Community leaders have long wanted to make downtown Springdale a place more people want to be, and that dream is looking more realistic lately.

What's happening: A ton of development.

• At least three new restaurants — Medusa Bar & Grill, Bienvenue and HomeGrown — have opened in recent months.
• The city is working on a major renovation to Luther George Park.
• Construction on the Walton Family Foundation's Market Center of the Ozarks is underway.
• The Jones Center is in the early stages of an expansion.
• An investment group bought the former First Security Bank building on Emma Avenue last year. Onyx Coffee Lab is moving a massive project there, including its chocolate manufacturing.
• More housing is on the way.

Background: The Springdale City Council approved a master plan for downtown in 2015 and a revised version in 2022. In the past few years, the city made streetscape improvements to Emma Avenue and Walter Turnbow Park, where the downtown Springdale Alliance now hosts free live music during the summer.

• The area was designated as an opportunity zone by the federal government in 2018, which has incentivized investment there, Jill Dabbs, executive director at Downtown Springdale Alliance, told Axios.

The city's planning director, Patsy Christie, says two projects in particular helped kick off the revitalization — Razorback Greenway coming through downtown and bringing in people from other towns, and Tyson Foods opening a building in 2016 that has people working downtown during the day.

The big picture: The goal is to make downtown vibrant for anyone, regardless of age or background, Dabbs said.

• "The timing is right now, and I'm really proud of Springdale for having the foresight years ago."

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Nearly 400 apartments are on the horizon for downtown Springdale, a city that had little new residential investment along Emma Avenue three years ago.

What's happening: At least three groups are building living spaces in Springdale's downtown area — Shiloh Capital, Blue Crane and Groundwork.

Why it matters: Most vibrant downtowns have mixed "live-work-play" elements, along with offerings like unique restaurants, art installations or venues that draw people from surrounding areas.

Details: Little Emma and 202 Railside started leasing in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Combined, they offer 80 units, and both are more than 90% occupied.

• Trailside Terrace and Townhomes on Park renovation projects headed by Shiloh Capital and Don Harris (a member of Shiloh) will add more than 30 units this year.
• The 77-unit Big Emma project is slated for opening late 2024 or early 2025.
• Blue Crane projects Via Emma and Spring Street Condos also are planned for 2025 and will add 151 residences.
• A yet-to-be-named project led by Shiloh Capital that will occupy the parking lot behind the First Security Bank building is still in the design phase but will likely add 50 units.

What we're watching: As tipping points tend to go, more housing projects, retail and food are likely in store for downtown Springdale.

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Emma Avenue will be home to a chocolate factory as early as next summer.

What's happening: Onyx Coffee Lab will occupy three floors totaling more than 6,400 square feet inside the former First Security Bank complex.

• Fun fact: Onyx has its own brand of chocolate, Terroir. The chocolate-manufacturing segment of its business will move from Rogers to the new spot in Springdale.

What they're saying: "We're putting more energy, money and design time into this concept than anything we've ever done by far," Onyx co-owner Jon Allen told Axios.

Details: The main floor of the building will include an Onyx café with its usual coffee menu, as well as full breakfast and lunch menus, with seating for 100 inside and another 100 outside.

Keep reading for what else the building will house.

Alex here. Downtown Springdale has something you can't get in any of the other NWA downtowns — a welcome (or bienvenue) addition.

The intrigue: With some exceptions — like a popular crêpes restaurant and a Bentonville eatery serving "French- and Mediterranean-inspired fare" — French influence isn't exactly front and center in NWA's food scene. Now, we have a bonafide date-night French restaurant — Bienvenue — and you have to go to downtown Springdale if you want a taste.

On the menu: French classics like escargot en croute and bouillabaisse — a soup with bass filet, squid, shellfish, braised fennel and spicy tomato broth — along with entrees like rabbit pithivier (stewed rabbit baked in pastry, pearl onions and beech mushrooms).

By the numbers: Entrées range $31-$45.

When and where: 5-10pm Tuesday-Saturday at 101 W. Johnson Ave., Suite B.

Go deeper to find out what I ate.

The owners of Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse in Eureka Springs, Lisa Provencio-Jones and Bert Jones, confirmed they plan to extend their brand to Springdale.

• Gaskins on Emma will be an "upscale, approachable" restaurant located within the First Security Bank building that is currently being renovated.

Why it matters: The Gaskins name will be a draw for diners throughout NWA and help define the new face of downtown Springdale.

Details: The project is in the planning phase, so specifics are sparse. Provencio-Jones said it will be more metropolitan in look and feel than the 159-year-old, two-room log cabin in Eureka.

• The food, however, will maintain Gaskins' signature "simple, but delicious" approach, she said.
• The restaurant will occupy about 2,500 square feet with a full bar and attention paid to mixology.

What we're watching: No opening date is set, but Provencio-Jones hopes the site will be serving by April.

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