Council approves vacation of 0.04‑acre alley at College & MLK for small mixed‑use project

The Fayetteville City Council voted Aug. 19 to vacate approximately 0.04 acres of unbuilt alley right‑of‑way at the northwest corner of College Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (Ward 1), a parcel proposed for inclusion in a small mixed‑use development tied to the Walker Park master plan.

Jonathan of the Development Services Department said the alley runs east‑west and was platted in 1890 but remains undeveloped; staff opposed vacating alley rights in downtown areas generally for connectivity reasons but recommended approval in this case because the alley encroaches on a floodway and floodplain that make a meaningful connection infeasible. The planning commission forwarded a unanimous recommendation of approval with a standard condition that any damage or relocation of utilities would be at the developer’s expense.

Applicant Zara Nederman (3V Development) said the parcel is part of a three‑parcel project intended to reintroduce commercial frontage at the corner as a small‑scale mixed‑use development. Public comment included a resident urging the council to preserve the alley because it could enable additional future lots; staff responded that fire access and floodplain constraints limit alley‑fronted development.

Council suspended rules for third reading and approved the vacation by roll call. The ordinance requires the certified map and ordinance to be filed with the Washington County circuit clerk and includes a condition that any utility relocation costs be borne by property owners.