Bentonville City Council approves $60M in funding for several projects

The Gateway Park Project is projected to cost the city around $38 million. On Wednesday, the council voted to accept a $32.5 million grant from the Walton Family Foundation to construct the park, which has been five years in the making.

"This project is certainly a result in our community’s investment in quality of life," Parks and Recreation Director David Wright said. "While the City of Bentonville and Bentonville Parks and Recreation has been the driving force behind this project, the park would not have started without financial assistance and encouragement from the Walton Family Foundation. As we enter the construction phase of this monumental project, the City of Bentonville has still yet to spend taxpayer funds dedicated to it." 

Walmart donated 75 acres of land to the park in 2019, and the Walton Family Foundation capped off that donation with an additional 23 acres. 

After the council's approval, Parks and Recreation said they will move forward with construction within the next 60 days. Construction is expected to take around two years, and the park is projected to be complete by late 2026. 

Other resolutions discussed entering agreements with different companies to bring the project to fruition. The council approved the following actions: 

• Authorized a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) agreement with Crossland Construction to build the park at the cost of $38,067,346
• Authorized an agreement with PORT for construction administration at the cost of $603,350
• Authorized an agreement with Geotechnical and Testing Services (GTS) at the cost of no more than $239,855

According to Wright, the $32.5 million grant and an additional $6,858,000 from the city's bond and impact fees will cover construction costs. 

If the council approves this project, it is predicted that construction could get underway by Oct. 1. They believe construction would take around two years, and the park is projected to be complete by late 2026. 

Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Josh Stacey said the neighborhood park is designed to keep visitors active for extended periods of time with its playgrounds, pavilions, a wheel garden, and even a skate park. The skate park was designed by a world-renowned company, California Skateparks, who built the 2024 Paris Olympics skate park and will be building the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic skate park.

The council also approved moving forward with the Bentonville Adult Recreation Center. The project is expected to cost $22,258,058. 

The project is expected to get underway by September 2024 and open by early 2026. 

A grant agreement from the Town Branch Foundation of $21.5 was approved to go toward the center. 

The council also authorized creating a Recreation Facilities Manager position to manage the center starting January 2025.

The funds from the grant will go toward the construction of the center as well as funding the center's manager's annual salary. While $21.37 million of the grant will cover construction, $130,000 of the grant will only cover the manager's salary for one year. 

"The grant generously allows us to hire this position a full year before the scheduled opening of the facility to be part of the construction process as well as creating policies and procedures, create programming and marketing, create membership drive and purchase the furniture, fixtures, and equipment for the facility," Wright said. 

The council also approved the following actions: 

• Authorized an agreement with Flintco, LLC, to build the center at the cost of $22,049,119
• Authorized an agreement with Geotechnical and Testing Services (GTS) at the cost of no more than $69,255

The council voted to accept a $2 million grant from the Walton Family Foundation to purchase a 0.6-acre property at 211 S. Main St. for the Quilt of Parks Project. 

The council also authorized a loan agreement between the city and the foundation for $2.65 million and closing costs to cover the rest of the property purchase. It is a five-year interest loan with payments starting in 2027. 

"The intent of this grant is to help the City pay for the parking lot area that will become park space," Wright said. "The balance of this fee is financed through a five-year, interest free loan offered by the Walton Family Foundation."

With the funds planned out to purchase the $4.65 million property, the council authorized the city to enter in an agreement with Benton County to purchase the land and building at 211 S. Main St. 

According to documents, the construction of the Quilt of Parks is expected to be underway for at least the next 12 to 18 months. 

The council voted for the following actions: 

• Accepted another Walton Family Foundation grant of $90,000 to complete a tree canopy assessment
• Accepted an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program equipment rebate voucher for $117,322 to purchase two electric vehicles for the police department and agreed to use that voucher to purchase the vehicles from Superior Automotive Group in Siloam Springs
• Accepted a $44,407 grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance to purchase bulletproof vests for the police department
• Accepted a $3 million grant from the Alice Walton Foundation for wastewater improvements

For the Wednesday night's full agenda, visit the city's website. 

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