FORT SMITH (KFSM) -- An empty lot in front of a mural of a Native American portrait chiseled by a Portuguese artist as part of the Unexpected Project will soon be a lot more.
“We`re going to have a food truck here; we`re going to have a stage down at the end of the park down here for live entertainment or for anything that anyone wants to get up on stage to do,” John McIntosh, executive director of 64.6 Downtown, said.
McIntosh said he has big plans for the Garrison Commons. Movies will also be screened on the wall next to the mural.
“We have a four year lease with options on the property,” McIntosh said. “If it works out for both parties, we`ll continue to do this for a long time.”
Shelby Pfeffer is the manager of Savoy Tea Co., which just opened in December 2015.
“I think it`s really exciting,” she said. “We kind of came at an interesting time we`re right on the cusp of some really big things happening.”
McIntosh said the mission is to bring more people downtown.
“They`ll enjoy the murals,” he said. “They`ll find another restaurant that they haven`t seen before, and they`ll start to appreciate downtown a little more.”
Studio 6 Architects will function as the planner and general contractor for the project, which McIntosh said will get underway in the next 30 days.
If all goes according to plan, the "Pocket Park" should be complete by June 1.
McIntosh said a decision hasn’t been made on a food truck vendor yet. Interested parties are encourages to contact 64.6 Downtown.