University Heights MPDF advances; commission discusses priorities, awards and demolition data

The Fayetteville Historic District Commission heard progress updates on several major preservation efforts, including a multiple-property documentation form (MPDF) that has moved to the National Park Service, deliberated priorities from the citywide historic preservation plan, reviewed demolition-permit statistics and advanced logistics for 2025 preservation awards.

The commission was told the MPDF for the University Heights/MPDF project passed the state review board and was forwarded to the National Park Service for final review. Staff said consultants Stantec led the preparation and that, pending any comments from the National Park Service, the project will be considered substantially complete and staff will finalize invoices and reports.

On preservation priorities, staff reminded commissioners that public engagement for the preservation plan used a sticker-vote method with “over just over 3,000 stickers” placed by residents, producing scores that the commission can use to set work priorities. Items with high public scores include creating historic corridor markers, exploring protections against demolition (a demolition ordinance), coordinating with major institutions such as the University of Arkansas, and researching anti-gentrification measures. Commissioners discussed feasibility and staffing constraints, noting some high-scoring items will require long-term effort and funding.

Staff presented demolition data for context: 64 total demolition permits were pulled citywide in 2024, of which eight were for structures listed or eligible for the state or national register. In the first quarter of 2025, the city recorded 13 demolition permits and one for a potentially eligible historic structure. Staff said no local ordinance currently blocks demolitions and urged commissioners and the public to engage with Planning Commission and staff memos when proposed projects arise.

The commission reviewed nominations for the 2025 preservation awards and recommended multiple categories, including commercial and residential rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, restoration and letters of acclamation for preservation research and public-history efforts. Staff said the awards and a pop-up museum exhibit are planned for the commission’s regularly scheduled May meeting; plaques and letters will be prepared and presented then.

Other items included a draft historic context outline and a plan to circulate it for commissioner feedback, a mural-selection update for the Nelson Hackett project, and continued community work in Southeast Fayetteville (also referenced as SpawSpring) toward creating a local historic district. Staff reported an active petition and canvassing effort to collect signatures for a neighborhood district, saying organizers have set a target of 170 signatures and reported about 80 collected so far, with canvassing and phone-bank plans to reach remaining owners.

"We want this to be a year long celebration, not a 1 day celebration," public speaker Marilyn Rice told commissioners after a motion added her to the agenda; Rice asked the commission to support an umbrella approach to the Fayetteville bicentennial so all communities can host events under a single coordinated effort.

Staff urged commissioners to review materials sent by email, including the pop-up exhibit timeline, draft memos on demolition and the historic context outline, and to bring lists of the projects they are willing to prioritize for the commission year that begins July 1.