CDC honors board member, discusses future development |

The Downtown Little Rock Community Development Corporation honored its longest-serving member of the Board, Arnold Habig of North Little Rock, at a Community Luncheon on Saturday, Mar. 5, at Second Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.

Mr. Habig was one of the founders of the nonprofit housing agency in 1992, and he has remained active on the Board of Directors continuously. Most recently, he has served as Board Secretary. He also has served on the Board's Property Management Committee, Development Committee and Strategic Planning Committee.

In accepting the plaque, Mr. Habig reminisced about how he came to the community - he was in the Army, in the 101st Airborne Division, assigned to keep the peace at Central High School during the 1957 Integration Crisis. "I loved the city, married a girl from Little Rock, and came to live here," he told the crowd.

Mr. Williams recognized the continuing services to the community being provided by other founders - Maggie Hawkins, who attended, and is facilitator of the ALERT Ctr., at 500 E. 21st St.; B. J. Bowen, a Spring St. resident who works at United Way of Pulaski County; and Garbo Hearne, who operates Pyramid Art Books and Custom Framing at 1001 Wright Ave.

The CDC celebrated its achievements at a luncheon with the buyers of its homes, its contractor-partners, neighbors, officials who support the projects, including Mayor Mark Stodola and Ward 1 Director Erma Hendrix, a representative of the Ark. Development Finance Authority, representatives from the Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands, neighborhood leaders and residents. Jason McGehee, staff housing specialist, represented Congressman Tim Griffin.

Matt Bell of Viridian announced plans for a shipping-container home at 421 E. 21st St., which will be constructed to the highest standards of energy efficiency, and seek to be accredited at the Platinum level of the LEED program. The CDC is a partner in construction of the affordable home, and arranging the sale to an eligible family. Bell described how the firm will procure discarded metal containers used to bring goods across the ocean, and bolt them together, cut out doors and windows, and provide a contemporary design for modern living. Four containers are used to create a single home.

Viridian is an independent sustainable building consulting firm. See details at www.viridianusa.com.