Historic District Development
The Chaffee Crossing Historic District is a unique area in the middle of the 7,000-acre Chaffee Crossing development where WWII-era history is combined with modern planning to create a walkable, urban community. The Historic District Master Plan includes mixed-use areas with residential spaces, restaurants, recreational and entertainment venues, retail shops, commercial and service businesses as well as public areas.
The Chaffee Crossing Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, warmly embraces the region’s rich history with a variety of venues appealing to people of all ages and interests. Area educators are seeking to build schools, education, and training facilities nearby. The combination of education and tourism in this district is generating an attractive environment for new businesses.
Historic District Design Guidelines
Like all developments in Chaffee Crossing, new and rehabilitation construction in the Historic District is subject to prior approval by the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority Design Review Committee. In 2020, a PZD or Planned Zone District was adopted for the Historic District to ensure consistency in exterior design, landscaping, and signage. A portion of the area is also included in the Chaffee Crossing Entertainment District, a designated area to allow people to enjoy adult beverages as they go to and from restaurants, bars, and micro-breweries within the boundary. Developers are encouraged to become familiar with FCRA Design Development Guidelines that are intended to create a consistent, attractive community that complies with both City of Fort Smith and FCRA design standards.
The Barracks at Chaffee
The Barracks at Chaffee is a multi-million dollar comprehensive master-planned development covering several blocks of the Chaffee Crossing Historic District. It includes 35 WWII-era buildings that are being renovated into restaurants, retail shops (such as bike, coffee, bakeries, boutiques, microbreweries, etc.), apartments, and Airbnb units. This exciting development is spurring new investments all around the CCHD. Developer Rival Commercial RE, LLC is also a huge supporter of the Chaffee Crossing Farmers & Artisans Market, held on Ellis St. on the second Saturday of each month, May through October.
