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Searcy city leaders take next steps in bringing 20-year master plan to life

Searcy is moving forward with its 20-year master plan as city leaders move closer to bringing the improvements around town to life.

SEARCY, Ark. —  Searcy city leaders are moving forward in their 20-year master plan to make several improvements around town.

We first told you about the plan in October when the city received much community feedback, and now they're a few steps closer to bringing the designs to life.

 "This first phase tries to tackle those top-tier things that the community said they wanted," Searcy City Planning and Development Director Richard Stafford said.

The $93 million master plan includes a new community center, outdoor water park, sports complex and park and trail improvements. 

Stafford said the council now has a plan to help fund the project, which involves putting it to a vote.

"It'll be a bond issue to fund all these projects with three different funding sources," Stafford said. "Partially will be some of the A&P's existing funds revenues, some of the existing revenues that the city has, and a proposed half-cent tax increase that will go specifically to pay for the projects."

While that sales tax would be temporary, Stafford said the project's impact will be long-term. 

He estimates the city could bring in around $4.5 million each year through the sales tax, which would go towards the bond.

"More people coming to Searcy say they spend money and go to restaurants [and it] makes a huge difference in terms of our local businesses," Searcy resident David Burks said. "I think there is a huge economic impact because of what will happen as a result of these things being put into place."

Burkes hopes to see more people move to Searcy because of the new upgrades.

"I'm really excited about what may happen in the future," Burks said.

Stafford added that it'll take a community effort to turn the master plan into a reality.

"It's important to us that this is the community's project, not our project," Stafford said.

Searcy residents will have the final say when the bond proposal goes up for a vote in March 2024.

The proposed community center is estimated to cost $51 million and would be located on more than 125 acres of land.

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