College Considers Preservation Efforts

By Ryan McGeeney

Posted: November 6, 2009 at 8:26 a.m.

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BENTONVILLE — Members of NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s Land Use and Planning Committee took steps Thursday toward preserving a small ecological area on the northern section of the Bentonville campus.

Jo e S p ivey, co m m i ttee chairman, presented two resolutions to about a dozen committee members in attendance.

The first resolution was to recognize the importance of maintaining the Living Laboratory, situated near the northeast corner of the campus. According to the resolution, the area provides a space for environmental and ecological studies, as well as conservation.

The second resolution called for addressing compatibility issues when planning and building the Eighth Street extension that will cut through the northern portion of the campus.

Steven Gates, senior vice president for institutional advancement for the community college, said both the college and the business community have an interest in the extension.

The extension would connect portions of Southeast Eighth Street that truncate on the east and west campus borders. Gates said allowing traffic to flow directly between the Wal-Mart distribution centernear Southeast 14th Street and Moberly Lane and the residential area to the east of campus would help alleviate traffic congestion on 14th Street.

“Just try making a righthand turn onto 14th during the noon hour,” said Gates, pointing to a campus map.

Part of the purpose of Thursday’s resolutions was to emphasize the importance of modifying the planned extension route so it skirts around the Living Laboratory, Gates said.

While the committee’s goal has been to maintain the ecological integrity of the campus ground when the road comes through, construction dates are unknown. Bentonville Transportation Engineer Mike Churchwell said Thursday the Federal Highway Administration has approved the city’s plan for the extension, but there are many hurdles to clear before breaking ground.

“The best-case scenario is, at a minimum, three years,” Churchwell said, “but it will likely be more.”

Committee members also discussed the need for sound barriers around a wooded area near the northwest corner of campus. Faculty, students and other community groups occasionally use the area for team-building exercises, Spivey said, and the traffic noise from U.S. 71B is loud. When the extension is completed, Spivey said he expected the volume to increase.

News, Pages 1 on 11/06/2009

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