Chief has lots to say at Chaffee Crossing

How are things at Chaffee Cross …

Before the question was even finished, Ivy Owen had an answer.

I’d called Owen, the head of the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority, to visit about a recent trip he and others from Fort Smith took to Washington, D.C. Their visit focused on a couple of transportation-related projects, specifically the desired completion of Interstate 49 and the deepening of a channel in the Arkansas River. Finding money for both of those projects would be a boon for shipping and, as a result, the local and state economy.

Finding out how the meeting with House Transportation and Infrastructure Com-

mittee Chairman Bill Shuster went was the catalyst for the call. Nothing in the way of breaking news came out of the meeting, but getting a formal introduction to Shuster and other decision makers, and explaining why those projects could be so critical to the region and state, was a good opportunity.

While I had Owen on the phone, though, I wanted to know about his day job overseeing the 7,000 acres of mixed-use land that makes up Chaffee Crossing.

So, Ivy. How are things at Chaffee Cross …

Owen was more than happy to answer, starting relatively small with details of a million or so dollars in street improvements at the former site of Fort Chaffee. From there, Owen detailed multiple housing developments and the construction of a pair of manufacturing facilities that are part of $100 million worth of capital investments this year inside the district that covers parts of Fort Smith and Barling.

No wonder Owen was ready for the question. There’s a lot to talk about here.

Chaffee Crossing has undoubtedly been one of the big recent success stories in the area. While much of the news from Fort Smith has dealt with plant closings and layoffs, there’s been plenty worth celebrating at Chaffee.

Unemployment in Fort Smith was at 7.3 percent, according to the most recent statistics available. That is better than the state’s 7.5 percent, but behind what you’ll find in Northwest Arkansas, Jonesboro or Little Rock.

Those numbers are worth visiting because they lend additional context when we start talking about the 1,029 employees who report to work inside the crossing each day. Mars PetCare added 40 jobs in 2013. Expect more job opportunities to come inside Chaffee Crossing. Umarex USA has promised to generate up to 120 jobs there by 2018. Additional plants are opening in 2014.

Owen estimates more than $800 million has been invested in capital improvements at Chaffee Crossing as a means of developing the unique blend of commercial, residential, industrial and recreational projects. It’s a total that includes the $100 million invested this year on a mix of projects representative of the variety you’ll find throughout the redevelopment district.

A sampling of industrial projects: Construction is nearly complete on a Phoenix Metals plant to accommodate the company’s relocation from Russellville. Umarex and Walther Arms have a $7 million expansion in the works. Old Dominion Freight opened a 65-bay terminal in the crossing this year. Affinity Chemicals of Houston began work on a plant two months ago and is planning to employ 100 within 18 months of opening.

More than 340 acres were sold in Chaffee Crossing this year, totaling about $4.9 million. Included in that total was $2.02 million for 90 acres in Barling that are designated for shopping, restaurants and hotel projects.

Construction is ongoing on a pair of residential developments and more housing projects are in the works for next year. Same goes for industrial and retail projects.

So we can probably expect more of the same for Chaffee Crossing in 2014. It could very well be another year that Owen can’t wait to talk about.

If you have a tip, call Chris Bahn at (479) 365-2972 or e-mail him at cbahn@nwaonline.com