After posting the gist of Fayetteville’s official Walton Arts Center expansion proposal yesterday, we promised that some more information would soon follow. So here we go.
Before we get started, keep in mind that this piece was designed to make the very lengthy proposal a little easier to digest. If you’re looking for all of the specific details and would like to bypass our explanations, just scroll on down to the bottom. We’ve posted a link to the entire proposal at the end of this story.
A joint partnership
The City of Fayetteville was not alone in the drafting process. The city partnered with the University of Arkansas for this proposal and made sure to note in the introduction that a city/university partnership was an integral part of making the Waltons’ original arts center vision a reality in the early 1990s. In fact, according to the proposal, the formation of the partnership was a specific suggestion from Helen Walton.
The location
The proposal suggests expanding the arts center at its current location to maintain close proximity both to Dickson Street’s historic and eclectic offerings as well as to the University of Arkansas’ 20,000 students and 1.3 million annual visitors.
The slope of the proposed site is also listed as a plus since the topography lends itself to construction of a large theater, mitigating overall costs.
Accessibility was also taken into consideration. “The site is approximately six minutes from I-540 and two minutes from 71B, a five-lane principal arterial road,” reads the proposal which also outlines access improvements to intersections, streetscapes and wayfinding signage.
The property
The extra 7.04 acres being offered, when combined with the existing facilities and the UA-owned Nadine Baum Studios, would bring the arts center’s campus to a total of 11.58 acres.
The structures that make up the proposed site include the Walton Arts Center, its administrative offices, Nadine Baum Studios, and Grub’s Bar and Grille. The proposal also suggests acquisition of eight privately-owned residential properties.
Parking
The proposed concept envisions two six-story parking decks that would add 1,140 spaces to the 298 existing spaces, bringing the total parking accommodations to 1,438.
One deck is envisioned directly east of the existing facility on School Avenue in what is now a surface lot. The second deck would be constructed at the southeast corner of Spring Street and West Avenue.
Both structures are envisioned to included streetside retail, restaurant or office space.
Bud Walton Arena and Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Bud Walton Arena
In addition to the sites listed in the Dickson Street area, the University of Arkansas has offered to make Bud Walton Arena and Reynolds Razorback Stadium available for Walton Arts Center programming. With seating capacities of 19,000 and 69,500, respectively, those facilities would add possibilities for large concerts that the city says could draw audiences from as far away as Dallas and Kansas City.
Such performances would provide an additional revenue stream for the performing arts center complex.
Funding
The City of Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas will contribute funding through multiple avenues, according to the proposal. The city will initially pursue funding through the A&P Commission with an estimated bonding capacity of $5-6 million. The university is also willing to provide funding for the construction of a shared 600-seat theater.
The total amount being offered to the construction of the expansion is over $33.4 million.
In addition, both parties expect a significant number of private donations and fundraising efforts initiated by community leaders.
The concepts
Aside from simply suggesting a location, the proposal outlines multiple design concepts as well as some proposed construction phases.
One concept envisions a performing arts center row along West Avenue, a second proposes exploring art through nature by incorporating an existing underground stream, and the third suggests merging the arts with the city’s existing trail system.
The committee
Mayor Jordan and UA Chancellor G. David Gearhart assembled a committee of leaders from the arts, business, labor, university and philanthropic communities who are all patrons of the Walton Arts Center. According to the proposal, all say they are willing to commit time and effort to ensure that an expansion is funded and completed according to the designated timeframe.
Walton Arts Center Expansion Proposal Committee
| Leslie Belden | Ann Henry | Dede Peters |
| Hope Bradberry | Greg House | Berta Seitz |
| Hugh Brewer | Dennis Hunt | Julie Sill |
| Steve Clark | Hugh Kincaid | Lindsley Smith |
| Carl Collier | Bill Mitchell | Steve Smith |
| Nelson Driver | Don Pederson | Billie Jo Starr |
| Denise Garner | Neal Pendergraf | Debbie Walker |
Billie Jo Starr
Also submitted with the proposal was a letter from Billie Jo Starr, a long-time supporter and philanthropist for the Walton Arts Center and regional fund-raising chairman for the original WAC facility. Starr began her letter by stating that she would only support expansion in Fayetteville.
