Springdale To Plan During Downturn

Springdale must use the current recession to plan for the eventual economic recovery, according to Chamber of Commerce president Perry Webb.

A preliminary report of a master plan for around 1,800 acres surrounding Arvest Ballpark in southwest Springdale was released at a news conference on Nov. 20 showcasing the mixed-use potential of the last vast undeveloped area in the two-county metro area.

The report, prepared for the Springdale Chamber by Pizzuti Solutions, Hodges & Associates Architecture PLLC and Danter Co., includes plans for various housing, medical, educational, entertainment and destination retail options.

Webb said the overall development would be a 20- to 25-year build out, but many of the big box, destination retail stores who would be prime candidates to lead the way are either pulling back or killing plans for new locations.

Most of the land is owned by just a few families, including the well-known Tysons, Shaws and Georges, and Webb said getting everyone on board with a unified vision can be done while the economy drifts through uncertainty.

“The process is being driven toward consensus-building with the landowners as much as possible,” he said. “Patience is a virtue. It’s important to do it right.”

Webb said that consensus-building has moved along nicely.

“I can’t think of another project where those with the most to gain were more in lockstep,” he said.

Encouraging news for the future was the performance of Arvest Ballpark and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in their debut season. Webb said the financial projections for the Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals — who moved from Wichita — beat expectations.

Attendance was projected at 3,500 per game, but averaged around 5,200. Surveys of license tags at the games also showed that around 31 percent who attended were from outside the two-county area, exceeding the expectations of 14 percent.