Johnson, Arkansas building "Instant Downtown" (Fayetteville, Springdale: HOA, construction)

[Rock Climber]

Johnson has master-planned and begun construction on a traditional town-square. These types of new-urbanist instant-old developments are always a little strange to me, but this will be interesting to watch unfold. For those unfamiliar, Johnson is a small city wedged between Fayetteville and Springdale.

City in Arkansas building 'instant downtown'

[Slytrix]

Don't remember Johnson in my travels but I like what they are doing. It sure beats strip malls on both sides of the road.

[nmnita]

I believe it is just south of Fayetteville. At least when granddaughter was first out of college she lived in the southern part of Fayetteville but her address was Johnson. It really isn't very large; maybe set to grow like the rest of NWA.

[Luvvarkansas]

I like it! The housing mixed in is a good idea, especially for retirees who want the small-town atmosphere but don't want yard upkeep or high HOA dues. It looks like a clean, well-kept little town on google.

[biscuitmom]

Originally Posted by nmnita

I believe it is just south of Fayetteville. At least when granddaughter was first out of college she lived in the southern part of Fayetteville but her address was Johnson. It really isn't very large; maybe set to grow like the rest of NWA.

No, it's north, we go through it when driving from Fayetteville to Tonittown. There's some pretty rolling land on the west side of Johnson. You have to be careful driving in the city limits there, speed traps are common.
I'm guessing this development is going to be on the east side.

[Rock Climber]

This building has already been built, so look for it to be in the "old school" style in keeping with this:

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by biscuitmom

No, it's north, we go through it when driving from Fayetteville to Tonittown. There's some pretty rolling land on the west side of Johnson. You have to be careful driving in the city limits there, speed traps are common.
I'm guessing this development is going to be on the east side.

What exit is it?

[Rock Climber]

Originally Posted by nmnita

What exit is it?

Johnson is the exit just south of Don Tyson Parkway. It's in the valley between Fayetteville and Springdale.

The street name has changed a few times, but I believe now it says 'Johnson Mill Blvd'.

This development is just across the freeway from the Blessings/ Clear Creek areas which are very high-end.

[biscuitmom]

Originally Posted by Rock Climber

Johnson is the exit just south of Don Tyson Parkway. It's in the valley between Fayetteville and Springdale.

The street name has changed a few times, but I believe now it says 'Johnson Mill Blvd'.

Speed traps are usually on what's designated as Johnson Mill, between 112 and I49. Can't speak to east of I49 because we've never driven that.

[sub]

These are about the only kind of new developments I can stand. Unfortunately, sometimes they don't take hold very well. Either they're poorly executed by being in the middle of more late-20th centuryish, car-oriented places like many are still doing, or the locals just don't take to it. NWA seems like a crapshoot for this. From my observations, these types of developments work best when they're placed near existing old-style areas or go all out with it....meaning go big. A bit of a hipster or hipster-inclined population also helps a lot.