3392 replies to this topic

[Mith242]

This news really doesn't pertain to Fayetteville but to northwest Arkansas.  Most people in this area are familiar with the Market at Pinnacle Point.  It's been there for years and helped establish the Pinnacle Hills area as probably the fanciest, classiest  area of northwest Arkansas.  It carries a lot of gourmet, high end food.  It also has classy deli.  It's done well for years and they eventually opened up stores in Tulsa, Chicago and Des Moines.  Even planning a store in Kansas City.  But the other stores never really caught on, that and they tried to build other stores very quickly.  Earlier this year they had to close all their other stores but kept the location in Rogers open.  But unfortunately they couldn't get themselves out of debt and have announced on the local news here that they will be closing.  It's really a shame and simply reinforces the fact that it's basically a two person race up here between Wal-mart and Harp's.  It might be a surprise to some that we don't have any of the other chains that are around the state;  Kroger, Albertson's, Harvest Foods, Brookshire's.  Now the only truely unique grocery store left is Ozark Natural Foods in Fayetteville.

Edited by Mith242, 22 June 2005 - 04:30 PM.

[Arkansawyer]

Mith242, on Jun 22 2005, 05:18 PM, said:

This news really doesn't pertain to Fayetteville but to northwest Arkansas.  Most people in this area are familiar with the Market at Pinnacle Point.  It's been there for years and helped establish the Pinnacle Hills area as probably the fanciest, classiest  area of northwest Arkansas.  It carries a lot of gourmet, high end food.  It also has classy deli.  It's done well for years and they eventually opened up stores in Tulsa, Chicago and Des Moines.  Even planning a store in Kansas City.  But the other stores never really caught on, that and they tried to build other stores very quickly.  Earlier this year they had to close all their other stores but kept the location in Rogers open.  But unfortunately they couldn't get themselves out of debt and have announced on the local news here that they will be closing.  It's really a shame and simply reinforces the fact that it's basically a two person race up here between Wal-mart and Harp's.  It might be a surprise to some that we don't have any of the other chains that are around the state;  Kroger, Albertson's, Harvest Foods, Brookshire's.  Now the only truely unique grocery store left is Ozark Natural Foods in Fayetteville.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have thought about how Northwest Arkansas only has Wal-Mart and Harp's. I know Little Rock and North Little Rock have multiple Kroger stores, and Harvest Foods are pretty common all over the state. I know that Hot Springs had an Albertson's a few years ago, but was shut down almost immediately when the new Wal-Mart Supercenter opened. I'm not aware of any other Albertson's in the state. Brookshire's is quite a common store in South Arkansas, especially Pine Bluff, and has stores in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Piggly Wiggly, out of Memphis, still has some stores in Arkansas. Anyway, why do you think that NWA has such a limited grocery market? Is it Wal-Mart?

Edited by Arkansawyer, 22 June 2005 - 04:39 PM.

[Mith242]

Arkansawyer, on Jun 22 2005, 05:38 PM, said:

I have thought about how Northwest Arkansas only has Wal-Mart and Harp's. I know Little Rock and North Little Rock have multiple Kroger stores, and Harvest Foods are pretty common all over the state. I know that Hot Springs had an Albertson's a few years ago, but was shut down almost immediately when the new Wal-Mart Supercenter opened. I'm not aware of any other Albertson's in the state. Brookshire's is quite a common store in South Arkansas, especially Pine Bluff, and has stores in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Piggly Wiggly, out of Memphis, still has some stores in Arkansas. Anyway, why do you think that NWA has such a limited grocery market? Is it Wal-Mart?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Pretty much, a number of chains have looked into locating to northwest Arkansas but none of them ever actually tried.  Most of them seem to be worried about competing with Wal-mart in it's own backyard.  That's the only logical response I can come up with.  In the past I can understand, there wasn't a large population up here so no one ever bothered.  I'm pretty sure there are in Kroger's in Ft Smith.  By the time this area had grown enough to get someone's attention Wal-mart was already getting into the grocery business.  For a while people from other parts of the country would visit Harp's to see how they seem to hold out against Wal-mart.  Wal-mart has certainly hurt Harp's business but they seem to be holding out okay.  They are building two more stores soon, one in west Fayetteville and one in west Springdale/Tontitown.  Which will also mean new Wal-mart/Neighborhood Markets soon.  They seem to love putting one of their stores right next to Harp's.  I wouldn't say it would be easy but a place like Albertson's could compete here if they tried.  They tend to go after a different market than Wal-mart.  Just like Target is succeeding attracting a different market than Wal-mart.  That's what has surprised me a little with Harp's.  They do sorta go after a different type of shopper than Wal-mart, but they have also refused to just be a niche type store and have lowered prices to compete with Wal-mart.

