FORT SMITH -- After 12 years, a 51-acre tract in Fort Smith near the Arkansas River is again being considered for development into what the city parks commission chairman said would become the city's largest park.
Casey Millspaugh said Tuesday that the commission will decide in the next few weeks how much of the park the city can and should develop based on the money available for the project. Cost estimates will not be available to the commission until next week.
Millspaugh said the commission has set aside $1.5 million for the project, with half, or $750,000, to be spent in each of two phases. He said the first phase would be built this year and the second phase next year.
A team from engineering firm Crafton Tull of Little Rock on Tuesday presented plans it drew up for the park based on what residents said in town meetings and surveys that they wanted to see in the park.
Millspaugh said he hoped the park and other parks department projects in the area, such as trails, would serve as a catalyst for development of the riverfront.
"I'm excited about the idea of the park, but I'm even more excited about the possibility of economic development," Millspaugh said.
Construction of the U.S. Marshals Museum, estimated at $52 million, is planned for the riverfront, but that project, Millspaugh said, is years away from completion.
Crafton Tull urban planner Dave Roberts recommended that the first phase of the park project consist of two tournament-caliber soccer fields, with lights and irrigation, plus parking and some amenities such as restrooms.
Future development of the park, according to a concept drawing presented to the commission, would include two more adult soccer fields; four youth fields; a playground; a Miracle League field for disabled players; amenities like concession stands, a pavilion, a youth challenge obstacle course and restrooms; and parking.
Plans also include a community center that Roberts said could feature an indoor swimming pool.
He said residents expressed interest in a center but that it could cost $25 million. Millspaugh said he did not think the commission would consider undertaking construction of the center soon.
The city bought the 51 acres from Kansas City Southern Railroad in 2004 to develop replacement fields for the Sebastian County Girls Softball Association. The association had to vacate 9-acre Andrews Field downtown to make way for expansions of the Fort Smith National Cemetery.
The association opted not to use the land and has since relocated to fields the city built at Ben Geren Regional Park.
The 51 acres remained undeveloped until voters approved a one-eighth percent sales tax for parks and recreation in 2012 that provided the revenue for the commission to move forward with plans to develop the park.
State Desk on 01/21/2016