SPRINGDALE (KFSM)- The land surrounding Arvest Ballpark has remained mostly undeveloped since the opening of the stadium in 2008, but Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse told 5NEWS that will soon change.
"It sits in the middle of Northwest Arkansas, it's in the middle of a half a million people, and the crossroads of two of the major corridors in Northwest Arkansas, so we know the time is coming and I think it's almost here," Sprouse said.
He said right now the area is mostly farmland, but the mayor said with new developers, he hopes to attract more business and less livestock.
"I don't know how much cattle enjoy baseball but they've had a great seat for a few years so we're ready to see some other development out there, and I think the market is about ready for it too," Sprouse said.
The mayor said Northwest Arkansas Community College has purchased land to build a satellite campus on the west side of the ballpark. He said Sam's club also recently bought a plot of land near the stadium to develop later this year.
Sprouse said once construction is complete on 56th Street, more businesses will likely follow. He said weather pushed back the project, but said it should be completed by the end of 2015.
"Construction of 56th to a four lane boulevard is going to certainly enhance that area, we've just got a lot going on and we're very excited about what we are going to see happen out around the ballpark," Sprouse said.
The mayor said there's no timeline yet for when construction on NWACC or the Sam's Club will begin.