“The Center is situated within steps of the University of Arkansas campus on a street with a rich history and is a place celebrated by both Helen and Sam Walton from groundbreaking to ribbon cutting,” she wrote. “Moreover, the site has been designated as an entertainment district with colorful cafes, a nearby award-winning library, and a thriving downtown district within walking distance. This expanded site should remain the Walton Arts Center with changes that only reflect the success that has made it a national model for educational and cultural programming in the last 20 years.”
Not going to lie, I am impressed.
If the WAC goes north it wont be because a lack of effort by our city leaders nor a lackluster plan
Not really sure how they got to believing we would pull people from KC and Dallas for a show at BWA or DWRRS. Any touring act big enough to play at either venue would also more than likely be making a stop in DFW and KC as well. And with it’s greater population Tulsa and the BOK is a more likely in between destination.
Looks like a solid plan to me! A beautiful addition to this fine city.
This plan is really exciting. All I want to know is how I can help make it a reality. Fayetteville needs WAC. Nice coverage, Fayetteville Flyer, but it would be helpful if you could include some information about which other cities have submitted proposals, or add links to your other WAC expansion articles.
@AP Thanks. We’re working on something about the other proposals. Should be up soon. Also, here’s a link to all our WAC expansion coverage.
All of the proposals are listed on the WAC site. http://www.waltonartscenter.org. Click the link that says expansion plans.
HELLO we are in a recession !!!
Stop with the barack Obama economics Mayor Jordan.
Spending more money does not get you out of rising realestate foreclosers and high unemployment.
People need jobs not a stupid bigger WAC that nobody cares about .
This plan is BS and we are in a recession and the city of fayetteville is thinking about taking jobs away from people who work a grubs and also dickson st. is known for the restaurants and bars not a stupid auditorium that nobody cares about. Also nobody calls dickson St. the entertainment district except for the city officials this past year . The only reason they call it the entertainment district is to give it a more artsy feel for more plays and art conventions . Dont ruin Dickson street for some stupid plays that nobody cares about .Also the students at the Uof A cant afford to go to the WAC during the year anyways. How about expanding dickson st. with more restaurants that will offer more jobs to students at the UofA and the businesses that can stay for longer period of time by getting rid of the stupid parking meters.
I wonder if the eight private residential properties wanted for this expansion will be taken by EmtDomaine if the owners don’t wanna. UofA has that power.
@ Move: Just so you know, U of A students get into the WAC for super cheap with their student ID. I had a class that gave extra credit for going to WAC shows and none of them were more than $5. Many were free.
Move the WAC to Bentonville–
HELLO! The various design schemes for the Fayetteville location include retail space, which could provide far more jobs than would be lost with the disappearance of Grub’s. (Doesn’t that location have a lot of tenant turnover? Wouldn’t it help all of the businesses in the vicinity to increase traffic and filter it through the area?)
This is a facility that will be built regardless of location. The local contribution is only part of the funding, so wherever it is built, there will be an infusion of money for construction and operation, which contributes to the local economy.
Note also that some of Fayetteville’s contribution is not money but use of existing facilities. The arena and stadium– and their parking lots– cost money even when not in use, so why not use them? What is the point of building another large venue for occasional use?
It is obvious that you are guilty of PWI. But at least you’re passionate about it.
Love this.
I only viewed a few of the other proposals on the WAC website. None of them even come close to being this thorough so far. This is a vision, and hopefully the WAC appreciates it.
Fayetteville’s plan shows who cares about the WAC. We do.
@David Franks No, Grub’s has been there for some. Five years? In the bar business, that’s not high turnover at all. There has been discussion for some time, however, that the location would be subject to parking/downtown expansion. Last I heard, if a parking deck (or perhaps now, some other building) was constructed at the Spring Street/West Avenue intersection, Grub’s was discussing moving to the Metro Building on Spring Street near the location of Flying Burrito. Not that it changes your point much, but it’s worth giving the Grub’s folks some credit.
@Move Ask the thousands of people who attended the Beauty & the Beast production (and will continue to attend through Sunday) if it was “a stupid play no one cares about.” Here’s the reason Fayetteville (and other cities) are fighting for the WAC. It draws people to the center. Those people spend money that creates tax revenue not just at the facility but also at neighboring bars and restaurants. I’d argue instead of hurting Dickson Street, the WAC helps it tremendously.
