Mum’s the word on big downtown project
Posted on Wednesday, March 12, 2008
BENTONVILLE — Something big could be making its way to downtown Bentonville in the coming months — something that would warrant a large parking deck for up to 600 cars. But those who are in the know are keeping silent on what that something is.
Bentonville-Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce President Ed Clifford alluded to the upcoming downtown project at Tuesday’s meeting of the Bentonville City Council. Clifford said the development — which will be announced in the next three months — is dependent on how committed the council is to allotting $ 3 million toward a parking garage.
“ What we’re looking at in a parking garage is to stimulate a lot of things that are going to happen over the next 24 months, ” Clifford said. “ There are going to be some announcements over the next three to six months. … That just can’t happen without the parking deck. ”
The council did not vote to allocate funds toward a parking deck, but did vote on a resolution that states a commitment in investing up to $ 3 million in surplus tax-revenue funds for a parking deck.
Aldermen Scott Comiskey, Ed Austin and Jim Grider expressed apprehension before approving the resolution.
“ I’m wondering what we are going to have to fall back on before we spend that $ 3 million of the city’s money. … “ Right now, we don’t have a parking ordinance that restricts parking downtown. I think we’re going to need something to fall back on, ” such as a study to determine city needs for parking, Austin said.
But Mayor Bob McCaslin, who first introduced the concept of a parking deck at the council’s Feb. 26 meeting, said downtown parking needs are mentioned in the city’s general plan.
Grider said he wanted more information on how the deck would benefit the city before the council decides to “ take $ 3 million burning a hole in our pocket” and use it for construction of a garage.
But Clifford provided just a slice more information, stating the garage could be used for a boutique hotel, and that the first floor of the parking garage could be used for retail and restaurant space.
McCaslin said private interests may also contribute funds toward construction of the garage — but the city’s commitment must come first.
The council approved the following items: • An easement plat application for 23. 45 acres north of Parnell Lane on Southwest I Street for The Arbors at Deer Crossing; • An easement vacation for Wal-Mart Stores at 301 S. E. J St.;
• A resolution expressing the intent of the city to designate funding for a downtown parking garage;
• The appointment of Rustin Chrisco to the Board of Adjustments; replacing Monte Harris;
• A resolution authorizing the city to enter into an amendment to the contract with HTE for additional software;
• An ordinance authorizing the city to enter an agreement with Temple Inc. for the purchase of battery-backup systems for traffic signals;
• Awarding a bid to Henard Utility Products in the amount of $ 147, 900 for a regenerative air-power street sweeper;
• A change order for the administrationoffice-addition project at the Bentonville Wastewater Treatment Plant;
• A resolution authorizing the city to enter into a construction management agreement with Clinard Construction Management for the expansion of the Criminal Investigation Division;
• A budget adjustment to purchase a replacement pickup for the animal-control vehicle;
• Awarding a bid to Smith 2-Way Radio for the purchase of 65 Minitor V Pagers;
• The waiver of a bid for one new Excellance ambulance and one Excellance remount ambulance;
• Awarding a bid to Pro-Fire Equipment for equipment for the Bentonville Fire Department;
• Accepting a bid from Moser Corp. for office furniture for the new Fire Station No. 1 for $ 40, 467. 91, including tax; and
• A resolution to amend TransTec Inc. ’s contract from March 28, 2006, for the Arkansas Highway 72 relocation of the transmission- and distribution-line project.
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