Lowering energy use in public facilities, enhancing curbside recycling, and tree planting are some areas city residents support in an energy and environment plan, according to Joshua Robertson, Fort Smith’s director of Sustainability and Citizen Services.

Robertson recently provided the Fort Smith Board of Directors a summary of the city’s “Energy & Environment Comprehensive Action Plan.” Part of the plan includes an Aug. 1, 2025 deadline to provide federal officials a “roadmap of state priorities for low and zero-emissions energy and environmental infrastructure investments.”

In July 2024, the EPA announced a total award of $99,999,999 to the Tri-Region Arkansas Coalition (Central Arkansas, Fort Smith, Northwest Arkansas), of which $14.5 million was allocated to Fort Smith. The other partners are the Northwest Arkansas Planning Commission, and Metroplan in central Arkansas.

The Fort Smith Board in January approved city staff moving forward as a coalition partner.

The city conducted two public meetings and an online survey to gather public input on the plan. There were more than 400 responses. According to Robertson, following are the key areas of support from the public.
Energy
• Work to lower energy usage of public buildings for new construction and retrofits.

Land, Resource, and Transportation
• Support the curbside recycling program
• Use local plants in public spaces
• Invest in parks that reduce flooding
• Use technology to improve traffic flow
• Plant more trees and preserve natural areas

Workforce Development
• Share data about performance and resources for energy usage, tree planting, and recycling

Part of the Fort Smith plan includes work on nearly three miles of alleywork networks on the north side of the city that will become paved greenways connecting the northside of town to grocery stores, Northside High School, places around Grand Avenue and more. Three alleyways – North E Street to North O Street, North 16th Street to Belle Avenue, and North C Street to Tilles Avenue – are included in the plan with a total estimated cost of $5.1 million. The alleyways will be a shared use facility but more like a trail or greenway. The solar panels will provide low-cost electricity for low-income households in certain parts of the city.

Potential projects include Brownfield assessments for possible reuse, urban forestry, and a material recycling facility, according to Robertson’s presentation.

Directors Lee Kemp and Kevin Settle called for a vote on the proposed plan at the board’s July 22 regular meeting.