Our team was commissioned to conduct a study of the downtown corridor and produce concept plans for active mobility opportunities to Rogers Avenue’s four-lane cross section. The concept plan will accompany estimates of probable costs to assist the City of Fort Smith with future grant applications for implementation. The plan and 3D graphics will provide a tool for the City to communicate the vision to downtown businesses and property owners and garner support for the project.

The study focuses on the 9-block downtown section of Rogers Avenue from Towson Avenue on the south to the Fort Smith National Historic Site on 3rd Street to the north. The significance of walkability and bikeability in this area is strengthened by the location of the Fort Smith Convention Center on the corridor flanked by two large hotels. Sebastian County and the US District Courts also occupy a block each as well. This avenue parallels Garrison Avenue, the main street for downtown Fort Smith and the location of many dining, shopping, and tourism establishments.

The plan will incorporate the extension of the existing trolley line that currently ends at Rogers on 7th Street. The proposed extension will turn south on Rogers for one block before turning east next to the city parking lot to stop at Garrison Avenue.