Civil Municipal - Oct 2023

39 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 10 tornado struck the city. Five people lost their lives, and the city lost a lot of its history as the twister either damaged or flattened more than 90 venerable, old homes and commercial buildings. An area of some 15 blocks downtown was decimated, causing about $30 million in damage in today’s money (adjusted for inflation). Still, the city has bounced back. In the ensuing period of more than four decades, Cabot has continued to grow, and today it is the jewel in the crown of Arkansas. As Payseno explains, the then-officials of the City of Cabot’s late 1970s-era administrations took it upon themselves to build back the city from the ground up, and that has forever changed the landscape of the community. Thus the city today combines the best of both past and present and is, as Payseno notes, “an old city that’s built almost everything new… from housing to infrastructure to commerce.” She also spoke of Cabot’s festivals. The city is home to two. One, Cabotfest, grew out of a desire among community members for a rebirth in the wake of the tornado 47 years ago. First held in 1978, Cabotfest is now Lonoke County’s largest such festival, and it is enjoyed by people across the region on an annual basis. The other, Strawberryfest, is held every April. This fun event features local growers of the area’s abundant strawberry crop, carnival rides, live entertainment, vendors, food trucks, and a kids’ zone. It’s hosted by the local Junior Auxiliary. A sports-oriented community Payseno says Cabot residents have a passion for sports at a very early age. The City’s parks and recreation department is very big on its baseball and softball fields, its basketball and volleyball courts, and its Cabot Aquatic Park. This is a state-of-the-art, handicapped- accessible, outdoor aquatic facility that offers three pools, a lazy river, water slides, a concession stand, and plans to build a wave pool are in the works. Plus, Cabot offers hiking and biking trails. Payseno says the City’s master plan calls for growing these trails all around Cabot. Then there are infrastructural and economic matters. As Payseno informs, Cabot’s voters passed the rededication of utilizing the extension of a City-wide one percent (1%) sales and use tax. in 2021. This resulted in the leveraging of some $80 million for initiatives aimed at community and economic development. The most substantial investment on the ballot was the $20 million that would be dedicated to allow the city to own its own fiber optic network solution to improve broadband Internet access. Payseno says This would not only allow the city to provide internet services as a public utility, but it would also be the first project of its kind to start construction in the state of Arkansas. Other allocated improvements will help streets and drainage, as well as the City’s police and fire departments. Plus, there is a brand-new $18 million sports complex, currently under construction. Scheduled to open next year, as Payseno informs, it will have six basketball courts that will convert to 12 volleyball courts, and two indoor soccer fields CABOT, ARKANSAS