High water doesn’t deter Big River Crossing visitors

High water doesn’t deter Big River Crossing visitors

City, developers looking for ways to cash in on tourism

news@theeveningtimes.com

Despite the flood temporarily forcing the Arkansas gate closed, the Big River Crossing (BRX) visits continued to grow.

West Memphis Planning and Development Director Paul Luker delivered the news at the May meeting of the Advertising and Promotions Commission. Luker updated commissioners regarding the next phase of development for Delta Regional River Park and said no business plans to capitalize on BRX tourism had been formally submitted to city planning.

Big Money, City Councilor Ramona Taylor stated the importance of tracking progress in the river park.

City planning has used $200,000 of $330,000 earmarked by the A& P for park development.

“We have a ton of money invested in the Big River Crossing,” said Taylor. “We are under water on the Arkansas side so I guess this is our big test.”

Much of the circular route in the park is on existing county roads recently covered with re-milled asphalt.

No one knows for sure how much might wash away as flowing river floodwater tests the toughness of the packed down black top millings.

Big Plans, Luker provided a status report and punched out the to-do list.

“It’s underwater and we know that happens about a month each years,” said Luker. “The trail project the A& P invested in is underway. The part on the county road, all the material has been put in place, but there is some compacting and finish work that still needs to be done. 60 percent of that has been completed. It went fast because it was on the road.”

Making a connection from near the river front to the south end of the park required a new road cut.

“When it dries out we’ll start with the trail that takes off from one road and to the bank of the river and ties back into county road.

Then we’ll upgrade the parking area at the base of the bridge with this re-purposed asphalt.”

Placing permanent portapotties, trail markers called “way finding signs” and benches made from the original bridge foundation stones will quickly fill the bill funded by the A& P.

“It will be completed two months after it is dry,” said Luker.

The new park should be open by mid to late summer with a grand opening celebration after all the kinks have been worked out.

Big Visitor Numbers

through the end of April show the BRX is busiest on Saturday, Sunday and Friday

in order. LED lights make for a spectacular night display on the boardwalk but the busiest visit times are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a late afternoon peak. Weekday traffic on the boardwalk has averaged 464 with 1301 on weekend days. Visitor numbers were expected to stay strong despite the gate closing on the Arkansas landing during

the May flood. The Natural State provides the big attraction.

“There is a tremendous amount of visitors interested in seeing the river at flood stage; it’s added to the BRX buzz,” said Convention and Visitors Executive Director Jim Jackson.

Big Business Boost

resulting from BRX visits before the flooding lead Panchos executive Tim Wallace to add to the amenities at the West Memphis landmark restaurant. An updated mascot near the door creates a photo opportunity for guests and the restaurant added three more bike racks to accommodate cycling tourist connecting to the bridge.

“We renovated and did some landscaping,” said Commissioner Tim Wallace to the A& P. “We put a Pancho man up because people like to make pictures.

We’ve been there since 1956 so everybody comes across that bridge and comes into West Memphis is going to stop at Panchos.

On Saturday our whole bar area and the three new bike racks are full.”

“I’m personally glad to receive your support and am glad you are seeing benefits from it,” said Luker.

The Big Stink,

Councilwoman Taylor responded to the

Times

report that businessman Cham Percer felt handcuffed developing business on private property near the landing and on

East Broadway.

“Yet I read reports that additional things were being blocked, but when I went to city hall, no one had submitted any plans other than the work Tim (Wallace) was doing,” said Taylor.

The Big Picture, Luker responded by casting his vision for business development along East Broadway resulting from the new bike and pedestrian trail network.

“What makes it unique is to have mom and pop businesses develop along the trail,” said Luker. “The zoning is in place along that whole corridor where you can make almost anything you can think of related to biking and restaurants, coffee shops and bike repair. If someone brings us something, for my part I’m going to make it work.”

With the new tourism infrastructure about in place, Luker opened a long range perspective.

“In the bigger picture, we hope it leads to redevelopment of that end of the town, not with just commercial structures but also with some residential houses,” said Luker. This works better if private enterprise takes this on. Our involvement down there has been to prime the pump. There are some standards that have to be met.

“The area around the bridge landing, Bridge Road, for food carts, hot dog stands and such, we want to see that too. If someone will bring us a plan we will look at that too. A lot of that area is railroad, road, or highway right of way and that is problematic because you really don’t have permission to do anything on other people’s property but private property owners situated around there – hey we want to see those things, that is what we are hoping for.”

The Big Question, Councilman James Pulliaum checked the city proactive development action plan.

The West Memphis A& P underwrote much of the Delta Regional River Park in an extra-territorial area in Crittenden County hoping to lure tourist dollars from the affluent cycling sector.

“As far as the east end toward the big river project, what are we doing other than sitting back and waiting,” said Pulliaum. “Are we trying to seek investors or what?”

“Every time anyone connected to the project gets a chance to pitch it we pitch it, including Marion,” replied Luker. “We applaud the stuff Marion has done and want to see them have success as well as regional success. We’ve got the table set. It is ready to go, but some one has to come in and say they want to do something and show some plans.”

By John Rech