Traffic signals planned near two schools
Posted on Friday, March 28, 2008
It may be safer for Fayetteville High School students to cross Sixth Street next year.
At the Fayetteville Board of Education meeting Thursday, Associate Superintendent Randy Willison announced that a traffic signal had been approved by the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department for the Garland Avenue and Sixth Street intersection.
Willison said he received word recently from Perry Franklin, city transportation superintendent, that the department had approved the request for a signal. The department also approved a new traffic signal for Starr Drive and Mission Boulevard near McNair Middle School.
The district's cost share for the two traffic signal upgrades will be $ 100, 000 to $ 150, 000, Willison said.
The five board members present Thursday indicated they were happy to hear the crossing signal was approved, even though the long-term future of the school site is undetermined. Members Howard Hamilton and Susan Heil were absent.
Land offer The board also heard about an offer to purchase nearly 10 acres along Deane Solomon Road next to 101 acres the district already owns. The land is currently owned by The Barber Group, a real estate development firm that has been battling financial problems in recent months. "They told me they would have to have at least $ 600, 000 for it," Willison said. "I would say to you the owner is anxious, but there really isn't a time limit on it. "The 101-acre Deane Solomon site is being considered by a committee charged with evaluating the future location of the high school. The other options include retaining the current site and 73 acres on Morningside Drive.
Board member Tim Kring said he wanted information about a proposal by another developer to realign nearby Arkansas 112 near the site.
No action was taken on the land offer from The Barber Group. The school board indicated it might be discussed at a meeting in April, when the board is scheduled to hear a recommendation on the high school location.
An input meeting on the location of the school will be held at 6: 30 p.m. Thursday in the Woodland Junior High School cafeteria.
Marinoni property One undeveloped site in Fayetteville may get further review by the committee as a potential high school site after the owner decided to lower the price for the district. Paula Marinoni sent a letter this week to Superintendent Bobby New offering to sell 70 of 108 acres her family owns at Interstate 540 and Wedington Drive at a reduced price.
The property is currently listed for sale with an asking price of $ 35. 5 million for all 108 acres.
Marinoni offered to sell 70 acres to be used as a high school site at a reduced price of $ 250, 000 per acre. This amounts to $ 17. 5 million.
As part of the sale, Marinoni offered to build a road to the site and provide it with utilities. An advocate of crosswalk safety, Marinoni also promised that the property owners will install sidewalks and make the area pedestrian friendly.
None of the proposed land fronts Wedington Drive or the I-540 access road. A map indicates the family would extend Marinoni Drive, a short street off Wedington Drive, to provide access to the school.
The letter also states that the sale "would be contingent on the Marinonis' ability to obtain commercial zoning on the remaining outlots, approximately 38 acres."
Marinoni also said the family could donate two acres of the land for use as an outdoor classroom. They were also interested in dedicating part of that section of land as a memorial to the family.
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