Garrisonavenue example
As business and civic leaders in Little Rock continue their efforts to revitalize the capital city’s Main Street following decades of decline, they need only look to the west and the state’s second-largest city for an example of how to do things the right way. Late on a summer Friday afternoon—when the downtowns of many Arkansas cities are downright desolate—it was hard to find a parking place on Fort Smith’s Garrison Avenue.
At the Fort Smith National Historic Site, a steady stream of visitors looked at the exhibits in the former enlisted men’s barracks building, which was rebuilt at the Army fort following an 1849 fire. Other visitors walked to the Belle Point setting that was the site of the first fort in 1817, looking down the hill to where the Poteau River enters the Arkansas River.
Further east along the avenue, shoppers went into businesses such as Newton’s Jewelers, which was founded in 1914 and has been in the same family for four generations. Popular restaurants such as Rolando’s and the Varsity Sports Grill bring diners to the street each day. Entertainment venues such as Neumeier’s Rib Room & Beer Garden book live music acts, and the crowds keep coming at night. It has proved to be a solid mix, ensuring that Garrison Avenue is vibrant day and night.
With the decline in American manufacturing, the news stories coming out of Fort Smith in recent years too often have concerned layoffs and plant closures. What hasn’t received as much statewide attention is the resilient nature of the city’s historic downtown.
In May 1976, the city of Fort Smith created the Central Business Improvement District (CBID) after receiving a petition signed by downtown property owners. Five of those owners were appointed to a commission that has the power to buy, sell, own or lease property. The first order of business was to obtain vacant property in the 600 block of Garrison Avenue and construct a building for state offices. The goal was to keep jobs downtown.
Two decades later, following a devastating tornado that struck late on the evening of April 21, 1996, things really took off. Damage was estimated at $300 million. The improvement district became more aggressive in adopting design guidelines, promoting the restoration of historic structures, marketing downtown and bringing residents to the neighborhood through projects such as the West End Lofts. The most recent boost came last December when True West magazine ranked Fort Smith No. 1 on its list of Top 10 True Western Towns. The city was featured in the February issue of the magazine.
If those trying to raise money for a U.S. Marshals Museum on the banks of the Arkansas River succeed in their efforts, the facility could mean to downtown Fort Smith what the Clinton Presidential Center has meant to Little Rock and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has meant to Bentonville. Almost $12 million has been raised for the Marshals Museum, not including the $5 million expected to be received from the sale of commemorative coins or the $10 million expected in tax credits. Members of the museum’s board of directors were told last month that $27.5 million still must be raised. Groundbreaking for the 52,260-square-foot museum is scheduled for Sept. 24, 2014, to coincide with the U.S. Mint’s release of the commemorative coin marking the 225th anniversary of the Marshals Service.
Meanwhile, Fort Smith business leaders aren’t simply sitting around waiting. In April, Griffin Properties announced plans to develop a mixeduse facility known as Garrison Pointe West in six buildings along the 400 block of Garrison Avenue. Developer Rick Griffin said the project will include five storefronts, 12 apartments and a large pavilion with a wood-burning fireplace. Griffin Properties previously completed a nearby development known as Garrison Pointe, which included a gas station, liquor store, market and café.
Further east at the intersection of Garrison and Towson avenues, the 1911 Friedman-Mincer Building will undergo a $2 million transformation and become the headquarters of Propak Logistics. The renovation is expected to be completed by next June. Back along the riverfront, the CBID is hoping to relocate a railroad maintenance facility behind the Miss Laura’s Visitors Center. That land would be turned into green space. The CBID also wants to erect a pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks and install a splash pad for children near that bridge. There also are plans in the works to beautify the Garrison Avenue Bridge over the Arkansas River. The CBID hopes to join forces with the state Highway and Transportation Department to line the bridge with lights that resemble those on Garrison Avenue while also adding iron railings and repainting the bridge.
Sixteen businesses opened in downtown Fort Smith last year, including two antique stores in the 700 block of Garrison Avenue. The CBID, Griffin Properties and private donors also installed 12 plaques downtown that outline Fort Smith’s history. Each plaque has a scannable bar code for those who want to learn more.
As the bumper-to bumper traffic made its way along Garrison Avenue at 5 p.m. Friday, walkers and outside diners took advantage of the low humidity. In the days following the April 1996 tornado, only a visionary could have foreseen such a scene in downtown Fort Smith.