Former Olde World Pizza Building Across from State Capitol Demolished
The former Olde World Pizza building located at 1706 W. Third St. in Little Rock has been demolished. The building, which has housed various restaurants over the years, was owned by lobbyists Ted Mullenix and Julie Mullenix. They have plans to potentially build a new office building on the site.
The decision to demolish the building came after the Capitol Zoning District Commission agreed that the old structure was not feasible to rehab. The Mullenixes also own two surrounding lots, totaling 1.2 acres, which could be used for the new development. Ted Mullenix, a former Republican state legislator, mentioned that they have received interest from potential tenants for an office building on the site.
Additionally, the Mullenixes own another property on W. Third St. previously occupied by Mar Y Tierra, a Mexican seafood restaurant. They are considering options for this location, including leasing it for a restaurant or repurposing it as a commercial building or office space.
The proposal for the new office building on W. Third St. has faced some opposition from downtown stakeholders who feel that the area already has enough office space. However, the Mullenixes point to the new Downtown Little Rock Master Plan, which aims to double the downtown population over the next decade by implementing various strategies to enhance the area.
Overall, the demolition of the former Olde World Pizza building marks a significant step in the potential revitalization of the area near the State Capitol in Little Rock. Plans for the new office building and the future use of the adjacent property signal positive developments for the neighborhood.
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Photo credit arktimes.com