$7.8 million project at 188th gets green light; city commission posts confirmed

Construction of a $7.8 million civil engineering complex at the 188th Fighter Wing base in Fort Smith will continue following approval from the Fort Smith Board of Directors to amend an ordinance regulating access roads on Phoenix Avenue.

According to a letter from Major Joseph Harrison from the 188th, the Air National Guard Base was approved to receive the money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the federal stimulus bill). The new access road on the north side of the base was required for the construction project to meet anti terrorism force protection and unified facilities criteria. Harrison said the access gate will be “limited to commercial deliveries” and will not be used for personnel or visitor access.

“This proposed delivery gate is crucial to the successful implementation of the base master plan as well as mission accomplishment.” Harrison wrote in his letter to Stan Snodgrass, director of engineering for the city of Fort Smith.

Trucks delivering fuel twice a week are expected to be the primary users of the new access.

The new civil engineering complex will include a two-story, 28,357-square-foot building and 7,000 square feet for warehouse and storage space.

Following Phoenix Avenue East was constructed, the board in 1996 approved an ordinance restricting the number of access points — a restriction sought to avoid the numerous entry and exit points that hamper traffic flow on Rogers Avenue.

The board voted 7-0 at its Tuesday (Sept. 15) meeting to approve the new access.

OTHER CITY BUSINESS
Board members voted to approve six changes to the municipal code related to fire prevention, plumbing and electrical building codes. The code changes, according to Fort Smith director of development services, bring the city up to state and federal codes.

The board also confirmed Debra Presson to the Fort Smith Advertising and Promotion Commission and Ryan Carter to the Fort Smith Airport Commission.