Fort Smith · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Fort Smith public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Roadway engineering update
Ben Marts, the interim deputy director of engineering for roadways, is lined up as guest speaker. Expect talk about street conditions, project priorities and the roadwork pipeline.
2027 Sidewalk Program
Public Works proposes 3.21 miles of new sidewalks and 1.04 miles of repairs in 2027, prioritized by school proximity and pedestrian traffic, with a homebuilder offering to pay material costs on two stretches.
In-house street paving crew proposal
Public Works wants to build two internal paving crews — 23 personnel and $12-13 million up front in 2027 — claiming roughly 56% savings versus contracting out. Directors balked, saying they need the full numbers before approving it in the CIP.
Street overlays and water plant maintenance
A $1.5 million street resurfacing contract and a $919,000 lagoon-cleaning contract were on the consent agenda — routine work that keeps roads smooth and water plants running.
Bobby Crabtree Boulevard Designation
A stretch of Towson Avenue would be renamed in honor of Bobby Crabtree.
Spradling Avenue Extension Phase 2 engineering
An $83,230 contract amendment with Hawkins-Weir Engineers moves the Spradling Avenue Extension Phase 2 road project into final design.
ARDOT Transportation Projects Presentation
The state is planning to widen Rogers Avenue (Highway 22) from Waldron Avenue to 74th Street, and the city has to move its water and sewer lines out of the right-of-way first. The board considered asking for up to $20 million in federal help, though a local match of up to 25% could apply.
Street overlay in-house plan
A $2.87 million contract with Forsgren Inc. for the 2024 Street Overlays/Reconstruction, Phase A, would repave and rebuild streets paid for by the voter-approved sales tax.
Riverfront Gateway Project
The archway project near the Farmers Market needs design work and state highway department sign-off before it can get into the 2027 city budget — and the window to ask is February. The board named Josh Robertson as point person.
2026 Master Street Plan Engineering Contract
The city planned to hire Halff Associates for $273,000 to provide engineering services for the 2026 Master Street Plan.
Post-meter downtown parking complaints
Since the parking meters were removed, businesses complain that employees are filling on-street spaces on Garrison, squeezing out customers. Police are promoting the $40/month city parking garage and asking the city board to keep addressing the issue.
Transit Department Update
The city was set to renew the franchise of Non-Ambulatory Transportation Service for five more years, keeping specialized rides for elderly and disabled residents through 2031.