ROGERS - Residents are likely to see plenty of cones and barrels as street projects move to the forefront of Rogers’ capital projects for 2014.
“It’s been a good year for the city,” Mayor Greg Hines said. “The economy is getting stronger, sales tax revenue continues to increase, and we have millions of dollars of street, parks and trail projects scheduled to begin in 2014 to keep progress rolling in Rogers.”
The behind-the-scenes work - design, acquiring property and arranging for utility moving on street projects - is concluding, so improvements will be visible soon.
“Property acquisition is complete on some projects, and we are very close on others. The utility companies have been contacted on the projects we will begin in the first quarter of next year. Residents should notice the beginning of street work early in the new year,” city engineer Lance Jobe said.
Major street projects scheduled for construction include widening Perry Road from Dixieland Road to Bellview Road, widening the southern section of Monte Ne Road, improvements to First Street from Olrich Street to Arkansas Street, widening Bellview Road and widening Price Lane from Eighth Street to Dixieland Road.
Not all the projects will be under construction at the same time, city engineer Nathan Becknell said.
“Some of the projects probably won’t even start until the third quarter of next year,” Becknell said.
Street improvements aren’t always something motorists applaud during the construction phase, said Carrie Smith, a Rogers resident.
“Rogers and Northwest Arkansas is on the crest of another growth spurt within the next year or two,” Smith said. “To keep growth moving forward it’s necessary to build and expand the infrastructure such as streets. Street construction or improvements are great when finished but a pain until then.”
Joe Mills, a Rogers businessman, said continued growth demands more street construction.
“Rogers has managed to stay just ahead of the curve based on our growth over the past few years, but to stay ahead, the city has to keep moving forward,” Mills said.
Some of the projects are scheduled for completion by the end of 2014.
“Perry Road and Price Street are two projects that should be finished next year,” Becknell said. “The other street improvements may start next year but are not expected to be complete.”
Besides spending about $20 million on street improvements in 2014, more than $5 million will be spent on two Lake Atalanta projects and soccer fields at Veterans Park, Hines said.
“We expect to begin construction on the soccer fields and other improvements to Veterans Park right after the first of the year,” Jobe said.
Channel realignment of a creek on the south side of Veterans Park is delayed until the Army Corps of Engineers has reviewed the plans, Jobe said. Construction of soccer fields, a concession stand, restrooms and street improvements in the park shouldn’t be delayed.
Barney Hayes, Rogers parks director, said the soccer fields should be finished in the fall.
“The five new lighted fields are expected to be finished in September or early October, but I doubt there will be much play on the fields next year. It depends on the weather as to how well the grass is established. I expect it might be the spring of 2015 before the soccer fields get heavy use,” Hayes said.
Mills said the soccer fields will be a good addition to Veterans Park and the soccer program.
“Rogers has one of the largest soccer programs in the state. These fields are needed and should be well received when finished,” Mills said.
The first improvements to Lake Atalanta Park are scheduled to begin early next year, Hayes said.
The bike park on the Philpot property will become part of the expanded Lake Atalanta Park. Construction is expected to begin early next year, Hayes said.
The Philpot property connects to the south end of Lake Atalanta Park.
“The dredging of the lake will be a big project we plan to accomplish next summer,” Hayes said. “The bike park, the concrete trail around the lake, dredging the lake and the construction of some natural trails will be the first phase project.”
Street and park improvements are just a few of the projects planned for 2014, Hines said.
“We have the [Arkansas Music Pavilion] opening next year; that will give Rogers a wonderful entertainment venue,” Hines said. “We have two very different studies that will be conducted for the city and downtown. The regional study will set some benchmarks that will help us do a better job of planning for the future. The downtown study will take a look at expanding the downtown area to include more residential areas, rezoning and economic development.
“We have a lot on our plate right now, and that’s a great position to be in.”
Mauricio Herrera, an attorney and Rogers resident, said he believes Rogers is on the right track.
“We need more street connectivity from east to west and north to south. The street projects planned should help connectivity and reduce traffic on some existing roads,” Herrera said. “As for the other projects, they have a place in moving the city in the right direction, in my opinion.”
Arkansas, Pages 8 on 12/30/2013