At the first city council meeting of the year, Green Forest Mayor Charlie Reece said, “I’ve been concerned that the city has regressed in maintenance of real estate.” He pledged a stricter enforcement of existing codes. “This is something that has to be done with the growth in the city,” he said. Reece said these issues come up whenever he meets with builders or developers. “Nobody wants to build a new home next to an abandoned house,” he said.
Reece divided the problems into two major areas. One category includes weeds, grass, and trash. More serious problems come from houses and buildings considered “unsafe, unsanitary, or unsightly.”
The mayor said the city does not currently have a code enforcement officer, although Police Chief John Bailey said a police officer has taken on some of those responsibilities and written some warnings and citations.
Reece also announced that an architect is working on a design for a community center, to be located behind the new city hall. He described a two-story facility, which will have a walking track above a gym floor. The city has a $75,000 grant from the state, and has received commitments for major donations from two banks. “We’re looking at a couple of years down the road,” he said.
In an interview after the council meeting, Reece said Tyson Foods has provided a $50,000 grant to build a concession stand at the soccer fields. Construction has begun on a new city hall, which will include the existing city offices, city court, and the police department. The project has a September target for completion. “It’s a huge undertaking for us,” he said. Next meeting is Feb. 13, 8:30 a.m. at city hall.