Edited by Mith242, 22 June 2005 - 04:50 PM.

[Mith242]

They released some new estimates for the census figures.  I only got to see some flash on the screen while I was watching the local news.  Little Rock was around 184,000.  Ft Smith around 82,000.  Fayetteville about 65,000 and Springdale a surprising 61,000.  I think it might have even been closer to 62,000.  I keep hearing how Springdale has been really growing rapidly, but still seeing figures like that surprises me.  Rogers seemed like it was around 48,000 and Bentonville around 29,000.  As fast as Springdale seems to be growing if the figures are right it could pass up Fayetteville in not too long.  Ironically it's not really known for much.  Headquarters for Tyson, I believe it's also the headquarters of George's, which also deals with chickens.  Well with eggs that is.  It also has the Jones Center.  It has a lot of conference rooms, I think maybe a small library.  It's probably known more for it's indoor sporting facilities.  Indoor pools, indoor skating rink, indoor tennis courts, you get the picture.  Springdale is seen more as the blue collar city of northwest Arkansas.  Aside from the original AQ it's not really known for it's restaurants.  It's mainly become a bedroom community for Fayetteville and the rest of northwest Arkansas.  It's always been known for it's cheaper price of houses.  If things keep going you'd think Springdale would eventually be able to start developing into more than just a bedroom community.  It's also ironic how much bigger the Washington County cities are compared to the Benton County cities, but Benton County is bigger overall.

[Mith242]

They released some new estimates for the census figures.  I only got to see some flash on the screen while I was watching the local news.  Little Rock was around 184,000.  Ft Smith around 82,000.  Fayetteville about 65,000 and Springdale a surprising 61,000.  I think it might have even been closer to 62,000.  I keep hearing how Springdale has been really growing rapidly, but still seeing figures like that surprises me.  Rogers seemed like it was around 48,000 and Bentonville around 29,000.  As fast as Springdale seems to be growing if the figures are right it could pass up Fayetteville in not too long.  Ironically it's not really known for much.  Headquarters for Tyson, I believe it's also the headquarters of George's, which also deals with chickens.  Well with eggs that is.  It also has the Jones Center.  It has a lot of conference rooms, I think maybe a small library.  It's probably known more for it's indoor sporting facilities.  Indoor pools, indoor skating rink, indoor tennis courts, you get the picture.  Springdale is seen more as the blue collar city of northwest Arkansas.  Aside from the original AQ it's not really known for it's restaurants.  It's mainly become a bedroom community for Fayetteville and the rest of northwest Arkansas.  It's always been known for it's cheaper price of houses.  If things keep going you'd think Springdale would eventually be able to start developing into more than just a bedroom community.  It's also ironic how much bigger the Washington County cities are compared to the Benton County cities, but Benton County is bigger overall.

[Mith242]

Well after posting those figures I realized I never finished reading the paper.  They had a list of figures in the paper too.  I will post those later when I have more time.  I believe most were pretty close except for Springdale.  The Ark Dem-Gaz had it quite a bit lower.   I'm not sure where KNWA, the local NBC station, got their figures.  But this isn't the first time they had estimates for Springdale that were higher than what the Ark Dem-Gaz has had.

[Mith242]

I put the numbers for the northwest Arkansas cities in the Top Growing Counties Topic.  Seemed fitting there and might also get more people to respond with other figures from other areas of the state outside of the Fayetteville topic.

