City panel approves temporary road and parking closures for Run in Bentonville, Driving Academy and downtown events

The panel approved multiple temporary road and parking closures and a process to coordinate downtown event footprints amid ongoing construction.

Organizers of the 21st annual Run in Bentonville received approval to use the Old Tiger Track area for the race; the event has drawn about 200 participants in recent years and will use the same start time and location as prior runs. "About 200 is what we've had," one presenter said during the meeting. The panel moved and seconded the request and approved it by voice vote.

The Driving Academy asked to close one block for hands-on, non-running vehicle exercises for driver-training stations. Kima Harper, identified as a representative of Driving Academy, told the panel the activity typically has 40 to 60 students at a time and the full program setup lasts about four hours. Harper said the training is done with cars not running so students can learn reference points and blind-spot awareness, and that instructors emphasize giving bicyclists and pedestrians a minimum of three feet when passing. The panel approved that request by voice vote and staff noted a…