FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — On Tuesday, Oct. 18, the Fayetteville City Council discussed a land purchase for a future hotel near Dickson Street that Reindel Properties is looking to build.
After first coming to the council in 2021, Reidel Properties returned with a 135-hotel room proposal a year later, but at that point, some council members expressed concerns about a potential lack of parking for the businesses around the property.
“We want you to know that we've heard you loud and clear,” said Reidel.
They came back to the city council on Oct. 18, 2023, with a different plan. They dropped the number of rooms to 115 and offered a valet parking area in a lot nearby.
Some council members advocated for the approval of this project after discussion.
“Time is of the essence, and I feel like you've done everything that you can possibly do," said D'Andre Jones, Ward 1 position 2.
“We've got an opportunity here to bring in $420,000 for this city. We need to make a decision. We don't need to hold this gentleman up for another month or two," said Mayor Lioneld Jordan.
And some felt they needed more time to go over the details of the plan.
“I don't want to pass this proposal tonight, purely because I think we need to digest the details," said Teresa Turk, Ward 4, Position 1.
“We have to get it right from the get-go. I think getting it right also involves communicating with our downtown merchants. Because, yes, there's going to be benefits to them, but there's also some challenges," said Scott Berna, Ward 3, Position 1. “It's the public's land.”
The Fayetteville City Council voted to table the item until Nov 3.
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