[Mith242]

The $1 Mil bridge and trail around Lake Fayetteville is now complete.  The five mile trail is close to the future botanical gardens that will be between Lake Fayetteville and Hwy 265.  I haven't heard if it will eventually be connected to the rest of the trail system now being developed.  Eventually there will be a trail system going from southern Fayetteville to the mall area in northern Fayetteville.  I'm not sure what all has been finished at this stage.  I do know they have some of it done around the Fayetteville Public Library.  I also believe they have already installed the new equipment to one of the traffic lights.  We will have the first traffic light that will be hooked up to a motion detector, that will be activated by joggers and bicyclists, in the state.

[Mith242]

Hmmm...anyone else been having any problems connecting to UrbanPlanet?  Anyway on a side note outside of Fayetteville.  The Basin Park Hotel in Eureka Springs is now celebrating their 100 anniversary.  If you've ever been to Eureka Springs you've probably been past it.  It's right there on the downtown area with all the shops.

[johnnydr87]

Mith242, on Jul 1 2005, 04:32 PM, said:

The $1 Mil bridge and trail around Lake Fayetteville is now complete.  The five mile trail is close to the future botanical gardens that will be between Lake Fayetteville and Hwy 265.  I haven't heard if it will eventually be connected to the rest of the trail system now being developed.  Eventually there will be a trail system going from southern Fayetteville to the mall area in northern Fayetteville.  I'm not sure what all has been finished at this stage.  I do know they have some of it done around the Fayetteville Public Library.  I also believe they have already installed the new equipment to one of the traffic lights.  We will have the first traffic light that will be hooked up to a motion detector, that will be activated by joggers and bicyclists, in the state.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

'

That's awsome.  I think that the state largely ignores pedestrian traffic.  My neighborhood doesn't even have a sidewalk.

[Mith242]

johnnydr87, on Jul 1 2005, 06:54 PM, said:

'

That's awsome.  I think that the state largely ignores pedestrian traffic.  My neighborhood doesn't even have a sidewalk.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There are still some areas where sidwalks are needed, but I have to admit Fayetteville really seems to be putting forth a big effort recently to make Fayetteville much more accessable to pedestrians.  Then again it does sorta sound like something that Fayetteville would promote before other places in the state would.

[Mith242]

The Arkansas Regional Development Board has estimated Fayetteville's population to be a little over 70,000.  Fayetteville is one of the many cities in northwest Arkansas that have decided to take a special census so I guess soon we'll have official numbers later this year.  Of course often times you hear people complain that people were missed and so on.

[Mith242]

A big topic that has popped up here in northwest Arkansas, and other places I'm sure, is housing density.  Some smaller areas in northwest Arkansas have voted down measures that would allow higher density subdivisions.  There are pros and cons to it.  Higher density can lead to more congested roadways because more people are packed into a smaller area.  The biggest negative in my opinion is that lower density takes up a lot more room and creates more sprawl.  Northwest Arkansas hasn't really developed any of the high density housing you see in bigger cities.  I'd prefer a more compact dense city area and to keep the sprawl and suburbs out of the rest of the Ozarks as much as possible.

Edited by Mith242, 12 July 2005 - 12:33 PM.

[johnnydr87]

Mith242, on Jul 7 2005, 07:16 PM, said:

I big topic that has popped up here in northwest Arkansas, and other places I'm sure, is housing density.  Some smaller areas in northwest Arkansas have voted down measures that would allow higher density subdivisions.  There are pros and cons to it.  Higher density can lead to more congested roadways because more people are packed into a smaller area.  The biggest negative in my opinion is that lower density takes up a lot more room and creates more sprawl.  Northwest Arkansas hasn't really developed any of the high density housing you see in bigger cities.  I'd prefer a more compact dense city area and to keep the sprawl and suburbs out of the rest of the Ozarks as much as possible.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Northwest Arkansas is like a big suburb right now.  If they want a light transit rail, they need more density.

