West End Park operation headed for board vote

The Fort Smith Board of Directors could decide Nov. 17 on a proposal to operate The Park at West End — an “iconic” park that features an historic Ferris Wheel and dining car.

Leasing the park was discussed at the board’s Tuesday (Nov. 10) study session.

Owned by Phil White and Charlie Still, the park opened in 2006 and features a 1935 World’s Fair Ferris Wheel, a hand painted Bertazzon Carousel made in Italy, a Double Decker Bus and a dining car from a passenger train. The park is located at North Second Street near the Garrison Avenue Bridge and the 201 Garrison Ave. parking lot.

White operated the park for two years and had a third-party operate it for a year. The activity at the park declined from 24,800 tickets sold in the first year ($2 per ticket), 17,400 tickets ($3 a ticket) sold the second year, and about 10,000 tickets ($3 a ticket) sold the third year. However, White said during the study session that the thinks it possible more tickets were sold in the third year than what was reported.

The Parks and Recreation Commission, Central Business Improvement District and Advertising and Promotion Commission have recommended the city board adopt a plan to operate the park, according to a memo from Mike Alsup, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, to Fort Smith City Administrator Dennis Kelly.

“The task force and Commissions recognize the uniqueness of the Park, its visibility at the Garrison Avenue Bridge entrance to the City, its iconic value and appeal to the public, and its importance as a recreational activity in downtown and the river front. These benefits were factors in deciding to recommend approval of the proposal,” Alsup noted in the memo.

Details of the plan include:

• The city would operate the rides and maintain landscaped beds. The concession stands, arcade area and restrooms will be managed by the dining car operator.
• Lease payment the first year will be $1, and the payment will be $6,000 the second year, although that rate could be negotiable.
• The CBID and a “private sponsor” will contribute $6,000 each — for a total of $12,000 — to offset any net loss to the city.
• The city will be responsible to pay for liability insurance, which is estimated at $8,000 per year.

According to Alsup’s memo, the plan could produce a $1,999 gain or a $19,452 loss per year.

Director Steve Tyler said he supported the idea, but was concerned the public would perceive it as a bailout.

“This is not a bailout. I just want to see kids ride the Ferris Wheel and I don’t want to handle the tickets,” White responded. White has said in the past he is not seeking recovery of past investments, but merely thought the city might want to take advantage of the initial private-sector investment and use the park to help recruit people to come downtown.

Near the end of the discussion, City Administrator Dennis Kelly said he had “very serious concerns” about the plan, and urged the directors to at least consider a more detailed contract to cover what may be a complicated public-private partnership. Kelly said the plan was risky, with three business model scenarios and “two of them are losers.” Further, he urged the board to seek an entrepreneur willing to operate the park.

Director Gary Campbell disagreed.

“We don’t have any risk here. We’re leasing it for $1 a year. … And I don’t see anyone else clamoring to do it,” Campbell said, adding that the city should at least try it for a year.