Van Buren Moving Forward With City-Wide Improvements

A one-percent sales tax went into effect in Van Buren on Jan. 1, and the city is already working to make improvements, said Mayor Bob Freeman.

“The tax just started in January, but we’ve already got a fire station about to start construction, a police station about to start construction, we’ve got softball fields under construction, the senior center’s moving forward,” Freeman said.

Currently, architects are working on blue prints for a fourth fire station in the northeastern part of the city. That’s after approximately 30 acres of land near the intersection of North Ridge and Fayetteville road was donated to the city earlier this month. That donation, made by Dr. William and Sharlene Gaither, gave the city the land it required for the new development.

“It was a wonderful donation because it’s a win-win for everyone involved because it’s exactly where we need the fire station to be in the northeastern portion of the city,” Freeman said.

Freeman said the land donated is valued at $680,000.

He said the need for an additional fire station became apparent over the last few years, as the northeastern part of the city has continued to see a lot of growth.

Construction on the fire station should start later this spring, said Freeman.

“I think once it’s done and once the dirt starts to move, that people are going to continue to be excited about seeing these things happen,” Freeman said.

The fire station is just one of four capital improvement projects that are being funded by the one-percent sales tax that voters approved in July. Other improvements include a new police station and improvements to the Senior Inn, while the rest of the money will go to the Parks and Recreation department.