Bentonville City Council to Discuss Resolutions for 8th Street Gateway Park Project
The Bentonville City Council is set to discussed a series of resolutions regarding the development of the 8th Street Gateway Park project, which has garnered significant attention and investment from local stakeholders. This week, the council will consider contracts for the construction of the park and the Adult Recreation Center, with plans to bid the project by the end of the year.
Heading into the meeting, the council has already made notable progress on the project. In May, they approved a .5 million grant from the Walton Family Foundation Design Excellence Program to fund the design phase. This grant supplements the existing design contract with PORT, a public realm design and planning consultancy, bringing the total agreement to .99 million. The funding will enable PORT to move forward with design development and the creation of contract documents.
The master plan for the 8th Street Gateway Park is ambitious, incorporating various amenities such as bike trails, greenways, and a skate park. The park will be divided into three sections: The East Landing, The Central Yard, and The Porch, each featuring unique attractions like the Cycle Ring, a comfort station, and a large playground. The council has also approved additional agreements for preconstruction services on the Adult Recreation Center and a new parks maintenance facility.
In other key decisions, the council recently blocked a rezoning request for affordable housing near the high school. The project aimed to provide housing for teachers and other public service workers, but it was met with opposition from four council members. This setback highlights ongoing challenges in addressing the city’s affordability crisis.
As the city moves forward with the park project, residents will be watching to see how these investments impact the community’s quality of life and the city’s long-term development strategy.
