1960s easement found at U.S. Marshals Museum site

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

FORT SMITH -- Plans for the U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith could be stalled after officials discovered a possible U.S. Army Corps of Engineers easement where they propose building the museum to honor the U.S. Marshals Service.

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map showing Fort Smith U.S. Marshals Museum site

Jim Dunn, museum president and CEO, said it is possible that the suspected easement could delay groundbreaking for the museum that is planned in September. However, he said more information is needed.

The 1960s easement was discovered when looking at land surveys, said Rick Griffin, board member and president of Griffin Properties of Fort Smith.

"We are trying to determine if they have easements rights," Griffin said during a board meeting Tuesday. "If they do, then where is it at?"

The proposed site for the museum is on the bank of the Arkansas River off Riverfront Drive and north of the River Park Events Building. Griffin said the land was a swamp in the 1960s, and it is possible the Corps of Engineers needed it for flowage.

"We have asked the Corps to produce any documents," Griffin said. "We have to figure out what right they have."

The easement is possibly 280 to 300 feet wide, Griffin said. However, he said where the easement starts and ends is unknown.

Griffin said a discussion about modifying the easement will arise if it affects plans for the museum.

"I believe it will resolve itself in some manner, but it might take a little bit of work," Griffin said.

Uncertainty about the location of the building will not hinder work by the architects designing the building, Griffin said.

The proposed 20,000-square-foot museum is to open in 2017, Dunn said. He said the museum foundation needs to raise about $50 million for design, construction and an endowment for the museum.

The foundation has currently raised $14 million, Dunn said. He said another $4 million to $5 million is expected from the sale of commemorative coins sold in honor of the U.S. Marshals Service's 225th anniversary.

Board members also discussed the museum's proposed 2014-15 operating budget during the meeting.

Sam Sicard, museum board treasurer, said the board expects to spend $3.5 million during its 2014-15 budget year, which runs from July to June.

More than $2.7 million in revenue will come from the museum's foundation, Sicard said. Another $25,000 in revenue is budgeted from the city. Additional funds needed to fill a $700,000 gap will come from the nearly $1 million in funds the board plans to carry over from this year's budget.

Metro on 06/11/2014