moratorium on new unapproved development in a former extra‑territorial zone.
Lexicon expands with new construction-management division
A Little Rock firm has formalized a construction‑management division to centralize oversight of steel projects and improve scheduling, budgeting and quality control. The company appointed a vice president to oversee the new unit. The executive brings nearly 11 years of experience at a major Alabama steelmaking and finishing operation where responsibilities included overseeing strategic development and the construction of a multi‑billion‑dollar arc furnace facility, as well as senior roles in manufacturing technology and general management. Earlier experience includes mechanical maintenance engineering and management at another large steel producer. The new vice president holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from a leading Atlanta university.
Major million‑dollar construction list
The weekly list of million‑dollar projects in the Little Rock area opens with an exterior remodel for a retirement system office building in downtown Little Rock valued at $4,000,000. Other highlighted projects include an office expansion and renovation for the same Little Rock firm that launched the construction‑management division at $2,000,000; a bank branch renovation at $1,400,000; and a newly built home estimated at $1,000,000. Local and regional contractors were named for each project, reflecting steady activity in office, financial‑service and residential construction sectors.
Port of Little Rock: logistics site moves forward
Groundbreaking has commenced on a logistics facility at the Port of Little Rock covering more than 900,000 square feet. The development is expected to add over 1,000 jobs and has been planned in the city since a local economic development effort launched in 2017. City, county and state leaders view the project as a long‑term link in a broader logistics and distribution network. Plans are already under way to prepare an adjacent parcel as a potential additional large development site.
Wilson Water Treatment Plant overhaul begins
Work has started on the Jack H. Wilson Water Treatment Plant, a project described as the largest water‑treatment overhaul in the state at around $230 million. Early construction activities began about a month prior to public reporting. The nearly 70‑year‑old plant currently treats up to 133 million gallons per day, and the phased renovation is designed to raise capacity to as much as 150 million gallons per day. The utility’s plan calls for phased basin shutdowns so the facility can continue operating during the roughly five‑year work schedule. A construction manager at risk is overseeing the project while two engineering firms share design responsibilities. Financing steps included board approval of a bond authorization and a guaranteed maximum price contract.
Removal of extra‑territorial jurisdiction triggers local backlash
A state law that went into effect in early August removed extra‑territorial jurisdiction, the mechanism that had allowed cities to control building and zoning a few miles beyond their limits. Residents in a small community near Little Rock said the change immediately led to contractors installing billboard supports on private property where city approval is no longer required. County officials later approved a six‑month moratorium on new, unapproved development within the former city ETJ to slow further changes while county planning catches up. The moratorium halted some billboard work but did not force removal of structures already underway. Local leaders and residents are continuing discussions about enforcement, permitted uses and how to protect community character without the prior city review process.
What to watch next
- Progress and staffing announcements as the logistics facility ramps up construction.
- Phased milestones on the Wilson plant renovation, including basin shutdown and startup schedules.
- County planning outcomes and any ordinance changes following the moratorium in former extra‑territorial zones.
- Tender and subcontract awards tied to the new construction‑management division’s pipeline of steel projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What major projects are currently starting in the Little Rock area?
Key projects beginning now include a more than 900,000‑square‑foot logistics facility at the Port of Little Rock expected to create over 1,000 jobs, and a $230 million overhaul of a major water treatment plant that will raise capacity and update aging systems.
Who was recently hired to lead a new construction‑management division?
A Little Rock engineering and construction firm appointed a vice president to lead a newly formalized construction‑management division focused on steel projects. The executive brings deep experience in steelmaking, project execution and capital projects, including leadership on a large arc furnace facility.
What is the impact of the ETJ law change on local development?
The elimination of extra‑territorial jurisdiction removed city control over certain lands just outside municipal boundaries. That change led to rapid billboard construction in some areas and prompted the county to impose a six‑month moratorium on new unapproved development in a former ETJ while officials develop local controls and enforcement strategies.
How will the water plant stay online during renovations?
The overhaul will be done in phases. The plant has four large basins; contractors plan to shut down and renovate one basin at a time while keeping the other three operational so water service remains uninterrupted.
Project key features
| Project | Location | Estimated Value | Contractor / Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logistics facility (Port of Little Rock) | Port of Little Rock | Over 900,000 sq ft | Developer / logistics operator | Expected to create 1,000+ jobs; adjacent super‑site planned |
| Jack H. Wilson Water Treatment Plant overhaul | Little Rock | $230 million | Construction manager at risk; engineering design team | Phased work while facility remains in service; capacity to rise to 150 MGD |
| Office expansion & renovation | Fourche Dam Pike, Little Rock | $2,000,000 | Regional contractor | Tied to company launching new construction‑management division |
| Exterior remodel (office) | Downtown Little Rock | $4,000,000 | Local construction firm | Part of weekly million‑dollar project listings |
This summary compiles recent construction activity, legal changes affecting zoning, and infrastructure projects in the Little Rock area to help residents, contractors and local officials track developments and near‑term impacts.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Arkansas Business: Million‑dollar construction projects (Little Rock)
- Wikipedia: Little Rock construction projects
- THV11: Arkansas billboard/ETJ law coverage
- Google Search: Arkansas billboard ETJ law 2025
- KATV: Amazon breaks ground at Port of Little Rock
- Google Scholar: Amazon logistics facility Port of Little Rock
- Construction Dive: Jack H. Wilson water treatment plant project
- Encyclopedia Britannica: water treatment plant
- Arkansas Democrat‑Gazette: Pulaski County imposes temporary construction moratorium
- Google News: Pulaski County moratorium construction Arkansas
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