Fort Smith board supports riverfront analysis

Fort Smith’s Board of Directors voted 5-1 Tuesday night (Feb. 3) to spend $62,000 as a one-third partner in an “opportunity analysis” study of riverfront development options.

The Robbie Westphal family and the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce will each provide $62,000 to fund the study.

Deputy City Administrator Ray Gosack opened the discussion by saying the analysis is “an important first step” in developing the downtown Fort Smith portion of the riverfront, and in securing private dollars to make most of the development happen.

During a Jan. 10 board of directors planning retreat, Bennie Westphal and John Castro, a director of the Location Incentives Group for Cushman & Wakefield, discussed potential development options for a 1.5 mile stretch of riverfront near the downtown area.

Westphal said a minor league baseball team, a sports/concert arena, greenspace, memorial chapel and other mixed-use residential and commercial development are realistic options for the area. An arena could cost between $10 million and $50 million, and a minor league ballpark could cost between $20 million and $30 million — primarily funded with private dollars.

At Tuesday’s board meeting, Gosack said the analysis would provide market data on potential users, include exploration and feasibility of recruiting a minor league sports team and investigate joint venture possibilities with potential tenants. Gosack said the city staff recommended the board support the analysis.

“This (analysis) will give the city the opportunity to influence” what happens on the riverfront, Gosack explained.

Director Bill Maddox (right) was the only board member to oppose spending the $62,000 on the study.

“I’m all for the development of the riverfront, however, use of general fund monies” to study a private development is not right, Maddox said.

Ward 2 Director Andre Good (below) disagreed, saying “the time is right” to move forward on a solid business plan for the riverfront.

“Let’s give our kids something to do. Let’s make this investment in Fort Smith,” Good said.

Don Hutchings, the newest city director, said almost all calls and e-mails on the issue urged him to support the analysis.

With the vote called, Maddox was the only dissenting vote.

“I’m happy for Fort Smith. I’m excited about what this will mean for future generations,” said Robin Westphal Clegg, after the vote. Clegg is the daughter of the late Robbie Westphal who spent 35 years and hundreds of thousands of dollars building up the riverfront property so it would be useful.

Bennie Westphal, Robbie’s son, said the analysis will begin around mid-February. Castro said in a previous interview that the “hard, technical analysis” should be finished within six months, with a clear list of feasible projects, interested tenants, interested baseball team owners and other “Class A” users available within 12 months.