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Jonesboro council approves right‑of‑way purchases, waives bidding for streetlights and advances condemnations
Summary
At its Feb. 17 meeting the council approved multiple resolutions including accepting a donated right‑of‑way at 3505 Stella Drive, waiving competitive bids for pedestrian streetlights (first 27 to be installed on Huntington Ave.), approved several condemnations and authorized a $154,700 right‑of‑way purchase on South Caraway Road after an amendment clarifying revenue bond funding.
The Jonesboro City Council on Feb. 17 approved a cluster of routine but consequential resolutions affecting streets, right‑of‑way acquisitions and property condemnation.
The council adopted Resolution 26010 to accept a permanent right of way at 3505 Stella Drive for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Resident Patty Lack asked why the agenda item did not show a purchase price; staff responded that the right of way in question was obtained from Arkansas State University at no cost to the city.
Council also approved Resolution 26011 to waive competitive bidding and purchase pedestrian‑friendly street light fixtures from a local supplier, Tech Electric of Jonesboro. Staff said the first 27 fixtures will be installed on Huntington Avenue from Union Street West to Flint and that bids for installation were expected to open in early March; the full purchase includes additional fixtures to cover future projects such as Monroe Street.
On property actions, the council tabled Resolution 25168 (3806 School Street) after staff reported the property had recently sold, and approved Resolutions 25169 (2410 West Matthews Avenue) and 25216 (120 West Woodruff Street). For 25216, staff noted the owner applied for a permit the same day; if the owner complies within the stated time frame the city will not follow through with a lien.
The council also authorized Resolution 26012 to purchase additional right of way on South Caraway Road for $154,700; members voted to amend the funding language so the purchase is charged to the capital improvement revenue bond budget, and the amended motion carried.
Why it matters: The right‑of‑way purchases and streetlight procurement are part of planned pedestrian and roadway improvements funded through the city’s capital budgets; condemnation actions are part of the city’s code enforcement and property‑rehabilitation pipeline.
What’s next: Staff said installation bids for the streetlight project are expected to open in early March; engineering and acquisition steps for the South Caraway and other right‑of‑way projects will proceed under the capital improvement program.
