SPRINGDALE -- The downtown area around Emma Avenue could be the heart of the city again with more public and private investment, several business leaders said Thursday.
Invest Springdale, an afternoon conference meant to encourage entrepreneurs and investors to turn their sights on the city's core, drew hundreds of attendees to The Jones Center. First Security Bank's Northwest Arkansas president, Tyson Foods' CEO and the regional coordinator for a group started by two Walton heirs urged the crowd to pay attention to all the ways downtown has already changed.
"I think the opportunity is there for downtown," said Adam Rutledge, the bank president. "I think we're right at the cusp."
The conference included sessions with bankers, local businesses and other experts covering how to go about bringing a business or development to downtown, which the city defines as surrounding Emma from Thompson Street to Old Missouri Road.
The city, Tyson and other groups have spent millions of dollars improving streets and trails and renovating buildings along the street in the past several years. A Walton-backed developer announced Tuesday it would begin construction next year on an office, retail and restaurant project near Commercial Street.
Downtown businesses and residents have said it has transformed from a desolate stretch of town to one with bustling public events, more food options and more interest from around the city and metropolitan area. But the job of revitalization isn't done yet, many added.
"Restaurants, bars -- we need more," Tyson CEO Tom Hayes said, noting the company recently refurbished technology offices on Emma. It's also planning more construction around that facility to make the street a technology hub. "If anyone's thinking of investing, we have 300 people there, and there's more coming."
Mike Malone, Northwest Arkansas coordinator for the Runway Group, praised the city for developing a downtown plan in 2015 envisioning more housing, expanded parks and public space and other improvements. Young adults in the workforce can work anywhere and want vibrant downtowns with jobs and recreation within walking distance, he said.
"The city's taken it and run with it," said Malone, a former director of the nonprofit Northwest Arkansas Council. "Let's go execute it."
The Runway Group was founded by brothers Tom and Steuart Walton, grandsons of Walmart's founder, to retain and attract talented professionals to the area.
Malone noted the area needs lots of quality housing options so that it doesn't rely too much on commuters who are around only during the day. He said a growing city needs a good public transportation system. He and the two executives also pointed to the need for parking and bike lanes.
Audience members brought up still more areas of interest or concern, including whether and when downtown will get a grocery store or a hotel. The panel had no answer about the grocery store. Rutledge said the bank hadn't gotten any requests for financing a hotel, but he has heard some early discussion of the idea.
NW News on 06/15/2018
