[Fayetteville, Arkansas]

Thanks for the link. I can't say I ever get tired of seeing us on these lists.

New ranking for Fayetteville...Ranked #7 in the nation for "Best Cities to Live, Work and Play" by Kiplingers Magazine. See link below:

http://www.kiplinger.com/money/bestcities/

[Walton Arts Center Location]

Dickson Street is the ideal location for the WAC and the center for the arts in NWA. Dickson Street just has much more potential for urban growth than any of the sister cities and the arts require urban growth to sustain it. Crystal Bridges in Bentonville will be a great art museum, but it won't be a full blown arts center like the WAC. Besides, Springdale, Rogers and Bentonville have small performing arts centers so they aren't exactly hurting because the WAC is in Fayetteville.

Before we take up all the land around WAC for new development shouldn't we program what the Walton Art Center needs first? We get one shot at maintaining the arts here and forever to regret "sleeping at the wheel".

[Fayetteville, Arkansas]

I have to correct myself. The last time I was around the Square there wasn't any trees missing but I did notice them today. I admit I was rather surprised and disappointed. Just seems to me that surely they could have put in a new sidewalk without taking out all the trees on the corners. All the trees on the northwest and southwest corners are gone. I'm assuming once they move on the other other side of the Square they'll do the same there. I realize this isn't a development but, it just seems odd the city makes a big deal to developers to preserve trees and the city takes out quite a few trees just to 'renovate' the sidewalks. I could understand if they were constructing a building but just to work on the sidewalks? I'm assuming they'll plant new trees after they're finished or else that would seem to violate their own tree ordinance. But of course they'll be young trees that will take years to get as big as the ones they cut down.

It does seem like a double standard doesn't it? Maybe this was the city's way of saving money on Christmas lights (sarcasm button on). Seems like a real shame.

[Walton Arts Center Location]

Yeah I think the biggest thing is to be proactive and do whatever it takes to keep the main facility of the WAC in Fayetteville. Which Fayetteville does seem to be doing a good job. But while I do think having the U of A will help keep Fayetteville an important cultural area I'm not going to be so quick to say Fayetteville will always be THE cultural center of NWA. A decade ago I don't think we would have foreseen just how quickly lost it's roll as being the 'center' of NWA for everything. I think the biggest thing is that we can't be complacent. The other NWA cities want their 'share' and aren't just going to let Fayetteville dominate anything anymore.

"Ditto" on being proactive. I too believe that other parts of NWA deserve their highpoints. For one, I think Crystal Bridges is awesome. I commend Alice Walton for spending her money on something that will be enjoyed by the public for years to come. I am not jealous in the least that Bentonville will have this facility. I will not complain that it will take 30 minutes to drive there. It will be a great regional museum located in Bentonville. The Walton Arts Center should be the same...a terrific regional facility (expanded and improved) that is located in Fayetteville.

[Walton Arts Center Location]

I feel more like the decision to move may have already been made and they are releasing the information slowly to let Fayetteville get used to the idea. Fayetteville's moves on the parking might get them to reconsider but only if the talk becomes action. The name "Walton" gives a big clue as to what is driving the situation. The building of Crystal Bridges by Alice Walton, the plans for a 3,000 seat theater at the museum site and the growth of Benton County in population and wealth all are factors pointing to a possible move.

Hopefully Fayetteville's leaders and the University of Arkansas can come up with a plan and follow through on it so that we can keep the Walton Arts Center's main facility in town. This is another time where the nature of Northwest Arkansas hurts it- multiple cities of similar size vying for the same prize.

With all the talk of an "experience economy" being the buzz around town it would be a real shame to sit back and see a larger performing arts facility built anywhere but at the WAC current location. With all due respect, regardless of how much growth Fayetteville's sister cities have seen and no matter how much "dickson envy" they may have, Fayetteville IS and WILL BE the cultural center of NWA. The UofA has a lot to do with this. The political make-up has something to do with this as well, as does the historical, funkiness that Fayetteville has at its core. The citizens, politicians, power brokers, school leaders, businessmen and businesswomen, and any one else with a pulse should rally right here and now to not only keep WAC in Fayetteville but also raise the funds by any and all means necessary to expand the facility to the point that it will continue to draw the entire region to downtown Fayetteville.

There is a feasibility study being conducted currently to consider the best location for an expanded facility. Why would there be any consideration to go up north? The argument is being made that the population growth is expected to hit exponential proportions in coming decades in Benton County. With this argument there are those who say Benton County should have its own facility. Years ago we adopted the notion that a regional airport would best serve our region. That place is now in Benton County. Although Drake field was nice to fly out of, the entire region has adopted XNA as our airport. We don't try to now have our own to compete with XNA. The comparison is obvious. The WAC in Fayetteville should be the PLACE for the performing arts in NWA. If we had a feasibility to say the UofA would be best served to move to Tulsa would we do it? If Wal-Mart suggested that Dallas was a better place to serve its customers needs would we just say "oh well"? I think not...Let's rally the troops to expand WAC now!

[Fayetteville, Arkansas]

Nice pics, thanks! EJ Ball and the square both are going to look much nicer. The downtown area will be a big construction site for awhile but the end result should be worth it. I do wonder if the square will be done in time for the Farmers Market to start back up though.

Nice pics! Did we loose some trees around the square?