What do Crystal Bridges, Scott Family Amazeum, Runway Bike Park and the Razorback Greenway all have in common? None of them existed 10 years ago but, taken together, these amenities have elevated NW Arkansas to one of the best places to live in the country. In this post, we explore additions and expansions coming in 2020 sure to advance the region to the next level.
Bentonville, AR
The Momentary
The Momentary, a new contemporary space, will open on Feb. 22, 2020 in downtown Bentonville. Situated along the Razorback Regional Greenway near 8th Street Market, the transformed 63,000 square-foot former cheese factory will become a multi-disciplinary space for visual and performing arts, culinary experiences, festivals and artists-in-residence.
The Momentary will kick off things with State of the Art II, to be followed by Nick Cave: Until in the summer. In April, the FreshGrass bluegrass and roots music festival will makes its debut in Northwest Arkansas. It’ll be the first time that the festival will be held outside of its annual September dates at MASS MoCA in Massachusetts.
Springdale, AR
Ozark Highlands Nature Center
Projected to open in October 2020, the $18 million Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Nature Center will bring the indoors and outdoors together to create exhibits dedicated to conservation, restoration and education. Located on 61 acres, the center will provide families free access to an outdoor archery range, indoor and outdoor classrooms, native plant gardens, walking and biking trails, as well as Ozark wildlife exhibits.
Springdale, AR
Ozark Highlands Nature Center
Projected to open in October 2020, the $18 million Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Nature Center will bring the indoors and outdoors together to create exhibits dedicated to conservation, restoration and education. Located on 61 acres, the center will provide families free access to an outdoor archery range, indoor and outdoor classrooms, native plant gardens, walking and biking trails, as well as Ozark wildlife exhibits.
Rogers, AR
Walmart AMP 20|20
Construction is already underway for the $17.1 million expansion project at the Walmart AMP. Patrons next year will benefit from an expanded box office, larger entry plaza, a new plaza at the top of the lawn, more restrooms and additional concession spaces. Overall, the project is aimed at bringing more world-class acts to the venue and will increase overall capacity by 1,000.
Speaking of world-class acts, both Journey and The Black Crowes will hold concerts at the AMP in summer 2020.
Fayetteville, AR
Fayetteville Public Library
Another expansion project scheduled to be completed fall 2020, the Fayetteville Public Library is in the midst of deploying nearly $50 million to open up 82,500 square feet of additional space, which nearly doubles its current footprint. With the expansion, the library expects to redefine what a library can provide: the project will double the size of the youth services area, add an audio/video recording studio, virtual reality room, photography studio, a teaching kitchen, a 700-seat multipurpose center, an outdoor courtyard, meeting and collaboration space, and more.
Quick Fact: The Fayetteville Public Library boasts library use per capita that’s double the national average, hosting about 185 people every hour.
In related news, check out the plans for the Fayetteville Cultural Arts Corridor.
Fayetteville, AR
Fayetteville Public Library
Another expansion project scheduled to be completed fall 2020, the Fayetteville Public Library is in the midst of deploying nearly $50 million to open up 82,500 square feet of additional space, which nearly doubles its current footprint. With the expansion, the library expects to redefine what a library can provide: the project will double the size of the youth services area, add an audio/video recording studio, virtual reality room, photography studio, a teaching kitchen, a 700-seat multipurpose center, an outdoor courtyard, meeting and collaboration space, and more.
Quick Fact: The Fayetteville Public Library boasts library use per capita that’s double the national average, hosting about 185 people every hour.
In related news, check out the plans for the Fayetteville Cultural Arts Corridor.
Bentonville, AR
Osage Park
Adjacent to the aviators’ paradise that is Louise M. Thaden Field, Northwest Arkansas will soon welcome yet another adventure-based outdoor destination. Osage Park will include an expanded lake for kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding and fishing; a multipurpose lawn; an aviation-themed play active zone; pickleball courts; multi-use trails and floating boardwalks that offer a first-hand look at the site’s 12-acre wetland system; and an open pavilion, intimate music venue. Select areas of Osage Park are scheduled to open to the public summer 2020.
