South Extension to the White River Fishing Resort and Highway 345 Corridor Cotter is a perfect spot for a fishing resort. The city already has the reputation of "Trout Capital U.S.A.", and the area has fantastic natural beauty. A fishing resort is an obvious business venture for the city of Cotter. Cotter is unique to most of the other cities in the region because it is located right on the banks of a valuable natural resource, the White River. Cotter has nestled itself in a peninsula of land made by the river. As a result of this there are many possibilities for a lodge location. The short distances to the water from most every point in Cotter creates an opportunity to locate a lodge most anywhere. There are so many suitable sites, it's almost hard to choose. Some existing buildings in the downtown area would be likely candidates if there were an interest in renovating an existing building for this purpose. The vacant lots around the area of the proposed park would be ideal for an infill building if a new lodge was considered for the downtown area. Proposing a lodge in downtown Cotter is an unusual opportunity. Most resorts in this area are small individual cabins located on the river edge and isolated from any sort of urban activity. In the isolated scenario, if a guest wants to go to dinner, or to a store, then driving is the only option. With the compact layout of Cotter the lodge could be located in the downtown area and still have easy access to the river. It would not be an isolated world unto itself but would depend on the surrounding businesses to provide dining, shopping, and entertainment. A downtown location could take advantage of trout docks existing in the area instead of adding another and competing for visitors. Potential problems of a downtown lodge would include the fact that it is different than those isolated on a river site, and that it would depend on other businesses being in operation for success. Arguably the best place for a fishing lodge, is a site at the riverfront and the terminus of the extended 2nd Street axis. The UACDC team declared this the best site and the one that will be focused on. The best advantage to this location is the axial relationship to the downtown three blocks north, and Hopkins' Overlook, visible just seven blocks north. This creates an excellent opportunity to enjoy easy direct access to the White River, or take a short, scenic walk to indulge in some downtown activities. The proposed lodge could be put in without the necessity of other business happening at the same time, but the lodges location so near the downtown could still be a draw for others to create new businesses downtown. The lodge being that close would benefit greatly from the growth of the downtown area, offering multiple choices to lodge visitors. A lodge in Cotter would be a good draw for people who might not want to only fish, but for families or groups with diverse interests. Cotter itself could be the draw, or because Cotter offers so many other enjoyable opportunities like Big Springs Park, the Rainbow Arch Bridge, the Scenic Railway, the Youth Center, and proposed shops and restaurants in the downtown area. Things can be found for everybody in the group and it is all within walking distance. The area that falls at the projected end of 2nd Street is the southernmost location of the city. The river widens after making a 180 degree turn and a bluff begins to rise on the opposite side of the river at this point. It is a spectacular view. The water is so clear you can see all of the fish just waiting to be caught. The space would be a great setting for a wonderful rustic lodge with or without a restaurant. Small screened in porches for each room and spacious lobby sitting area looking out to the river would be very inviting for the weary fisher person or the day shopper. Native stone and rough-hewn lumber would be attractive choices for a structure in this area. A lodge at the 2nd Street terminus location provides incentive to enhance the Highway 345 corridor as well. A fishing lodge and the axis pavilion creates an obvious point of interest and the increased auto and pedestrian traffic makes a case for two other significant improvements. One addition to the Highway 345 corridor could be a bold and extensive wildflower belt. This wildflower belt could be sandwiched between the railroad tracks and Highway 345, and run from Big Spring Park to the Sewage Treatment Plant. The blooming wildflowers could be a huge draw for area tourists from spring through fall, and may even grow enough to become a festival opportunity. The other important improvement in this area is the addition of a walking trail along the river. This new section of trail would be located on the White River just south of Highway 345 and extend from Big Spring Park to the sewage treatment plant, or beyond. This trail would be linked with walking paths in Big Spring Park and make a connection to the Rainbow Bridge Trail already in existence on the north side of Cotter. This trail addition would allow Cotter citizens or visitors to walk the entire peninsula surrounding the compact city with leaving the banks of the beautiful White River. Pedestrian fishing areas would be provided at designated locations along the new trail.
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Cotter, Arkansas - Trout Capital
U.S.A.
