Pride In Dickson Street (PIDS) was a group of merchants working to improve Dickson Street and its image in 1983. One of the group’s first actions was a massive cleanup, mobilizing merchants and volunteers to pick up the litter, sweep up glass shards and other refuse. With the city’s cooperation, the PIDS group soon had better lighting and litter receptacles installed curbside. The Fayetteville police established a volunteer Dickson Street foot patrol on Friday and Saturday nights to help discourage crime.

Rick Mayes, formerly manager of Campus Bookstore in Fayetteville and general manager of Lakeland Marine of Springdale, was president of Pride In Dickson Street and executive director of the Dickson Street Improvement District during the transition from a down trodden, crime ridden area to the Dickson Street we know today. He played a pivotal role organizing and helping to grow Springfest—a daylong celebration that included a parade, farmers’ market, crafts booths, sidewalk sales, street performers, live music, and a bed race. He also lobbied hard to bring the Walton Arts Center to Dickson Street. In 1987, thanks to the efforts of Rick Mays, Dickson Street was chosen for the new home of the Walton Arts Center by the joint Fayetteville-University of Arkansas Arts Committee. The Walton Arts Center was the catalyst that connected the area with the University of Arkansas.