Boulevard, Alcohol On Agenda

Residents Worry About Safety If Fifth Street Is Extended

— City leaders will continue a discussion on the future of North Walton Boulevard at tonight’s City Council meeting, a week after a public hearing drew vocal opposition to one component of the plan.

Dozens of residents turned out to a public hearing at a Planning Commission meeting last Tuesday to protest the extension of Northwest Fifth Street through to North Walton. The commission unanimously approved the plan that aims to improve aesthetics along the corridor and stimulate economic growth.

Meeting Information

City Council

Items on tonight’s Bentonville City Council meeting agenda include:

• A contract with Downtown Bentonville Inc. for $30,000 to provide services to the city.

• An ordinance authorizing to mayor to contract with Holophane Ornamental Lighting to provide street lights for the city at a cost of $565,783.

• A bid award to Construmarr Inc. for the construction of restrooms and a concession stand at the Elm Tree ball fields at a cost of $215,000.

• A contract with Clinard Construction to assist the Fire Department in the design of Station No. 6 on Southwest I Street.

• A budget adjustment for $10,000 to the Bentonville Public Library for a grant from the American Library Association.

• A budget adjustment of $25,000 to replace a police unit that was involved in a motor vehicle accident Dec. 23.

Source: Staff Report

City staff worked for about a year on the plan, hosting public information sessions and evaluating current conditions along a stretch of North Walton from West Central Avenue to Ridgefield Drive.

The plan calls for public investment along the street including new sidewalks, trail connections, a linear city park, public art and tree planting. Ideas for private investment include anchor stores at three major “activity nodes,” a merchant district and updates to building facades.

The extension of Fifth Street would ease access between North Walton and downtown and draw residents of the North Walton neighborhoods back to restaurants and shops on the thoroughfare, said Troy Galloway, director of community development.

Many of the residents who spoke last Tuesday said they supported most parts of the plan, but were concerned about safety if Fifth Street were extended. The street currently dead-ends two blocks east of North Walton.

“Please amend the plan regarding Fifth Street,” resident Elizabeth Sanchez said at the public hearing. “Because we’re very scared to death that it would go through if it’s in this plan.”

Tonight’s meeting will not include a public hearing on the North Walton Boulevard issue, but will be the final step in the plan’s approval process.

Also on the council agenda is an alcohol ordinance regulating the retail sale of alcoholic beverages in the city. The Planning Commission approved the ordinance, which sets out hours of sale, sets zoning requirements for businesses selling or making alcohol and prohibits drive-thru windows at liquor stores.

Alcohol sales began in the city last week when the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Division approved the first beer and wine permits for grocery and convenience stores. Retailers will follow state guidelines until the city ordinance is approved.

Council members also are set to accept a $1 million grant from the Walmart Foundation for the Bentonville Community Center at tonight’s meeting. The center will include swimming pools, exercise areas, ball fields and community gathering areas.

Site work on the project is complete, and city staff is working to raise the remaining money needed for the center. David Wright, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, said he found out about the award Dec. 5. He said he expects other organizations, including the Bentonville Advertising and Promotion Commission, to make contributions in the coming months.

Bentonville’s negotiations with Benton County over ambulance service could be end if the council approves a contract with the county at the meeting. According to Fire Chief Brent Boydston, Benton County would pay $52,000 to the city for ambulance service for 2013. The council also will consider a contract with Centerton regarding ambulance service. Centerton would pay $90,000 a year to Bentonville in four $22,500 installments.

The meeting is set to begin at 6 p.m. at the Community Development Building at 305 S.W. A St.

Upcoming Events