Architect Reed's lines reshaped the Pine Bluff area

Fred Reed stands in front of the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center in downtown Pine Bluff. Of the hundreds of buildings he designed, it’s one of his favorite projects. 
(Special to The Commercial/Deborah Horn)
Fred Reed stands in front of the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center in downtown Pine Bluff. Of the hundreds of buildings he designed, it’s one of his favorite projects. (Special to The Commercial/Deborah Horn)

After 40 years, Pine Bluff architect Frederick "Fred" H. Reed, A.I.A., closed his office but his mark on southeast Arkansas will remain for decades. His lines at times were long and lean, forged from glass, stone and brick into structures of interesting cubes, semicircles and a variety of quadrilaterals.

His portfolio is filled with banks, libraries, schools and churches throughout southeast Arkansas, with a focus in Pine Bluff, where major projects included the Seabrook YMCA, the Jack Jones Jefferson County Juvenile Justice Center, the Jefferson County District Courts, the Lakeshore Pavilion at Saracen Landing and one of his favorites, the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center.

Reed was recognized by Keep Arkansas Beautiful, describing his designs as "beautifully functional and well-built spaces," with attention to details like landscaping.

He was one of 25 individuals named a Keep Arkansas Beautiful Lodestar. These people are described as guiding their neighborhoods and communities in an effort to keep the state clean, green and free of litter.

His design roots ran deep

"I was exposed to architecture as a kid," he remembered. At Pine Bluff High School, he took drafting, as well as drawing.

Reed graduated from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville in 1977 with a degree in architecture, and served his apprenticeship in Mobile, Ala., before returning to Pine Bluff and joining his father, D. Ashley Reed, at Reed Architectural Firm Ltd. at 417 W. Sixth Ave. in 1980 as a partner.

The firm was founded in 1907, and D. Ashley Reed and his partner designed the Pine Bluff Country Club and the Pine Bluff Convention Center.

Reed entered architecture at a time of great change.

Before the start of his career, the slide rule and pages and pages of hand-drawn blueprints ruled -- a single change could result in pages of revisions.

By the time he entered the business, computers were just beginning to change the way architectural plans were produced.

"Of course, we still had to draw blueprints," but revisions weren't as complicated and eventually the internet, like the ability to send faxes, would change the way business was done, he said.

Of architects, Reed said, "We know a little bit about a lot of things," such as federal requirements, state and local codes, structural, electrical, aesthetics and more.

He said architecture also requires the ability to effectively communicate with clients, whether individuals or committees, and yet be comfortable walking around a construction site, talking with the crew and foreman.

In addition to Pine Bluff, Reed helped change the landscape of White Hall, including designing the James "Jitters" Morgan White Hall Community Center, the Star City Bank, the city's fire station, the Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Company's headquarters, as well as the Cornerstone Apostolic Church and Bethany Missionary Baptist Church's sanctuary.

He recently did the redesign of the White Hall Library.

Whether working with a private owner or a committee, Reed said, "I really try to meet the needs of the customers ... It takes patience and a keen understanding of the clients' needs and desires."

White Hall Mayor Noel Foster said Reed was able to take the city's vision and put their plan to paper.

"Fred was easy to work with and always available...He did us a good job," Foster said.

Crafting a big mark

Reed is the genius behind a number of Pine Bluff's recent or more memorable structures, including the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, the Pine Bluff National Bank, Sissy's Log Cabin and the Grace Episcopal Church.

For Reed, the church was personal. Some architects wouldn't have attempted to design the church where they pray, but Reed was eager to tackle the job, he remembered.

He also designed the Super D Drug Store Retail Outlet in Flowood, Miss., and four Bank of Star City locations.

Mark Owen, Bank of Star City president, was pleased with Reed's designs of their banks.

Like Reed's other clients, Owen said Reed was easy to work with, and as importantly, "He took what he heard from us and turned that into a workable, user-friendly facility."

A life after design

Reed said he had "a diverse, interesting job ... everyday was different," and he still has trouble imagining retirement, but nonetheless he closed his practice.

But he's not pursuing a hobby or traveling; instead, he's working for Simmons Bank full time as coordinator on new construction, remodeling and space consolidation at their various banks in about a six-state area.

It's a transition, he said.

"I'm working with architects and engineers. It's a good opportunity," and as far as actual retirement goes, he said, "It's not likely to happen anytime soon."

Pine Bluff architect Fred Reed's mark on Southeast Arkansas will remain for decades after he retires. (Special to The Commercial/Deborah Horn)
Pine Bluff architect Fred Reed's mark on Southeast Arkansas will remain for decades after he retires. (Special to The Commercial/Deborah Horn)

Upcoming Events