Grubs has been here since 2001.
I am just venting, but from someone who walks through that area every day, I wish Grubs would move to the Metro building. It is a mecca of binge drinking and obnoxiously loud music right next to the peaceful and eco friendly WAC building. It lacks character, like having a Hooters in the middle of a park.
Can’t fault Fayetteville’s at-all-costs determination to shoehorn the performing arts into that space on Dickson. They’ve made the decision that this is a theater town first, and are all-in. This proposal is a collosal “I’ll do anything, and I do mean anything” feet-kissing tribute from its biggest superfan.
Of the sites that aren’t Crystal Bridges, there are other candidates coming out swinging. Emotion and tradition are the only sells. Springdale has an ambitious master plan near Arvest Park with lots of construction options. They’re putting ample parking, ease of access, I-540 visibility, and an I-540 interchange on the table. Rogers at Pinnacle Hills offers a lot of the same physical attributes, and even NWACC has its hat in the ring.
Crystal Bridges is the easy favorite at this point, but the WAC consortium still started a fight for its love, if only to see who would sacrifice the most in their name. The WAC leadership council is a master tease, a skilled manipulator for its own gratification. Current location not good enough? Don’t have enough control over the local entertainment district? More more more!
I hope the dues-paying residents of the final host town aren’t made the victim of hot pursuit of Walton dollars. The WAC consortium will consume someone’s hard-earned land and treasure, and hold it tightly for ages after the initial dazzle is gone. Be sure you even want a dog in this fight.
@move there would be no dickson street as we know it if it wasn’t for wac. people used to be scared to go to dickson for fear of being stabbed. and about half the properties are owned by tom pearson, charging rents only booze can pay. btw, i think wac puts on one or two “plays” a year. you are obviously cultured beyond words. now go back to grub’s and get wasted. jagerbombs rule.
having reviewed the proposals on the wac site, my thoughts are this:
1) bentonville/bella vista chamber didn’t answer the questions. if this was a school assignment, they’d get an incomplete. however, this is not school. and they’re obvious lack of answers scares me. like they got it in the bag. says walton all over it. but can the site selection committee ethically consider it as submitted? did the chamber deliberately hold their cards back to see what they could come up with?
2) nwacc is good. however they know their weakness and only exacerbate it with the bold FUNDED every few paragraphs. no other intersection inspires me to murder than hwy 62 and 540.
3) other bentonville proposals – many are great sites. with no utilities. wah. or need zoning changes. wah. but some would be donated. yes.
4) others – nope. many have their gems, but seriously, we know who the prettiest girl in the room is.
5) fayetteville/ua has got it. and if the site selection committee does not select it, they got some serious ‘splaining to do. you are soooo pretttyyyy.
The Truth, and You–
Thank you. Perhaps I was thinking of the depot.
burgerboy–
Some of the other proposals are so cursory as to be offensive. Chamber of Commerce hype, “enhanced” with guesswork about site locations/costs and promises that the populace is eager to be taxed does not show a level of professionalism and commitment that an honest board would even consider. A few of the proposals are nothing more than real-estate sales pitches.
OffCamber–
Well, yes, there is some foot-kissing here. Indeed, the WAC people are manipulative. But: cities kiss feet all the time. Bond structures, tax abatements, speculation in infrastructure all kiss feet. And businesses, be they industries or non-profits, manipulate in order to get what they can. It’s part of their job.
The big question is, does the outcome justify the foot-kissing? In this case, I believe it does.
I think that shoving the WAC in the middle of dickson street is a bad decision. The only reason parking is so bad on Dickson street is because of the WAC. I propose that we move the WAC over by Baum Stadium or over by the Mall. There will be plenty of parking there, with no business closures. And for the people who still think parking is a problem, tear down the WAC and build a parking deck there. It would be centrally located on dickson street so you could put shops and restaraunts there. I know that the WAC is a big thing for Fayetteville and MANY people love it. I do think that we need it in our city. The last thing that we need is for it to move to a different city, but to have that monstrocity on the middle of Dickson Street is pretty obsurd.
brent Jennings–
One of the characteristics of successful urban development is a diverse mix of uses within a walkable area. While the Fayetteville plan proposes to remove a few residences, it compensates by providing spaces for a variety of retail uses, by increasing the variety (and hours of availability) of arts-related uses possible in WAC, and provides covered parking for the people who can’t walk to the area. Providing human-scaled open spaces and reasons to visit them will make business in the Dickson Street area and on the Square more stable and viable. How many square feet of restaurants do you think the Dickson Street area can accommodate? The bars and restaurants in the area have trouble staying open now, and that’s not the fault of the WAC. There is no point in building more restaurants there until there are more reasons for more people to BE there.
