BENTONVILLE -- Bob McCaslin entered the Mayor's Office in 2007 with a vision to make the city a welcoming place, a destination.
"I just never dreamed that we would move to the level we've moved to today where we're nearing 50,000 people and receiving notoriety most cities never experience," he said just days before his last as the city's leader. Stephanie Orman won the November election and takes over as mayor Jan. 1.
The city has been highlighted the past few years in national media ranging from the New York Times and Washington Post to niche publications for biking and outdoor activities.
It's also become the home for large events such as the Bentonville Film Festival.
The city's population grew 58 percent from about 28,600 in 2007 to current estimates of 49,300, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
City improvements
McCaslin's been a forward-thinking, financially responsible leader whose accomplishments out number one's ability to count them, said Chris Sooter, City Council chairman.
"His handprints are on so many things that have taken place in the last 12 years," Sooter said.
Sooter and McCaslin were elected to the City Council in 2002. McCaslin served two terms before being elected mayor; Sooter's been on the council since.
A voter-approved $110 million bond package highlighted McCaslin's first year in office and set his tenure up for one of infrastructure growth. The package provided $85 million for street improvement, $15 million for the park system, $4.6 million for the Police Department, $4.6 million for the Fire Department and $750,000 for the municipal airport.
Improvements include renovation of the downtown square; several street upgrades including East Central Avenue, Southwest I Street and Southwest Regional Airport Boulevard; new soccer fields and several parks.
The bond program was specifically laid out and McCaslin, with council approval, used the money how he promised, Sooter said.
McCaslin was responsible with taxpayers' dollars, Sooter said, which allowed him to leave the city in a "really strong financial position" as he retires.
"To me, that's a pretty big deal because a lot of times you'll see cities stretch themselves beyond their means to make road improvements or park improvements or quality of life improvements," Sooter said.
During McCaslin's tenure, the city built several buildings, including the Bentonville Community Center and the Utility Maintenance Complex.
The parks system added recreational programming and numerous trails and grew to more than 20 city parks. Between $40 million and $50 million in public and private money was invested in the system within the past decade, according to city officials.
Changes were made to improve aesthetics in downtown, including the entry from East Central Avenue. Drainage ditches were replaced with curb and gutters. Overhead utility lines were buried. Ornamental street lights line newly improved sidewalks and walkways.
Behind the scenes
McCaslin's legacy among city employees will be what the public often didn't see, said David Wright, Parks and Recreation director.
He was a leader with compassion who would offer solutions to problems most people couldn't see solutions to, Wright said.
The Community Center is a case-in-point. Residents wanted more in the building than the city could pay for. McCaslin looked within the community to find partners willing to supplement the project's budget.
Wright said he would give a 20-minute presentation to potential partners then McCaslin would spend 90 seconds to explain why each organization should give. He took groups from a place of uncertainty to having them commit money with enthusiasm, Wright said.
The Walton Family Foundation donated $2 million toward the $16.1 million center. Bentonville Public Schools, Walmart Foundation, Community Care Foundation and Advertising and Promotion Commission gave $1 million each. The city paid for the rest through savings and bond money.
"That man has the ability to get others to see a vision and buy into a vision unlike anybody I've ever worked with," Wright said.
McCaslin, during his last City Council meeting Dec. 11, thanked his staff and more than 500 city employees for serving with commitment.
"Their choice to embrace the vision of a greater Bentonville and to provide services to our citizens that exceeded expectations has clearly positioned Bentonville as a leader among its peers in municipal government," he said.
The mayor's mantra to employees was to operate with character, professionalism and integrity.
"That's a more long-term value than concrete and pavement and buildings," he said.
McCaslin, 72, lived in several cities during his 30-year career with Kraft Foods. His last stint with the corporation was in Bentonville. His service on City Council and as mayor during retirement was never supposed to be a second career, he said.
He knew entering his third term he wouldn't run for a fourth.
"I wanted it to be a time of service, and I feel like it has been," he said. "I think it's time for someone else to serve. I've been so honored with it. I really have."
NW News on 12/31/2018