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Mayor Sprouse Delivers His Annual
State of the City Address
State of the City Address
DOWNTOWN
Our Downtown will continue its transformation into a District where people will choose to work, live, and shop. We will continue to see the results of commitments from companies like Tyson, as they create even more employment opportunities downtown. But Tyson is not the only one. There are many job creators and entrepreneurs, both large and small that will continue to invest and take the risks necessary to make our downtown momentum continue. We also recognize that in order for our downtown to be all it can be, it has to be an area where people want to live. We are beginning to see that happen. We currently have one mixed use project that has recently broken ground on east Emma Ave. With retail and restaurant space on the ground floor, and quality multi-family spaces above, it will begin to meet coming demand for residential multi-family and will implement the new form-based codes that our Planning Commission developed and this body subsequently approved. We believe that form-based code will serve as a foundational building block and blueprint for insuring quality development and protecting property values downtown. There's another approved mixed-use development slated to start by this summer. This long anticipated project, also located on Emma Ave., will be built on the site of the old San Jose Manor. Again, retail and restaurant spaces will occupy the ground floor, with over 50 units of 1-2 bedroom apartments in the 4 stories above.
But not all of the planned development involves new buildings. Existing structures that are meaningful to the history of Springdale are also being 6 repurposed. One example is the old Ryan's building that will become a new gathering place, incorporating a food and entertainment theme. Another prime example is the renovation of the Watson's Building on the corner of Main and Meadow. James and James, a great Springdale company, will make the Watson's building their new home. The signage is already up, and the building is looking great. A short drive around downtown also brings to attention many older homes that have recently been remodeled, or are at some stage of restoration. It has become evident, more and more people are now considering Downtown Springdale when looking for a place to live.
This seems like a good time for an update on Luther George Park. This year, the DSA' (Downtown Springdale Alliance), will receive the completed plans for the renovations to the park. The design has been funded by a WFF Design Excellence Grant. The design process has been thorough, gathering input from a diverse group of residents, businesses, and potential investors. This design is one that, when built, will create a park unlike any in the region. Luther George Park will truly be a destination and will help drive our downtown to a level beyond what even its most passionate cheerleaders ever imagined. As the design process wraps up, a capital campaign to raise private construction funds will commence. Over the next few months, I'll be working with you to identify possible public funding sources so we can determine a realistic amount our City can contribute to make the project a reality. My challenge to you is to work with me to bring forward a plan that will commit at least $2 mil. over the next 2 years toward the estimated $8-$9 mil. construction cost. Once we make that pledge, then the efforts to raise the private funds can really begin.
Also downtown, (thanks to a generous donation by Bank of America), the City of Springdale is now the proud owner of the former Bank of America drive-through facility on Meadow Ave. This not only includes the drive-through building and connected parking, but also the small wooded area directly to the south, running right along a portion of the Razorback Greenway. Nothing is written in stone yet, but future plans for the property could include a permanent home for the Springdale Farmers Market, along with a possible public art initiative or a pocket park.
There's another catalyst that has the potential to spur significant development, not only Downtown, but in almost all of east Springdale. I'm speaking about Opportunity Zones. These zones were established as part of President Trump's tax plan that went into effect last year. Not to get into the weeds, the short explanation is this; within these zones, private funds can be created that allow investment into business and capital projects resulting in substantial tax benefits to the investors. These zones are based on census tracts. Thanks to the work of the Springdale Chamber, State Senator Lance Eads, and Governor Hutchinson, Springdale received four Opportunity Zones, more than any other city in the state, besides Little Rock, (which also received four). The impact of these opportunity zones is just beginning to be seen, but let me just say that since our entire Downtown and the vast majority of our industrial areas are included in an Opportunity Zone, the positive impact on development will be tremendous. Many of the Downtown projects I've mentioned are utilizing Opportunity Zone Funds, encouraging local investors to become part of local projects that help our community, and the investors.
OVERLAY DISTRICT
Another area where we are seeing significant development is our Overlay District. After years of preparation and patience, we are going to see a rapid increase in the number of projects under construction in the District. Our Overlay District is soon to become the most desirable location for retail commercial, medical, educational, and residential development in NWA. Jewels like ARVEST Ballpark, Arkansas Children's Northwest, Sam's Club, and the newly opened NWACC Washington County Center, will be joined this year by the likes of Highlands Oncology Group, and just across Don Tyson Parkway, a new office tower housing BCBS. The George Family has broken ground on a new office tower just north of Children's, and has also announced a new 10 acre retail development, on the corner of Gene George Boulevard and W. Sunset. Add to all this, a variety of residential projects under construction, and road improvements to 64th St., Gene George Blvd. south of Don Tyson Parkway, and a future extension of Don Tyson Parkway to Hwy 112, and it's easy to see why all of NWA is so bullish on our Overlay District. 8 Now, let me touch on a few other important things that we'll be working on this year.
