The Urban Renewal Board convened for its regular monthly meeting Wednesday addressing a range of financial matters and project updates. A key part of the discussions was the approval of the go-kart track construction contract.
Chandra Griffin, executive director, provided insights into the project’s financial landscape. “If you go to (the board packet), you have basically a spreadsheet that shows what the go-kart track expenses are… these are balances that we have when they get positive outstanding.”
Addressing concerns about project delays, Griffin explained, “Things have been done behind the scenes… but there is a reason why we didn’t actually initiate or kick-start construction,” she said. “We had to wait to pause, as we were looking at a cash flow issue that we had to deal with.” She further elaborated on the complexities of securing funding and coordinating with different entities.
The board approved the budget adjustment of $408,225, which had been previously approved by the City Council. Griffin explained, “We roughly identified about $415,000 of overage but once the finance department did their final calculations we got $408,224.90. These funds will be crucial for moving the go-kart track project forward.”
The initiative to bring a go-kart track to Pine Bluff was kick-started in 2017 by Go Forward Pine Bluff, driven by community feedback expressing a desire for more family entertainment options in the city. In collaboration with the City of Pine Bluff, the Pine Bluff Urban Renewal Agency, a city commission, acquired the abandoned and deteriorating Admiral Benbow Hotel on East Harding Avenue.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
According to Griffin, this project aims to address the blighted conditions of the site and transform it into an entertainment venue. The agency acquired the five-acre-plus property in 2020 for $150,000, focusing on blight eradication and redevelopment as part of its mission.
During September’s PBURA meeting, the board finalized a contract with Beebe Commercial LLC for the construction of the Pine Bluff Entertainment Center, with the track itself costing approximately $2.7 million. Key components and costs include the rail system at $55,242.50, go-karts at $119,706, mini golf at $125,000 and the go-kart track at $298,7000. The contract with Beebe Commercial is $1,715,980 and architectural services with Level 5 Architecture is $137,278.40.
“Family fun go-kart center is a result of citizens specifically voicing the need for more family fun entertainment is loading,” said Ryan Watley, GFPB CEO. “These projects along with the renovation of the Merrill Center, completion of the Carl Redus Aquatic Center and the investments in education will no doubt make Pine Bluff a point of destination.”
According to Watley, the go-kart track will consist of 13 electric go-karts with a 500-square-foot building along with mini golf and paintball. The entertainment facility will house Big Banjo Pizza as the primary food vendor.
The project is also funded through a combination of budget adjustments and grants. Notably, a $300,000 budget adjustment was approved in September by the Pine Bluff City Council.
Watley said in a previous interview that Go Forward Pine Bluff will continue to see all of their projects currently in the works all the way through, even though the tax supporting Go Forward initiatives expired at the end of September.
In addition to financial matters, the board discussed updates on other urban renewal projects, including the progress on Sixth and Main Street. Griffin reported on ongoing inspections and efforts to resolve utility service issues.