Former Hooters site rezoned and ready for development

The former Hooters restaurant in north Fayetteville could soon be removed to make room for a new development with apartments, a retail center and other amenities.

City Council members on Tuesday voted to approve a rezoning request to transition the property from a strictly commercial zone to the city’s Community Services district which allows for a mix of residential and commercial uses.

The 7.42-acre site is home to the former Hooters building facing Shiloh Drive, which has sat empty since the restaurant closed in 2013. The parcel is just south of the Northwest Arkansas Mall, and includes a large undeveloped area to the west, which has access to a private drive that serves Georgetown Square.

Rob Goltermann with DCM Group Commercial Real Estate Services in St. Louis, said the goal is to build a pedestrian-friendly, dense mixed-use development that will bring additional customers and patrons to the neighboring commercial businesses. He said the project will include 169 apartments, a 6,000-square-foot retail center, modern amenities and ample parking.

“We believe our project will provide a needed urban housing option for the neighborhood where residents can work and live along with activating a currently under-utilized infill location,” Goltermann said in a letter to city planners. “Additionally, we believe this is the perfect use based upon how the site is currently being used. What better way than to activate the site with an influx of consumers.”

Hooters in 2013 / Staff photo

Goltermann said the hope is to demolish the restaurant building as soon as possible and begin construction of the retail center and apartments.

Permitted uses in the Community Services district include cultural and recreational facilities, government facilities, eating places, neighborhood shopping goods, offices, studios, sidewalk cafes and small-scale production. Residential uses allowed include one-, two-, three- and four-family dwellings, multi-family dwellings and accessory dwellings.

Former Hooters building in 2021 / Staff photo

A variety of conditional uses are also allowed if a separate permit is approved by the Planning Commission, including hotels, commercial recreation, liquor stores and outdoor music establishments.

The commission last month voted 7-0 to forward the request to the council with a recommendation of approval. The council also voted 7-0 to approve the request. Council Member Sonia Gutierrez left the meeting before the vote.

There was no public comment on Tuesday, but Council Member Sloan Scroggin said he was excited about the project.

“This rezoning can only make this area better,” said Scroggin. “It would be great if we had residential (uses) here, and maybe it could even help the mall if people could walk there and use those businesses and restaurants.”