The most critical date on the calendar for Van Buren residents is Tuesday, March 3, 2026. While neighboring Fort Smith waits for federal "RAISE" grants to be unfrozen, Van Buren is taking a different path: Self-Reliance.
What’s on the Ballot?
The "Van Buren Forward" initiative is structured as two separate questions. You can vote for one, both, or neither. Both are supported by a proposed 0.5% sales tax.
The Community Center ($34.2M): A 61,000-sq.-ft. facility at the North Campus of City Park (near Heritage Church). It includes the indoor pool, 5 pickleball courts, and a community event hall.
The New Fire Station ($2.8M): A critical infrastructure move to replace an aging station. This is a "Safety First" item designed to keep city fire insurance ratings (and your home insurance premiums) low.
The Strategic "Why"
If the bond passes, Van Buren bypasses the "Federal Limbo" currently stalling the Bass Reeves Trail in Fort Smith. By funding it locally, the city controls the timeline. If it passes in March, construction could begin as early as late 2026.
The Bigger Picture: Federal Limbo vs. Local Choice
The contrast between the Bass Reeves Legacy Loop and the Van Buren Community Center is the story of 2026.
The Loop is a "perfect" project on paper—9.3 miles of new trails connecting 20% of the city. But because it relies 100% on a federal grant, it is currently stuck in Washington’s "Regulatory Freeze."
The Community Center is being built with "Van Buren dollars." It’s a gamble on the local tax base, but it ensures the project isn't subject to the whims of a new administration's "positive cost-benefit" reviews.
The State of the Valley: 2026 Funding Status
Project | Cost | Funding Source | Status as of Feb 5, 2026 |
VB Community Center | $34.2M | Local Bond / Sales Tax | VOTING MARCH 3. Locally controlled; immune to federal pauses. |
VB Slackwater Harbor | $18.1M | Federal/Private Hybrid | BACK ON TRACK. Levee Board signed off Jan 28; spring start likely. |
I-49 River Bridge | $1.1B | Fed/State Hybrid | ACTIVE. Considered "Freight Critical"; construction is underway. |
Bass Reeves Loop | $24.9M | 100% Federal (RAISE) | PAUSED. Funding allocated but frozen by Jan 2025 Executive Order. |
Parrot Island Slides | $6.3M | City Budget / Bonds | LITIGATION. Lawsuit filed Feb 3 to block installation. |
The Conflict: Slides vs. Schools
While Van Buren prepares to vote, Fort Smith is embroiled in a legal battle over Parrot Island. On February 3, 2026, a lawsuit was filed to block the $6.3M water slide installation, citing bidding violations. This comes at the same time the school board voted to close Carnall and Spradling elementary schools.
It raises the question for every resident in the River Valley: Are we investing in the right "Quality of Life" assets? ---
Voting Information
Early Voting: Tuesday, Feb 17 – Monday, March 2.
Election Day: Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Polling locations, times, sample ballots, School and Special Election information and more can be found on the Crawford County Elections page.
For more information on the proposed Van Buren Community Center read: The Van Buren Community Center: What Exactly Is Being Built?