More Office Space in Benton County?

Travelers along Interstate 540 in Benton County might have noticed some serious dirt work that’s been done recently in the Hunt Ventures-owned acreage near the Pauline Whitaker Parkway exit.

A roving Whispers correspondent has suggested rumors are circulating that a 50,000-SF office building will be built. Further investigation revealed that isn’t necessarily the case — at least not yet.

The activity in the undeveloped 96 acres known as Pinnacle Heights is the construction of two roads, part of the city of Rogers’ master street plan adopted in May 2008. Pinnacle Hills Parkway is to be connected with the roundabout on Whitaker Parkway.

The second artery, J.B. Hunt Drive, will connect Whitaker Parkway with the old Perry Road that runs just south of the J.B. Hunt Parkway Tower.

Hunt Ventures executive vice president John George gave a timetable of 10 or 11 months for the two roads to be put in. It will take that long, he added, because the project will also involve preparing all the land around those roads for constructing buildings at a later date.

George, as we’ve to come to appreciate through the years, has a knack for articulating the important details of the important goings-on in Pinnacle Hills.

But beyond that, the man has a knack for articulating — period. If you’ve watched an Arkansas Razorback basketball game in Fayetteville at any point since Ronald Reagan’s first term as president, you know just what we mean.

The tip-off of the Razorbacks’ basketball season last week against South Carolina Upstate was also the tip-off for George, who’ll handle the public address announcing duties for the 31st straight season.

He called his 500th game last year, Arkansas’ win against Oklahoma.

And for Whispers readers who may be unaware, George is the de facto “Voice of the SEC,” having been on the PA mike at the SEC Tournament the last five years.