mcheiss

The Greenway would work in Cooperation with trains coming through. Kind of like in Washington D.C., when commuter trains go through the route of the MetroRail. And who knows, if that land become valuable out by Springdale in the chicken plants, those plants may sell their land, and multi-use functions could be built along that route. As soon as a project like that is confirmed and construction starts, that land will be worth a lot.

I agree, that's why I propose they tweak the plan for the light rail, like what they did in Nashville. Instead of adding on track and and right of way for land, all they did was use existing railroads, buy the light rail cars, install a third rail, and train stations and such. Believe it or not, it would be more feasable, since the existing Arkansas/Missouri Railroad runs along the 4 cities anyway, to not build 41 miles of track and right of way. It only cost Nashville around $30 Million or so. So think about it, if we tweaked the plan, and spent, at the most around $100 million, instead of $1.2 Billion, it would be a great asset to the community. Otherwise, if they don't change the plan, the I agree with you that it is a waste of money (in terms of economic perspective), and that that money could be otherwise used on better road and infastructure projects. I love this topic!!!

In case anyone wants any more information about the proposed Light Rail in Northwest Arkansas, I found a website dedicated to it. www.nwa-lrts.org

You found my secret!! Just kidding. But yeah, it is a pretty nice project, wouldn't you say so yourself.

Where is Queen Wilhelmina State Park? I have got to make a visit there. Beautiful scenery.

True, the Eastern Parkway in Washington County would be a big success, but up here in Benton County it the topography is a little more rugged along with the lake and those angry homeowners.

I could see more bus usage in Northwest Arkansas and the Interstate widening. That's pretty much it, but you never know about something like the Light Rail.

Well, I heard about another project going on in Fayetteville. The old train depot in Fayetteville on Dixon Street sold for 2 million. The developers want to put in a Gloria Jean's Coffe and Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream Store in the first phase along with renovating the exisitng buildings. The second phase of this development really excites me because Phase II will include several hundred thousand SF of mixed use buildings, and be finished in 2008 as a spokesman for the developers said. Isn't that right along the Arkansas-Missouri Railroad? This kind of projects need to start happening more around that railroad (with proper coordination), if we ever want a chance at getting a light rail or a more "urban feel in Northwest Arkansas" That's an awesome project.

Doesn't Memphis have 2 Costco's?

Wow, another from Northwest Arkansas. Compared to other forums, this is a very busy forum. Thanks for the compliment NCB!!

I agree. Some of these projects such as the Interstate widening and such should already be complete.

Beautiful!!

I wonder what else could be put in that building? Springdale has pretty much been shoved out of the spotlight for retail in the area. Who knows if they could attract something like a clothing store, or something big.

Or how about a Western Bypass? Improvements to connecting roads along I-540?

Welcome to the forum!!

I agree, I just wish that there was a little more variety in grocery shopping here in Northwest Arkansas. All we have up here is just Harps and Wal-Mart. If a Kroger, Albertsons, or something a little bit different was up here, I'm sure it would get a lot of support. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. But true, maybe five years+, I could see one. Officials from Costco actually said they were looking into the current Sam's Club building in Springdale, since Sam's is closing that store to build stores in Fayetteville and Bentonville.

Congrats Mith!!!!

Since we are talking about Sam's Club, Did anyone read an article in The Morning News that talked about Costco looking into a market somewhere in Arkansas. It mentioned that Little Rock residents had a strong interest in a Costco, but that Costco was not leaving Northwest Arkansas out as a possibility. Could anybody see a Costco in Northwest Arkansas or in Little Rock?

What about a communter bus running from Fayetteville through Springdale, Rogers, and Bentonville? Apparently officials at Ozark Regional Transit want to try out the idea.

I've seen pictures of the skyline, I just didn't know that it was that beautiful with the trees and such. I actually did grow up in Arkansas, and did take Arkansas History in the 8th grade. Unfortunately, I've lived in the Northwest portion all of my life and didn't get to go to the capital. But, I have been to Little Rock, before all of the new developments, and actually got to tour the Presidential Library under construction with a Leadership class. I really should make an effort though to go down there sometime again, just to see the city. I've heard so many good things about it that I'm actually quite envious of the city.

I agree. I know that more than likely better roads and widening the Interstate to 3 or 4 lanes is the best option and is desperately needed if Northwest Arkansas wants to continue with growth.

I'm really not sure about the whole thing honestly. I just remember reading in the Northwest Arkansas Times about the Arkansas ABC Board approval of the proposed Fayetteville Sam's Club using a liquor permit from another establishment and about how it would be the first Wal-mart establishment in the State to sell liquor. I really haven't been to Wal-Mart's outside of Northwest Arkansas. I do know that they do want to build it in an offset building (somewhat), to where it is not directly inside the Sam's Club, but in a building connected to the store.

Wow!! I have got to make a trip to Little Rock. I never knew that skyline was that good. Wish we had something like that in Northwest Arkansas.

The Light Rail system would probably work better if it did go through the center of all of the cities, but condos, and mixed-use projects would develop anywhere the system would be. If they did follow the proposed route along the Arkansas/Missouri Railroad, I think places like eastern Rogers, and Benton County would be developing just as much as Western Rogers.

I think that's what it was supposed to be.