Plan again emerges to develop former Fianna Hills Country Club property

Developer Sam Seeger is again hoping to develop the former Fianna Hills Country Club into a “retirement housing” facility and also seeks to build on adjacent property a residential subdivision and commercial area.

Architecture Plus notified the City of Fort Smith in a May 27 letter that two public meetings to discuss the “The Grand View” project would be held at 5 p.m. June 5 and 6 in the former country club building at 1 Essex Place. The letter did not provide details other than there will be three distinct development areas. The property around the club will be used for retirement housing for those 55 and older. Property immediately north of the former club will be used for the residential subdivision, and land at the corner of Jenny Lind and Brooken Hill would be used for commercial development.

The letter also notes that the development will require a “Master Land Use Plan Amendment” that allows for different residential and commercial uses within a Planned Zoning District.

Brooks Norris, who owns the property, told Talk Business & Politics that Seeger is making a second attempt to develop the property. Seeger did not return a call seeking comment.

FIRST SEEGER PLAN
Seeger, with Van Buren-based WCR Development, held public meetings in March 2024 to outline his vision for the property. The $40 million plan would include an “upscale, high-end” active lifestyle community around the former golf clubhouse.

The facility, between 130,000 and 135,000 square feet, would be built on 13 acres adjacent to and including the former clubhouse. It would have about 90 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 gaming area.

Seeger also planned to include 14 “independent cottages” next to the former clubhouse, with project completion likely 18-24 months after construction begins.

The Fort Smith Board of Directors on April 2, 2024, approved an ordinance amending the Master Land Use Plan and zoning change that will allow for Seeger’s development concept. However, Seeger failed to secure funding for the plan.

THE NORRIS PLAN, HISTORY
Fort Smith-based Norris Group bought the former club building and 12 acres for $1.1 million in April 2023 with plans to open a social club and apartments, create space for commercial development and build a “55-plus active lifestyle center.” That plan was scrapped when Seeger offered to buy and develop the property.

Norris told Talk Business & Politics in June 2024 that with Seeger unable to fund the project, he planned “a great new direction with details to come” on bringing in a new operator for the club’s restaurant, bar and meeting space. Norris also said his new plan would include “multifamily development” with a focus on “active lifestyle” amenities. That development did not happen, with Seeger now making another run at the mixed-use development plan.

David Millé was the former owner of Fianna Hills Country Club. He closed the club and golf course on Dec. 31, 2018. At the time, the club had around 50 full- and part-time employees and around 250 members.

On-again and off-again efforts by a group of local investors to buy the country club and golf course fell through in September 2020. Millé noted at the time that he tried to make the club work, and “for many years” operated “on a negative basis” despite having “one of the best restaurants in the surrounding area, a world-class chef, and an excellent menu.”