The Evolution

Metroplan History

Originally formed as the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission of Pulaski County in 1955, Metroplan has served as the area’s federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) since 1972.

View the Metroplan Archives

70th Anniversary Video

Celebrating Metroplan from 1955-2025

Originally formed as the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission of Pulaski County in 1955, Metroplan has served as the area’s federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) since 1972. Its function as an MPO is to work with local governments, the state department of transportation, and local transit providers to determine transportation needs and funding priorities for federal transportation investments. Metroplan also provides general planning, mapping, and technical assistance to local governments.

Over the years, Metroplan helped plan such signature projects as Burns Park in North Little Rock, the Arkansas River Trail, and the Big Dam Bridge. Important plans include the Multimodal Infrastructure Guidelines [hyperlink], the Unified Development Ordinance [hyperlink], and the Arkansas Regional Greenways Plan [hyperlink]. Metroplan also helped incorporate the Mid-Arkansas Water Alliance (MAWA) to secure long-term sources of high-quality drinking water for the region.

The Evolution of Regional Transportation

Metroplan Milestones

Local political and business leaders created Metroplan in 1955, acting out of necessity and inspired by the principle that the metropolitan area was one community and that the problems and opportunities of each entity were common to all.

1950s

Metroplan launched its journey in 1955, formed through a collaborative agreement among local governments eager to enhance regional connectivity. The creation of the Little Rock Airforce Base was a catalyst in forming the Metropolitan Planning Area Commission of Pulaski County.

  • 1955: Stuart Eurman named Metroplan’s first Executive Director, began operations as a voluntary association of local governments

  • 1956: Proposed Highway System Plan

  • 1957: Preliminary Development Plan for Pulaski County

  • 1958: Preliminary Report on the Recreational Use of Lake Maumelle; Site Layouts for a Basic Recreational Plan on Lake Maumelle

  • 1959: Plan for Burns Park

1960s

  • 1962: Industrial Growth Plan

  • 1965: Adams Field Airport Plan; Civil Defense Plan

  • 1966: Jason Rouby became Metroplan’s 2nd Executive Director

  • 1967: Water Supply and Distribution Plan; Transit Planning Study

  • 1968: 1990 Comprehensive Development Plan published for Pulaski/Saline Metropolitan Area

1970s

  • 1970: Reorganized as a council of local governments and changed its name to Metroplan; Published Open Space Plan and Program

  • 1971: Partnered with Arkansas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects to create a park/open space design along Arkansas River, which would become Riverfront Park

  • 1972: Became the area’s designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), and the trustee for Central Arkansas Transit (CAT)

  • 1977: Became designated lead agency for water quality planning

  • 1978: Became designated lead agency for air quality and waste disposal planning

1980s

  • 1981: Published Maumelle Corridor Control Access Plan

  • 1983: Proposed South loop in Pulaski County

  • 1988: Jason Rouby retired after 22 years; Jim McKenzie became 3rd Executive Director

  • 1998: Central Arkansas Transit Authority (CATA) formally spun off

  • 1989: Established public policy research program; became administrative agent for Pulaski County 911

1990s

In the 90s, Metroplan initiated its broadest reorganization since 1970, narrowing its focus to transportation.

  • 1991: Congress passed the lntermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA)

  • 1991: Faulkner and Lonoke Counties joined Metroplan

  • 1995: Adopted METRO 2020 long-range transportation plan

2000s

  • 2003: Helped incorporate the Mid-Arkansas Water Alliance (MAWA) to secure long-term sources of high quality drinking water

  • 2004: Assisted CATA in planning River Rail trolley system

  • 2007: Assisted with planning and funding for the Big Dam Bridge and Two Rivers Park Bridge

  • 2008: Operation Bottleneck commuting survey set public feedback record with more than 3,000 responses

  • 2009: Coordinated American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) projects in central Arkansas

2010s

  • 2010: MAWA coordinated signing of the Greer’s Ferry reallocation project that secures high quality water supplies for decades to come

  • 2014: Adopted "Imagine Central Arkansas" plan

  • 2014: Completed the Conway to Little Rock Express Bus Feasibility Study

  • 2015: Published Pedestrian/Bicyclist Crash Analysis

  • 2016: Helped establish the Southwest Trail Task Force to coordinate regional efforts to build the trail

  • 2017: Tab Townsell became 4th Executive Director; Casey Covington promoted to Deputy Director

  • 2018: Partnered with ARDOT on study of the Highway 89 corridor connecting Hwy 67 (in Cabot) with I-40 (in Conway)

  • 2018: Established the Small Cities Council

  • 2019: Produced "Horizon 2020: 25 Years of Planning—A Retrospective"

2020s

  • 2020: Metroplan Board committed $55 million over 10 years to support the planning and construction of a Regional Greenway system; hired consultant to help identify routes

  • 2021: Released a detailed analysis of the 2020 Census; completed Multimodal Infrastructure Guidelines; began study of the South Loop, a proposed road connection across southern Pulaski County

  • 2022: Adopted the Unified Development Ordinance as a model zoning/subdivision code for small cities

  • 2023:
    - Casey Covington named 5th Executive Director
    - Partnered with the Northwest Arkansas MPO and the City of Fort Smith to develop the Arkansas Energy and Environment Innovation Priority Action Plan; Earned a $700,000 grant as part of the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program

  • 2024:
    - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced selection of the Arkansas Tri-Region CPRG Coalition for $99,999,999 Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) award for its “Energy and Environment Innovation for the Natural State” proposal
    - Adopted new Metropolitan Transportation Plan, "Central Arkansas Transforming Mobility"
    - Published SS4A Central Arkansas Safety Action Plan, which identified the most important regional safety needs.
    - Worked with the City of Little Rock to earn a $25 million grant to implement safety improvements.

Recognizing Excellence in Planning

Metroplan Outstanding Achievement Awards

Our team has been recognized with numerous awards for our innovative approaches in public health, education, climate action, and economic justice. We take pride in our ability to turn research findings into impactful solutions that benefit communities and drive meaningful change.

2021

APA – Achievement in Media or Journalism Award – Connecting Central Arkansas Public Outreach Initiative

La’Kesha Stewart, Hans Haustein, Lynn Bell, Daniel Holland, Bernadette Rhodes, Casey Covington, Jeff Runder, Jonathan Lupton, Allen Skaggs

2020

APA – Professional Planner Award: Susan Markman

2020

APA – Unique Contribution to Planning Award – Horizon 2020: 25 Years of Planning, A Retrospective

Tab Townsell, Casey Covington, Lynn Bell, Jonathan Lupton, Susan Markman, Daniel Holland, La’Kesha Stewart, Jeff Runder, Hans Haustein, Allen Skaggs

2020

APA – Achievement in Media or Journalism Award – Horizon 2020: 25 Years of Planning, A Retrospective

Tab Townsell, Casey Covington, Lynn Bell, Jonathan Lupton, Susan Markman, Daniel Holland, La’Kesha Stewart, Jeff Runder, Hans Haustein, Allen Skaggs

2018

AdFed Award (ADDY), Bronze Level – Publication Cover Design – Metro Trends Economic Review and Outlook 2017: The Changing Face of Retail

Lynn Bell

2016

Jack Evans Regional Leadership Award

Jim McKenzie, Richard Magee