Making Way for Progress

Springdale’s landmark Charlesworth Pontiac building on Thompson Street was finally demolished April 10 to make way for Northwest Medical Center-Springdale’s $8 million expansion that includes that property.

Seeing the historic building go was “a big, big deal” for Springdale, said Pat Driscoll, a spokesman for Northwest Health System, which owns the hospital.

Constructed in 1948 by James R. Charlesworth, the building was a Pontiac dealership until 2003.

It later became the Pontiac Coffee House, which moved into Jim’s Razorback Pizza last year.

Original streetlights surrounding the coffee house and granite from the front of the building will be donated to the Springdale Historical Museum, Driscoll said.

Groundbreaking for the 30,000-SF expansion is tentatively set for April 25, she said, with construction expected to begin in May.

The purchase of the 3.4 acres surrounding the hospital from the Charlesworth family was finalized last October. The expansion will house the hospital’s ER, adding 10 beds for a total of 26; reorient the front of the hospital to face Thompson; and include more parking.