Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Contracts Grants topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Springdale council approves ARDOT partnership, multiple construction contracts and EDA grant application
Summary
The Springdale City Council on Jan. 13 approved a deal with the Arkansas Department of Transportation to assume a 17.5–lane-mile segment of Highway 71 in exchange for $25 million toward intersection improvements, authorized construction-phase contracts for local road projects, and approved submission of an EDA disaster supplemental grant application tied to a National Guard project requiring a 20% match.
Springdale’s City Council on Jan. 13 adopted a package of transportation and budget measures, voting unanimously to partner with the Arkansas Department of Transportation, award construction-phase contracts and authorize a large federal grant application.
The council approved a resolution authorizing the city to take over maintenance of Highway 71 from Sunset Avenue to Wagon Wheel Road — about 17.5 lane miles — after staff said ARDOT will contribute $25,000,000 plus 50% of any overage toward intersection improvements included in the city’s bond program. Engineer Ben Peters told the council the contribution equates to roughly 120 years of maintenance for that stretch and that the segment represents about 2% of the city’s current 864 lane miles. The motion passed by voice vote (carry 6-0).
In the same meeting council approved professional services agreements with Engineering Services Incorporated for two projects: construction-phase services for Jean George Boulevard South Extension (project 23BPS18) not to exceed $276,225, and construction-phase services for the Don Tyson Parkway extension (project 23BPS2) not to exceed $264,100. Peters said the Don Tyson work is an 18-month phase that began in November and is expected to finish around March 2027. Both resolutions passed by unanimous voice votes.
The council also authorized staff to submit an EDA FY25 disaster supplemental grant application tied to the city’s National Guard project. Meeting materials presented the EDA request at $14,337,000 and stated the required local matching obligation as 20%; during the discussion the city read the match amount as “$2,867,000 and $400.” City staff said they will pursue additional funding sources to cover parts of the local match. The motion to forward the resolution (with a change removing the word “draft” from the title) passed 6-0.
Other actions approved included reappointments to the Springdale Planning Commission, an amendment to prior annexation ordinances to clarify jurisdiction for first responders on a short corridor, a budget amendment to accept an insurance payment to repair animal control vehicles, and a resolution to spend additional funds to acquire property from the Randy and Bettina Koger Revocable Trust for the Sunset Avenue extension project. The council also adopted an ordinance vacating a storm drainage easement on property formerly associated with Cargill Meat Solutions and a separate ordinance authorizing cleanup liens for specific overgrown properties; both ordinances carried emergency clauses and passed by unanimous votes.
All actions taken during the meeting were approved by voice vote with the chair announcing carries of 6-0 unless otherwise noted. The mayor and staff closed with updates about a Bluff Cemetery cleanup and the completion of a library expansion; the meeting adjourned after administrative announcements.
