Fort Smith will officially go forward with purchasing land from the U.S. Marshals Museum for a bike and skate park following a 6-1 vote by the city's Board of Directors.
The 3.49 acres on the riverfront in downtown Fort Smith was appraised for $900,000, but the Marshals Museum agreed to sell it for $200,000, Parks and Recreation Director Doug Reinert said Tuesday at the Board of Directors meeting.
The project is a partnership — the city will contribute $500,000 for infrastructure such as a parking lot and side walks, while private entities and individuals such as Sam Sicard of First National Bank of Fort Smith, Steve Clark of ProPak and Bill Hanna of Hanna Oil & Gas are raising the money for the bike and skate equipment.
"We're looking at it to be a 50/50 partnership at this point," City Administrator Carl Geffken said.
The city will own the park, which is planned to be finished by Memorial Day.
Ward 4 Director George Catsavis voted against the purchase, while all six other directors voted in favor.