Your NWA Wishlist

[KJW]

You've heard the old adage about the best start for a business: "Location, location, location".

 

I'm convinced that with all this talk of hitting the 500,000 mark in two days and the "thresholds" that we will cross for that, the saying in our case will be "transportation, transportation, transportation".

 

There are some things that would be neat to have, i.e. a Nordstrom or a Cheesecake Factory.  But I'm not holding my breath on those until at least another few hundred thousand people. What I DO see, though, is that we're going to be about where Little Rock was 20-25 years ago, yet without A) a low-cost air carrier (Southwest came to LR in 1984), B) four-lane roads to XNA (they're working on that, I read) and C) a through Interstate (they're working on that, too, but Missouri isn't yet ready for it to happen).

 

I know an individual who works at XNA who tells me obstacles to A).  B) and C) are in various stages due to money, taxes and political worldviews.  But it's striking to compare where LR was at this stage of population vs. NWA (which admittedly is a much younger metropolis for a variety of reasons).  But that's clearly my wish list, and it's where I think we'll see the strongest possibility for the most changes that this new "half million mark" brings.

[TRB]

I think the only chance for a low cost carrier is Frontier.

[jb1087]

I'm not sure about Southwest just yet.  They don't have the business model of Allegiant that does very sparse scheduling or the flexibility of the majors who have 50-seat planes they can send in.  And it would also mean any frequent fliers of the majors (especially American around here) would need to switch to Southwest.  And I don't think it bodes well that both Branson and Jackson (MS) are losing their service, as far as comparably-sized cities.  Maybe I'll be surprised though. 

[TRB]

I got a feeling that Jackson got axed from service with Southwest going into Memphis, that put it between Mem and NO.

 

I'll be more interested in how it affects Little Rock.

 

Memphis has been picking up flights in the last month as their Origination and Destination numbers continue to grow since Delta rehubbed it. I don't see Memphis ever becoming a full fledged hub but I can certainly see it as a micro hub for an outfit like Frontier with it's over capacity of gates. Memphis now has plans to rework the main concourse , taking out a few gates and mothballing the other two till needed. Something like that with a low cost  carrier that frees up gate flexibility may get NWA connected. Tulsa all but kills Southwest for us in any meaningful way. I think they are now concentrating on going international now.

I

[jb1087]

I got a feeling that Jackson got axed from service with Southwest going into Memphis, that put it between Mem and NO.

 

I'll be more interested in how it affects Little Rock.

 

Memphis has been picking up flights in the last month as their Origination and Destination numbers continue to grow since Delta rehubbed it. I don't see Memphis ever becoming a full fledged hub but I can certainly see it as a micro hub for an outfit like Frontier with it's over capacity of gates. Memphis now has plans to rework the main concourse , taking out a few gates and mothballing the other two till needed. Something like that with a low cost  carrier that frees up gate flexibility may get NWA connected. Tulsa all but kills Southwest for us in any meaningful way. I think they are now concentrating on going international now.

I

I know the LIT airport used to brag that people would drive to Memphis to fly out of there.  So that may stop.  Several of our surrounding larger cities could brag that people in NW Ark use their airport (Tulsa, Kansas City, LR, etc).  

[KJW]

I'm not sure about Southwest just yet.  They don't have the business model of Allegiant that does very sparse scheduling or the flexibility of the majors who have 50-seat planes they can send in.  And it would also mean any frequent fliers of the majors (especially American around here) would need to switch to Southwest.  And I don't think it bodes well that both Branson and Jackson (MS) are losing their service, as far as comparably-sized cities.  Maybe I'll be surprised though. 

 

NWA/Fort Smith is bigger than either Springfield MO/Branson or Jackson MS/Vicksburg, for what it's worth.

 

Jackson/Vicksburg/Brookhaven MSA is approximately 650,000 people.

Springfield/Branson approximately 450,000-480,000 people

 

NWA/Fort Smith is approximately 800,000 people right now.

[jb1087]

NWA/Fort Smith is bigger than either Springfield MO/Branson or Jackson MS/Vicksburg, for what it's worth.

 

Jackson/Vicksburg/Brookhaven MSA is approximately 650,000 people.

Springfield/Branson approximately 450,000-480,000 people

 

NWA/Fort Smith is approximately 800,000 people right now.

