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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️
(Yes, this is Tuesday. Your Sunday newsletter arrived fashionably late - call it the civic engagement version of Arkansas time.)
Spring is playing its usual trick on us this week - 27° this morning, 81° by Thursday, so pack layers and maybe just leave a different outfit in your car. While you were bundling up, a big week was quietly taking shape: Fort Smith is a finalist for a free tunnel under the Arkansas River, Mayor McGill made it official he's stepping down, and the Board voted last night on waterslides and the city's homeless camping ordinance. Big stuff. All of it in here.
What to expect in today’s newsletter:
🏗️ Infrastructure: Fort Smith is one of 16 finalists for a free Boring Company tunnel that could double the region's water capacity - winner announced March 23
🏛️ Leadership: Mayor McGill won't seek a third term, two candidates already declared, and the race for his seat starts now
💼 Economy: Home prices up 60% since COVID, wages up 30% - a new report puts Fort Smith's affordability gap in sharp focus
🎽 Events: Marathon, Tilles Park celebration, Bunny Run, Elvis haircuts - a packed stretch through March 29
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Your Neighbour
📅 This Week in Fort Smith
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
McGill won't seek third term - 'I am honoring that promise'
What this means: Fort Smith's first African-American mayor is stepping down, opening a race with two declared candidates already in
Elected in 2018 with 57% of the vote, McGill announced at Thursday's State of the City at UAFS that he's honoring his two-term pledge; he highlighted the F-35 training center at Ebbing, the consent decree modification, and $250+ million in 2025 building permits
Sara Harrison (Air Force veteran) and Christina Catsavis (city director) have both declared; filing period opens July 29, general election November 3
McGill's advice to the next mayor: "Listen to the public. Have a mindset that every part of our community is important"
INFRASTRUCTURE
Fort Smith named finalist in Boring Company's Tunnel Vision Challenge winner March 23
What this means: The city could win a free tunnel under the Arkansas River that would double regional water delivery capacity
Fort Smith is 1 of 16 finalists (from 487 applicants) for a free 1.5-mile, 12-foot-diameter tunnel ~70 feet beneath the Arkansas River to house a 48-inch water transmission line the hardest segment of a 30-mile regional system
Impact: adds 30 million gallons/day in delivery capacity, serving 30+ cities across five counties in Arkansas and Oklahoma; the full transmission project is estimated at $328-585 million
Winner announced March 23; board approved the application February 3
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
Board votes today on $2.4M Parrot Island bids and revisited homeless ordinance
What this means: Two big votes tonight competitive waterslide bids replacing the no-bid Royal Ridge deal, and a second attempt at an anti-camping ordinance
Waterslide awards: SSI Inc. of Fort Smith ($1.751M for five slides) and Clarity Pools of Little Rock ($664K for pumps/piping) combined $2.416M from the board's $2.689M budget, with the rest for inspections, fencing, and landscaping
Homeless ordinance would ban camping on city property and sleeping on sidewalks; rejected 4-3 in December 2024; Police Chief Baker: "legislation cannot fully address homelessness"
Also tonight: American Resort Management continues running Parrot Island through 2026 while a financial audit and new management search continue
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Fort Smith metro economy 'stable' but lagging housing affordability emerges as top concern
What this means: Home prices up 60% since COVID vs. wages up 30% is straining the workforce and limiting growth
Metro had 105,200 jobs in December 2025 (up from 104,500) but unemployment rose to 4.4% from 3.3%; employment remains 3.3% below its 2007 peak
Healthcare leads growth (17,800 jobs, up 7.9% since 2019); manufacturing holds at 18,100 but is 38% below its 1999 peak of 29,200
The headline number: home prices up ~60% since COVID, wages up ~30% Fort Smith's population grew just 0.7% vs. Fayetteville's 1.6%
Every headline satisfies an opinion. Except ours.
Remember when the news was about what happened, not how to feel about it? 1440's Daily Digest is bringing that back. Every morning, they sift through 100+ sources to deliver a concise, unbiased briefing — no pundits, no paywalls, no politics. Just the facts, all in five minutes. For free.
