Design firm soon to be hired for new park at former ACME Brick yard site

Fort Smith city officials are planning by the end of the week to select a professional services firm that will develop a master plan for a future park on the property that once housed ACME Brick yard.

The city received 13 responses from firms asking for submission for a statement of qualification (SAQ) concerning the master plan, said Sara Deuster, director of Fort Smith’s Parks and Recreation Department. Based on the SOQ each firm submitted, administration narrowed the field to three firms, who were invited for interviews, Deuster said.

Firms interviewed were SWA Group of Houston; RDG Planning & Design of Des Moines, Iowa; and Fort Smith-based Halff. The final interview was completed July 25. The interview committee will meet Thursday (Aug. 1) to select the most qualified firm, Deuster said.

“Once that selection is made, we will then contact the other firms to notify them of our selection. We will then begin working with the selected firm to review the project scope for the master planning process and prepare an agreement to take to the Board of Directors for consideration,” Deuster said.

She said while she knows there is a great deal of excitement and eagerness around seeing this site developed, the city needs to give the planning process due diligence to ensure the master plan developed best serves the citizens and attracts visitors.

“Community engagement was one of the focus areas while we were evaluating firms. It was important for us to hear how firms planned to balance a wide variety of stakeholders and ensure their input was heard and represented throughout the process,” Deuster said.

INITIAL IDEAS
Michael Mings, the city’s mobility coordinator, first presented in May 2023 an overview of a conceptual plan for the city purchasing the former brickyard and turning it into a park and detention pond for the city to the Fort Smith Parks and Recreation Commission, noting that the 113-acre property could be very beneficial to city residents. Each parcel of the property lends itself to certain uses based on location, topography, zoning, land composition, and the riparian zone created by the May Branch Creek, Ming noted in his proposal.

The city announced Jan. 5 the $2.288 million purchase of the property along Old Greenwood Road from ACME Brick Co., stating the property is strategically located in the heart of Fort Smith and represents a pivotal step in urban development and environmental management.

The area, previously used as a quarry and brick production site, is slated for transformation into a city park. Plans include the creation of mountain biking and hiking trails on the west side, offering residents new outdoor recreational opportunities. Additionally, the east side of the property will feature a detention pond, aimed at mitigating stormwater and reducing flash flooding in the Maybranch drainage area.

May Branch Creek runs along the eastern parcels of the ACME Brick property and collects the storm water runoff of several neighborhoods in the area. The design work could include using the retention ponds, mountain bike and hiking trails, and the potential for mixed use commercial/residential building along the west side property along Old Greenwood. Plans also will include a bridge or tunnel to connect both properties, a dog park, and residential development along the far east portion of the property on the east side of Old Greenwood, Geffken said.

‘COMMUNITY-DRIVEN’
“I think this is truly a ‘once in a lifetime’ project. There are ideas that have been brought up as to what this property could look like. I believe all those ideas will be reflected during the master planning process,” Deuster said.

From a parks’ standpoint, Deuster wants something that is community-driven and offers a unique experience for citizens and visitors. Another important aspect of the master planning process is ensuring that the city takes adequate time to develop a plan that makes sense for our community, is supported by the residents and is not a replica of something another city built.

“We need to make sure this park is unique to Fort Smith and serves as a true destination. We want to be the destination, not the pitstop,” she said.