Union County may soon have the opportunity to expand its maintenance shop pending approval of a property donation by the Arkansas Highway Commission.
Earlier this month, the Union County Quorum Court voted unanimously to accept a 3.02 acre piece of property to be donated by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT).
The property formerly housed ARDOT's local maintenance compound; David Archer, district engineer for ARDOT District 7, said a new facility on Industrial Road was built by the department, freeing up this property to be donated to the county.
"When I knew they were going to move, I asked for this property because it does adjoin the county shop. I can cut a hole in the fence and I can be right there on it," County Judge Mike Loftin told Justices of the Peace on Nov. 18.
The property is located next to the Union County Maintenance Shop on Champagnolle Road. Loftin said a building with offices and a shop is located on the land, and he intends to use the extra space for storage.
"I probably will use it to store materials -- culverts, gravel, whatever," he said. "They haven't been in the building in a long time. But we'll probably just use it for storage. I won't have an office or anything out there."
Archer said the Highway Commission would need to approve the donation before it is finalized. The body is scheduled to meet on Dec. 7, according to its website.