HEALTHCARE
Mercy Fort Smith opens $4.2M expanded clinic at Chaffee Crossing
What this means: A primary care expansion with 13 new rooms and a residency program that's quadrupled in four years
The 19,548-sq-ft expansion opened March 11, adding 13 patient care rooms staffed by 7 full-time physicians and 38 residents through Arkansas Colleges of Health Education; built by Fort Smith-based Beshears Construction
Residency program grew from 8 physicians in 2021 to 30, adding 2 annually; Dr. Paul Bean: "This clinic is also a place where future physicians are formed"
Services: chronic condition management, wellness visits, sports physicals, vaccines, health screenings, and osteopathic treatment
Quick updates
Tilles Park renovation celebration March 26 $2.182 million in renovations across three phases including an inclusive playground with age-specific zones, an asphalt walking trail, new basketball courts replacing tennis courts, and enhanced disc golf tees; free event at 10 AM with kids activities and lunch at 3700 Grand Ave - Read more
Government reform petition circulating A petition is collecting signatures to change Fort Smith's government from a city administrator model to a mayor-council form; the city and Siloam Springs are the only Arkansas cities with administrator-style government - Read more
F-35 training ramps up at Ebbing Finnish jets arrived in January (pilots expected May), Polish jets since December; German F-35s expected this spring; Singapore expected late 2026 with up to 400 personnel; base received $141 million in new federal construction funding - Read more
Fort Smith Marathon is March 29 Register by March 20 to guarantee shirt size; marathon, half marathon, quarter, 5K, and relay options; packet pickup March 28 at 10 AM-6 PM - Register
Elvis Haircut Day March 28 Get a haircut in the historic barbershop where Elvis received his military cut in 1958; $10 donation, free for military/veterans; Chaffee Barbershop, 10:30 AM-3 PM - Read more
Free AARP Tax Preparation Windsor Branch Library, through April 15 - Read more
THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH
Must-Attend Events
Fort Smith Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay | Sunday, March 29, 7:00 AM | Downtown Fort Smith | The annual marathon returns with multiple race options through historic downtown and scenic paved trails. Register by March 20 to guarantee shirt size. Packet pickup Saturday, March 28. | Register
Tilles Park Renovation Celebration | Thursday, March 26, 10:00 AM | 3700 Grand Avenue | Free community event marking $2.1 million in park renovations including inclusive playground, walking trail, and new basketball courts. Kids activities and lunch provided. | Details
Bunny Breakfast & Rabbit Run 5K | Saturday, March 21, 8:00 AM | River Park Events Building | Family-friendly 5K benefiting The CALL (foster family support). Dress in rabbit-themed attire, then stay for pancake breakfast, music, and activities. School mascots race the Easter Bunny. | Register
Elvis Haircut Day | Saturday, March 28, 10:30 AM-3:00 PM | Chaffee Barbershop & Military Museum (7313 Terry St) | Get a haircut where Elvis got his famous G.I. cut in 1958. $10 donation; free for military/veterans. DeSigner Barber Academy provides haircuts. | Details
Women's History Month at Miss Laura's | Through March 28 | Miss Laura's Brothel Museum | Remaining events: candle crafting (Wednesday, March 18), Qigong on the lawn (Saturday, March 21), Empower Art Class (Saturday, March 21), Sip & Say tea and tales (Wednesday, March 25), Suds and Succulents workshop (Saturday, March 28, $6). Most events free. | Full Schedule
By Category
Music & Entertainment
Danny Gokey: Hope Nights Tour | Thursday, March 19, 7:00 PM | Community Bible Church | Grammy-nominated American Idol alum performs alongside We Are Messengers and Jon Reddick. | Event Details
TempleLive Fort Smith | Various Dates | TempleLive Fort Smith | Check March lineup for upcoming shows in the historic downtown venue. | Concert Schedule
Family-Friendly
Bunny Breakfast & Rabbit Run 5K | Saturday, March 21, 8:00 AM | River Park Events Building | Family 5K benefiting The CALL (foster family support) with pancake breakfast, music, and activities. | Register
