By The Arkadelphian

Arkadelphia City Manager Gary Brinkley told the city board Tuesday that this weekend’s End of Summer Blowout was a successful, well-attended event. Brinkley doled out thanks to the city’s police, fire and parks & recreation departments for their assistance in a “wonderful sendoff” in celebrating the end of the season and the beginning of the school year. “It was a great kids’ event with a spectacular fireworks show in Feaster Park,” Brinkley said, and “we look forward to another great time next year.”

Feaster Trail work continues

Progress is being made in the first phase of rehabilitating Feaster Trail between 26th Street and Baptist Health Medical Center. “If you haven’t seen it lately, having begun at the hospital they are about to begin at the retirement community headed east,” he said.

Arkadelphia airport terminal

The new airport terminal at Dexter Florence Memorial Field is expected to be “in the dry” by September, Brinkley said. In updating city directors on its progress, this week he said the sides of the facility are going up, and trusses were added on Tuesday.

In other airport news, city officials are on the agenda Wednesday for the state Department of Aeronautics’ monthly agenda for a hangar grant. “It is anticipated that will be approved and we’ll be building the three-bay hangar on the north end of the airport as we discussed,” he said. “We have tenants already in place for the new space.”

Work on the North 8th Street bridge is nearing completion despite issues with the area around the new bridge. The contractor is removing 16 feet of road on the south side and 12 feet on the north side of the bridge, Brinkley said, and crews will re-pour surface on the bridge’s approach. “These areas have rotted and have underlying stabilization issues,” he said. “On the east side it is a mess with multiple pours trying to stabilize the bank. The contractor will remove all of this and give a stabilizing swell, which will aid in the long-term health of the new bridge. The cost will be in the $25,000 range and I will bring that back to you as a change order.”

Arkadelphia drainage projects

A final draft of drainage improvements to 230 N. 18th St. was received this week. The project will be advertised for bids with an opening before the city board’s first September meeting.

Preparation work on the Haddock Street drainage project continues, according to B&F Engineering. The connection with the North 10th Street expansion is “currently the focus point,” Brinkley said. B&F forwarded the drainage easements for the Henderson Street drainage replacement on Tuesday morning. Those easements have been delivered to an attorney for review. “Upon approval, we will get them to execute and keep the project moving forward.”

As for the drainage improvements at 27th and Caddo streets, city officials reported work will commence on Aug. 22 to complete the waterline relocation and finish the project.

Arkadelphia Street Department projects

The street department overlayed Airport Road in recent weeks as part of the city’s planned hot mix project for the year. Crews will be overlaying Hemphill Road to the sanitation department over the next couple of weeks.

The street department also continues to prepare for the slurry seal to be completed by mid-September.

Dates to Remember:

• The City Board retreat is Saturday, Aug. 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• The last day at the Aquatic Park is Monday, Sept. 5. 

• The annual Doggie Dip at the pool will be the following Saturday, Sept. 10.