Speaking of Arkansas

Pending plans promise major changes in the ways Fayetteville, Rogers develop

In Fayetteville, city leaders are nearing decisions about rezoning the former U.S. 71B (College Avenue/Nelson Hackett Boulevard/South School Avenue) to promote high-density residential development along that corridor, which today doesn’t allow residential buildings in most areas. In Rogers, city leaders are preparing for continued growth with a comprehensive rezoning and street plans for the city. On Today’s edition of Speaking of Arkansas, host Greg Harton speaks with Britin Bostick, long-range planner, city of Fayetteville; John McCurdy, director of community development, city of Rogers; and Joe Rexwinkle, deputy director of community development, city of Rogers. Our discussion focuses on how these changes will, in many ways, redefine how those cities grow in the coming decades. The plans, if adopted, will dramatically change the way city leaders evaluate new properties and promote residential development along commercial corridors to deal with the expected population growth of the region and the existing housing crunch.   For more information on Fayetteville’s plans, visit:   • 71B Rezoning Project — https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/4339/71B-Rezoning-Project [https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/4339/71B-Rezoning-Project] • 71B Corridor Master Plan — https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/3444/71B-Corridor-Plan [https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/3444/71B-Corridor-Plan] • 71B Corridor Street Plan — https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/3588/Highway-71B-Corridor [https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/3588/Highway-71B-Corridor]   For more information on Rogers’ plans, which were tabled at the July 10 City Council meeting to allow for more discussion, visit:   https://informrogers.transportationplanroom.com/ [https://informrogers.transportationplanroom.com/]   Speaking of Arkansas is a production of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, where Greg Harton serves as the editorial page editor.

Is a regional jail the answer to overcrowded county jails?

Washington County Judge Patrick Deakins says it’s time to look into the potential benefits of a regional jail for Northwest Arkansas. Deakins, a former Quorum Court member who took office as county judge in January 2023, discusses that idea as well as his proposal for a new form of zoning in Washington County. In this edition of Speaking of Arkansas, host Greg Harton speaks with Deakins about his desire to explore the regional jail concept that has, over the course of many years, generally been treated as a nonstarter among county and law enforcement leaders. Washington County’s detention center population summary data cited by Deakins can be seen here [https://www.washingtoncountyar.gov/government/departments-f-z/sheriff/detention-information] and there’s also a story from the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette [https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2023/dec/25/washington-county-adds-jail-data-to-website/] when the county first posted those details. Also, the latest new development involving the former Washington County jail’s use by the state and the pending closure of the Northwest Arkansas Crisis Stabilization Unit can be found here [https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2024/mar/28/washington-county-announces-crisis-stabilization/].

Archeology in Arkansas and threats to historical preservation

March is observed as Arkansas Archeology Month. In this episode of Speaking of Arkansas, host Greg Harton speaks with Dr. Mel Zabecki, the state archeologist in Arkansas since 2021. She’s only the third person to hold that position since it was created in 1967. The interview covers how Zabecki went from archeological digs in Egypt to promotion of preservation in Arkansas. We discuss her views on threats to historical preservation arising from development, the harm posed by amateur treasure hunters scouring lands for souvenirs or private collections and the kind of people who might want to consider careers in archeology.   Additional links for information include:   • Arkansas Archeological Survey calendar of events — https://archeology.uark.edu/learn-discover/eventscalendar/ [https://archeology.uark.edu/learn-discover/eventscalendar/]   • Arkansas Archeological Society — https://www.arkarch.org/ [https://www.arkarch.org/]   • Read more about Arkansas Archeology Month here [https://news.uark.edu/articles/69645/celebrate-arkansas-archeology-month].   In the podcast, Zabecki mentions the archeological dig for the Arkansas Highway 112 project at Greathouse Springs. Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette columnist Fran Alexander wrote a column about the project in August 2023 at https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2023/aug/15/opinion-fran-alexander-arkansas-112-project/ [https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2023/aug/15/opinion-fran-alexander-arkansas-112-project/]

Owning an electric vehicle in Northwest Arkansas

Sept. 22-Oct. 23, 2023, is recognized by advocates of electric vehicles as National Drive Electric Week. Perhaps there’s no better time to visit with someone who has chosen to drive an electric car. Gary Berger of Bentonville is the founder and a board member of the Tesla Owners Club of Arkansas, a group that advocates for electric vehicles overall and doesn’t require members to own a Tesla or any electric vehicle. In this edition of the Speaking of Arkansas podcast, host Greg Harton discusses Berger’s experience owning an electric vehicle and many of the comments heard from skeptics, some of whom declare they will never own one as they question their viability. For additional information about the club and an event mentioned in the podcast, visit https://teslaownersarkansas.com/ [https://teslaownersarkansas.com/] and https://nwacouncil.org/drive-electric/ [https://nwacouncil.org/drive-electric/]

The new $37 million Fayetteville police headquarters

On this episode of Speaking of Arkansas:   A new police headquarters in Fayetteville   Fayetteville Police Chief Mike Reynolds, in a tour of Fayetteville's new $37 million police headquarters, describes some of the building's key features and how they apply to the law enforcement demands and expectations of the 21st century.   Join host Greg Harton to discover more about a building Reynolds says will give Fayetteville a boost in recruiting new officers and training their entire force.   Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free newsletters at: nwaonline.com/email/ [nwaonline.com/email/]   Support you local news, subscribe at: https://www.nwaonline.com/podcast23/ [https://www.nwaonline.com/podcast23/]