Over 70,000 people in Fayetteville?  That's crazy.  Absolutely crazy.  That means they grew by 12,000 in 5 years.  And they're not even the fastest growing city in Northwest Arkansas.

If Fayetteville truly has over 70,000...then they will pass Fort Smith as the 2nd biggest city in Arkansas within this decade.  That's truly astounding, especially since I have always considered Fort Smith the second biggest city.  I forget the population of Springdale, but it's well on it's way to passing up Fort Smith too.

[Mith242]

Now that my computer is back up, I'm going to post some info on road projects in Fayetteville.  They are finally expanding Gregg St between Township and Futrall to 4 and 5 lanes.  I use that road a lot and I am glad they have finally decided to get around to working on it.  I'll post the list of future road projects a little later when I have some more time.

Edited by Mith242, 07 July 2005 - 07:27 PM.

[Mith242]

I already mentioned the widening of Gregg St between Township and Futrall.  Here's a list of the next projects that will be worked on, eventually somewhere down the line.  
1--Arkansas/Gregg Connection--Extension 2-3 lane collector-------------$12,615,500
2--Cato Springs (S School to Razorback) widening--------------------------$4,400,000
3--Crossover (Mission to city limits) widening 5 lane principal arterial-----$5,503,000
4--15th St (Happy Hollow to S College) widening minor arterial------------$3,909,000
5--Garland (North to Melmar) widening 5 lane principal arterial------------$5,653,000
6--Garland (Melmar to I-540) widening 5 lane--------------------------------$1,883,000
7--Garland (I-540 to Howard Nickell) widening 5 lane------------------------$2,400,000
8--Howard Nickell/Van Asche (Rupple to Garland) widening minor arterial-$8,401,500
9--Huntsville (Happy Hollow to Stonebridge) widening minor arterial-------$2,225,000
10-Huntsville(Stonebridge to Falcon) widening minor arterial----------------$6,392,000
11-Kings Dr (Lakeside to Columbus) reconstruction 2 lane------------------$---750,000
12-Mall Ave (Joyce to Mud Creek) widening 3 lane---------------------------$---918,000
13-Mount Comfort (Rupple to Alpine) widening minor arterial---------------$4,208,000
14-Mount Comfort/Shiloh/Deane Solomon  major intersection readjust----$2,718,000
15-North College/Fulbright Flyover  bridge and Mall Ave connection--------$6,352,000
16-Old Wire Rd (Mission to Crossover) extension 2-3 lane collector--------$8,595,000
17-Rupple Rd (6th to Persimmon) new minor arterial------------------------$7,094,000
18-Rupple Rd (Persimmon to Mt Comfort) widerning minor arterial--------$--997,000
19-Rupple Rd (Wedington to Mt Comfort) widening minor arterial----------$7,290,000
20-Rupple Rd (Mt Comfort to Howard Nickell) widening/new arterial-------$5,668,000
21-Shiloh Dr (Cato Springs to Summerhouse Ln) extension/collector-----$1,732,000
22-Shiloh Dr (Mt Comfort to Wedington) extension--------------------------$2,978,000
23-Van Asche (Gregg to Garland) new principal arterial--------------------$4,675,000
24-Zion Rd (N College to Crossover) widening 2-3 lane--------------------$5,236,500
25-Scull Creek Trail  extension multi-use trail--------------------------------$7,299,500

Edited by Mith242, 12 July 2005 - 12:34 PM.

[Mith242]

The Arkansas/Gregg connection will be the next big project.  It's easily the most expensive project on that list.  There's already been a little contraversy on it, the U of A doesn't want such a large road going along the edge of the campus.  But something does need to be done to keep so much traffic going through some of the neighborhoods around Wilson Park.  I'm not sure how long it will take to go down the list.  I've heard about the widening of Garland for almost ten years now and it still hasn't happened.  The North College/Fulbright Flyover will also be a nice addition.  That area is already so congested and it will get rid of everyone having to do a u-turn at Joyce to get over toward I-540.