Moving the WAC out by the mall– or putting it at Pinnacle or Wedington/540, for that matter– would reinforce the mistakes of sprawl. One of the arts that the WAC should participate in is the art of living in a city.
Large parking lots kill souls and cities. The topography and scale of the Dickson Street area– especially considering the presence of Hillcrest– should be able to accommodate any of these schemes as long as care is given to keeping the streetscapes humane. In particular, the ability to give the WAC more fronts to more streets would do much to help it engage the citizenry and ameliorate its standoffishness. Indeed, this, plus the broader range of facilities and programming will do much to eliminate the perception– justified or not– that the WAC is elitist.
Suppose some of the condos in the Legacy building could be acquired by the WAC for visiting artist housing. The inadequate parking for these condos wouldn’t matter; indeed, the WAC could sell those parking spaces to other units and make them more viable in the market.
I’m getting the feeling private property owners might not want to sell in this buyer’s market.
No worries, the city will just condemn the properties and take them with the property owners getting an insulting amount at best. Mustn’t stand in the way of expanding the ‘beloved’ WAC, for if it wasn’t for the WAC Fayetteville would be no better than Elkins, West Fork, Hiwassee, etc.
You are kidding me the WAC saved Dickson street what a joke. Also to the post from Dorks are joking about people being scared from Dickson street I mean know people who have gone to dickson street the last 30 yeares and never thought being afraid of being stabed infact they thought of being more layed back and a more small town friendly relaxing street compared to downtown Little Rock .
Also the WAC does not mean crap to Dickson street other than the big red brick building that people stand next to get picked up from. I am sorry but I dont know anybody who goes to Dickson Street or Fayetteville to watch plays at the WAC ,how about moving the WAC to a more family freindly area near the mall or next to Baum stadium or in Springdale where familys would care more about going to plays.The last thing that we need is for it to move to a different city but I think that shoving the WAC in the middle of dickson street is a bad decision and to have that monstrocity on the middle of Dickson Street is pretty obsurd.
Dickson street is a staple for the state of Arkansas and doing this will only make people turn away from Dickson street who are traveling to fayettille if they see this construction on a historic street.And another pointer is that the WAC has never brought business to other bars or other establishments other than cloging up traffic and bitching about wanting parking for their plays also U of A students still couldnt make to WAC considering that most of them would have to walk with your parking meters and 5 Dollars for alot U of A students is alot money not that any them care about going there ever in their life time.
@ Move the WAC out of Dickson Street- You owe me 10 seconds of my life back.
@Move, judging from your yammering, misspellings, etc. – it looks like you’ve been at grubs for a while now. wac doesn’t show “plays”. take a look at their website before you continue with your idiocy. LEARN something (like how to spell). you’ve obviously never been to any bars or restaurants pre or post-performances when the joints are packed with wac patrons spending their money, tipping the staff. rogers rec doesn’t count, quit hitting the glass pipe in the bathroom.
I saw this on The Iconoclast blog as a comment for the last entry about the WAC expansion–
“There is very comprehensive and in-depth coverage, along with a great deal of commentary on Fayetteville Flyer.
Not trying to take anything away from The Iconoclast here, which has been a source of opinion and singular perspective for quite some time–but the crew at the Flyer have become, in the view of some (me included) probably the best NEWS source in NWA.”
I must say I agree with this poster. Thanks to Todd, Dustin and the whole team for their excellent coverage of many things of interest to the ENTIRE Fayetteville community. Keep up the good work guys!
Just my opinion. To which their own everyone has the right.
@Monroe – Thank you very much. We’ll certainly keep it up.
@Move
Lets sit the next play out
I have to say I’m pretty impressed with this plan. It’s much better than I anticipated. So kudos to city leaders for their efforts. I would like to correct something that was said earlier, however. University students do not get into most shows at WAC for $5. We do get to see shows at Nadine Baum pretty cheaply, but there are only a few shows a year on the main stage for which students get cheap access. And, believe me, it’s not Beauty and the Beast.
