HOT SPRINGS -- Imminent hazards identified in the notice of unsafe conditions the city issued the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa earlier this month have been remedied, city Planning and Development Director Kathy Sellman said Friday.
Sellman said Mike Scott, the chief building inspector, signed off on the final inspection of electrical issues listed in the June 2 notice. Broken and rotted bracing supporting the pool deck has been repaired and brought up to code, Sellman said. The inspection that led to the notice came after a city board member received a complaint.
"The things of an electrical nature that we deemed a hazard, the Arlington had those fixed within a matter of days," said Sellman, referring to exposed electrical wiring and unsecured electrical conduit cited in the notice. "They were very responsive."
Sellman said Hill & Cox Corp., the Arlington's contractor, has chosen an engineering firm to conduct a more extensive analysis of the building, but it has yet to inform the city of the selection. The hotel's more than 375,000 square feet and 480 rooms will make for a lengthy review, Sellman said.
"It's our understanding the selection was made [Friday]," she said. "This is a task that requires someone to dedicate a huge amount of resources, time and manpower. They will look at everything. Any finding with regard to repairs or code compliance, those will be in the report. We don't expect to see the final report for about two weeks."
Sellman said code issues identified during the analysis will be reported prior to the release of the final report.
"It's a huge building," she said. "To do a detailed engineering report that's meaningful, it does take time. In the meantime, should they find anything that causes health and safety concerns, we'll be informed by them."
West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District Executive Director Dwayne Pratt and City Manager David Frasher have organized a meeting to address concerns the city's notice has brought to the fore. Pratt said officials from the city, the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, Hot Springs Metro Partnership, National Park Service and Oaklawn are among those who have been invited to the July 25 meeting at the development district's office.
"We're trying to bring together all the players and come up with some kind of solution to assist the Arlington," Pratt said. "What direction that may take, I don't know. It will be kind of a brainstorming session."
Pratt said the idea for the meeting proceeded from a discussion about the Downtown Hot Springs Economic Development and Redevelopment Action Plan, which the city Board of Directors plans on considering soon.
"It was a conversation David and I had about the state of downtown," he said. "We want to help the Arlington get on the right track, maybe see if there's an interest in selling the property. This is a kickoff meeting to get something started. It's an iconic part of downtown and the state of Arkansas. We can't continue to let it deteriorate. The public sector needs to do all it can to prevent that from happening."
Metro on 06/27/2016