[nep321]

I have been fascinated lately by the history and decline of the city of Pine Bluff. I have visited the city last week and could not believe how blighted and depressed the area was. I drove through downtown and couldn't believe how everything was empty or boarded up. There was virtually no traffic downtown and most of the neighborhoods that I witnessed appeared to be severely run down and decaying. I also stopped for lunch in The Pines mall and the mall was like a ghost mall! Lots of empty space and things that needed repair. There were very few people in there, despite being a Thursday afternoon. Still...it looked dead.

Most of the roads appeared very worn down and in dire need of attention. The whole area just seemed eerily quiet and depressed.

Apparently, the Pine Bluff metropolitan area is the 7th fastest decaying metro area in the U.S. from 2014 to 2015, with a population loss of 1.3% in that year alone.

With that said, where do you see the future going for Pine Bluff at this point? Do you think it will continue to get worse or will it get better?

[jhoihdne]

There is a saying that people who know PB use. No white person moves into PB. I have been told its crime ridden and no one moves there if they have any other options.

[bawac34618]

I don't really see what could possibly stop the bleed. The economy in that part of Arkansas has dried up. Those who can move on for greener pastures and things deteriorate for those who stay in a never-ending cycle.

If you are fascinated by Pine Bluff, watch this video of Cairo, Ill. I think the future of Pine Bluff will be very similar.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJW8lOzJJPE

[David A Stone]

Here is how Pine Bluff will get better...........in the last 14 years the population dropped 17%.

If that trend continues, soon there will be no more Pine Bluff.
The same can be said about another crime ridden city.....Blytheville

[1Patois]

Originally Posted by jhoihdne

There is a saying that people who know PB use. No white person moves into PB. I have been told its crime ridden and no one moves there if they have any other options.

I've seen it done. my spouse is white (though I'm not) and we are recent secondary residents. Of course,we didn't have the other options you speak of...BUT if Little Rock got crowded and folks looked to more suburban areas...in the next 20 years, Pine Bluff wil have been flipped by investors and commuters will look to live there.( I've lived in places in which it is normal to commute an hour to work.) Worst places are making a comeback...like Detroit...like Chicago...like New Orleans

[1Patois]

Now,on one hand, I did read a news article about buildings in downtown collapsing due to severe aging /disrepair,but I've seen the roads...Much better than when I lived in CA and LA. WHICH ROADS ARE BAD I. PINE BLUFF? I haven't seen the whole town yet

[1Patois]

Originally Posted by nep321

I have been fascinated lately by the history and decline of the city of Pine Bluff. I have visited the city last week and could not believe how blighted and depressed the area was. I drove through downtown and couldn't believe how everything was empty or boarded up. There was virtually no traffic downtown and most of the neighborhoods that I witnessed appeared to be severely run down and decaying. I also stopped for lunch in The Pines mall and the mall was like a ghost mall! Lots of empty space and things that needed repair. There were very few people in there, despite being a Thursday afternoon. Still...it looked dead.

Most of the roads appeared very worn down and in dire need of attention. The whole area just seemed eerily quiet and depressed.

Apparently, the Pine Bluff metropolitan area is the 7th fastest decaying metro area in the U.S. from 2014 to 2015, with a population loss of 1.3% in that year alone.

With that said, where do you see the future going for Pine Bluff at this point? Do you think it will continue to get worse or will it get better?

It IS eerily quiet...that's what I like about it. What did you eat at the Pines Mall ? Just curious. It looks like a Simon Mall and it's not all that uncommon for those to start to shut down. Older malls of there's that have been around since the 1970s are in declineEVERYWHERE... The Mall of Cortana in Baton Rouge, the Buena Park Mall in OC and the one in Baytown, TX as well as Highland Mall in Austin, TX(saved by the Dillard's Clearance Center) are all examples of these...yes,I've been around...I've seen and shopped a lot over the years.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by 1Patois

I've seen it done. my spouse is white (though I'm not) and we are recent secondary residents. Of course,we didn't have the other options you speak of...BUT if Little Rock got crowded and folks looked to more suburban areas...in the next 20 years, Pine Bluff wil have been flipped by investors and commuters will look to live there.( I've lived in places in which it is normal to commute an hour to work.) Worst places are making a comeback...like Detroit...like Chicago...like New Orleans

you do realize this post is almost 2 years old don't you? And things have not improved. As for your comments about New Orleans, Chicago and Detroit they are simply not true, especially Chicago and New Orleans.NOLA has always had it's positive areas as well as negative and really only took a truly downward turn when Katrina almost totally wiped the city off the map. Also you need to consider, you are trying to compare huge, metro cities with small or mid sized towns. There is a huge difference.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by 1Patois

Now,on one hand, I did read a news article about buildings in downtown collapsing due to severe aging /disrepair,but I've seen the roads...Much better than when I lived in CA and LA. WHICH ROADS ARE BAD I. PINE BLUFF? I haven't seen the whole town yet

I am still trying to figure out how you could have bought a home, closed on it, are planning to remodel it, small city and you say you haven't even seen the downtown area of that city, and and yet at only 20 some years old you seem to have been all over the country with knowledge of shopping malls, places to eat, the ups and downs of many cities, etc?

[1Patois]

Originally Posted by nmnita

I am still trying to figure out how you could have bought a home, closed on it, are planning to remodel it, small city and you say you haven't even seen the downtown area of that city, and and yet at only 20 some years old you seem to have been all over the country with knowledge of shopping malls, places to eat, the ups and downs of many cities, etc?

I don't need to share my biography with judgmental skeptics to feel validated. What exactly are you trying to prove or demonstrate? Also, it does not actually matter that the post is two years old. I keyword-searched Pine Bluff to see what else this site had to offer. I have indeed been downtown...when did I say I haven't seen downtown? I'm older than 20. I am 25. I've done plenty with my time as an adult and as a minor had to experience many things. You obviously have nothing better to do. I never went to the mall because I was misinformed that it was closed...and I assumed I would have to travel to shop anyway. (that's one of the things I do) Going 1-2 hours away or waiting until I'm on a long trip to shop is not uncommon for me. When I lived in Fullerton, CA, I would go to the L.A. Garment District for textiles at slashed prices. On my many trips to Utah, I've stopped at outlet malls to shop as well as small town boutiques. If you are not familiar with this concept, then I recommend that you get out more. I don't make decisions on places to live based on where I can shop. The mall is/was insignificant. I look at other things. I had been to the city 3 times prior to purchase. What's your point??? I'm also suspecting that YOU and Hollynla are the same person because y'all are so far up behind each other's derriere that its sickening... Why communicate under two different masks?