Glad arts corridor won, but more to consider
The recent vote on 10 issues of the Fayetteville bond referendum included the cultural arts corridor with a winning vote of 54 percent, the lowest winning margin of the 10 issues, signifying some concerns. I voted "for" this issue and I am happy it passed because I favor the cultural arts corridor and the funding for it.
But I am very concerned over the closing of that Walton Arts Center lot that parks 290 cars. Losing, or even compromising, that parking will have a very negative effect on the arts center. That concern has led me to look for other options that would preserve the best of both worlds.
The University of Arkansas has solved a similar problem with the football practice field (150 x 300 feet) built above a parking lot accommodating 272 cars. It cost $9 million in 2012 and an estimated $11 million to duplicate today. This is a very attractive structure with brick walls containing numerous arch-shaped openings around the perimeter to shield the view of the cars but still be attractive.
For the arts center, it appears no alternative parking proposal is as convenient or affordable as keeping the present lot, dressed up like the U of A lot with a beautiful garden on top of it -- and we already own the real estate. It is a way to preserve the beautiful arts corridor as a "sky garden" at far less cost than purchasing nearby real estate and building a multi-level, less-friendly parking deck to replace superior parking that we already have. How does that make sense?
The Northwest Arkansas Business Journal reports $31.69 million budgeted for the cultural arts corridor. That is for the corridor, new land purchase necessary for the new parking deck and the cost of the deck itself to replace the 290 cars presently in the arts center lot. Why can't we at least get a bid on building the "sky garden," dressing up the present arts center lot as done at the UA practice field, and preserving the present buildings at the railroad station and Bank of Fayetteville location? Do we really want a multi-level parking deck built there?
The reality is the arts center has many elderly patrons who will not walk long distances nor navigate several decks of parking to look for a space to park and not find it. Unless attendance is convenient and easy, we will lose support for the arts center, a result that is unacceptable. At the very least, alternative options should be considered by Fayetteville on this very important project.
Bill Underwood
Fayetteville
NW News on 04/26/2019