Consideration of a new master land use plan amendment tied to redevelopment of the almost 32 acres around the former Fianna Hills Country Club is on the Fort Smith Board of Director’s agenda for Tuesday (July 8).
Sam Seeger, with Van Buren-based WCR Development, made public in early June his renewed plan to invest more than $50 million to redevelop the former golf club facility. Seeger first announced the deal in early 2024, but he said it was delayed because of property sale negotiations and more time than estimated to finalize architectural plans.
The first phase will be to redevelop the club and adjacent property into the retirement facility. The following phases will be the subdivision — which will include more land than the original plan — and the commercial development will be primarily for “professional office space and retail,” Seeger has said.
Seeger has said the first phase could be complete with 18 months after construction begins.
The “upscale, high-end” active lifestyle community around the former golf clubhouse will include a main facility — including all of the former club building — of between 130,000 and 135,000 square feet. The planned commercial space could include space for offices and a restaurant, according to the proposed land use ordinance.
“The requested PZD contains three (3) Character Districts known as Character Districts A, B, and C,” according to a memo from Deputy City Administrator Maggie Rice. “Character District A allows retirement housing (ages 55 and older) with a maximum density of 114 dwelling units, Character District B permits single family residences, and Character District C will be designed for commercial development with the potential to include retail, offices, and restaurant.
The Fort Smith Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the land use plan for the 31.92 acres.
The property has been vacant for almost 7 years. David Millé, the former owner of Fianna Hills Country Club, closed the club and golf course on Dec. 31, 2018. At the time, the club had around 50 full- and part-time employees and around 250 members.
On-again and off-again efforts by a group of local investors to buy the country club and golf course fell through in September 2020. Millé noted at the time that he tried to make the club work, and “for many years” operated “on a negative basis” despite having “one of the best restaurants in the surrounding area, a world-class chef, and an excellent menu.”
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