Saving history

Editor’s note: The Fort Smith Historic Preservation Plan recently was awarded the 2009 Achievement in Comprehensive Planning Award from the Arkansas Chapter of the American Planning Association. This award recognizes innovative accomplishment in the development of a neighborhood, community-wide, regional or statewide plan. The award is given to plans, which show an outstanding feature relative to the integration of development concepts and the intended use of resources.

guest commentary by Maggie Rice, senior planner, city of Fort Smith

Fort Smith made history, again.

On July 7th the Fort Smith Board of Directors adopted the first citywide Preservation Plan. Not only was it a first for Fort Smith, but Fort Smith became the first city in Arkansas to adopt a citywide plan to preserve and promote a city’s historical heritage.

An objective in the Fort Smith Comprehensive Plan recommends increasing public awareness of the city’s historical significance, and that was the catalyst for this new Plan. After 10 months of research, extensive interviews, and several public meetings, Phil Thomason of Thomason and Associates presented the plan to the Fort Smith Board.

As many southern cities with rich histories have already discovered, preservation of the past can provide a great opportunity for economic growth. Established cities with authentic, well-preserved historical sites have a tremendous magnetism for vacationers, tourists and history enthusiasts alike. The Preservation Plan focuses on the importance of maintaining the city’s historic districts and the stately historical architecture which is prevalent throughout the city of Fort Smith.

Within the 120-page document are ideas to promote and increase historic preservation, recommendations for the establishment of new historic districts, and methods or techniques specifically needed to increase heritage tourism. The new plan endorses a revolving fund program or an urban homesteading program, both of which would successfully help to preserve the city’s historic areas by encouraging restoration while discouraging demolition.

A recommendation of the plan also encourages the creation of a regional non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the city’s historic preservation. Comprised of interested citizens in the Fort Smith area, this organization could raise funds, be an advocate on a regional basis, obtain grants, and administer a revolving fund program.

Further, the plan identifies additional areas of the city that are potentially eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Some of the areas mentioned are Lutheran Duval, Hillcrest, Park Hill, and the Fishback area. Listing on the National Register provides for an honorary title without the restrictions of a local ordinance district. In addition, National Register listing qualifies homeowners for the newly passed state historic tax credit for rehabilitation.

The plan also contains recommendations for the expansion of the city’s heritage tourism. To accomplish this, the plan advocates coordinating the city’s tourism program with regional sites, researching and promoting ethnic tourism, and providing brochures of the historic neighborhoods for walking and driving tours.

The plan also endorses more connectivity to downtown attractions by expanding the trolley routes to include key stops in the Belle Grove Historic District and the commercial district. With the trolley route expansion, the plan recommends continuing streetscaping from Garrison Avenue to the Belle Grove Historic District, which would enhance and create a more pedestrian friendly area.

In addition, the plan serves as a great record of the historical heritage of Fort Smith, documented by area photographs and vintage postcards.

Link here to read the plan.