[johnnydr87]

Mith242, on Jul 8 2005, 04:10 PM, said:

I already mentioned the widening of Gregg St between Township and Futrall.  Here's a list of the next projects that will be worked on, eventually somewhere down the line. 
1--Arkansas/Gregg Connection--Extension 2-3 lane collector-------------$12,615,500
2--Cato Springs (S Shcool to Razorback) widening--------------------------$4,400,000
3--Crossover (Mission to city limits) widening 5 lane principal arterial-----$5,503,000
4--15th St (Happy Hollow to S College) widening minor arterial------------$3,909,000
5--Garland (North to Melmar) widening 5 lane principal arterial------------$5,653,000
6--Garland (Melmar to I-540) widening 5 lane--------------------------------$1,883,000
7--Garland (I-540 to Howard Nickell) widening 5 lane------------------------$2,400,000
8--Howard Nickell/Van Asche (Rupple to Garland) widening minor arterial-$8,401,500
9--Huntsville (Happy Hollow to Stonebridge) widening minor arterial-------$2,225,000
10-Huntsville(Stonebridge to Falcon) widening minor arterial----------------$6,392,000
11-Kings Dr (Lakeside to Columbus) reconstruction 2 lane------------------$---750,000
12-Mall Ave (Joyce to Mud Creek) widening 3 lane---------------------------$---918,000
13-Mount Comfort (Rupple to Alpine) widening minor arterial---------------$4,208,000
14-Mount Comfort/Shiloh/Deane Solomon  major intersection readjust----$2,718,000
15-North College/Fulbright Flyover  bridge and Mall Ave connection--------$6,352,000
16-Old Wire Rd (Mission to Crossover) extension 2-3 lane collector--------$8,595,000
17-Rupple Rd (6th to Persimmon) new minor arterial------------------------$7,094,000
18-Rupple Rd (Persimmon to Mt Comfort) widerning minor arterial--------$--997,000
19-Rupple Rd (Wedington to Mt Comfort) widening minor arterial----------$7,290,000
20-Rupple Rd (Mt Comfort to Howard Nickell) widening/new arterial-------$5,668,000
21-Shiloh Dr (Cato Springs to Summerhouse Ln) extension/collector-----$1,732,000
22-Shiloh Dr (Mt Comfort to Wedington) extension--------------------------$2,978,000
23-Van Asche (Gregg to Garland) new principal arterial--------------------$4,675,000
24-Zion Rd (N College to Crossover) widening 2-3 lane--------------------$5,236,500
25-Scull Creek Trail  extension multi-use trail--------------------------------$7,299,500

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's a comprehensive list.  Where'd you get it?  

I'm not too familiar with the area, so my comments would be basically useless.

[Mith242]

Yeah I realize it probably won't mean much unless you really know the Fayetteville area very well.  I actually got it out of the northwest edition of the Ark Dem-Gaz.  Luckily they have gotten better on covering topics on northwest Arkansas instead of rehashing Little Rock's news.  
I don't usually get to see such detailed info.  I also like the fact the the multi-use trail system hasn't been forgotten but it is pretty far down the list.  I still hope to eventually draw some more attention from people here in northwest Arkansas.  Or just even Arkansas for that matter.  I'd figure even if I can get some people to come and look even if I can't get them to post anything.  I figured I'd just keep putting out Fayetteville/Northwest Arkansas news and maybe someone will do a search and find something here.

[Mith242]

They've released another study about the possibility of a light rail here in northwest Arkansas.  There's not a huge demand for one now but predicts there will be a need for something in the near future.  The problem is that a light rail system is going to cost $500 Mil to $1 Bil.  More bads news, if it's not done sometime soon then there will quickly come a time when it will become too expensive to probably get started.  Especially seeing how real estate keeps skyrocketing up here.  But it would allow northwest Arkansas to actually be ahead of something instead of always trying to catch up.  Roadwork in Arkansas is generally behind and considering all the growth going on up here, even when they finally get projects done they're still behind because there are new demands from all the new growth.  I would like to see something like this go through, but I don't know if it will.  As traffic gets worse, and if gas prices keep going up maybe it will get some support before it's too late.