Posted by DEAN SKIP RUTHERFORD – Longtime Arkansas Gazette and later Arkansas Democrat-Gazette columnist Richard Allin died this week. Richard’s “Our Town” column was one of the most well read and popular newspaper features. I read him regularly–even as he criticized the selection of the site of the Clinton Presidential Center and the Clinton School. He called the old warehouse district east of Interstate 30 where the Library and the School are now located “Murky Bottoms.” At the time I didn’t think it was too funny, but over time (and after several conversations with Richard), I took it in stride.
After all, when the site was selected, though it had enormous potential, it wasn’t very attractive. However, it’s amazing what $165 million in private investment will do–making the Clinton Presidential Center, the Clinton School and the Clinton Presidential Park economic development, educational and tourism anchors for Central Arkansas. Still, when I give site tours, I smile and tell the story of “Murky Bottoms,” which I realize, after objectively reflecting on the project, wasn’t too far off the mark.
We extend our sympathy to his wife Carol, whose bookstore in the Main Street Mall was ahead of its time, ahead of downtown revitalization and was one of my favorites. Richard will be missed.
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