Bryant's mayor in his state of the city address Tuesday noted the completion of an additional route connecting the north and south sides of the city as a vital project.
Mayor Allen Scott said that last year, workers completed a section of the Bryant Parkway, which stretches from the intersection of Hilltop and Hilldale roads to Arkansas 5. Scott, who assumed office in January, expects to begin construction on another part of the parkway, from Shobe Road to Reynolds Road, in the summer. He said he aims to finish the road by 2020.
City Council member Rob Roedel said it's important to build the parkway because Reynolds Road is currently the only road that links north and south Bryant and, as it has continued to grow, the city has gotten increasingly congested.
"It's a good problem to have," Roedel said, describing Bryant's growth as a positive for the city.
Bryant's population has skyrocketed over the past 10 years, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in the state. The population jumped from 16,672 people in 2010 to 20,194 in 2017 -- a 21.1 percent increase, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The growth also means that Bryant will eventually need two more fire stations, which Scott said he hopes to accomplish in the next five to 10 years.
Last year, officials opened two stations to replace stations that were designed to be used temporarily but had been used for the past two decades.
"Basically for 20 years, those firemen have been living in a trailer," Scott said.
Scott said he wants to improve conditions like those and, as part of that, the city is conducting a salary review of all positions to ensure that city employees are receiving fair pay.
The public works and parks departments have already given raises to some employees as part of a restructuring that allowed them to rewrite job descriptions, the mayor said.
"That's pretty standard in business as well as government," Scott said.
He said the salary reviews are important "so that my people are better taken care of," and the city can attract competent workers.
Along with city employees, Scott said he wants to build better communication with Bryant residents. He said it's essential to keep them informed about the city's priorities.
"Doing things like that and just being more forthcoming with information with the council and stuff like that because, in the past, there was some issues with that," Scott said.
Scott said he thinks the city is on a good track and is trying to work with residents to better the area.
In the past year, workers constructed a special-needs playground, and there are plans to add more all-inclusive playground equipment in the future. Scott estimated it will cost $100,000.
Also last year, the city began collecting an advertising and promotions tax, which applies to hotels and restaurants. The Advertising and Promotions Commission regulates the money and how it is used.
"We were actually the only city in the area that did not have one," Scott said of the tax.
Scott said he has made an effort to work with both Saline County and Bryant's leaders. He has made it a priority "so we can improve the life of everyone here."
"The more you work as a team, the better it is for everybody," Scott said.
Metro on 03/28/2019