A question about the old hospital in Alexander and a sign stirs Facebook chatter

A question about the status of the former Alexander Human Development Center (HDC), and three signs recently posted on the fence that surrounds the property, has some drivers and nearby residents chattering on Facebook. The property is located along Highway 111 in South Alexander.

Members of the Facebook Group “MySaline.com” who either were unaware of the sign, along with those who did see the sign (See Photo) started asking questions about previously discussed plans for the property.

Michael Kincaid started the conversation with, “I heard that the state hospital in Alexander getting tore down and replaced. Does anyone know? What's going in there..”

Sign on HDC fence along Hwy. 111.

Carol Crowson followed with, “It's been talked about before but full of asbestos.”

Rebecca Denise Tagaloni-Jones responded with, “Big sign on the fence outside the human development center says shopping center/community center/splash pad.”

Kincaid followed up with, “We need something for the community instead more houses. The kiddos need one for sure..”

The sign appeared this week after the city council, during the August 15 council meeting, approved adding Tract-B (See map.) of the property to the parks and recreation department. This will allow the city to both use and maintain the property and buildings.

Map showing HDC property divided

into four tracts.

Photo provided by

Katherine Michelle Cullins.

Tract-B contains a building that will be used as a community center. It has already served as a polling
place in two elections. During the council meeting Mayor Paul Mitchell noted this is the location where he wants to put in a splash pad, but that won’t happen until next year.

Developing most of the property for commercial use has always been the plan since the Arkansas Department of Human Services deeded the property to the city in 2018. However, getting to that point had to be put on-hold. One of the stipulations to the agreement was to allow Pathfinder, Inc. to remain until their lease expired. That happens on August 31 this year.

Pathfinder is a non-profit organization which helps adults who have either physical or mental special needs. The organization took over the services, which were being provided by the Department of Human Services, after the state lost a lawsuit.

With the Pathfinder lease expiring the city can begin finding a developer to turn the former HDC into a commercial district. Pathfinder was located in the southeast corner near Highway 111.

When the Arkansas Department of Human Services no longer had a use for the 65.69-acre property, and the state could not find another use for the property, it was deeded to the city in 2018. Under state law the property could not be sold to an individual. It could only be taken over by another government entity such as a municipality or county.

Once the city had legal ownership two developers showed interest in the property. One developer wanted to renovate the former state-run tuberculosis hospital with commercial space on the first floor and apartments above. The second wanted to demolish the building and replace it with housing. Both wanted to build housing units in the area west of the old hospital. The remaining portion of the property would be commercial. All that ended when the building burned on the night of March 18, 2020.

Mayor Paul Mitchell’s plan is not to “sell” the property to a developer. Instead the bait is to give the property to a developer in exchange for the developer building a two-lane road through the property that will connect Brookwood Drive to the west with Highway 111. And of course, the development must be mostly, if not all, commercial.

Mitchell wants the Brookwood extension to not only provide access to the commercial area from two ends of the city, but to be able to move some of the traffic flow off of West Azalea. The only issue now is to find a developer.

Alexander Council signs-off on detention center cost increase, transferring land to parks department and several financial transactions

It only took about 30 minutes but the Alexander City Council was able to dispense with several financial issues, transfer property to the parks department and hear two reports. The first item up was discussed at the July council meeting.

It was at last month’s meeting Mayor Paul Mitchell announced an increase in the cost of housing inmates at the Saline County Detention Center. The contract for calendar year 2023 sets the monthly rate for one inmate at $1,730.25 and $20,763.00 annually. Mitchell noted the monthly cost will average “Only a few dollars more” per inmate from last year.

Council members approved accepting the second distribution of funds from the America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). ARPA is part of the Federal plan to aid municipalities and counties recovering from Covid related issues. The funding is provided by the Federal government and distributed by the state. After meeting state criteria Alexander received $358,109.99, which will be placed in the city’s ARPA Fund. This is the second distribution of funds.

The Alexander Council approved accepting and distributing funding provided by the Arkansas STIPEND program. The program provides a monetary award of up to $5,000.00 to police officers who meet specified standards. The city received $43,060.00 to give to officers who meet the standards.

Council members approved spending $101,930.72 for air breathing equipment for the fire department. The purchase includes ten sets of air tanks that hold 45-minutes of air, mounting straps, breathing masks, communication equipment, batteries; plus ten spare air tanks, two battery charging stations, and six spare batteries. The purchase is being paid from the 833 Fund, which is a state program to aid fire departments in purchasing equipment.

The council approved appropriating $16,100.00 to repaint some of the older lines on city streets. Mayor Paul Mitchell said some of them are getting difficult to see in the rain.

Human Development Center divided
into four tracts.

On the non-financial side, council members approved adding Tract-B of the Alexander Human Development Center to the parks and recreation department. Tract-B contains a building that will eventually be used as a community center. It has already served as a polling place in two elections. Mayor Paul Mitchell noted this is the location where he wants to put in a splash pad, but that won’t happen until next year.

Mitchell also announced the Pathfinder lease expires August 31. With that out of the way the city can begin finding a developer to turn the former human development center into a commercial district. The 65.69-acre property is located in South Alexander along Highway 111.

When the Arkansas Department of Human Services no longer had a use for the property it was deeded to the city in 2018. Part of the deal was to allow Pathfinder to stay until the lease expired. Pathfinder is located in the southeast corner near Highway 111 (Tract-D).

During the “Announcements” portion of the meeting:

Planning commission gets fifth member

Mayor Paul Mitchell announced to council members that Rodney Chapman has volunteered to join the Alexander Planning Commission. The commission has been operating with four of the required five members since it was formed in 2018. Chapman lives in South Alexander and is a former Alexander Street Department and Parks and Recreation Department employee.

Police computers installed

Police Chief Robert Burnett reported that the new computers have been installed in department offices. They still, however, lack the software. Burnett said they continue to apply for grants to purchase items such as body cameras that activate when the car emergency lights are turned on.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, September 19 at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). The public is invited to attend.

Alexander American Legion Post 28 Car Show October 1

Alexander American Legion Post 28 will hold its fall car show on Saturday, October 1 from 10AM to 2PM at Alexander City Park. Access to the show is free to the public.

To participate in the car show the entrance fee is $15 for veterans and active-duty military and $20 for non-military. Thirty-six trophies will be awarded along with a 50/50 drawing.

The car show is sponsored by O’Reilly Auto Parts. In case of rain, the car show will be held October 8.

Food will be available for purchase including hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, soda, and bottled water.

If you have any questions call Harold Timmerman at (501) 813-4694.

Below is a map showing the location of the city park off Highway 111.