by Jack Bilyeu
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) — A series of construction projects along Dickson Street are causing delays for drivers and pedestrians alike. At the corner of West Avenue and Dickson Street, the former Hoghaus Brewery is undergoing a major expansion—shutting down a segment of West Avenue and rendering the turn lanes on Dickson unusable.
Pedestrian traffic is rerouted to a small lane in the road, which is sanctioned off by concrete barriers. The end product will be a larger space capable of supporting two separate businesses–one with a storefront on Dickson, the other around the corner on West Avenue.
Senior Catherine Golden has been walking to class along the route for almost a year, and said the construction has made her more cautious of vehicle traffic on her commute. She said she’s not sure if the construction is anything worth getting excited for.
“I have no idea what’s going to be there,” said Golden. “So if it’s a museum, maybe not, but something more to do, that’d be exciting.”
There’s no guarantee that the property will have bars as its tenants. It hasn’t yet been leased and is designated for general use, meaning it could see host to stores or restaurants as well.
Further down Dickson, across from Collier’s Drug Store, another major construction project is underway. The Pettus building and the lot it sits on sold for $4.4 million in 2014. Like the Hoghaus Brewery, it’s undergoing an extensive renovation by the real estate company Lindsey & Associates. Lindsey’s executive broker, Shannon Marti, says the property will have a new purpose.
“They’re going to put in an upscale restaurant there and also have a lot for food trucks to sit,” Marti said.
The parking lot will also be used for valet parking for the restaurant. This will be the third location on Dickson to hold food trucks after Shulertown, next to JJ’s Grill, and the Fayettechill parking lot.