The Audubon Riverside Neighborhood Association was formed in 2002 by a group of area residents who wanted to improve communication between neighbors and enhance the cohesiveness of the neighborhood. At the time, two inactive neighborhood organizations were associated with parts of the neighborhood, but no single organization covered the entire area that is Audubon Riverside today; moreover, the controversy surrounding the development of the old bus barn on the 5600 block of Magazine Street, which ultimately became the Whole Foods store, revealed the need for a broader, more transparent organization that could work on behalf of the entire neighborhood.
Understanding the need to balance retail space with residential life in our neighborhood, the founders of ARNA wanted to ensure that the existing businesses in our neighborhood, which are vital to our community, were strongly supported – as well as new businesses that agreed to comply with existing zoning laws.
The Association is bounded by the Mississippi River to the south; both sides of Camp Street to the north; Valmont Street to the east; and Exposition Boulevard to the west.
Since its inception, ARNA has served as an important link between our neighborhood and City Hall. ARNA board members work year-round to ensure our neighborhood has input and is proactive on issues affecting our part of the city. In recent years, ARNA has sponsored major social events in the spring and fall to promote community awareness and good relations between neighbors. ARNA has also sponsored community forums to provide neighbors with the opportunity to learn about and discuss issues affecting our neighborhood, which include business development, candidate debates, government reform proposals, and emergency preparedness.
