SILOAM SPRINGS -- An alternate option to previous plans for the Cheri Whitlock overpass has been brought to the city by the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department.
The city met with the Arkansas Highway Transportation Department in February to request changes after a public meeting held at City Hall brought forth a list of concerns.
The AHTD amended the four previous options that were initially provided and created a fifth option, said city administrator Phillip Patterson.
The alternate option is flexible and instead of walls (which Bob and Joyce Whitaker said would decrease their property value and block the view from their front door) there will be sloped embankments, Patterson said.
The fifth option would keep Cheri Whitlock Drive open and not require a temporary access road, he said, reminding the board and residents that this is still in the design phase.
There were some questions regarding drainage, which will be addressed by the AHTD.
"It's still early in the design process," Patterson said.
The Whitakers said that though most of their yard will be salvaged, they're still unsure of the impact to their property.
"They moved away from the house a little bit, but we really don't know what they're doing," Joyce said.
"It's just a shock -- we were told that an orange construction line (on the alternate plans) was a construction line for a fence -- a limit line for construction -- but we found out tonight it's an actual mound. It's just confusing," Bob said.
At the regularly scheduled board meeting, directors unanimously approved a grant application to the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program for the old post office on Broadway Street. If the grant is approved by the AHPP, the city will receive $77,333 to go toward the renovation, and the city will provide $38,666, which comes from the surplus hospital fund.
Director At-Large Bob Coleman said that he would love to see the Siloam Springs Museum in the post office.
"Let's get the job done -- the sign's been there for nine years," he said.
The money will be used to repair the roof, chimney and replace windows, according to the grant proposal.
In other business, directors unanimously approved:
• A construction manager will oversee construction of the new library, concession and bathroom facilities at the soccer complex, and a remodel of Animal Services and City Hall.
• Construction of Panda Express at 2775 U.S. Highway 412 East. The restaurant will replace Happy Bays Carwash.
Directors unanimously voted to table an ordinance that would provide the Boys and Girls Club $90,000 without a competitive-bidding process.
NW News on 03/08/2015