West Avenue Civic Space

The West Avenue Civic Space is in the heart of the Fayetteville entertainment district, bordered by Dickson Street, West Avenue, Spring Street and Razorback Greenway on the site of the West Avenue parking lot. The design proposes to transform the existing asphalt into a vibrant civic space that will foster community gathering, improve pedestrian and bicycle circulation, and support flexible programming of performances, events, and arts. Sustainable approaches to the landscape, water infiltration, and stormwater storage are incorporated into the design.

Central Gathering Lawn & Event Stage

20,000 sf of central gathering and event lawn is sized to accommodate events and can hold up to 3,000+ people. Shaded seating along the edges will support other places to gather or relax.  

The Event Stage will support a variety of events. When not in use it can function as a gathering space along with the associated terraces.  Activities can include outdoor seating for restaurants, or informal games such as table tennis.

Promenade

A broad, 20-foot-wide promenade is the new pedestrian route parallel to West Avenue. Shaded by an allée of trees, it integrates seating, art, and lighting.

The promenade can also host two rows of tents and will have integrated event infrastructure. It can be combined into a ‘market’ or festival circuit if a portion of West Avenue between Dickson Avenue and Spring Street is closed to traffic.

Shade Pavilion

An open shade pavilion is located across from Walton Art Center near the promenade. It provides shaded seating and can be a small performance venue and event support space.

Art Gardens

Medium- and smaller-scale gathering spaces with permanent and moveable seating can support events and performances and be places of botanical display.

Permanent and rotating art installations will create visual interest and connection to the art programming throughout the corridor.

Artful Stormwater

The existing spring below the parking lot will be brought to the surface. Bridges, seating, and native planting will enhance the experience.

Rain gardens and pervious paving will collect stormwater runoff and clean it through bioremediation. The underground stormwater storage system will store water during large storm events and slowly release it to help reduce erosion and improve the health and safety of Tanglewood Branch downstream.

SITES certification

Fay Jones Woods and the Civic Space will be registered for SITES sustainability certification. SITES-certified landscapes help reduce water demand, filter and reduce stormwater runoff, provide wildlife habitat, reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, improve human health and increase outdoor recreation opportunities. If awarded, the project could be the first SITES certified project in the State of Arkansas.

Architecture

A public- private partnership is proposed for the development of two key buildings that anchor the civic space: a 2-story building along Dickson Avenue and a 5-6-story building along Spring Street. These could support a broad range of programs that could enhance the civic space, including cafes, restaurants, art galleries, and community spaces.

Parking

The City has hired a consultant to provide a parking site analysis that will evaluate possible parking configuration, feasible number of spaces, most viable locations (based on survey responses), and other schematic site details for at least five  Downtown/Dickson parking options to replace the West Ave Parking Lot.   The results of this analysis will be used to guide the next steps in a Downtown/Dickson Parking Replacement Plan.  Implementation of that plan will occur prior to the start of construction of the West Ave Civic Plaza.

Development

The West Ave Civic Space will include public/private development opportunities for buildings located within/adjacent to the Civic Plaza.  Since detailed design and construction of these buildings is outside the scope of the Cultural Arts Corridor, a Request for Proposals process will ensure that these buildings will have a complimentary timeline, cohesive design, and compatible uses to the adjacent CAC.

Programming

The City is doing what it can to develop the physical infrastructure of the Corridor to support Fayetteville’s vibrant arts community. And yet, how the corridor is ultimately imagined and realized is dependent on the community of artists, arts organizations, and the public. The City will work with arts consultants during the design phase to develop a programming plan that connects with the broad spectrum of Fayetteville's arts community and creates a broad range of program experiences tailored to available civic spaces while acknowledging and enhancing existing community events.