Residents hear about plans to redevelop part of former Fianna Hills Country Club

Sam Seeger is planning to invest up to $40 million to build an “upscale, high-end” active lifestyle community in Fort Smith for those age 55 and older that would be similar to the Grand Village Retirement Center in Fayetteville. But he’s getting some resistance.

The facility, which would be between 130,000 and 135,000 square feet, would be built on 13 acres adjacent to and including the former Fianna Hills Country Club in south Fort Smith, said Seeger, who is with Van Buren-based WCR Development. Seeger, who was involved in the development of Grand Village, said the facility would have about 25 employees, with about half of those being part-time workers.

Building the facility will require a master land use plan amendment from open space to general commercial and a rezoning to a planned zoning district (PZD) for retirement housing. A neighborhood meeting was held Tuesday (March 5) evening in which Seeger and an architect with Architecture Plus presented preliminary plans to about 90 area residents.

OWNERSHIP HISTORY
Fort Smith-based Norris Group bought the former Fianna Hills Country Club building and 12 acres in April 2023 for $1.1 million with plans to open a social club and apartments, create space for commercial development and build a “55-plus active lifestyle center.”

David Millé was the former owner of Fianna Hills Country Club. He closed the club and golf course on Dec. 31, 2018. On-again and off-again efforts to buy the country club and golf course by a group of local investors and residents fell through in September 2020. Millé would sell parts of the golf course to homeowners immediately adjacent to the course, and he also sold some fairways to residential developers.

Seeger said he is in the process of conducting “due dilligence,” which includes obtaining zoning and use changes from the City of Fort Smith, to acquire the property from Brooks’ company.

‘NEW LIFE’
The facility will have about 90 total units in two structures, with the existing clubhouse structure used to house most of the primary amenities, such as dining areas, lounge and entertainment areas, a theater, hair salon, and a gaming area – just to name some of the likely amenities, Seeger said in an interview with Talk Business & Politics prior to the Tuesday meeting.

He also said plans also include 14 “independent cottages” next to the former clubhouse, with project completion likely to be 18-24 months after construction begins. Seeger said his company has conducted a market study and is convinced the Fort Smith region will benefit from the planned project.

“We know that the supply here in this town has been the same for 30 years and there is nothing new. It needs some new life in this sector and in this market,” Seeger said.

Seeger said he is not far enough in the planning to discuss pricing models for facility residents.

Several people at Tuesday’s meeting expressed a desire to see it used as a facility with a restaurant, bar, and recreation areas that are open to the public. Others expressed concerns about traffic, disruption during construction, and heavy trucks and utility work damaging neighborhood roads. Some wanted assurance that the project will be a long-term financial success and not become an abandoned eyesore.

Seeger said he is confident, based on his research and previous experience, that the project will be a success. He also said he is not planning to invest his money and funds from investors without that confidence.

“I’m not planning for failure,” he said, and noted during his initial presentation that “we’re not some fly-by-night developer who is looking to earn a quick buck and then get out.”

The PZD rezoning is scheduled to be on the March agenda of the Fort Smith Planning Commission.