Springdale council backs $3.2 million purchase of site

SPRINGDALE — The City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution supporting the purchase of the former ATCO Rubber Products location at 1403 Powell St.

The aldermen discussed the possible purchase of the building and property at a cost of about $3.2 million. The resolution was approved by a vote of 5-2, with aldermen Mike Overton and Mike Lawson voting against it.

Mayor Doug Sprouse said the possible purchase of the property was first brought to the city last year, and while it was discussed, no action was taken. Sprouse said that with the city’s planned extension of Sunset Avenue to the east, the ATCO property will be at the intersection of the new Sunset Avenue extension and Powell Street. The Sunset Avenue project is being funded as part of the city’s 2023 bond issue and is still in the preliminary stages with no route set. The estimated cost of the Sunset Avenue extension is $11.5 million.

The site is about 5 acres in size and includes a 59,400-square-foot industrial building, according to information from the city. According to the letter of intent discussed by the council, the company will lease the property back from the city for at least one year, with at least two one-year extensions possible while the company relocates its business.

Greg Collier, chairman of the city’s Airport Commission, told the aldermen last week the airport could put the site to good use immediately. Collier said the building is large enough it could be used for additional hangar space at the airport, and he and other airport officials have had conversations with representatives of the Arkansas Air National Guard who said they are looking for a site in Northwest Arkansas to house some of the Guard’s equipment.

“I don’t see how in the world we can get hurt on this,” Sprouse said.

The council also unanimously approved a resolution renewing the $150,000 contract with the Downtown Springdale Alliance for another year. The contract will run through February 2025.

The Downtown Springdale Alliance is “a not-for-profit entity organized exclusively to promote, encourage, develop, engage participation in and support the beautification and preservation of the City of Springdale’s downtown core and surrounding areas” according to the contract for services with the city.

The resolution states the revitalization of the city’s downtown area has involved both public and private entities in a variety of roles through such projects as constructing public facilities in the city’s downtown, including the revitalization of Shiloh Square, realigning of Razorback Regional Greenway across Emma Avenue and connecting downtown to Mt. Fitzgerald via protected bike lanes. Private investments mentioned include Tyson Foods moving its offices downtown, which requires an expansion of infrastructure provided by the public sector, as well as services provided by private investment, including but not limited to retail, entertainment, restaurants, offices, medical services and others to serve people who are and will be living and working downtown.