‘Restore Robinson’ Vote Passes By Wide Margin

The push to allow an existing local two percent hamburger tax to help fund renovations to historic Robinson Center Auditorium in Little Rock passed with overwhelming support in a special election.

The final vote tally showed that nearly 75 percent of voters were in support of dedicating funds for a bond issue for the music hall’s restoration. Unofficial results were 5,183 votes in favor of using the fund to cover the $68 million renovation price tag with 1,800 against the proposal.

“We see the Robinson as two things, as quality of life for central Arkansas citizens and residents and we also see it was a a huge economic drivers for all outside visitors we’re able to attract for conventions meetings and performances,” Gretchen Hall, CEO of Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, tells our content partner, KARK Ch. 4 News.

Robinson Auditorium was built in 1939 and was last renovated in the 1970s.

Under plans for the renovation, the performance area would be reconfigured to make it more intimate. Backstage, the theater would add space and make it easier for touring productions to set up. Plans also call for updated meeting spaces.