Fort Smith Metro News Briefs: A community survey request, consent decree work, and ‘Autism Works’

Following are news brief items from the Fort Smith metro.

Community Survey
The Future Fort Smith Committee is asking residents to complete the Future Fort Smith Community Survey, a short questionnaire designed to help the committee better understand what matters most to the community.

The survey, which takes 3 to 5 minutes to complete, is designed to gather feedback that will help inform priorities as Fort Smith plans for the future. Responses will help guide discussion around neighborhoods, services, and citywide initiatives.

Link here to find the online survey. All responses will are anonymous.

The Future Fort Smith committee works with the city on the city’s Comprehensive Plan. According to the city’s website, “The Future Fort Smith Comprehensive Plan is a document containing goals, policies, and actions that define and support a common vision and purpose. The Plan sets a direction that will be used by the City of Fort Smith to proactively manage future change.”

Consent Decree Work
The city of Fort Smith recently began two consent decree projects with a combined cost of around $9.5 million.

Work in north Fort Smith (sub basin P009) will replace or rehabilitate approximately 11,098 linear feet of sanitary sewer lines ranging from 8 to 24 inches in diameter, using open-cut, pipe bursting, and cured-in-place pipe lining to remediate defects. Approximately 119 manholes will also be repaired, replaced, or rehabilitated as part of this project.

The design engineer is Hawkins-Weir Engineers, with Forsgren tapped as the construction contractor. The estimated project cost is $4.896 million, with Feb. 9, 2027, the estimated completion date.

A second project (sub basin FL01) will replace two smaller parallel mains with approximately 3400 feet of 42-inch sewer main. A service road will be constructed in two disconnected segments off Newlon Road and Riverfront Drive.

The design engineer is Mickle Griffin, with Belt Construction serving as the construction contractor. The estimated project cost is $4.607 million, with Nov. 20, 2026, the estimated completion date.

After decades of failing to adequately maintain the city sewer system, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice executed a consent decree in 2014 with the city that required improvements to the city’s sewer system.

Autism Works Event
An “Autism Works” community training day conducted by SpIndL (Spectrum Independence Living) is set for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 30 at the Bakery District in downtown Fort Smith. A SpIndL Funky Festival event will follow between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The event is designed to support neurodivergent adults, their families, and local businesses through education, connection, and real-world practice. According to SpIndL, the event brings together speakers, breakout training sessions, community resources, and interactive experiences to promote inclusive hiring and workplace understanding in the Fort Smith metro.

The event is for neurodivergent adults 17-years and older exploring employment or career growth, families and caregivers seeking resources and support, local employers and business leaders, human resources officials and hiring managers, educators, service providers, and community advocates. Breakout sessions will be held to address different needs and perspectives, according to SpIndL.

Link here for more information and to register.

Bicycle Safety
The bicycle unit of the Fort Smith Police Department is partnering with River Valley Cycling to hose a bicycle safety event in downtown Fort Smith.

The event will be held 2 to 4 p.m., April 25, at the Riverfront Park. Activities will include bicycle cone courses, safety education stations, and distribution of free safety equipment, including helmets and bicycle lights while supplies last.

The event is geared toward school-aged children and their parents, but all members of the public are welcome to attend.

The Fort Smith Police Department’s Community Relations Unit is also expected to be on site with the department’s “Scribble Car.”