I keep forgetting that Fort Smith is lumped in to that half-million. 

[nickbenso]

I keep forgetting that Fort Smith is lumped in to that half-million. 

Fort smith is not in the 500,000 population estimate of northwest arkansas because it is not part of the NWA metro 

[KJW]

Fort smith is not in the 500,000 population estimate of northwest arkansas because it is not part of the NWA metro 

 

Kind of surprising that NWA and FSM aren't in extended metro areas yet like Little Rock and Pine Bluff are.  If and when the I-49 bridge over the Arkansas River is built, I think they soon would be...like LR/PB, they share everything else (i.e. the same television designated market area, high school conferences, etc.)

[Mith242]

Kind of surprising that NWA and FSM aren't in extended metro areas yet like Little Rock and Pine Bluff are.  If and when the I-49 bridge over the Arkansas River is built, I think they soon would be...like LR/PB, they share everything else (i.e. the same television designated market area, high school conferences, etc.)

I don't think NWA and Ft Smith will be in the same metro for a very long time.  Now what I could see happening is the two being made officially into a CSA.  The United States Office of Management and Budget defines combined statistical areas based on social and economic ties measured by commuting patterns between adjacent MSAs.  so I guess there's not quite enough currently to establish one here yet.  But it seems like that could be something that just might happen at some point in the near future.

[bubba72704]

This is a big (and pretty far flung) wish, but I wish the Walton family would bankroll their own low-cost airline and make XNA the hub...   Aaaannd this is the part where you tell me how crazy I am.  

[TRB]

Hey, you start out small. I point to Southern Airways in Memphis and offer flights to vacation hot spots or like they do, to SEC cities in the fall. Google them.

[bubba72704]

That's my thought exactly. Cater to vendors with daily round-trips to places like NYC and LA. Sit back and see what happens....

[gdbaker]

This is a big (and pretty far flung) wish, but I wish the Walton family would bankroll their own low-cost airline and make XNA the hub...   Aaaannd this is the part where you tell me how crazy I am.  

Not too farfetched, they could call it WAL-JET Airlines.

[UrbanArkie]

Walmart would end up buying out another airline, and already has an Aviation department.

I would think that the market is too volatile, and the hub would likely be a bigger city.

[bubba72704]

Found this interesting...  If these guys are now as close as Branson I'd think at some point a smaller outfit like this would look at XNA...

 

http://www.nwahomepage.com/video/d/video/buzz-airways-generating-buzz/5169465

[KJW]

Found this interesting...  If these guys are now as close as Branson I'd think at some point a smaller outfit like this would look at XNA...

 

http://www.nwahomepage.com/video/d/video/buzz-airways-generating-buzz/5169465

 

Good find, Bubba.  JMO, though, at a half million people I will bet given the choice XNA is angling for bigger things (though they may either A) be using the wrong bait, or; B) not know how to properly bait a hook.

[TRB]

While reading about the Library plans and how still only half the City Hospital property would be used, I was thinking how you could sell this if it has to look for funding via a bond issue or sales tax vote. I can't think of a park around this area, the library already gets it's fair share but what about the neighborhood? So I would put in a small park modeled after the Garvan Woodlands Childrens area in Hot Springs and the War Memorial Splash pad in Little Rock. Here's pic examples:

 

 

 

 

 

[TRB]

I see an opportunity for the University of Arkansas , It's Athletic Dept. and the Ctiy of Fayetteville to partner up for use by all three.

 

The reasons why I see the need of the partnership:

 

The HYPR is getting old, I was further reminded of this when reading about the University of Memphis building a new 60 plus million dollar Student Recreational Activity Center.  I know they added a gym to the Union but it seems like a stop gap reallyconsidering the growth of the school. What if you freed up a chunk of space at the old facility for a remodel/expansion by moving the natatorium down Razorback Road like Baum Stadium and Randal Tyson Track are. Remember the Golf team is based at The Blessings so the athletic teams are not bound by the Campus itself.The Athletic Dept Master Plan calls for improvements for the women's swimming and diving team. The students could use a very nice recreational pool that doesn't conflict with the athletic aspect.

 

Now, The City of Fayetteville needs a new, modern aquatic center to help position itself as a viable choice for families relocating. The Rogers Aquatic Center seems to be a hit. Bentonville is building a new rec facility as speak.

