Coalition closer to plan for homeless campus

FORT SMITH — A coalition pushing a $3 million homeless campus in Fort Smith hopes to soon shore up funding and finalize a plan so renovation work can start later this year.

The Old Fort Homeless Coalition plans to purchase and renovate a 127,500-square-foot former furniture factory to start Riverview Hope Campus. The first phase of the project will renovate about 35,000 square feet of the factory at a cost of more than $1 million.

The Southwest Times-Record reported that coalition board president Ken Pyle told the Fort Smith board of directors recently that the group is close to being able to present the full phase one plan to city staff.

Fort Smith's annual homeless count has been in the 210-230 range during the past several years.

Upcoming Events