Council Approves Light Display, Observation Area

Amenities Will Add To Quality Of Springdale Life

SPRINGDALE — City residents will have more amenities after the City Council approved measures Tuesday to add recreational and seasonal activities.

The council approved construction of the Rabbits Foot Wildlife Observation area at Lake Springdale and building a drive-through light display in J.B. Hunt Park.

At A Glance

Council Action

Springdale City Council met Tuesday and approved:

-Spending $390,000 from the 2012 budget for ambulances approved that year, but delivered this year

-Spending about $18,000 from the district court technology fund for security and computers

-Spending $7,231 to put up a fence around the Babe Ruth fields at Tyson Park

-Rezoning 1.7 acres at 3749 S. Powell St. owned by Springdale Church of God from agricultural to institutional for a church day care center

-Rezoning 9.4 acres at end of 45th Street north of Everett Chevrolet owned by PMD Enterprises from thoroughfare commercial to large product retail sales for a car lot

-Rezoning 30 acres on the east side of 56th Street running to Interstate 540, south of Dearing Road owned by Janet B. Huntsman Trust from agricultural to thoroughfare commercial for commercial development

-Rezoning 0.3 acres at 3973 Elm Springs Road owned by Gene and Debbie Kordsmeier from general commercial to thoroughfare commercial to add a drive-in window to a business

-Rezoning 0.1 acres at 108 Graham St. owned by Daniel and Dasha Faires from general commercial to downtown district for an event venue.

Source: Staff Report

“Any time you can add amenities to your parks that will add to the quality of life for your residents, it’s great,” said Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse. “This will add to the experiences of our people and people in the area.”

The lighting display would run along the park drive from Silent Grove to North Pump Station roads and can be driven in either direction. A recommended $5 donation to drive through would be requested, but not required, according to Summer Hull, director of Get Lit, the company that will design the display.

The display is a big opportunity, said Alderman Brad Bruns.

“This is something that no other city in the area is doing,” Bruns said. “I think the potential is huge.”

The observation area would add to an area, Lake Springdale, that already has several amenities planned, including a floating fishing dock that will stretch from bank to bank.

“Everyone will be able to use the dock,” Bruns said. “Kids, handicapped, the whole family. Everything will be very family friendly.”

The cost of the dock will be $161,302 with $100,000 coming from an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission grant.

The display will cost $290,000 but will take in an estimated $100,000 in donations per year. The proceeds will be used to maintain and expand the display, with some money also possibly give to charities, Hull said.

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