4 | Fall 2024
Mayor Jackson Supports
Step-by-step progress
It ’ s a given that Harrison has a distinctively beautiful downtown , according to Mayor Jerry Jackson . With a mix of preserved architecture and handsome modern buildings , a classic courthouse square and a picturesque creek winding through it , the heart of Harrison is a source of pride . There ’ s only one thing Mayor Jerry Jackson wants to change about it now – he and other leaders want to attract even more people to enjoy all of downtown ’ s features and they are working a strategic plan to accomplish that goal .
Obtaining and sustaining many of the assets of downtown were set in motion years ago through a myriad of projects , the mayor said . Recently , the city has invested $ 300,000 so far to spiff up the entrance to the square . “ We ’ re beautifying it with trees , benches , sidewalks and new lighting to make it just beautiful entering downtown ,” he said . A new bridge over Crooked Creek into Main Street , a $ 10 million project , will be completed in about two years .
Even earlier , almost six years ago , citizens approved a bond issue to raise a fund of $ 20 million at 1.7 percent interest for the improvement of Creekside Community Center , which will be opening in 2024 . Its site is along Crooked Creek just blocks from the Boone Country Courthouse , the center of Harrison ’ s historic district .
“ We have been able to build an aquatic center and three all-purpose athletic courts , bringing the center up to a total of five ,” he said . “ This will allow us not only to play locally , but to recruit tournaments from all over the country . Now they will come to tournaments and be downtown ,” he explained . “ This could include basketball , volleyball and pickleball .”
In addition , Creekside Community Center may be a venue for group meetings and conferences in its all-purpose gymnasiums , he added .
The most recent energy on behalf of downtown comes from a civic-minded committee of downtown supporters and leaders , chaired by Mike Nabors , the mayor said . “ Committee members did a fabulous job of organizing a to-do list ,” he explained . That local list will be considered by a grant-funded strategic plan facilitated through the Northwest Arkansas Economic
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NWAEDD received grant funding from the USDA to provide Harrison with support for downtown revitalization and its small business owners . Downtown Strategies , a division of Retail Strategies , will work with community leaders in Harrison to develop a new five-year action plan for downtown and provide training for small business owners .
The plan focuses on five key areas : market analysis , policy and administration , design , tourism and promotion , and economic vitality , aiming to enhance the sustainability and resilience of the small businesses within downtown . Stakeholder input sessions allow the local committee and other interested citizens to guide the professional analysis . “ The Chamber worked hand-in-hand on this grant ,” the mayor said . “ We ’ re soon going to get the playbook .”
Jackson already knows a high priority : citizens want more dining choices downtown . “ They want food ,” he explained . “ Dining out will give them a place to go , not only to eat but to enjoy the evening .” Downtown was recently slated as an entertainment district , which allows open beverages outdoors . “ We already have three new eateries going to
open in the next 60 days ,” he added . A slogan , “ Let ’ s go Downtown ” appears on T-shirts and media campaigns .
He praises and appreciates the small and larger businesses who are invested in downtown for caring about and working for all its improvement campaigns . No programs or even expenditures could ever succeed without their buy-in , he noted . Individual business and owners who maintain , improve and expand their properties are giving a gift to all of Harrison .
All who live , own businesses and work in Harrison will benefit from a vibrant downtown , he explained . Commerce is thriving steadily throughout the city , yielding a strong and growing economic environment , he said .