Downtown Bentonville Could See New Housing Development

BENTONVILLE — The City Council approved selling land to ERC Holdings that could lead to new rooftops in downtown.

Council members unanimously voted Tuesday to sell almost half an acre at 401 S.W. A St. just south of the city’s Community Development Center. ERC Holdings plans to build a 64-unit multifamily housing development at the site, said Rob Coleman with ERC.

At A Glance

Kids At Council

About a dozen kids spending their summer at the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County attended Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Alderman Chris Sooter said he took the students on a tour of City Hall as part of their civic engagement experience. Mayor Bob McCaslin said he was thankful to the club for the program. “They are learning to serve others at an early age,” McCaslin said.

Source: Staff Report

The city purchased the property, formerly Bill’s Automotive, for $260,000 in 2010. It’s selling it for $275,000.

The contract gives ERC Holdings 90 days to do due diligence and make sure the project will work at the location before the sale is final, said Brian Bahr, economic development manager in the city’s Planning Department. The company likely will run environmental assessments to ensure the lot’s former use won’t hinder development, as well as give the city an idea of how the development will fit in with the downtown feel.

“Typically, a developer would seek approval through the city of Bentonville,” Bahr said.

The development will fall under the design standards in the city’s Downtown Master Plan, which Bahr said would give the city a lot of protection to ensure the project meshes with downtown.

The Planning Commission also will have a say once developers submit their development plans.

ERC’s website lists two multifamily projects under way in Oklahoma City and St. Louis.

“We make certain that the apartment homes we build are integrated into the neighborhoods to create desirable properties that contribute to healthy and vibrant communities,” the website states.

If approved, the urban complex could provided needed rooftops to help support downtown businesses and activities, Bahr said. Chris Sooter, Ward 1 alderman, said he supports quality downtown development projects reflecting the character of the area.

“We need more living space downtown,” Sooter said. “The location is great. You’ve got proximity to the library, trails, to the arts district.”

Council members also approved agreements to ease traffic congestion in the southwest part of town. The city plans to partner with Benton County and the School District to improve Windmill Road from Morningstar Road to Southwest H Street. The city will pay material costs for the project, the county will provide labor and the district will pay engineering and surveying costs.

The city’s portion is estimated at $790,996. Money will come from the city’s bond program for street improvement, according to the meeting agenda. Improvement should be mostly complete by November and fully complete by February.

The City Council approved a $46,000 agreement with Garver Engineers for support on the Arkansas 12 Improvement Project. The city plans a traffic light at Bright Road and Southwest Regional Airport Boulevard as part of the project. Garver also will help revise agreements regarding city utility easements.

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