$2 million project begins in downtown Fort Smith
by July 18, 2011 1:57 pm 204 views
Construction began Monday (July 18) on a more than $2 million development that will see a convenience store, cafe and liquor store added to the mix of businesses in downtown Fort Smith.
Located on the corner of North Fifth Street and Garrison Avenue, the Garrison Pointe Market and Café and the liquor store Garrison Pointe Liquor is a project first announced in April and is being developed by Griffin Properties’ owners Richard and Rick Griffin.
Griffin Construction was issued a $2 million permit July 11. When equipment and furnishings are added, the project will represent an investment well beyond $2 million.
Doug Pinkerton and his family, who operate Point Convenience and Point Liquor stores at 1116 Grand Ave., will manage the operations for Griffin Properties.
“It will take 20 to 25,” Pinkerton said when asked how many jobs the operation will create when it opens.
He said they will be full-time jobs, and hopes to have the people hired and ready to run the new facility by mid-January. Pinkerton now employs 13 at his Grand Avenue businesses.
During a ground breaking ceremony held Monday morning, Rick Griffin said it “took several years to get to this point” and collaboration from the Westphal and Caldarera families who owned parts of the block.
“We struggled for awhile to find what was appropriate” to develop on the block, Rick Griffin said before the ground breaking.
The Griffins have been involved in many downtown development projects, including St. Charles Place, several downtown apartments, renovation of the Fishback building that houses Adelaide Hall and Varsity Grill and what is now the Morton building.
Rick Griffin reiterated the three things the company considers when investing in the downtown area. He said the “three-legged stool” concept is what he believes will create successful downtown development.
• The buildings need to be modernized and habitable;
• Nice accommodations must be available for people who desire to live in downtown Fort Smith; and,
• Common services such as groceries and fuel, need to be readily available.
Building materials and design are compatible with guidelines established and enforced by the Central Business Improvement District. Richard Griffin is the chairman of the CBID. Griffin said in an April interview that the downtown project would likely be held to greater public scrutiny because of his reputation of strictly enforcing renovation and new construction guidelines in the downtown area.
