Public invited to Cultural Arts Corridor info sessions

Fay Jones Woods design draft / Courtesy City of Fayetteville

City officials have scheduled two public information sessions to give residents a chance to view the latest designs for the first phase of the Cultural Arts Corridor project.

The first session will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 at TheatreSquared, located at 477 W Spring Street. The second session is from 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 in the Walker Room at the Fayetteville Public Library. Refreshments will be available at both venues.

Residents can come and go anytime during the informal events, which will include city staff and designers who will discuss the plans and answer questions regarding designs for the first phase of construction, which includes trails and other amenities in the Fay Jones Woods area, streetscapes along West Avenue, and improvements to the Razorback Greenway through the corridor.

The Fay Jones Woods project will include accessible trails, a canopy walk, an overlook, a picnic area, and restoration of Tanglewood Branch Creek.

Fay Jones Woods design draft / Courtesy City of Fayetteville

The improvements are being designed to meet standards set forth by the SITES Initiative, according to a news release. The point-based rating system guides the development of sustainable, ecologically resilient communities. Administered by US Green Building Council, the SITES certification process provides performance measures that assess and ensure the sustainability of the design, construction, and maintenance of the landscape.

Officials said the goal is for Fay Jones Woods to earn SITES Silver certification, with most of the points coming from restoration of native plant communities, innovative stormwater management strategies, universal accessibility, and designed spaces that support a diversity of activities and gatherings.

“When completed, the Fay Jones Woods project is on track to be the first SITES certified project in Arkansas, distinguishing the City of Fayetteville’s commitment to sustainable, beautiful, and functional public landscapes,” said Peter Nierengarten, the city’s director of sustainability.

More information about Phase One of the Cultural Arts Corridor project, including drawings is available at www.fayetteville-ar.gov/3749/Cultural-Arts-Corridor.

Those who are unable to attend one of the public information sessions can submit questions to Speak Up Fayetteville.