Work is continuing in El Dorado on Phase One of the Murphy Arts District, and from the results so far, the prognosis looks great. But let's jump forward to the completion of Phase Two, which is two years out, and recommend an add-on project that will enhance the overall entertainment venue, and be a real draw not only for MAD, but for central Arkansas.
First, let's review the entertainment concept that El Dorado is undertaking and give everyone an overview of the progress: The MAD Amphitheater is up and running, and it was packed to the gills when Brad Paisley played to 8,000 screaming fans there in September. As the weather improves the amphitheater is going to have entertainers such as Jason Isbell and Hank Williams Jr.
The adjacent 2,200-seat Griffin Music Hall has also been finished and has sold out numerous times since it opened in late October. The most recent sellout was Casting Crowns on March 29. As part of Griffin Music Hall, the fine dining Griffin Restaurant and Griffin Cabaret feature a great restaurant combined with a cabaret stage hosting top entertainment.
Thursday Night Live at Griffin Cabaret has become the place to be at 8 p.m., and it's always a packed house. The Phase One MAD PlayScape is well underway; when finished in mid-May it will be the largest children's playscape in the state, with free admission and child supervision at all times. Next will come the four-floor MAD Fine Art Museum with over 8,000 feet of exhibit space, with connections to regional and national museums.
The crown jewel of the entertainment group will follow after the museum is completed: The restoration and renovation of the magnificent Rialto Theater.
The city of El Dorado recently completed a $7 million renovation of Municipal Auditorium, bringing it up to date with a new interior and seating and wonderful acoustics. This month the first of a series of Boomtown Operas, similar to the Grand Old Opry, will be held. At the completion of Phase Two, three major downtown churches will offer late afternoon weekend concerts.
We hope this level of entertainment will attract thousands of visitors to El Dorado. Parking could be a problem, but my proposal will help solve this problem.
Railroad tracks are continuous from Union Station in Little Rock due south, passing through all of the major towns along U.S. 167, and those tracks touch the edge of the Murphy Arts District. This is a great opportunity to organize round-trip train service from Little Rock to El Dorado with stops in Sheridan, Fordyce, and Hampton. Let's call it the Boogie Train.
The train would run on weekends when major attractions are playing at Griffin Music Hall, MAD Amphitheater, and Rialto. The MAD Art Museum is less than a block away for adults to enjoy while the kids are at MAD PlayScape.
The train would take away some of the parking worries. Local hotels would meet the train and ferry these visitors back and forth from MAD.
Hank Williams Jr. and his rowdy friends will be rolling in June 1. Wouldn't you like to buy one ticket for train transportation that includes dining, entertainment and adult beverages, and then upon arriving have lodging arranged and a prime seat for the concert? If all these amenities were offered, the Boogie Train would likely be booked weeks in advance. Is this wishful thinking? Well, if little Reader Railroad could operate a scenic train ride through the pine hills around Prescott a number of years back, just think of the potential of the Boogie Train with Hank Williams Jr. as a destination.
The reason I'm suggesting this now, when the final completion of MAD is two years away, is because it will take that long to organize the rail transportation. There are hundreds of old coach train cars and engines around the country, and without a doubt they can be put into service. In the 1920s oil boom El Dorado had 22 train arrivals a day, and the idea we could have two to four arrivals a weekend with the new train is certainly possible.
I would expect the state of Arkansas to ante up since this would be a real job creator, and do as much economically as it did to attract the Chinese pulp mill near Arkadelphia. Most environmental groups would elect to ride to the Boogie Train north and south since it would be so environmentally friendly. I know I would buy a ticket to ride to Little Rock to see Celtic Woman.
Someone once said if you can imagine it, it can be done. I sound like the greatest Arkansas Homer since Wally Hall, but as Dizzy Dean once said, "It ain't a-braggin' if you a-done it, or if you are a-gonna do it." Or something to that effect.
Richard Mason is a registered professional geologist, downtown developer, former chairman of the Department of Environmental Quality Board of Commissioners, past president of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation, and syndicated columnist. Email [email protected].
Editorial on 04/15/2018