Property sales part of Fort Smith Board agenda - Talk Business & Politics
The Fort Smith Board of Directors is one vote away from nixing a more than $12 million plan to build a police training facility and police department precinct in south Fort Smith. The board may also vote. . .
The Fort Smith Board of Directors is one vote away from nixing a more than $12 million plan to build a police training facility and police department precinct in south Fort Smith. The board may also vote during its Aug. 4 regular meeting to sell the city’s downtown parking garage. The board approved spending $2. 85 million to buy the former Crain-Kia dealership in south Fort Smith in March 2024. The initial plan was to use the property for a police precinct and consolidated maintenance facility. Located at 8200 U. S. Highway 71 S. , the more than 4. 4-acre property at the former car dealership has three structures. Initially, two structures were to be used for a FSPD precinct and training facility. A third structure, an auto service center for the dealership, was to become a consolidated maintenance facility for all city vehicles. But during a July 28 study session, the boardwas not supportiveof a $10 million bond issue with a 20-year finance term based on a 4. 5% interest rate to build a training facility and precinct for the Fort Smith Police Department (FSPD). That option would have an estimated $753,000 annual debt-service payment. The debt service payment would come from the FSPD operating budget. The interest on a 20-year finance plan is estimated to be $2. 418 million, which would push the total cost to an estimated $12. 418 million. FSPD Police Chief Danny Baker told the board during the study session that the training facility and precinct “has been a long-term stated need for the future of Fort Smith,” but if funding is not soon available for the property, the city should sell it. “The Board indicated that pursuing renovation of the facility through multi-year financing at this time does not align with the city’s current financial position and through the discussion indicated favor toward offering the property for sale,” according to a memo from Acting City Administrator Jeff Dingman. “Included on the August 4 regular meeting agenda is a resolution authorizing and directing the City Administrator to initiate the process for sale of city-owned real property at 8200 Highway 71 South known as the Crain Kia property. Approval of any such sale will require approval by the Board at a later date. ”The FSPD will continue to look for property to locate a precinct and training facility if the former Crain Kia property is sold, according to an FSPD statement sent to Talk Business & Politics. “If this happens, we will begin looking for other options and present those for consideration as they develop,” the FSPD noted. “While we still believe a second precinct and expanded training facilities are necessary and will benefit the future public safety needs of the region, our immediate priority has to be investing in our people. ”The FSPD said budget challenges make it hard to oppose keeping property when support for officers is critical. “In light of recent budget challenges, including the loss of eight police officer positions, it’s difficult to justify holding onto a property for a project that cannot be funded while we’re also working to improve officer pay and strengthen staffing,” noted the FSPD. “Selling the property allows those resources to be directed toward our most pressing public safety needs until funding becomes a possibility. Chief Baker has been clear that our officers are our greatest asset. Buildings can be built later. Recruiting, retaining, and supporting quality officers has to come first. ”PARKING GARAGEAlso, as part of the board’s consensus to sell as much city-owned property as possible, the board on Aug. 4 will consider a resolution calling for the sale of its parking garage at 715 Rogers Ave. , in downtown Fort Smith. According to a memo from Dingman to the board, “the Parking Fund no longer has sufficient revenues to sustain the maintenance, operation, insurance and periodic structural inspection & repairs associated with the facility, so the balance of that obligation falls to the city’s General Fund. This is unsustainable and needs to be corrected. ”Dingman said the city budgeted $125,000 in fiscal year 2026 to cover operating expenses for the parking garage. He also said the garage elevator is not working and “needs significant repair. ”Dingman said selling the garage could create a parking problem for city employees. He said the parking garage has 328 parking spaces, with 218 obligated to certain users. Dingman said 66 spaces are leased to individuals and downtown businesses, 51 are used by employees at the State Office Building, 50 are used by city employees, and 51 are used by city vehicles that are parked overnight and used during the workday. Related