Marshals Museum Gaining Momentum

Sandi Sanders recently traveled to Washington D.C. to advance one of Fort Smith’s crowning achievements.
Directing the U.S. Marshals Service National Museum project, Sanders spoke with state congressmen to update them on plans for the project.
She said she has identified five different sources for federal funds and will need the legislators’ support during the application processes.
The next step for Sanders is to complete the memorandum of understanding with U.S. Marshals Service.
The details have yet to be agreed upon, but Sanders said items include establishment of the board. She said there is no set number of board members, but does expect 18 to 25 members.
Three members will come from the Marshal Service and the rest from local, state and national arenas.
Sanders said language in the agreement will include 5,000 SF worth of artifacts on loan from the Marshal Service as long as the museum is in operation.
She hopes to have the memorandum signed by both parties in upcoming weeks.
Sanders expects the first board meeting to be held at the end of June.
Selecting one of two sites offered by developer Bennie Westphal will be the next major decision.
While it is too early to know the size and cost of the museum, Sanders said the steering committee speculated a price tag of about $26 million.
A capital campaign should begin later this year.