Council approves purchase of land

The Berryville City Council voted unanimously at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7, to approve the purchase of approximately 6.14 acres of land contiguous to the Berryville Business Park for the price of $17,000 per acre.

The seller, Bar L Homes LLC, had initially asked for a price of $20,000 per acre but the city offered $15,000 per acre. The seller then countered at $17,000 and the council voted to accept that price.

The vote followed a short discussion about how the property lines meet an existing street and how the city could extend curb and guttering from that point as future work proceeds.

Mayor Tim McKinney and other city officials said the tract will align with the end of a city street, allowing the municipality to “pick up from there” with improvements when the time comes.

Earlier in the meeting, McKinney proclaimed Saturday, Oct. 18, as Tractor Supply Co. Appreciation Day to mark the opening of the retailer’s new Berryville store. The store held a “soft opening” on Saturday, Oct. 11, with the official ribbon cutting and grand opening set for 7:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18.

A second proclamation designated Oct. 19–25 as Friends of the Library Week in Berryville. The Friends group, established in 2017, led fundraising for the new library building that broke ground in April 2025 and has raised more than $3.6 million to date, according to the proclamation. City leaders thanked volunteers and encouraged residents to join the organization as it continues work to furnish and equip the new building.

Council member Linda Riddlesperger said the Saunders Museum had 156 visitors in September, up from 102 during the same month in 2024, with deposits nearly doubling year-over-year, from $636 to $1,234.

Parks officials reported a strong showing at the recent Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association conference in Fort Smith. Berryville’s parks maintenance crew received statewide recognition, and McKinney was honored for long-standing volunteer service. Berryville’s monthly Second Saturday event also received a statewide award. Staff said the awards will be displayed in the trophy case near the community center’s banquet hall.

The council approved a request to use the public square for a wedding on Saturday, Nov. 1, after confirming there were no conflicting events. In routine business, members also discussed street lighting and traffic issues tied to new development. Public works has installed all but one of the new streetlights along the approach to the Tractor Supply site on West Freeman Avenue; the final pole was relocated slightly to avoid additional state highway approvals, and officials expect the lights to be energized soon. Council members said the upgrades create a uniform look along Freeman Avenue and should help visitors and delivery drivers find the new store after dark.

Council members then turned to neighborhood congestion around Pritchard and Douglas streets, where on-street parking and construction activity have periodically narrowed the roadway. Council member Max Nichols noted that a school bus was forced to wait while vehicles were moved earlier in the day. The council asked for city staff to review options, including establishing no-parking zones on one side of narrower streets, adding red curbs in spots that restrict emergency access, and updating zoning or building standards to require additional off-street parking for larger homes. The police chief will be consulted ahead of any formal proposals.

Before adjourning, the council briefly addressed a complaint about a lingering brush pile and limbs behind a residence near Clive Street, with staff agreeing to follow up, and reminded residents about weekend activities downtown.

The Berryville City Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at City Hall.