Fort Smith historic renovation plan: ‘It’s about time.’

Big plans are in the works to spur renovation of historic areas in Fort Smith, and “It’s about time,” appears to be the prevailing opinion of the plans.

The Fort Smith Board of Directors on Tuesday (July 7) approved a resolution to adopt the recently released “Citywide Historic Preservation Plan” developed between city staff and Nashville-based Thomason & Associates.

Phil Thomason spoke briefly to the board during the Tuesday meeting and said the plan contains the potential to “spur revitalization” in downtown Fort Smith and and many adjacent historic neighborhoods. He said existing historic areas and addition of new areas could include more than 500 properties eligible for assistance under federal and state historic renovation funds.

Thomason also encouraged the board and city staff to develop an annual awards program that encourages and “highlight historic preservation” in the city.

“It’s about time,” David Kerr, a Fort Smith resident who lives in the Belle Grove Historic District and has been active with groups seeking more attention for the city’s historic areas, said of the preservation plan in his comments to the board. “This (preservation plan) goes a long way in improving our historic neighborhoods.”

“It is about time,” Fort Smith Mayor Ray Baker said emphatically in agreeing with Kerr, Baker said the most impressive part of the plan is the detail about obtaining incentives to fund renovation.

Maggie Rice, a Fort Smith planner and the coordinator on developing the plan, said the city is now considering areas that could be added to the National Register of historic places.

“If these districts are listed on the National Register it would qualify the owners for tax
credits. Hopefully, the tax credits will serve as a catalyst for restoration,” Rice said.

Rice said the next step in the effort is to begin addressing the four priorities identified in the plan. The four priorities are:

• “Enhance protective zoning. We recommend that the city and its agencies work proactively to enact local ordinance historic districts in historic neighborhoods. Where
conservation zoning is more acceptable to landlords and homeowners, we recommend that overlay, rather than designation as a full-fledged local ordinance historic district.”

• “Nominate more Fort Smith properties and neighborhoods to the National Register.
Given Fort Smith’s diverse historic stock, the city is deeply under represented on the
National Register. The Lutheran Duvall and Greenwood-Fishback neighborhoods are eligible and should be nominated first, and soon, to the National Register.”

• “Improve downtown neighborhoods. Downtown neighborhoods must receive added
attention. These neighborhoods can contribute to the economic viability of the city if
streetscapes are improved and if these neighborhoods are connected to each other and to downtown. In particular, Lutheran Duval and Belle Grove need to be connected to downtown by viable automobile and pedestrian corridors.”

• “Create a regional preservation nonprofit group. Finally, we recommend the formation of a regional nonprofit preservation organization. By working with Van Buren and possibly other communities on tourism and preservation promotion, a nonprofit group could bring the desired attention and resources to Fort Smith historic properties.”

Several sections of the preservation plan suggested historic renovation would spur economic development and andy complement existing economic development efforts. The concluding section noted: “Like many cities across the country, Fort Smith is repositioning itself for economic growth and development for the 21st Century. With 35% of its buildings now fifty years of age, Fort Smith must continue to revitalize its older neighborhoods and downtown area. Plans for reversing abandonment and neglect are key in a number of neighborhoods, as is providing incentives for building improvements. Neighborhoods with rehabilitated properties and an active downtown will be valuable assets as Fort Smith promotes its economic viability and potential for growth in the future.”