Big Red Grand Opening a success

Between the pleasant and comfortable sunny November weather and the substantial number of people in attendance, the word “Success” describes the outcome of Thursday (November 18) morning’s Grand Opening of the Big Red in Alexander. Located at the corner of Highway 111 and Cornerstone Road, just south of I-30, the Big Red has actually been open since Friday, November 12.

The Alexander Big Red is one of over 40 in Central Arkansas. They are owned and operated by brothers David and Doug Hendrix under the name Summerwood Partners.

While most everyone may think of Baskin Robbins or McDonalds when hearing or seeing the name Big Red, the Alexander Big Red is referred to as a “Coffee House.” The store has a variety of coffees, hot and iced, along with the usual fountain drinks.

Guests, staff and other dignitaries gathered outside for the official ribbon 

cutting. Behind the two young men cutting the ribbon are City of 

Alexander Mayor Paul Mitchell (left) and Arkansas State Treasurer 

Dennis Milligan (right). Milligan is not only State Treasurer, but he 

owned the land where the Big Red now sits.

Besides the usual Valero price sign, the Alexander Big Red 

has a billboard advertising the “Coffee House” with 

available space for rent.

During the Grand Opening radio station 107.3, The Buzz, 

was broadcasting its morning show, “The Show With 

No Name.”

Shelves are stocked with the necessities for travel and an 

unplanned purchase for home.

The “Fountain” and “Coffee” corner has a variety of drinks 

available; hot and cold.

Big Red Grand Opening Thursday, Zoning Ordinance approved

After only three months of construction, the Big Red gas station and convenience store is open for business. At the November 15 council meeting, Alexander Mayor Paul Mitchell announced that the grand opening is scheduled for 9:00 AM on Thursday (November 18). The Big Red is located on the north corner of the Cornerstone Road and Hwy 111 intersection.

It was at the August 16 council meeting Mitchell was given the authority to make all final decisions concerning the construction of the Big Red in order to “expedite” the project. The design phase began in January, but for some unknown reason developers needed to bypass the normal process of architectural drawings being approved by the planning commission and the city council in order to stay on schedule.

This gives Alexander three gas stations/convenience stores; Hess, on E. First Street, and Mobil, along I-30 being the other two. A fourth will be opening soon. A Circle K is nearing completion at the corner of N. Alexander Road and Highway 5. According to Mitchell the only part of the construction remaining is connecting to the Little Rock sewer line on the other side of Highway 5.

A zoning ordinance designating a 1.73-acre piece of property, owned by My ample Storage, from Open Space/Recreational to Highway Commercial was given its third public reading and approved by the city council. My Ample Storage is located along Highway 5, west of the intersection with North Alexander Road. The property was annexed into the city in 2018.

It’s unusual for an ordinance to need three meetings to get final approval, but circumstances seem to be against this particular ordinance. Normally, the council would vote to suspend the required second and third readings and move to final approval at the same meeting. That, however, requires a “yes” vote of two-thirds of the council; in this case six. This is the third meeting only five council members were present, the minimum needed for a quorum.

Because of the planned widening of Highway 5, My Ample Storage is having to move some of its storage facilities away from the highway. The amount of property needed for the widening will require the removal of My Ample Storage’s brick wall along Highway 5, some storage units and the office.

Also, during the November 15 meeting;

Firing range approved

Alexander police officers will no longer need permission to get target practice, or qualify using a weapon. The council approved allowing the police department to set up a recently purchased shooting trailer on property owned by Alexander Police Chief Robert Burnett.

According to Mayor Paul Mitchell the trailer includes both drop down and rotating targets plus a silhouette of someone running as a moving target. It was purchased from Federal Surplus for $3,500 and includes a generator and air compressor to power the targets.

Mitchell explained to council members the main problem the department has with using the shooting ranges in Saline County is scheduling and cost. One is south of Bauxite High School and can’t be open during the day or when there are games. The other is costing the city around $1,000 per year to use. And now, the FBI and training academy has it booked-up. Having a city operated firing range will allow officers to train any time.

New K-9 Officer hired

Mayor Mitchell announced the hiring of a new K-9 officer, Josh Lavrinc. Mitchell said Lavrinc is qualified as both a K-9 officer and trainer.

Ordinance to redraw ward boundaries under review

Council members were provided a copy of the proposed ordinance that will redraw the boundary lines of the city’s four wards. The mayor asked them to review the ordinance for the December council meeting.

Based on the 2020 Census each ward should have 846 residents, plus or minus five-percent. Two of the wards have too many residents and two not enough.

The map provided with the ordinance was drawn by Metroplan and keeps two existing council members in each ward. The only difference is Council Member Juanita Wilson will move from Ward-2 to Ward-4 and Council Member Lonny Chapman will move from Ward-4 to Ward-2. All other council members will continue to represent their current wards.

Meadow’s Edge Phase-3 blackout near an end

For about a year now residents of Phase-3 in Meadow’s Edge have been asking why they don’t have street lights. Phases one, two and four have lights, but not three.

Before Alexander’s latest subdivision began construction Mayor Paul Mitchell told the developers to include street lights. Phases one and two received the lights, but as Phase-3 was ending there was a notable lack of lights. It was that glaring omission that guaranteed Phase-4 would have street lights. Phase-4 recently saw its last house go up.

Mitchell told council members he was contacted by the project’s engineer Joe White who said the street lights will be in by November 30. Also, Mitchell said White is speaking to the developer, Walter Woodward, about installing street signs for phases three and four.

Will the fire department break another record?

Alexander Fire and Rescue could be on its way to breaking another record. Fire Chief Mark Ridgeway reminded council members the department responded to a record-breaking 754 calls in 2020. He said the department has already made 745 calls this year.

The next regular meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, December 20 at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex. The public is invited to attend.

Third reading of zoning ordinance expected Monday night

The Alexander City Council is expected to hear the third and final reading of a zoning ordinance for property owned by My Ample Storage. The business is located along Highway 5. The nearly two-acres of land will be rezoned from Open Space/Recreational to Highway Commercial. At the September and October meetings there were only enough council members present to form a quorum, but not enough to approve the ordinance in one meeting.

Also on the agenda for the council’s Monday, November 15 meeting; under New Business, “Discuss the City assisting Police Chief R. Burnett in the development of firing range.” Under Announcements; “New Big Red open for business,” “New K9 Officer Josh Lavrinc,” “Review ordinance for redistricting,” “Purchase of shooting trailer,” and “Review proposed 2021 final budget and proposed 2022 budget.”

The council meeting will be held at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex. The public is invited to attend.