BENTONVILLE — More than 100 residents turned out to give their opinions on the future of North Walton Boulevard at a public workshop Thursday night.
Participants filled out visual preference surveys, rating different illustrations and posted comments under various headings on a bulletin board.
Wesley Wilson recently moved to the Hidden Springs neighborhood and often finds traffic-heavy North Walton Boulevard to be a barrier to biking around town.
“Of course we need shopping and attractions, but we also need it to be safe to walk and bike,” he said.
Troy Galloway, director of community development, knew pedestrian safety and biking were issues going into the planning session. He envisions an area with improved sidewalk connections, pedestrian crossings and links to the North Bentonville Trail.
At A Glance
Planning Workshop
Photos and illustrations on visual preference surveys at a planning workshop on the future of North Walton Boulevard evaluated:
• Shopping experience illustrations included strip malls, pedestrian-friendly landings and traditional big-box stores.
w Multifamily housing photos showed row housing, urban apartment living and large complexes.
• Commercial parking illustrations included a treeless sprawling lot, on-street parallel parking, and diagonal street parking.
• Public space photos showed green parks, a splash park and a outdoor cafe-type setting.
Source: Staff Report
Improved sidewalks were a common suggestion, with one resident advocating for a tunnel under Walton Boulevard.
Wilson said he would like to see the same attention to quality of life details that went toward a revitalization effort of downtown applied to the North Walton Boulevard area. As it is, the street is often a “no-go zone” for pedestrians, he said.
North Walton Boulevard has lost out on economic development projects over the past few decades to other spots in Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas. The corridor between West Central Avenue and Ridgefield Drive is flanked by what Galloway calls “upwardly mobile” neighborhoods but is suffering from empty storefronts and vacant lots.
Galloway said the city will make a commitment to the effort and infrastructure but individual business owners and local groups will have to be the catalyst. He said he spoke with a man at Thursday’s meeting who was considering forming a merchants association for the area.
“We want people to take over like that,” Galloway said.
Residents were also concerned about green space along the boulevard. One resident commented the street should become a “true boulevard,” with trees lining both sides of the street.
Three comments asked North 15th Street be paved through to North Walton Boulevard. Its sole outlet is Bella Vista Road. Other comments centered on adding an upscale hotel and improving commercial signs in the area.
Under a heading titled “Affordable Housing,” five residents commented, “No!” Two suggested housing for young couples or moderate-income families would be a good idea.
Galloway said adding residential units to the area is a priority. There are few opportunities for growth in the popular downtown area, but the neighborhoods surrounding North Walton Boulevard are close to downtown and have room for growth, he said.
Another resident encouraged diversity, saying “homogenous environments breed complacency and contempt.”
Galloway said he was pleased with turnout and appreciated residents’ input. Alderman Shane Perry also stayed through the meeting and said it was one of the best attended public meetings he has seen in Bentonville.
Planners will evaluate the suggestions and search for trends in the preference surveys over the next few weeks. The city will host another meeting in around six weeks to present the findings.
“At the next meeting, we will refine the ideas and ask residents, ‘Is this what you meant?’” Galloway said.
From there, a final plan will be developed and presented to the City Council.
“We appreciate everyone who showed up and their interest in the process,” Galloway said.