Bella Vista residents and public officials shared their excitement Friday morning, May 10, about the city becoming a place for outdoor, recreational development.
Blue Crane, a real estate development company, announced Thursday it acquired the development rights from Cooper Communities Inc. and 2,700 acres of undeveloped land in Bella Vista and Benton County.
Blue Crane is a branch of Runway Group, a holding company co-owned by Tom and Steuart Walton, the grandsons of Walmart founder Sam Walton. While plans for the land have not been shared, previous Blue Crane projects focused on outdoor, recreational development.
The company hosted a meet and greet Friday morning at the Bella Vista Country Club, and around 500 residents attended to hear from company officials and share their questions or concerns.
"I'm proud to be doing this work," said Tom Walton during the meeting. "All of our work is really focused on making Northwest Arkansas the best version of itself."
Multiple public officials attended the event, including state Rep. Mindy McAlindon, R-Centerton, who's district includes southern Bella Vista.
"I think there's been a lot of forethought put into how we can continue to grow Bella Vista and build on the really rich, natural elements it has," McAlindon said. "I really like that I've heard that they didn't have all the answers yet. I think that gives Bella Vista a say in what's happening, and I think that's really important."
Bella Vista resident Shea Newport said she appreciates Blue Crane's sole focus on developing Northwest Arkansas. She said she has lived in Bella Vista for nine years and enjoys the area since she is both a golfer and mountain biker.
Newport said one of her goals is to advocate for a permanent spot for the Bella Vista Farmer's Market. She said it's in the Mercy Bella Vista parking lot, but she would love for Blue Crane to consider developing a park the farmer's market could use.
Bella Vista resident Preston McWhirter said he retired to Bella Vista four years ago, and, while he has concerns about housing affordability, he thinks Blue Crane is looking to learn from the community.
He said he and other residents were comforted when Blue Crane extended the lease at Allen's Food Market after it acquired the Sugar Creek Shopping Center in March.
Dale Phillips, co-president of the Bella Vista Historical Society, which operates the Bella Vista Historical Museum, said the focus on the local environment is something integral to Bella Vista's history. He said while some residents may be concerned about Bella Vista becoming the next Bentonville, he thinks it would be difficult due to the differences in physical environment.
Xyta Lucas, the society's other co-president, said she is excited to see how Blue Crane upholds the legacy of what Cooper Communities and the developers before have built, especially since Cooper Communities set aside land to remain undeveloped.
Phillips said the museum will be fundraising for a large remodel soon and plans to have a new section to discuss about the legacy of Cooper Communities further, and explain this new chapter of Bella Vista.
Walton said while the company does not have a firm plan for the land, he looks forward to continuing conversations with Bella Vista residents and leaders and hopes to have more to share by the end of the year.
Bella Vista Mayor John Flynn spoke at Friday's meeting and said he feels many people are "voting with their feet" by choosing to move to Bella Vista. The city is the third largest in Northwest Arkansas by population and largest by land area.
"There is no one, no person, no corporation in the entire world I would rather work with, and be part of this with, than these guys," Flynn said about Blue Crane at the meeting. "I couldn't be happier about this. I think the future of Bella Vista is very bright."
Bella Vista residents walk into the Bella Vista Country Club Friday to take part in a public meeting hosted by Blue Crane at the club. Representatives from Blue Crane, the city of Bella Vista and the Bella Vista POA spoke to residents about a recent land and developer rights acquisition. Visit nwaonline.com/photo for today's photo gallery.(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Andy Shupe)
Bella Vista residents walk into the Bella Vista Country Club Friday to take part in a public meeting hosted by Blue Crane at the club. Representatives from Blue Crane, the city of Bella Vista and the Bella Vista POA spoke to residents about a recent land and developer rights acquisition. Visit nwaonline.com/photo for today's photo gallery.(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Andy Shupe)
Tom Walton, co-founder of Runway Group, speaks Friday to a large group of residents during a public meeting hosted by Blue Crane at the Bella Vista Country Club. Representatives from Blue Crane, the city of Bella Vista and the Bella Vista POA spoke to residents about a recent land and developer rights acquisition. Visit nwaonline.com/photo for today's photo gallery.(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Andy Shupe)
Bella Vista Mayor John Flynn speaks Friday during a public meeting hosted by Blue Crane at the Bella Vista Country Club. Representatives from Blue Crane, the city of Bella Vista and the Bella Vista POA spoke to residents about a recent land and developer rights acquisition. Visit nwaonline.com/photo for today's photo gallery.(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Andy Shupe)
Tom Judson, CEO of the Bella Vista Property Owners Association, speaks Friday during a public meeting hosted by Blue Crane at the Bella Vista Country Club. Representatives from Blue Crane, the city of Bella Vista and the Bella Vista POA spoke to residents about a recent land and developer rights acquisition. Visit nwaonline.com/photo for today's photo gallery.(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Andy Shupe)
Farris DeBoard of Blue Crane speaks Friday during a public meeting hosted by Blue Crane at the Bella Vista Country Club. Representatives from Blue Crane, the city of Bella Vista and the Bella Vista POA spoke to residents about a recent land and developer rights acquisition. Visit nwaonline.com/photo for today's photo gallery.(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Andy Shupe)
Tom Walton (right), co-founder of Runway Group, speaks Friday to a large group of residents during a public meeting hosted by Blue Crane at the Bella Vista Country Club. Representatives from Blue Crane, the city of Bella Vista and the Bella Vista POA spoke to residents about a recent land and developer rights acquisition. Visit nwaonline.com/photo for today's photo gallery.(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Andy Shupe)
Tom Walton (right), co-founder of Runway Group, speaks Friday to a large group of residents during a public meeting hosted by Blue Crane at the Bella Vista Country Club. Representatives from Blue Crane, the city of Bella Vista and the Bella Vista POA spoke to residents about a recent land and developer rights acquisition. Visit nwaonline.com/photo for today's photo gallery.(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Andy Shupe)
Tom Walton (right), co-founder of Runway Group, speaks Friday to a large group of residents during a public meeting hosted by Blue Crane at the Bella Vista Country Club. Representatives from Blue Crane, the city of Bella Vista and the Bella Vista POA spoke to residents about a recent land and developer rights acquisition. Visit nwaonline.com/photo for today's photo gallery.(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Andy Shupe)
Tom Walton (left), co-founder of Runway Group, speaks Friday to a large group of residents during a public meeting hosted by Blue Crane at the Bella Vista Country Club. Representatives from Blue Crane, the city of Bella Vista and the Bella Vista POA spoke to residents about a recent land and developer rights acquisition. Visit nwaonline.com/photo for today's photo gallery.(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Andy Shupe)
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