I moved to Fayetteville a week before they broke ground on the WAC. To argue that the WAC has not played a major role in the transformation of Fayetteville and Dickson (whatever you think of those transformations) is nonsense. Crystal Bridges will change Bentonville and the Bentonville Square in a similar manner. I believe the WAC should and will stay in Fayetteville and it along with Crystal Bridges will act as the arts anchors for all of Northwest Arkansas.
So here’s what should happen. Remember that crazy report last year about light rail in NWA? Start building it now. Put one terminus at Crystal Bridges/Bentonville Square and the other at the WAC/Dickson Street. Put stations in Rogers, Pinnacle/Promenade, Springdale, and NWA Mall. Create spurs or run shuttles to Arvest Ballpark and the U of A sports facilities during their seasons. There’s something for everyone, and the whole region benefits.
I love the light rail idea, although it will be incredibly expensive.
A rail stop at Dickson could be complimented by a trolley up to the Square, with a turnaround at the end of Dickson on campus. Sports fans, students, and residents alike could effortlessly move from Dickson, Campus and the Square. In fact, I’d like to see that happen with or without light rail. Only if they can do it with no overhead lines, of course.
Check this out! Walton Arts Center will be offering $10 tickets to 10 shows. That’s only $2.50 more than a movie! Plus, instead of spending $20 on too salty buttered corn and a gallon of soda – you can have a drink and snack on Dickson! Sweet!
http://blog.waltonartscenter.org/?p=188
It doesn’t have to be light rail to start. It could just be a few passenger cars, traveling a bit slower at 35 mph. They could run from Van Buren to Bella Vista, which would serve most of the WAC’s target market.
It would be less expensive if scheduling could be managed on the existing line between passenger and freight cars. Double tracks would only have to be installed at the platforms, which could be spread out a little thin at first. Cities could plan for the first platforms to be located near big parking lots they already have, and spend a little money improving them to make them well-equipped as a park-and-ride facility.
It would still cost a good chunk of change, but maybe not as much as you think. The biggest costs associated with building a rail line are right-of-way acquisitions. If a mutually beneficial arrangement could be made with the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad, many of those consts could be avoided.
And with Billie Jo Starr, Debbie Walker, and others on the committee, the fundraising potential is high.
Excellent thoughts, all.
After reading through the City of Fayetteville/UA and Bentonville/Bella Vista CC proposals and skimming through the other proposals it is clear who has put the most effort into their work. The Fayetteville proposal is thorough, professional and specific yet flexible. It addresses each of the criteria with well thought out responses and indicates how much the new facility and city need each other. There are many good points in the proposal but some stood out more than others.
The Fayetteville team managed to take what has been portrayed as a negative (location not on I540) and turn it into a positive. By emphasizng the many routes into and out of the area and pledging to make improvements to the two main routes the I540 proximity criteria has been addressed. By demonstrating how the University’s proximity is important through its arts programs and instructors plus the impact of the students the proposal shows why Fayetteville has assets that can’t be matched. By reciting the list of other cultural assets and entertainment establishments in the area it shows that the synergy important to the WAC’s success is here at this location now and not a dream that might happen someday. It has been questioned if Fayetteville had the political will to come together and develop a winning proposal; it is clear that it does if a truly impartial decision is made.
The other proposals ranged from sincere attempts to woo the center to what seemed like real estate sales pitches. The Bentonville/Bella Vista proposal is a fluff piece touting dreams for the future, the Walmart Visitors Center and the new hotel. It had little of substance as to why the new facilty would be better there.
Because of the study paid for by the WAC listing the present location and the Crystal Bridges location as the top choices it is hard to believe that one of them won’t be chosen. The criteria put out since then and the Walton Family Foundation letter recently published reinforce that belief. I think it is clear that in the end funding, both public and private, will be what drives the choice if it hasn’t already been made. It is also clear that the WAC’s success so far as been in large part due to its location in Fayetteville and its continued success would be ensured by building the new facility here. If the decision is to build elsewhere after overwhelming evidence that the present location is best then the proposal should be used as a blueprint for a post-WAC Fayetteville.