Bid Time Nears for Interchange

Springdale Council Approves Condemnations

— The city moved closer to construction bid time for the Don Tyson Parkway interchange Tuesday when the City Council approved condemning two more properties.

At A Glance

Council Action

Springdale’s City Council met Tuesday and approved:

-Spending $220,000 for parking and drainage improvement at the Senior Center

-A $92,500 contract with Mahan Construction to renovate the rear building at the Animal Shelter

-A $150,000 contract with the Springdale Chamber of Commerce to promote business development and economic growth

-A cleanup lien for 1006 Christian Ave., 2730 Lenox Court and 2663 Lenox Court

-Approved appointing Rex Bailey to the Public Facilities Board.

Source: Staff Report

The city must acquire all right of way needed to build the interchange on Interstate 540 before it can advertise for bids. The project, estimated at $25 million, would give access to land on the west side of I-540.

“We just have a few properties out there that have not been settled or condemned,” said Mayor Doug Sprouse. “We should soon be ready to go.”

The land west of I-540, near Arvest Ballpark, has been targeted by the city for development.

The interchange will take portions of 21 property tracts. Of those, the city has settled with seven, condemned 10 and has four remaining, said Patsy Christie, director of planning.

One of the new condemnations was for 5083 Dearing Road, owned by John and Laura Sisemore. The city offered $165,000 for the right of way.

The other condemnation was for at 5441 Dearing Road, owned by Victory Church of Northwest Arkansas. The offer was $75,400.

“We condemned both properties at the request of the owners,” said Alderman Eric Ford. “This will allow them to get their money and us to move forward with the interchange.”

No representative of either property owner attended the meeting.

The condemnation allows the property owners to contest the property value and still receive a payment.

“There will be some in the future where we won’t be filing a condemnation at the request of the owners,” Sprouse said. “We do have to acquire all the right of way as soon as possible.”

“We hope we will have the last properties ready by the next council meeting,” Christie said.

The council’s next meeting is Jan. 22. All condemnations also have to be approved by the state Highway and Transportation Department, Christie said.

The city is waiting for the state’s approval of the interchange plans, Sprouse said.

Also to be settled is two billboards on the interstate that have to be moved, Christie said.

“We had to change an ordinance to allow the billboards to be moved,” Christie said. “That’s why it’s taken longer for them.”

City ordinance didn’t allow billboards to be moved. The council voted to allow billboards to be moved in a situation where the city forces a move.

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