BENTONVILLE Officials hope museum keys more projects

Upscale hotel first venture, but what’s next for the city?

By Evie Blad

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Leaders have touted the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, under construction north of downtown, as a catalyst for other large-scale projects that will improve the region’s economy.

But the first project explicitly tied to the museum, a boutique hotel announced last week, will be financed by the museum’s own creators, the family of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton.

Economic development officials say much of the museum’s impact won’t be fully realized until it opens, inspiring investors less familiar with the area to build on its momentum.

“I wouldn’t be interested in Bentonville at all if it weren’t for Crystal Bridges,” said Louisville, Ky., philanthropist and arts patron Steve Wilson.

Wilson and his wife, Laura ...

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Northwest Arkansas, Pages 19 on 06/13/2010

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