Fort Smith Farmers Market | Every Saturday, 7:00 AM-12:00 PM | Garrison Avenue & N 2nd Street | Over 90 vendors with local produce, meats, flowers, baked goods, crafts, and live music. | Market Info
Storytime at Fort Smith Public Library | Weekly | Various Times | Multiple Locations | Free storytimes: Miller Branch (Fridays 10 AM), Windsor Drive (Mondays 10 AM), Dallas Street (Wednesdays 10 AM), Main Library (Thursdays 10 AM). | Library Events
Arts & Culture
Roll with It: Candle Crafting Class | Wednesday, March 18, 2:00 PM | Miss Laura's Brothel Museum | Learn candle-making with Candy from Strange Brew Occult Shop. Free workshop for Women's History Month. | Details
Qigong on the Lawn | Saturday, March 21, 11:00 AM | Miss Laura's Brothel Museum | Mindful movement practice with Amy. Free outdoor event celebrating Women's History Month. | Details
Empower Art Class | Saturday, March 21, 2:00 PM | Miss Laura's Brothel Museum | Creative art session with Nicole from Monarch 61 Project. Free class celebrating women artists. | Details
Sip & Say: Tea, Tales and Creative Trails | Wednesday, March 25 | Miss Laura's Brothel Museum | Storytelling and creative expression event with Jack. Free. | Details
Suds and Succulents Workshop | Saturday, March 28, 11:00 AM | Miss Laura's Brothel Museum | Create a clawfoot bathtub succulent planter with Angel. $6 for materials. | Details
Small Works on Paper | Through April | UAFS Gallery of Art & Design | Arkansas Arts Council's 39th annual touring exhibition featuring artwork no larger than 18x24 inches. | Details
Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Ongoing | Tuesday-Saturday 10 AM-5 PM | 1601 Rogers Avenue | Current exhibitions with free admission. | Visit RAM
United States Marshals Museum | Tuesday-Saturday | 9:00 AM-4:00 PM | 789 Riverfront Drive | 235 years of law enforcement history. | Museum Info
Sports & Fitness
Fort Smith Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay | Sunday, March 29, 7:00 AM | Downtown Fort Smith | Marathon, half marathon, quarter marathon, 5K, and 5-leg relay. Register by March 20 for guaranteed shirt size. | Register
Frozen Knuckles Motorcycle Run | Saturday, March 28, 12:00 PM | Fort Smith Brewing Company (7500 Fort Chaffee Blvd) | Benefit ride staging at Fort Smith Brewing Company. Registration begins at 10:00 AM. Backup date March 29. | Details
Bags at The Bakery 708 Cornhole | Every Wednesday, 6:30-10:30 PM | The Bakery District Collection Room | Weekly cornhole competition with cash payouts. | League Info
Outdoor & Recreation
Lake Fort Smith State Park | Open Daily | 40 minutes north of Fort Smith | Hiking trails including the 165-mile Ozark Highlands Trail. Spring weather ideal for outdoor adventure. | Park Info
Fort Smith Riverfront Trails | Year-Round | Daily | Scenic walking and biking trails along the Arkansas River. | Trail Info
Recurring Events
Fort Smith Farmers Market | Every Saturday | 7:00 AM-12:00 PM | Garrison Avenue & N 2nd Street | 90+ vendors, live music, fresh produce. | Market Info
Trivia Night | Every Monday | 6:30 PM | Core Public House | Weekly trivia competition with prizes. | Venue Info
Xtreme Music Bingo | Every Tuesday | Core Public House | Music-themed bingo with beer specials and prizes. | Details
Bags at The Bakery Cornhole | Every Wednesday | 6:30 PM | The Bakery District | Weekly cornhole league with cash prizes. | League Schedule
Quick Hits
Danny Gokey: Hope Nights Tour Thursday, March 19 at Community Bible Church | Details
Bunny Breakfast & Rabbit Run 5K Saturday, March 21, 8 AM at River Park; benefits foster family support | Register
Tilles Park Renovation Celebration Thursday, March 26, 10 AM, free with kids activities and lunch | Details
Fort Smith Marathon Sunday, March 29, register by March 20 | Register
Elvis Haircut Day Saturday, March 28 at Chaffee Barbershop; $10 donation, free for military/veterans | Details
Frozen Knuckles Run Saturday, March 28 at Fort Smith Brewing Company | Details
Women's History Month at Miss Laura's Candle crafting, art classes, succulents through March 28 | Full Schedule
Free AARP Tax Preparation Windsor Branch Library, through April 15 | Library Events
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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