 

What if the three entities work together to provide all three at the new regional park a little farther down Razorback Rd.? What if it's a year round option that puts it head and shoulders above the Rogers facility for summer fun and the cold weather use of Springdale's Jones Center?

 

I'm reminded of Texas Tech's student aquatic center that's open to town folk as well as the students(see attachment photo)

 

It would consist of:

 

1) a competitive swimming and diving venue that's 3/4s glass enclosed and with retractable features for the warm season. It would be built to standards that would allow for team, SEC and NCAA meets.

 

2) a separate indoor rec pool area

 

3) an outdoor area that expands the great options inside.

 

I happened on a proposal online that seems to provide such a template for such a facility that was basically a muni owned facility (see attachments)

 

That packs quite a punch for a facility that size, the action river that's outdoors is a lazy river with waves, they are very popular where they have been installed. I'd add a pool for water volleyball and basketball.

 

I can see funding this as part of a city issue tied to the Library expansion, from the athletic dept and from a raise in the student fee that funds the HYPR. The students get free use, The Fayetteville citizens get deeply discounted prices. It would be serviced by Razorback Transit, providing some public transportation to the facility especially the students, it would be close to I-49 making easily accessible to others that wished to visit it. It's got quite a bit, it would offer quite a bit more than the Alma park, the new Clarksville center and the new Fort Smith center under construction. With a bit of marketing It could even pull in from eastern Oklahoma. You could offer the neighbor cities of Fayetteville like Farmington,Elkins, Greenland and West Fork the Fayetteville Citizen rates if they help fund it.

 

 

[bubba72704]

I've seen a lot of wishing lately on other threads so I thought I'd try to revive this....   I just read where Conway is getting three tech firms that will bring a total of about 140 jobs there.  I just don't see why Northwest Arkansas isn't very competitive when it comes to bringing technology jobs to Arkansas.  Every year tons of new engineering and computer science grads flee the area looking for tech jobs because there are virtually none to be had here.  

 

My wish is that some major tech company will decide to stake a claim here in Northwest Arkansas and keep a lot of those new techies local...

 

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/103159/three-tech-firms-bringing

[wmr]

Maybe its because the mayor of Fayetteville is far more interested in being a Social Justice Warrior than anything else.  Lioneld Jordan is a joke.  And if I owned a tech company and the "maer of fedvul" started talking to me about his "grate citeh" I'd assume it was some putrid backwater.  

[Trough]

Yes, the tech jobs aren't coming because a mayor has an accent.

 

Thanks for reviving this Wishlist thread, the people constantly hoping for a Cheesecake Factory in other threads is tiring.  The fact that a mediocre chain is the pinnacle of their desires is pretty depressing.  

[wmr]

Yes, the tech jobs aren't coming because a mayor has an accent.

 

 

Or maybe because the mayor is a wannabe socialist without a college education or any understanding of economic development.  

 

Either way, he sucks and is an embarrassment.  

[bubba72704]

Here's a simple wish for the wishlist:  I wish there was a stop light for the on/off ramps on the east side of I-49 at Elm Springs Road.  Obviously the traffic growth in the area is booming along with the development of the new Supercenter and that specific intersection has turned into a death trap -- especially if you're on I-49 and take the northbound off ramp and want to turn left toward Macadoodles.  I hope no one has to die before Springdale officials get serious about fixing the issue....

[TRB]

Here's a simple wish for the wishlist:  I wish there was a stop light for the on/off ramps on the east side of I-49 at Elm Springs Road.  Obviously the traffic growth in the area is booming along with the development of the new Supercenter and that specific intersection has turned into a death trap -- especially if you're on I-49 and take the northbound off ramp and want to turn left toward Macadoodles.  I hope no one has to die before Springdale officials get serious about fixing the issue....

I imagine they want to widen the overpass and maybe waiting till I 49 widening starts on that section to do that.

Just mentioned this on the Fayetteville thread.

Google Earth the 112 drive in now

Put in a commercial waterpark where the second screen used to be. Make the wave pool the footprint/orientation exactly like that and show movies at night on a full sized screen. See all that wooded land between it and I 49. Well there's your site complete with big trees for ready made shade for a small scale amusement park consisting of raised track go carts and a nice collection of rides(look up Fun Spot Orlando)