The Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission on Monday will consider leasing a vacant property originally slated for demolition to create additional parking for the Majestic Park baseball complex as the new home for a youth center.
The two-story building, located at 201 W. Belding, was included in several properties from Alcorn to Belding that the ad commission acquired from First Step for $100,000 around the time the pandemic began in March 2020.
One of the buildings was repurposed into office space for use by the Majestic Park staff. The rest, including the building where the youth center would be located, were scheduled to be razed to make room for parking.
"This is part of the property we own across from the Boy's Club on Carson Street," Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs, said Friday.
"This is a vacant two-story house built in 1940 that sits on the corner of Carson and Belding. It has a small paved parking lot next to it. We had thought about tearing down the building but we would not gain enough parking spots to make it feasible if there was another use for the building," Arrison said.
The proposal to lease the property came from High Impact Movement Inc., for the new home of the Spa City Youth Academy Training Center.
According to the terms of the proposed lease agreement provided to commissioners, the premises would be limited to use as a youth center providing a social/recreational training center intended primarily for use by children ages 11 to 18 years. In some cases, children as young as 6 years old will use the youth center, but usually only if special programs are in place to accommodate them.
"The Center will support opportunities for youth to develop their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive abilities and to experience achievement, leadership, enjoyment, friendship, and recognition," the lease agreement says. High Impact Movement will host guest speakers and instruction training to develop leaders.
"It should also offer organized instructional programs for physical activities and for academic video and interactive programs including, opportunities for unstructured activities such as game playing, socializing, club meetings, and outdoor play," it says.
"Unstructured activities may also be provided under strict staffing and control. Under no circumstances shall the building be used for lodging or overnight accommodations. These are staffed facilities and control and supervision are critical elements."
"Amos Gray, who runs High Impact, is doing a great job with the after-school program at the old Boy's Club," Arrison said.
"He is at capacity with his program and needs additional space. He, in my opinion, is doing an excellent job in this underserved portion of our community," he said.
"The tie into Majestic Park and possibly the RBI program of Major League Baseball will not only help our facility but the youth of the community as well. Majestic Park belongs to the community and this is just another way that it will enhance the quality of life for our citizens," Arrison said.
High Impact Movement would have to pay the commission $100 in advance of taking possession of the property under the terms of the one-year lease agreement, and would be responsible for all expenses of occupancy, including licenses and utilities.
The commission meets at 3 p.m. Monday at the Hot Springs Convention Center.