New Pine Bluff Mayor delivers her first State of the City address

PINE BLUFF, Ark. — A week after a major shakeup atop the police and fire departments, Pine Bluff Mayor Vivian Flowers addressed how it fits in her vision for the city during her State of the City address.

During her campaign, Mayor Flowers focused on three priorities: youth investment, economic development, and public safety.

However, on Monday, she narrowed that vision— and what it could look like.

Education was the first topic of the night for Mayor Flowers, where she mentioned partnerships with the Pine Bluff and Watson Chapel School Districts, Southeast Arkansas College and UAPB.

“These partnerships will connect the city of Pine Bluff and our educational institutions to specifically focus on two things, safety and internships,” Mayor Flowers said.

Next up was transportation. The mayor touched on projects that are happening at the airport, the port and on the city’s bus system.

“The City of Pine Bluff is an intermodal powerhouse. So, to our planning and efforts to expand our river port and further expand commercial tourist activity at Ryder Field,” she described. 

However, all these also play into the next topic, and one that Mayor Flowers has talked about since she first campaigned for the job— bringing more tourism to the city.

“To promote arts and sports activities that don’t yet exist in Pine Bluff. And we will do that by investing resources and talent into our amazing park system,” added Mayor Flowers.

Finally, one week ago, the city announced major changes in public safety leadership.

Pine Bluff Police Chief Denise Richardson was let go, and Fire Chief Shauwn Hill retired in a mutual agreement. This was a move the mayor called much needed.

“It resulted in change. Those changes were made based upon the duty and responsibility and the best interest of Pine Bluff,” she said.

Mayor Flowers also mentioned several other projects that the city is working on, including reallocating funds to fix potholes.