Bentonville plans to add circuit court building to Quilt of Parks project

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The city of Bentonville wants to buy the current Benton County Circuit Court Division 6 building to add to the city’s downtown Quilt of Parks project.

City and county leaders are excited to work together to create more community space for everyone in Bentonville to use.

The city of Bentonville wants to make downtown more connected through community spaces, so Benton County is offering a piece of land that will be perfect for this plan.

Benton County Judge Barry Moehring says they are selling the Benton County Circuit Court Division 6 building and parking lot located on South Main Street for $4.65 million. Moehring thought it would be perfect for the Quilt of Parks project.

“It’s right at the south end of the Quilt of Parks project which is a huge amenity that’s going in for the city of Bentonville. This is particularly in the parking area, located at the south end that’s going to be really important to complete this project,” said Moehring.

David Wright is the director of the city’s parks and recreation. He thought that this land would help create an amazing destination in downtown Bentonville for generations to come.

“The Quilt of Parks is really taking five public spaces in downtown that historically have been disconnected and we’re weaving them together like a quilt,” said David Wright. “We will actually expand the park space into an existing parking lot, turning it into a plaza that several restaurants and businesses open up into.”

Moehring says that he thinks the sale will be completed by the end of August while Bentonville Parks and Recreation has already made headway, creating a model of the project, which is pending city council approval.

“This will be a giant plaza area with a destination-style playground where families can come and enjoy sitting down in the heart of Bentonville,” Wright said. “There’s an opportunity to do something special and unique in this that can potentially turn into a real economic development opportunity for the city of Bentonville.”

The city of Bentonville is expecting a formal vote at the city council meeting on August 13. They’re still working on its plan for what to do with the courthouse building but they don’t plan to tear it down as of now.

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