Council Getting Christmas Spirit In August

— August’s heat and drought conditions haven’t melted the Christmas spirit in downtown.

“We have been putting together a Christmas lighting plan for several weeks,” said Kerry Jensen, executive director of Main Street Rogers.

Jensen and Janet Atwood, a member of the Main Street Rogers Design Committee, are scheduled to make a Christmas lighting presentation Tuesday during the City Council meeting.

“They talked to me about the four-year lighting plan last week,” said Greg Hines, Rogers mayor. “I’ve invited them to make a presentation to the council Tuesday night about a Christmas lighting partnership between the city and Main Street.”

“We haven’t had professional Christmas lights downtown in the past,” Atwood said. “We used regular Christmas tree lights to try and create some kind of a festive mood, but it was small and not all that attractive.”

Meeting Information

Rogers City Council

When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Council Chambers, Rogers City Hall, 301 W. Chestnut St. Enter through the door on the northeast side of the building.

On the agenda:

  • Appropriating $5,500 for the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement dues
  • Amending the Rogers Historical Museum budget to reflect the receipt of a $40,000 federal grant
  • Appropriating $8,000 for training and administrative support of the Rogers Historical District Commission
  • Authorizing an $18,985 contract with Hight-Jackson Associates PA for the design of roof repairs necessary on the Rogers Public Library. The roof was damaged at some point by storms.
  • Authorizing a $13,535 contract with Hight-Jackson Associates PA to repair damage on the Rogers Police Department roof
  • Authorizing a $1,178,284 contract with NEC Inc. for construction on the 24th Street improvements
  • Authorizing a $589,568 contract with Crowder Construction for the Country Club Estates rehabilitation project
  • A resolution supporting the adoption of the Northwest Arkansas Razorback Greenway operation and management plan
  • Authorizing a $380,000 contract with Wayest Safety for the purchase of 53 self-contained breathing apparatus for the Fire Department
  • An ordinance rezoning 1.77 acres on New Hope Road from residential multifamily, eight units per acre, to residential multifamily, 15 units per acre

Main Street members thought city leaders might be interested in a long-range plan to add lights and other decorations to make downtown more attractive and festive during winter holidays, Atwood said.

“I traveled to several other towns in Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri during the holidays last year to get some ideas,” Atwood said. “I think it’s time Rogers had some holiday lights and decorations that will be unique to us and create a holiday feeling downtown.”

Main Street members think a good start will be a 30-foot-tall, completely decorated, Christmas tree with light-emitting diode lights timed to respond to a music program.

“Mosca Design of Raleigh, N.C., has a tree we can get for $19,999, although the tree is valued at $32,500,” Jensen said.

The city would purchase the tree, and the city and Main Street would split the cost of the music computer, $1,803, that works with the lights.

Hines said he likes the idea of the tree and the four-year plan that would add new pieces to the lights downtown each year.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for a joint public and private project that will benefit downtown and the rest of the city,” Hines said.

Clarice Moore, owner of The Rabbit’s Lair, said she is excited about a professional Christmas lighting plan.

“We haven’t had anything like this before in Rogers,” Moore said. “I like the idea of having professionally done decorations for downtown.”

Victoria Christie, owner of the Bread-n-Butter Bakery Cafe said she supports the plan 100 percent.

“I love Christmas and can’t wait to put up the Christmas tree in the restaurant later this year,” Christie said. “I support Main Street and the city trying to make our downtown look more festive during the holiday season.”

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