OnDickson

It's going to be very interesting to see. There's been quite an 'anti-tax' sentiment around here lately as evidenced by the recent defeat of proposed property taxes. I actually had a brief conversation with Mayor Coody a couple of weeks ago about the upcoming election. I asked him what he thought and he didn't answer directly but said that he was indeed a little worried about the anti-tax sentiment right now. He said that he thought that if people understood the sewer taxes clearly that they would easily pass because essentially we are going to pay for it one way or another (i.e. HUGE sewer rate increases). Personally, I figure they are all going to be fairly close. But, I fear the one that may not pass is the tax for the Trail system. I think a lot of folks consider it a luxury rather than a necessity--however, I see it as more of a necessity with tremendous long term benefits for the city and residents. Another interesting thing that I've heard a few folks complain about the road improvement issue is this: the proposed Gregg street extension is not included in this package. After months and months of design and debate it was dropped after adoption of the compromised route. There are more than a few downtown residents and businesses who realize that the Gregg Street extension is vital to the continued growth of downtown Fayetteville and I actually heard a few people say they would not support the tax because of that. Anyway, I'd be willing to bet that 3/4 of the issues pass today. Then again, I probably wouldn't actually bet on anything to do with increasing taxes right now given the current political climate!

Unfortunately, that is against state law and can happen only when and if the legislature votes to change existing laws which prohibit consumption of alcohol outside the confines of a bar/club/restaurant, etc. Fortunately, the legislature is very likeley to adress this issue in the next legislative session. Actually, they did in the last session, passing a law that would have allowed for the creation of such entertainment districts that would allow for the consumption of beer/alcohol outside of clubs in the district. The law was aimed at the River Market, Hot Springs and Dickson Street. However, Governor Huckabee vetoed the new law saying that his conscience wouldn't let him support a bill that promoted alcohol consumption in public places. When the legislature reconvened, they actually came within 1 vote of overriding Huckabee on this issue--so it appears to have a lot of support behind it and there are a lot of folks who seem to think it is a shoe-in for next year.

It's an expansion--basically the addition of 2 floors (I think I read 2, maybe 3) on top of the existing hospital. The need and $$$ weren't there to do it when the hospital was first built, but the original building was designed to easily build on top of the existing floors when necessary. I can't remember details of what the new space will be used for.

It sits right on the West side of the square--basically right in the middle of the row of buildings that has the Bank of Fayetteville on the North end and Kincaid, Horne and Daniels on the South end. If I'm not mistaken it houses the KNWA studios and maybe a dress shop on the bottom floors now, and the condos upstairs. I do believe it was the actually the first mixed use condo development in Fayetteville and the condos are still among the nicest that I have been in in the downtown area. I'm not sure of the total number of condos in the downtown area right now. The city has stated at Downtown/Dickson merchants meetings in the past that we could anticipate in the neighborhood of 200+ new condos being completed in the downtown area over the next 18-24 months (I believe this number was assuming the Divinity would pass and that construction of the Renaissance hotel would actually begin at some point).

There's an article linked in the thread below ("Builders: Lot Prices Dropping, Cleansing Ahead") that mentions these houses on Rupple Road. Apparently the term 'new Urbanist' for these homes comes from Richard Alexander and the homes (on 'Rupple Row') are being developed by Alexander-Merryship-Alt along with Nock investments. According to the article the incorporate scaled down floor plans and small lot sizes along with all of the amenities. I do know that the Barber Group is in on some large developments in this part of town and perhaps they are planning some houses in this style as well.

#2 OnDickson

No offense taken here. But you have to consider the fact that many of those hippies and tree huggers have been helping to shape Fayetteville for decades now. Sure, Fayetteville has it's share of problems. But it would certainly seem to appear that there have been a lot of things done right over the years as evidenced by the quality of life here. The tree ordinance. The sign ordinance. The hillside ordinance. The required dedication of greenspace by developers for city parks. The downtown master plan. Darn those tree huggers--they obviously conceived ideas like that just to hurt devlopers and it had nothing to do with protecting the quality of life here and all of the things that help make Fayetteville what it is! I'm not trying to knock your opinion here just pointing out that there are 2 ways to look at every issue. And, as with most things I believe that the truth lies somewhere in the middle of siding with the tree huggers and siding with the developers.

Oh yeah, no doubt about that. I think it does go in cycles though, with some periods in the past definitely being 'quirkier' (if that's a word) than others. Itk, I believe that you just hit the nail squarely on the head! Why that is, I don't know. And, whether it is a good or bad thing is certainly debatable. But, Fayetteville is and always has always been a magnet for the quirkiest of folks.

Perhaps it will remain both weird and the flagship city--being that those 2 events are not mutually exclusive as your post would seem to indicate. That's where I'd put my money. But as you said, time will tell. 'Keep Fayetteville Funky'. I think that's the slogan you were looking for, although perhaps just plain 'weird' is a better description of Fayetteville! At any rate, I much prefer 'funky'--that generic 'new spirit' slogan just doesn't do much for me.