Fort Smith Mayor McGill says city’s future is ‘very promising’

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fort Smith experienced record growth where all segments of the city contributed, Fort Smith Mayor George McGill said during his State of the City address Wednesday (March 16).

That growth and Fort Smith’s friendly attitude make Fort Smith a city that is getting noticed across the world, he added.

“By every important measure, such as growth in our healthcare footprint, new and innovative educational opportunities, rapid pace in growth in residential and commercial development, our future is very promising,” said McGill, who was elected to the office in November 2018 and is the city’s first African-American mayor.

One of the major announcements was a $30 million investment in movie and sound stages at Chaffee Crossing. TGE Global Entertainment, Inc. announced in December plans for a 92,000-square-foot facility with 45,000-square-feet of film and television studio space. Plans call for the space to be called TGE Spark Studios, said J. Michael Smith, TGE chief financial officer. McGill noted that this project will bring with it job opportunities for people interested in working in the film industry.

“Who would have guessed that Hollywood would find its way to Fort Smith, Arkansas,” McGill said. “People are seeing us and paying attention.”

HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION
Some of the highlights in the healthcare industry McGill shared in his address included the almost $170 million investment by Mercy Fort Smith in expanded emergency services at the hospital and cancer treatment and talks by Baptist Health-Fort Smith of spending $100 million aimed at mental health and women’s health. He also noted the new regional Department of Veterans Affairs clinic set to open later this month in Fort Smith. The 45,900-square-foot facility at 5500 Phoenix Ave., will more than double the space the VA operated at 1500 Dodson Ave.

He noted ERC’s announced $100 million residential development at Chaffee Crossing and the Arkansas College of Health Education’s $30 million investment in a new health and wellness research center at former Golden Living headquarters on the south side of the city. The former Golden Living headquarters was acquired by ACHE in September 2020. The 318,000-square-foot building – now known as the ACHE Research Institute Health and Wellness Center – sits on just under 55 acres in the south part of Fort Smith.

“Plus they are going to add a new high school. Haas Hall, a premier high school, … is going to be housed on that campus (along) with 150-160 research scientists who will come from all over the country,” McGill said.

If approved by the Arkansas Board of Education, the Haas Hall will be located on the third floor of the ACHE Research Institute.

“That’s a game changer. Three-hundred plus students will eventually be housed on that campus. … What an opportunity for our young people,” McGill said, noting that the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith with its advanced degree programs and technical programs and public, private and charter schools in Fort Smith also contribute to the city’s education system.

Fort Smith youth also benefit from the Community School of the Arts, which is in the process of building a 40,000-square-foot building that will include high-tech classrooms, teaching studios, art galleries, recording studio, film and digital animation labs, dance studios, culinary labs, black box theater and a state-of-the-art 350 seat theater and performance hall, McGill said. He said youth also have the opportunities with the Boys and Girls Clubs, Girls Inc. and the Boy and Girl Scouts.

QUALITY OF LIFE, JOBS
He also noted expansions to Parrot Island Waterpark and the new John Bell Park. The park, located at 3700 Riverfront Drive near the Arkansas River and just north of downtown Fort Smith, has 51 acres with soccer fields and options for future expansion, as well as an inclusive playground.

Along with a quality place to live, Fort Smith offers job opportunities. McGill said employment opportunities are plentiful throughout the city.

“All across the city employers are seeking help,” McGill said.

Included in the employment opportunities coming to the city are those that will happen if Ebbing National Guard Air Base in Fort Smith is confirmed at the new site for the federal Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Ebbing was selected June 8 by acting Secretary of the Air Force John Roth to be the long-term pilot training center supporting F-16 and F-35 fighter planes purchased by Singapore, Switzerland and other countries participating in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

It is estimated the center would be home to 345 U.S. military personnel and bring to Ebbing an estimated 180-plus members of the Singapore unit and around 300 dependents – 825 total. Col. Rob Ator, USAF (Ret.), and Arkansas Economic Development Commission director of Military Affairs said analysis suggests that for every one direct military job added to a local economy, one other job is created.

CONSENT DECREE, INFRASTRUCTURE
McGill said Fort Smith also knows what its issues and problems are. He discussed the consent decree that “city leaders work on and try to work out on a daily basis.” After years of failing to maintain water and sewer infrastructure to federal standards, the city entered into a federal consent decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the federal Department of Justice in late 2014. The consent decree required the city to make an estimated $480 million worth of sewer upgrades over the course of 12 years. Because of inflation and the state of the city’s sewer system, that number is estimated to be closer to $650 million.

“But that’s not an albatross for us. We’ve got a great future ahead of us,” McGill said. “Our goal is to make sure that we work seamlessly with the public, businesses and state and federal government (on this issue.)”

There also is a robust conversation about infrastructure projects like (Interstate) 49, new bridges across the Arkansas River, slag water harbors that will allow for expanded river transportation and freight traffic, McGill said.

“Much needed rebuilding of Towson Avenue is on the way. Could very well begin later this year,” McGill said.

The mayor also included a word of encouragement to city residents.

“Let’s keep our focus on keeping Fort Smith beautiful, not only keeping it clean from litter, but let’s keep it a beautiful place to live for people. Let’s continue to be neighborly. Let’s continue to be friendly. Let’s continue to lift our hands to help those in need,” McGill said. “We want (people asking if they can live in Fort Smith) to say, ‘Yes, I can find my way to Fort Smith.’”