FAYETTEVILLE — The last topic to receive attention during the City Council’s agenda-setting session Tuesday was a resolution to authorize the city attorney to renegotiate a 25-year lease with the Walton Arts Center Council.
The city originally entered into a 25-year lease in 1994, but Kit Williams, city attorney has said the council is within its rights to request a new agreement.
The resolution would “formalize the verbal assurances given to Fayetteville that the Walton Arts Center will continue to receive an equitable portion of Broadway and other performances.”
Williams said it would ensure equitable operational support and capital donation for both venues in Bentonville and Fayetteville.
Arts Center staff have maintained that Fayetteville could continue to enjoy a high level of performances at its site.
Alderman Matthew Petty, who represents residents living closest to the center, said he doesn’t support the resolution.
“I think that the Walton Arts Center is as committed as they’ve ever been to maintaining programming and maintaining the seats they have in Fayetteville now,” Petty said.
Council members are scheduled to consider the resolution at 6 p.m. Tuesday.