Little Rock Regional Chamber -

PopUp in the Rock is an annual joint project between Create Little Rock and studioMAIN, a nonprofit design collective.  It is part of a national movement known as the Better Block Project. It isn’t a street fair or a block party; rather, it’s a temporary urban demonstration – a live rendering – of what is possible. It exhibits important elements of the city, such as multiple transportation options and an active street edge, and provides activities that create community. This group of young professionals engages with community members to determine specific needs and institute changes such as bike lanes, pop-up shops, dining pop-ups, and entertainment.  By transforming just a few blocks into a thriving, complete locale, PopUp in the Rock exemplifies the idea that developing potential, even block-by-block, can make our city better.

For more info and to keep up with project developments, visit and like PopUp’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/PopUpInTheRock

To be added to the PopUp email list, just send an email to popupintherock@gmail.com.

Create Little Rock and studioMAIN are excited to announce their latest PopUp in the Rock demonstration, PopUp: Cumberland.

On Friday, June 13, from 5 - 8 p.m., Pop Up in the Rock will transform Cumberland Street and the future "30 Crossing Park" into a lively, people-focused space filled with creativity, community, and connection as part of Second Friday Art Night.

Enjoy lawn games, disc golf, arts & crafts, a popup dog park, a plant swap, a big bubble station, and more!

This year's PopUp demonstrates the benefits of a "road diet" on Cumberland between Markham and 3rd Street. The removal of the I-30 offramp as part of the 30 Crossing project has led to a reduction in through-traffic along Cumberland. This gives us a great opportunity to demonstrate how a lane reduction would create better pedestrian connectivity in the River Market District.Last month, we temporarily reduced the number of lanes from four to two and simulating wider sidewalks between Markham and 3rd Street.

The very first PopUp in the Rock took place in 2012 in Little Rock's SoMa neighborhood along Main Street, which was four lanes at the time. Through a 3-block popup road diet, we showed the neighborhood and the city what was possible, leading to the permanent lane reduction a year later. In 2018, PopUp: Stifft Station condensed the stretch of West Markham between South Booker Street and South Cedar Street from four lanes of traffic to three, allowing for wider sidewalks and safer pedestrian crossings. The City of Little Rock announced plans last year to implement that vision.