Historic Schoolhouse To Become First Restaurant At Chaffee Crossing

Historic Schoolhouse To Become First Restaurant At Chaffee Crossing

By John Lovett Times Record

A new Red Rooster Bistro restaurant is being planned to occupy the historic Maness Schoolhouse in Fort Smith.

The Fort Smith Planning Commission approved a request this week from RUM Inc. to zone the unzoned site for commercial use in preparation for renovations to the building, including construction of a large kitchen and enclosure of a patio. The structure, built by the Works Progress Administration, is in the Chaffee Crossing Historic District and listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Its a nice thing to get that thing preserved, said Pat Mickle of Mickle Wagner Coleman Engineers, agent for RUM Inc. Its in pretty tough shape on the inside.

Plans call for the 120-seat restaurant to have two driveway entrances from both Wells Lake and Massard roads. Fifty-five parking spaces already are on site.

Construction could start as early as September pending Fort Smith Board of Directors approval next month. The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program division of the Department of Arkansas Heritage also will have to OK the plans.

Ronnie Rouse, a partner with RUM Inc., and property co-owner Jim Meadows said the initial cost estimate for renovations is between $200,000 and $250,000. The planning commissions approval comes with requirements for stormwater drainage and Chaffee Crossing design guidelines.

Brenda Gregory of Red Rooster Bistro said RUM Inc. approached her several months ago.

They said we want to build you a new restaurant and I thought Nah thats all right, and then they said at Chaffee Crossing and my eyes bugged out and I changed my mind, Gregory said. Theres going to be a big demand for a restaurant out there, and Ill be glad to be the first.

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Historic Schoolhouse To Become First Restaurant At Chaffee Crossing