SPRINGDALE -- Public input throughout the week has helped shape a recommended option for the downtown plan.
The sessions this week were held every day at the Arts Center of the Ozarks at 214 S. Main St. On Monday and Friday, people gathered around tables and listened to a presentation. A public viewing and question-and-answer session was held Friday evening at Black Apple Crossing, 321 E. Emma Ave., after Friday's public design session.
The Downtown Springdale Initiative, a combination of city officials, the Downtown Springdale Alliance and residents, is working with H3 Studio on a plan for downtown Springdale. The launch was held July 21 at the Arts Center. H3 Studio is an interdisciplinary design and planning firm, according to a description provided by the company.
Information from the launch meeting in July, focus group meetings and stakeholder interviews were used to create three options, Patsy Christie, city director of planning and community development, said Monday. The goal of this week's sessions was to have a recommended option by Friday.
Feedback from the sessions can be used to move from a big picture to a practical and implementable plan, Daniel Hintz, chief experience architect for Velocity Group, said Monday. The alliance is his client.
Three options were discussed at Monday's session. At Friday's session at the Arts Center, a preferred option sat in the McCuistion Matthews Gallery during the presentation. The option had maps, one of which showed many details. Among those details shown was Meadow Avenue closed on the east side of the railroad tracks instead of continuing on the west side of the tracks.
A numbered list next to one of the maps mentioned an expansion of Luther George Grove Street Park and new downtown housing.
Luther George Grove Street Park is hidden behind buildings, John Hoal of H3 Studio said during the presentation. He said the park needs to be a redevelopment tool.
Hoal also spoke about an idea for free Wi-Fi downtown and widening Emma Avenue in areas. He spoke about an idea for a hotel downtown and said beautifying the landscape is very important.
Abigail Freeman attended Friday's session at the Arts Center and said she lives in the downtown area on Holcomb Street. She said the area felt empty after she moved there, and then it felt a little dangerous five years ago. Over the past year or two years the area has started to get better, she said.
Lisa Ray, vice president of the alliance, attended Friday's session at the Arts Center. She said a "point person" is needed for the downtown area. There's a national search for someone to fill that role within the alliance. The title for that position is executive director, Hintz said.
The preferred option, which was the culmination of this week's sessions, is a draft for the plan, said Tim Breihan of H3. They plan to have a draft in October and plan to continue to work with the community.
"This is far from the end of the process," he said.
NW News on 09/19/2015