Our Downtown will continue its transformation into a District where people will choose to work, live, and shop. We will continue to see the results of commitments from companies like Tyson, as they create even more employment opportunities downtown. But Tyson is not the only one. There are many job creators and entrepreneurs, both large and small that will continue to invest and take the risks necessary to make our downtown momentum continue. We also recognize that in order for our downtown to be all it can be, it has to be an area where people want to live. We are beginning to see that happen. We currently have one mixed use project that has recently broken ground on east Emma Ave. With retail and restaurant space on the ground floor, and quality multi-family spaces above, it will begin to meet coming demand for residential multi-family and will implement the new form-based codes that our Planning Commission developed and this body subsequently approved. We believe that form-based code will serve as a foundational building block and blueprint for insuring quality development and protecting property values downtown. There's another approved mixed-use development slated to start by this summer. This long anticipated project, also located on Emma Ave., will be built on the site of the old San Jose Manor. Again, retail and restaurant spaces will occupy the ground floor, with over 50 units of 1-2 bedroom apartments in the 4 stories above.
But not all of the planned development involves new buildings. Existing structures that are meaningful to the history of Springdale are also being 6 repurposed. One example is the old Ryan's building that will become a new gathering place, incorporating a food and entertainment theme. Another prime example is the renovation of the Watson's Building on the corner of Main and Meadow. James and James, a great Springdale company, will make the Watson's building their new home. The signage is already up, and the building is looking great. A short drive around downtown also brings to attention many older homes that have recently been remodeled, or are at some stage of restoration. It has become evident, more and more people are now considering Downtown Springdale when looking for a place to live.
This seems like a good time for an update on Luther George Park. This year, the DSA' (Downtown Springdale Alliance), will receive the completed plans for the renovations to the park. The design has been funded by a WFF Design Excellence Grant. The design process has been thorough, gathering input from a diverse group of residents, businesses, and potential investors. This design is one that, when built, will create a park unlike any in the region. Luther George Park will truly be a destination and will help drive our downtown to a level beyond what even its most passionate cheerleaders ever imagined. As the design process wraps up, a capital campaign to raise private construction funds will commence. Over the next few months, I'll be working with you to identify possible public funding sources so we can determine a realistic amount our City can contribute to make the project a reality. My challenge to you is to work with me to bring forward a plan that will commit at least $2 mil. over the next 2 years toward the estimated $8-$9 mil. construction cost. Once we make that pledge, then the efforts to raise the private funds can really begin.
Also downtown, (thanks to a generous donation by Bank of America), the City of Springdale is now the proud owner of the former Bank of America drive-through facility on Meadow Ave. This not only includes the drive-through building and connected parking, but also the small wooded area directly to the south, running right along a portion of the Razorback Greenway. Nothing is written in stone yet, but future plans for the property could include a permanent home for the Springdale Farmers Market, along with a possible public art initiative or a pocket park.
There's another catalyst that has the potential to spur significant development, not only Downtown, but in almost all of east Springdale. I'm speaking about Opportunity Zones. These zones were established as part of President Trump's tax plan that went into effect last year. Not to get into the weeds, the short explanation is this; within these zones, private funds can be created that allow investment into business and capital projects resulting in substantial tax benefits to the investors. These zones are based on census tracts. Thanks to the work of the Springdale Chamber, State Senator Lance Eads, and Governor Hutchinson, Springdale received four Opportunity Zones, more than any other city in the state, besides Little Rock, (which also received four). The impact of these opportunity zones is just beginning to be seen, but let me just say that since our entire Downtown and the vast majority of our industrial areas are included in an Opportunity Zone, the positive impact on development will be tremendous. Many of the Downtown projects I've mentioned are utilizing Opportunity Zone Funds, encouraging local investors to become part of local projects that help our community, and the investors.
OVERLAY DISTRICT
Another area where we are seeing significant development is our Overlay District. After years of preparation and patience, we are going to see a rapid increase in the number of projects under construction in the District. Our Overlay District is soon to become the most desirable location for retail commercial, medical, educational, and residential development in NWA. Jewels like ARVEST Ballpark, Arkansas Children's Northwest, Sam's Club, and the newly opened NWACC Washington County Center, will be joined this year by the likes of Highlands Oncology Group, and just across Don Tyson Parkway, a new office tower housing BCBS. The George Family has broken ground on a new office tower just north of Children's, and has also announced a new 10 acre retail development, on the corner of Gene George Boulevard and W. Sunset. Add to all this, a variety of residential projects under construction, and road improvements to 64th St., Gene George Blvd. south of Don Tyson Parkway, and a future extension of Don Tyson Parkway to Hwy 112, and it's easy to see why all of NWA is so bullish on our Overlay District. 8 Now, let me touch on a few other important things that we'll be working on this year.