Roads, parks, AML leadership part of Greenwood mayor’s 2025 plans

For Greenwood Mayor Doug Kinslow, the word that might best describe his expectations for the year 2025 is “infrastructure.” The most visible example at present is the bypass that, when finished, will direct through-traffic out of the city center.

“We want to relieve some traffic issues downtown,” said Kinslow. “We love our 18-wheelers, but we don’t necessarily want them downtown.”

The completion date for this project is August 2026. After that comes Phase II, which will widen Highway 10 to five lanes and add three new bridges. The project, funded in large part by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT), was divided into two phases. The first includes 1 mile of new highway from the intersection of Arkansas 10 and Coker Street to the intersection of Arkansas 10 and Arkansas 96, which would then be added to the state highway system. The second phase of the project will widen about 2 miles of Arkansas 10 between Coker Street and U.S. 71.

Families seeking relief from the summer heat will appreciate the attention being given to park facilities.

“We’re building a splash pad,” said Kinslow. “We talked about it for 20 years, and now we’re finally getting it done.”

Only 15 minutes from the Fort Smith Regional Airport, Greenwood has benefited from the activity centered around the foreign pilot training center at Ebbing Air National Guard Base.

“The F-35 program is already having an impact,” said Kinslow, referring to the arrival of Lockheed Martin employees and their families.

Greenwood’s newest subdivision, East Village, has 20 residences and will eventually total more than 250.

Kinslow has a word to describe how the city finds the funds to complete road and parks projects.

“Grants, grants, grants. That’s one of my biggest sermons. Matching grants,” he said.

City planners also have positioned themselves to minimize unpleasant budgetary surprises. For example, the highway bypass project required a Greenwood commitment of $5 million, which was covered by a bond issue. Having locked in this commitment, Greenwood remains unaffected as the budget for the project has swelled to $58 million.

Kinslow also will be a bit busier in 2025. He was recently elected president of the Arkansas Municipal League, and his term begins in June. Founded in 1934, the Arkansas Municipal League (AML) represents Arkansas cities and towns at the state and federal level while providing a forum for city officials to discuss mutual concerns. Kinslow has attended AML events for 15 years as parks director and mayor.

Kinslow expects to meet with the AML staff in Little Rock on a monthly basis.

“I’m told I will have some input,” he joked. “We’ll see. I attempt to bring a little humor. It’s an amazing group and a great staff.”