Fort Smith Central Business Improvement District (CBID) Meeting – September 6, 2026

The Fort Smith Central Business Improvement District (CBID) met on September 6, 2026, at 15:30 UTC. The board approved routine items, heard departmental and partner updates, and voted to change its meeting schedule, appoint a secretary, and shift its main project focus. No agenda or official minutes were available for this meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Sam was excused from the meeting by voice vote.
• Minutes from June 18 were approved as presented; the board did not meet in July.
• The treasurer's report and financials were approved. Year-to-date expenditures total $179,000: $73,000 in personnel expenses and $73,000 in operating expenses, with three of four planned transfers to the general fund completed. Revenues do not yet include property tax or assessment receipts, which largely arrive in October. The treasurer recommended budgeting operating expenses separately and creating a capital line item for unallocated discretionary funds in future budgets.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A board member asked whether the Darby Legacy group had been asked to fund a full $300,000 relocation of the pump house; the parks director said no because the existing plumbing and electrical made lowering the structure more cost-effective. The chair redirected the discussion to the Parks Commission.
• Mr. McCussian said removing the tree at 10th and Grand is not the solution to homelessness; he advocated for a dedicated homeless task force with a leader and questioned whether CBID meetings are recorded or posted.
• Officer Solis relayed an anonymous downtown property owner's report of severe, repeated vandalism on North 8th Street, including broken windows and human waste smeared on the building, and asked to move a trailer camera to that area for 30 days.

Discussion Items

• Parks Department: Sarah Deuster reported that the pump house change order was approved by the Board of Directors; the structure will be lowered 20 inches, plus a 3-inch stone slab, to meet code while addressing Darby Legacy Project aesthetic concerns. The contractor will be on site next week. Parks also plans to relocate the large skate park half pipe from Martin Luther King Jr. Park to a concrete pad at the riverfront, and three shade structures are ordered for the riverfront skate and bike park. Fort Smith is hosting the Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association Conference October 14–16, including a downtown mural tour.
• Citizen Services: Josh reported that Miss Laura's Visitor Center is undergoing siding replacement and the board approved a parking lot agreement. The alley project remains in legal and surety investigation after contract termination.
• Police update: Officer Solis reported typical downtown enforcement issues and said incidents at the National Historic Park are being addressed. A discussion followed about the green space at 10th and Grand, trash, homeless congregation, whether the space is parkland, and possible future intersection reconfiguration. A board member distinguished between transient and residential homeless populations, saying most severe incidents downtown appear tied to transients; he observed people arriving by bus in Van Buren and appearing downtown within 24 hours.
• Main Street Fort Smith: Amanda reported that the facade reimbursement grant program is open with $15,000 available; grants average $500–$7,500 and cover up to 50% of exterior projects. Seven projects were funded last year. The 11A Fort Smith Music Series starts September 11 with Live Sosa and runs seven consecutive weeks. A Garrison Arts Walk is planned for November 7, coordinated with the Red Auto Arts Festival and Fort Smith International Film Festival. Main Street is also helping the owners of Harvest Moon Bakery with historic tax credits and design assistance.
• Meeting schedule: The board discussed moving from monthly to quarterly meetings. After an amendment, the board approved meeting on the third Tuesday of the last month of each quarter, with special meetings allowed on 10 days' notice. The next meeting was set for September 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at the Blue Lion.
• Secretary appointment: Eric Hartness was nominated and appointed as CBID secretary.
• Strategic project focus: A motion was made and approved to shift the strategic action plan focus from Project 2 (Riverfront Gateway) to Project 9 (Cisterna Promenade and Lawn). Members discussed the larger scope, potential phasing, coordination with the Darby Legacy Project, removing or restricting vehicle traffic on the cutoff street, and involving private landowners and city departments. Members agreed to re-engage the original planning consultant and prepare larger visuals for future meetings.
• Social license: Eric briefly presented the concept of a social license, arguing that legitimacy, credibility, and trust are essential for the CBID and its member organizations.

Key Outcomes

• Approved excusing Sam, the June 18 minutes, and the financial report.
• Approved a quarterly meeting schedule on the third Tuesday of the last month of each quarter; the next meeting is September 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at the Blue Lion.
• Appointed Eric Hartness as CBID secretary.
• Approved shifting CBID project focus from Project 2 to Project 9 (Cisterna Promenade and Lawn).
• Directed follow-up with the planning consultant and requested larger project visuals.
• Officer Solis will follow up on moving a trailer camera to North 8th Street for 30 days.