SPRINGDALE -- A local organization is showing interest in the Rabbit's Foot Lodge more than five months after the city purchased the property.
Aldermen forwarded a resolution to the City Council at Monday's council committee meeting authorizing the mayor and city clerk to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Ozark Natural Science Center.
At A Glance
Group Action
Other City Council committee actions:
• Aldermen forwarded an ordinance calling for simultaneous detachment and annexation of 87 acres in Bethel Heights.
• Aldermen forwarded a resolution to the council authorizing Capital Improvement Project funds for building improvements at the Animal Services Department.
• Aldermen forwarded a resolution to the council amending the 2014 budget of the Springdale Fire Department to allow $208,000 for an ambulance and emergency medical equipment.
• Aldermen forwarded an ordinance to the council revising the budget for Shiloh Trail and authorizing the execution of a construction contract.
• Aldermen forwarded an ordinance to the council to waive competitive bidding for furnishing of a notification system.
Source: Staff Report
The memorandum will be in effect for 120 days and will allow the organization to conduct a study to see if the property is suitable for its needs, according to the memorandum. The document also states the organization, if still interested in the property after the study, would like to use the lodge for educational purposes.
The study will focus on three subject areas, said Matthew Miller, executive director of the center. Officials will look at financial feasibility, possible collaboration with the city and other partners and community interest in different educational programs.
"There's lots and lots of questions we need to get answered about this opportunity," he said.
City officials purchased the Rabbit's Foot Lodge and the 42 acres around it April 28, paying $1,050,000. The property was appraised at $1.1 million. Johnelle Hunt donated $500,000 toward the purchase, and the rest came out of the city's park fund. The land surrounding the lodge will serve as an expansion of J.B. Hunt Park.
The lodge was built between 1908 and 1909 and was home to J. William Fulbright and his family from 1934 to 1946. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The center's programs at its site in Madison County are focused on fifth-graders featuring overnight trips, said Ken Ewing, board member and co-founder of the center. It's a long drive to the center, and the lodge would provide a closer location for local residents interested in attending programs.
Officials are still "exploring possibilities" for possible programs at the lodge, Ewing said. Possibilities include short daytime field trips for students in first through fourth grade. There could also be programs for high school students and families.
Mike Overton, chairman of the ordinance committee, expressed his concern at Monday's meeting about public access to the lodge and surrounding land.
Ewing said officials would most likely want to use the lodge and local trails around the property. The programs could bring in many local people.
"We could be talking about thousands of people a year," he said.
Ewing said officials with the center would like to find a way to align their goals with the city's goals for the property.
The resolution will be on the agenda for the Oct. 14 city council meeting.
Aldermen also forwarded an ordinance to the council authorizing the mayor and city clerk to enter into a contract for the construction of a re-route of the Razorback Greenway at Lake Springdale. The plan is to use land acquired from the purchase of the Rabbit's Foot Lodge with a small trail leading to an existing wildlife observation deck, according to meeting documents.
The cost of the re-route is not to exceed $80,000, said Patsy Christie, director of planning and community development. The money would come from the city's trails fund.
Officials originally planned to use the existing Lake Springdale Trail as part of the Greenway, Christie said. The trail was constructed about 10 years ago and is eroding in areas. Use of it for the Greenway would cause fishers and bikers to share the same trail.
The re-route will not be close enough to provide access to the lodge, said Doug Sprouse, mayor. Officials will create a trail linking the Greenway to the lodge in the future, but they don't have plans for it yet.
The ordinance will be on the agenda for the Oct. 14 council meeting.
NW News on 10/07/2014