Friday, June 27, 2014
Bobby Roberts meet David Johnson. Fayetteville library goes big
Posted By Max Brantley on Fri, Jun 27, 2014 at 2:22 PM
Good article in the Fayetteville Flyer about Fayetteville library expansion plans. Whether library director David Johnson has been influenced by Little Rock library empire builder Bobby Roberts or not, he thinks on an equally grand scale.
The Fayetteville library board has approved a $50 million expansion to double the size of the existing facility.
Aside from adding room for more print and audiovisual materials, highlights of the project include a 750-seat multipurpose space that could be used as a community convention center or auditorium, and several public “maker spaces” stocked with 3D printers, video editing bays, and music recording studios
Financing plans are uncertain. A tax election in 2015 is a possibility. Board member Jim Blair, the retired Tyson Foods attorney and a major contributor to the library in the past, pushed for thinking big.
“At first blush, the numbers might scare you,” said Blair. “But I have witnessed a phenomenon that I think we need to get past, and that is every time we have done something…we have underbuilt.”
Blair pointed to the Walton Arts Center’s need for a new auditorium that’s double the size of Baum Walker Hall on Dickson Street.
“They wouldn’t need to build a new arts center in Benton County if we had built what we should’ve built from the beginning,” he said.
Thinking big. I like it. We need more Bobby Roberts and David Johnsons. Here in Little Rock, city government struggles to build a restroom at one of the city's most popular parks. And city "leaders" seriously consider putting a filling station and beer-and-Slim Jim outlet within 200 yards of a $70 million auditorium renovation.
Comments (3)
Showing 1-3 of 3
More by Max Brantley
-
Sunday's open line, plus a quiet boast over Jason Rapert's endorsement
The open line includes a plug for the Arkansas Blog from none other than Jason Rapert.
- Oct 21, 2018
-
Blue wave in Arkansas? Not even a ripple in sight.
The Washington Post has assembled a graphic look at the chances for Democrats to pick up state legislative seats around the U.S. Spoiler: Little hope in Arkansas.
- Oct 21, 2018
-
Trump administration's expanded attack on transgender people
If you don't like something, define it out of existence. The latest from the Trump administration:
- Oct 21, 2018
- More »
Readers also liked…
-
Free Zinn book for Arkansas teachers
Arkansas teachers! Get your free Howard Zinn book here! Whether Kim Hendren likes it or not.
- Mar 3, 2017
-
The LR chamber does the public's business. Is it accountable? Blue Hog on the case.
Matt Campbell, lawyer and Blue Hog Report blogger, has sent a Freedom of Information Act request to Jay Chessir, director of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Mayor Mark Stodola related to the publicity stunt yesterday built around withdrawing from the mayor's rash pronouncement that the city would seek an Amazon HQ2 project even though the city didn't meet the company's criteria.
- Oct 20, 2017
-
Payday lenders on the march at legislature
Payday lenders are working hard to get legislative cover for the reintroduction of their usurious loan business to Arkansas. Some are fighting back.
- Mar 10, 2017
Slideshows
-
Arkansas vs Ole Miss at War Memorial stadium in Little Rock, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. After leading for much of the game, Arkansas lost 37-33 when Ole Miss scored the game winning Touchdown with less that 2 minutes left.
-
Margaret Clark Adventure Park
New sculptures, preschoolers play area dedicated in Riverfront Park in Little Rock.
Site Index
News
Cover Story / Arkansas Reporter / The Week That Was / The Observer / Editorial / Max Brantley / Ernest Dumas / Gene Lyons / Jay Barth / Words / Guest Writer / Letters
Entertainment
A&E Feature / To-Do List / In Brief / Movie Reviews / Music Reviews / Theater Reviews / A&E News / Art Notes / Media / Dining Reviews / Dining Guide / Calendar / Gallery Listings
University of Arkansas Newswire
'Extremely Threatening' Hurricane Willa Heads For Mexico's Pacific Coast
KUAR Newsroom
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has cut back her first royal tour. Find out why https://t.co/6xfpfi5JgU https://t.co/DrOUFIUAXg
KATV News
Helena shelter: Dogs injured after break-in, dog fight. Read more » https://t.co/AX5oHGgJfa
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Delta Humane Society Targeted For The Second Time In A Week https://t.co/MB9Zo3u9PQ #ARNews https://t.co/MvktMJz8EE
KARK4News
Most Recent Comments
-
Re: Sunday's open line, plus a quiet boast over Jason Rapert's endorsement
Sorry, Razorblade, they already suggested sites were out of handicapped compliance in Georgia. In Randolph…
-
on October 22, 2018
-
Re: Sunday's open line, plus a quiet boast over Jason Rapert's endorsement
I've gotten three mass mailings from Rapert this election cycle. Last time I don't recall…
- on October 21, 2018
-
Re: Another made-up Republican attack: The Saline County socialists are coming to take your business
Even if Steve Lux happened to be upstanding, Doyle Webb is not.
-
on October 21, 2018
This Week's Cover
Quick Links
Special Publications
RSS
Facebook
Twitter