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15 proposals in the hat for State Fairgrounds

Little Rock proposes keeping current location with new interchange

By Noel E. Oman

Employees of Archway Amusements erecting the ferris wheel on Monday from the late Michael Jackson's Neverland at the Baxter County Fairgrounds in Mountain Home. The fair opens Tuesday evening and runs through Saturday.

Photo by Jim Bodenhamer / Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Employees of Archway Amusements erecting the ferris wheel on Monday from the late Michael Jackson's Neverland at the Baxter County Fairgrounds in Mountain Home. The fair opens Tuesday evening and runs through Saturday.

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Fifteen proposals for new sites for the Arkansas State Fairgrounds - offering a smorgasbord of large tracts of land, mostly undeveloped, throughout central Arkansas - were submitted by Tuesday's deadline.

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This article was published September 16, 2009 at 5:16 a.m.

Arkansas, Pages 9, 13 on 09/16/2009

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Comments on 15 proposals in the hat for State Fairgrounds

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Rational_Thinker says...

In reference to the NLR sites, you should take a close look at the owners of the proposed properties. You might find some interesting names among them.

September 16, 2009 at 6:30 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mrkohl_comcast.net says...

The city of Little Rock should not spend a dime. If they want to leave, so be it. There is no way the money is recouped from the one week event every year. That site could be but to use as income producing commerical property.
Let them go.

September 16, 2009 at 7:06 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

nlr_resident says...

I haven't been to the fair in over a decade and will not go back at the current location. The fair may draw large crowds now, but think of how many will come to a new, safer, easier location. People from out of town don't want to come and stay overnight near the current location. I think the proposed sites should be carefully considered and the new location should be whatever is really the most cost effective NEW location. I don't care where it is as long as I feel safe going to the area. I say MOVE IT!! I would love to go to the fair again, to take my kids and enjoy the rides, but I refuse to go to Roosevelt.

September 16, 2009 at 8:03 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Nerdette says...

I like the Kerr Road option. The traffic between Lonoke and Little Rock is light, so it wouldnt be an added burden during those weeks. Plus you got 70 you can travel in by and/or Military road. Lonoke City has motels and Gallaway Exit has Hotels. But I live in Ward, so what do I know?

September 16, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

TheBatt says...

The current fairgrounds border on a disgrace for many reasons. One, the neighborhood is not what it was 60 years ago. Second, the buildings and general property is in disrepair, and finally, there is the issue of safety which goes back to the first issue.

I don't go to the fair, not because of a lack of desire. I don't go because the location and overall environment of the current location contribute to what certainly feels like an unsafe environment. There is regular crime, some of which goes unreported in the media (and I assume to the police), and I particularly don't see it being a safe place to take children. The fair is suppose to be about family -

September 16, 2009 at 10:08 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

allpass says...

Most definitely need a new location for the fair. The lpresnt location is an unsafe enviroment for young and old.
We will not take our grand children to the present location on Roosevelt Road. It is a very dangerous area not only for adults but especaially for children. I think it is way over due for a BIG CHANGE and we as adults need o take a stand to want a better place to go and take our children and grand-children. It is time to move and get away from Roosevelt Road.

September 17, 2009 at 12:16 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

allpass says...

come on folks this is 2009 not 1954. We nee to get this moved to a better,safer location. We refuse to take our grandchildren,friends, or any family members to the fair on Roosevelt Road. It is proven many times over it is a very dangerous area to be day or night. WE NEED A CHANGE!!!!!So lets get this show on the road and move this to a bigger,better,safer location for us, our children and grand-children

September 17, 2009 at 12:27 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

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