Ashley Phillips

Like everyone else, to me it just wouldn't feel right having the arts center anywhere other than Fayetteville. And it has nothing to do with geography. Dickson Street & surrounding area has always been rich in culture, diversity, and free thinking individuals. All of which create a great environment for the arts. Bentonville, while a nice town in it's own right, has none of these things. My wife always refers to Bentonville as "Stepford" and I tend to agree. Another detriment I see in the Bentonville site is the somewhat continual loss of jobs at Walmart's corporate headquarters. If you're spending 100's of millions of dollars on lavish art museums and concert halls while laying off 100's of dedicated employees every year, over time this may create a public relations nightmare. No one wants to stand on the podium at the grand opening and say something like: "I would like to dedicate this Performing Arts Center to the citizens of Bentonville. Many of whom can no longer afford a ticket."

Speaking of Performing Arts Centers, is there a thread on the NWA forum dedicated to the new outdoor performing arts center they're building in Tontitown? I think it's called Osage Creek Performing Arts Center?

Thanks for the welcome -- great to be here! Like you, I would LOVE to see the WAC addition stay in Fayetteville, but candidly I think it's going to come down to what the big donors want. If the Waltons want to donate tens of millions of dollars to make this happen, and they want it built in Bentonville on or around the Crystal Bridges site, then that's where it's going to be. Fayetteville just doesn't have the financial resources to fight that scenario.

I shouldn't have used the word 'Debacle'.... Apologies for that. I know that the county has managed their project as well as they can, but just got a little unlucky. Hopefully the city will fare better.

I hope they learn a few things from watching the parking garage debacle over at the county courthouse.

Have you considered the old Washington County Sale Barn site just off 6th Street? I know the site is far from perfect, but it's nine acres, good access to I-540 (via 6th Street and South 71 Bus.), the current infrastructure is there, and about the largest site I can think of that's anywhere close to downtown. And having a new arts center in that neighborhood would go a long way in helping to rejuvenate the Mill District / South Fayetteville area, which is one of the city's long-term goals. Personally I think it's one of the few developments that would be a good fit for building next door to the National Cemetery. If only the veterans would get on board... (?) What are your thoughts?