Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – June 18, 2024 – Several committees and councils met Tuesday evening to discuss a multitude of issues including the proposed Entertainment District, the adoption of a new city-wide Recycling Program, an update on the Mosquito Survey project, and voted on several ordinances and resolutions including two liquor permits.
During the Public Safety Council Committee meeting at 5:00, Downtown Jonesboro Alliance Executive Director Sarah Doss gave a presentation regarding the proposed Entertainment District. She explained the stipulations of the district including logo cups, wristbands, stickers on doors of participating businesses, and directional arrows painted on the road to identify the boundaries of the district. The district would be “open” from 10am to 10pm Thursday through Saturday, and would have uniformed and plain-clothes officers patrolling the area.
Doss explained that DJA has invested over $80,000 in lighting upgrades to the Downtown area since 2018 and believes that the project as it is proposed is the safest way to increase profits and traffic to the downtown area.
During the City Council meeting at 5:30, the council heard two MAPC appeals, a process that hasn’t happened in some time.
The first appeal was from 5500 CW Post Road. According to submitted documents, this applicant hoped to construct public-facing retail commercial units and a premium branded hotel. The appeal failed with a vote of 11 to 1.
The second appeal was for 5415 Southwest Dr. Documentation showed that the applicant hoped to install a self-contained coffee shop on the lot that’s currently zoned residential. The vote passed with 8 voting yes, 3 voting no, and 1 abstaining.
Dr. Tanja McKay and a group of graduate and undergraduate students from ASTATE then gave a presentation about their Citizen Science Mosquito Survey. The project aims to study the mosquito population in and around Jonesboro by trapping and counting them with the help of citizens. There is a form to let the students set up the trap in your yard for one night here.
Mark Young from the Chamber of Commerce gave a presentation on the Northeast Arkansas Industrial Development Commission. He explained the growth and expansion of Hytrol, Amazon, a new terminal at the airport, and showed multiple endeavors including Draft Day, TekStarz Manufacturing Camp, Match Day, the ribbon cutting of the Soft Trails, and several other initiatives from the Chamber and Jonesboro Unlimited.
The Parks Master Plan was voted on as a resolution. The plan was initially brought to the Public Services Council Committee in April and has been through several committees since then. The plan is mostly a “guideline” for the direction that the Parks and Recreation Department will go over the next several years. The plan passed unanimously.
The Health Accelerator Program was also voted on. This program uses $125,000 in grant funds to improve ADA amenities in Jonesboro parks. The plan passed unanimously.
Brick Oven Pizza in Jonesboro applied for their liquor license. The application was held to three readings over the last 6 weeks and the vote was tonight. The measure passed with an 11-1 vote.
The Arts Annex (the FOA) also applied for their liquor license through local businessman and bartender Brian Nobles. The application was held to three readings over the last 6 weeks. The measure passed unanimously.