Chaffee authority approves land for school, library

story by Aric Mitchell
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Rumblings of a new school and library extension became actions on Wednesday as the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority (FCRA) voted to hold land for development of the proposed extensions. The school project is expected to begin in the next 10 years while the Fort Smith Public Library agreement could occur in the next 5 years.

The FCRA Real Estate Review Committee recommended that the Board approve an 80-acre allotment for Fort Smith Public Schools and a 5-acre plot for the library extension. The land is located close to 230 acres along Wells Lake Road, which have been designated for residential use. Board members passed the measure through Resolution 01-01-11 by unanimous vote.

“We are using the Resolution adoption rather than two separate motions to approve because of the size and importance of these (developments) to Chaffee Crossing,” FCRA Executive Director Ivy Owen said prior to the vote.

In addition to this, the Board also voted to sell Arkansas Valley Electrical Cooperative 5 acres along the southern part of Chad Colley adjacent to Steep Hill Cemetery for the sum of $15,000.

“The site is well hidden and will be unseen from the Cemetery and the road,” Owen said. “It will be used for the development of a substation to serve future development south of the area.”

While the Board’s actions Wednesday moved forward two key developments to the Chaffee Crossing area, one measure has stalled for the time being. Prior to December’s meeting, Rob Coleman of ERC Properties had presented a $1.65 million offer to the Board to purchase 275 acres of land for phase development. At that time some members of the Board were concerned that price per acreage was too low, and a deal could not be finalized. However, Owen remains hopeful about future negotiations.

“Rob (Coleman) is still interested, as are we, and we have spoken since the December meeting,” Owen said. “We are hoping to move forward with negotiations later in the year.”

Also at Wednesday’s meeting the Board adopted the 2011 FCRA Budget. Projected income for the coming year of operations is expected to be around $3.3 million with expenses coming in at $2.6 million. Noteworthy line items include an increase in salaries to $584,000 from $472,000 during 2010. The increase is mostly due to this being the first full term of employment for new hires brought in last year.

Rail improvements will also take a more active role in 2011 with a $200,000 designation; contract services will claim an additional $200,000; and further construction and development will receive approximately $600,000. One project in particular is expected to be at completion by Feb. 15.

“The McClure Amphitheater renovation is progressing nicely,” Owen said. “The original completion date of December 31 was extended because of freezing weather that prohibited us from pouring the concrete.”

Owen added that marketing efforts for use of the Amphitheater will begin before month’s end, and that he looked forward to its completion for use this spring, noting that it would be “the best seat in the house” outside of the airport itself for the Oct. 1 Air Show. The FCRA meeting closed with full Board approval of Przybysz & Associates as the auditors for the 2010 financials. The firm has conducted audits on the FCRA for the last 4 years.

The next regular meeting of the FCRA will be held Feb. 17.