Prairie Grove Top Stories: Housing Growth Continues In 2017

EDITOR’S NOTE: Lots of news happened in Farmington, Prairie Grove and Lincoln in 2017. While all three have many top stories, The Enterprise-Leader is highlighting some from each community.

Growth, Growth, Growth

The top story for Prairie Grove in 2017 is growth. The city set records on several fronts.

Sales tax collections were at an all-time high, $495,737, 11 percent more than 2016, 8 percent more than 2015.

For the second consecutive year, the city broke its record for the number of new single-family houses in a year and the city set a new record for multi-family units in a year. The city issued 184 permits for new single-family homes and permits for a total of 52 multi-family units.

The city has 250 new water customers, the most new customers in one year. This accounts for a 10-percent growth in water customers, compared to 2016.

School Buys Arvest Building

The School Board voted in April to purchase the Arvest Bank property on Buchanan Street for $600,000. The building will house the district’s administrative office

and other district departments. The move will take place after Arvest builds its new bank on Heritage Parkway.

The purchase includes slightly more than half an acre of land, improvements, and about one acre with a parking lot and unimproved property north of the parking lot.

Arvest is paying rent to the school district until it relocates to its new building, probably around mid-2018.

Battlefield State Park

A major project to replace the J.P. Shelter with a new pavilion was completed in 2017. The new pavilion has a two-sided, rock fireplace and can be rented for parties and other gatherings.

The state park, as always, hosted the annual Clothesline Fair but also held some new events this year.

In December, about 15 people camped out in tents for the first Anniversary of the Battle of Prairie Grove Campout. The goal was to give campers a glimpse into the life of a soldier fighting in the Civil War battle.

In October, the park hosted an event called Night at the Museum. The evening focused on history and stories of the park.

During the summer, the park for the first time hosted day camps for children. One was called Civil War Day Camp and the other one was Pioneer Life Day Camp. Children learned what life was like during the pioneer days or learned more about the Civil War.

City Purchases Old Wal-mart

In December, City Council voted to purchase the former Wal-mart Express Building on Buchanan Street from Harps Food Stores Inc., to be used as the city’s new public library for adult and children’s services.

The city will pay $775,000 for the 15,000-square-foot building, with Harps turning around and making a $125,000 donation to the city. The purchase includes equipment inside the store and the city will sell those items to help bring down its costs.

Chamber Annual Awards

Daniel Rivera was named 2017 Citizen of the Year and Fat Rolls was named 2017 Business of the Year at the annual banquet for Prairie Grove Area Chamber of Commerce.

Rivera moved to Prairie Grove in 2010 and can been seen helping out and volunteering at many events and activities in the community. Jacob and Jean Aldridge, owners of Fat Rolls, were recognized for their willingness to help with community events through their business.

City Receives Trails Grant

The city’s plan to build a new, one-half mile paved walking trail around Muddy Fork Park took a step forward with the announcement of a $140,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Transportation.

Muddy Fork Park is still mainly undeveloped but plans call for it to have a one-half mile walking trail around the perimeter of the park, a natural trail, multi-use grassy areas for soccer and other activities, dog park, paved parking lot, restroom facility, playground, picnic areas and fishing sites along the Muddy Fork Branch.

The city applied for $148,000 from the grant program. Estimates are it will cost about $185,000 to build the walking trail. City officials hope to be able to advertise for bids for the walking trail in April or May and then see work get underway shortly after that.

2nd Saturday Trades Day

Prairie Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and a new chamber committee brought back an old tradition in 2017. The first 2nd Saturday Trades Day was held in March, with the plan to have a monthly event that would promote the historic business corridor, provide partnership opportunities and highlight Prairie Grove as a travel destination.

The events have included food, live music and jam sessions in Mock Park, kids’ activities, shopping, big vehicles and big machines, pony rides and carriage rides.

City To Accept Valley View Sewer

Prairie Grove City Council approved a resolution in 2017 to enter into negotiations to accept untreated wastewater from the Valley View residential area. The raw sewage would be treated by Prairie Grove’s wastewater treatment plant.

Negotiations will be between the city and Washington County Property Owners Improvement District No. 5, owners of the community sewer system that presently serves 492 customers in three subdivisions — Valley View Estates, Walnut Grove Acres and Meadowsweet. The resolution states negotiations will include developing a contract for the agreement and establishing rates for the service.

Buddy Lyle Citizenship Award

Jim and Sharon Glover of Prairie Grove received the 2017 Buddy Lyle Citizenship Award in honor of their countless hours helping lost and abandoned animals in Prairie Grove. The Glovers are active members of Friends of Prairie Grove Pound. The award is given annually to recognize someone who has volunteered time and service to make the city a better place.

New Senior Living Community

A new living community in Prairie Grove for adults 55 years and older held a grand opening in November. Cedar Springs Independent Living is designed to meet the needs of senior adults who want a safe, secure place to live without the responsibilities of maintaining a large house or yard.

Already, people from New York, Kansas and Michigan, as well as senior adults from Northwest Arkansas, have signed agreements to lease the one- and two-bedroom units. In many cases, people are moving to Prairie Grove to be closer to children living in the area.

Other businesses opening in 2017 included Magnolia Coffee Company, Blue Grass Transmission Shop, High on the Hog Gifts and Petal Peddler Flower Shop.

New Council Member

Brea Gragg became the newest City Council member in 2017. She was appointed to fill the Ward 2 vacancy created by the resignation of Dale Reed. Reed had served as a council member since 2010 but resigned Nov. 1 because he moved out of the city limits.

Gragg is director of youth and children for Prairie Grove United Methodist Church.

FILE PHOTO Sundowner Estates is one of many subdivisions in Prairie Grove that has seen new construction. The city issued a record 184 permits for new single-family homes in 2017.

FILE PHOTOS Prairie Grove Police Department hosts Trunk or Treat every year at Battlefield State Park. Hundreds of children show up to get candy from police officers and other organizations that participate.

Prairie Grove Chamber brought back an old tradition in 2017 called 2nd Saturday Trades Day. It featured live music, including Porchlight Symphony which played at Mock Park in August.

Bernice Headrick, known as the “Pie Lady” in Prairie Grove, gave away her 5,000th pie in February. She usually bakes 12 pies at a time and gives them all away or donates her pies to be used in fundraisers.

Daniel Riveria, right, was named the 2017 Citizen of the Year at the Prairie Grove Area Chamber of Commerce annual banquet.

Fat Rolls was named the 2017 Business of the Year by Prairie Grove Chamber of Commerce. The business is owned by Jacob and Jean Aldridge, (pictured left and center).

Sharon and Jim Glover, center, received the 2017 Buddy Lyle Citizenship Award for their endless hours volunteering for Friends of Prairie Grove Pound.

Brea Gragg was appointed to the City Council in November. She is filling the vacancy created by the resignation of former Council member Dale Reed.

Laura Jennings, park interpreter for Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, visits with one of the kids at a new day camp held in the summer. This was the Pioneer Life Day Camp.