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Board approves Walton Foundation grant application to restore Twin Springs and stabilize bluff
Summary
The Siloam Springs Board authorized applying for a Walton Family Foundation grant to rehabilitate the historic Twin Springs and stabilize a bluff, projects estimated at $1.0–$1.2 million with the foundation covering roughly two-thirds and a city match of about $300,000–$400,000. Staff said design work is advanced and surveying is under way; the board approved the application.
The Siloam Springs Board of Directors on Aug. 19 authorized staff to apply for a Walton Family Foundation home-region grant to rehabilitate the historic Twin Springs, stabilize an adjacent bluff overhang and repair downstream dam features in City Park.
Travis Cheney, parks and recreation manager, told the board the combined construction cost for the Twin Springs rehabilitation and bluff stabilization is expected to be between $1.0 million and $1.2 million. He said the foundation’s proposal would cover approximately two-thirds of construction costs, leaving the city responsible for an estimated $300,000 to $400,000 match that staff proposes to fund from the city’s quality-of-life account.
Chenery said design work for parts of the project is already complete: engineering firm Freese and Nichols has been surveying the creek and the bluff stabilization portion has 100% construction documents. Cheney said staff expects the grants and design schedules to allow construction to proceed concurrently for the spring rehabilitation and bluff work if the Walton Family Foundation awards the grant.
Board members pressed staff for the safety implications of the bluff overhang. Cheney said a 2021 engineering survey recommended stabilizing the bluff to protect homes and roadway above it, but the firm could not provide a precise collapse timeline: “Could be a million years from now, could be next year,” he said. The board heard that filling the void and stabilizing the bluff was the highest-priority recommendation from that earlier study.
If the foundation awards the grant, Cheney said the work would be coordinated with separately funded gazebo and terrace improvements that are 100% grant-funded and scheduled to begin next month. The board voted to approve submission of the Walton Family Foundation application (resolution 34-25).
The board’s approval directs staff to proceed with the application; Cheney said staff would return with specifics about the final project budget and schedule if the grant is awarded.
