Springfield developer to build $3.9M Arkansas river resort

Springfield developer SL Stinnett Co. has put in motion plans to build a $3.9 million fly fishing resort along the White River in Cotter, Ark.

Company President Steve Stinnett has entered into an agreement with Springfield-based O'Reilly Hospitality Management to manage the property. O'Reilly Hospitality also manages Yellowstone Valley Lodge, which offers fly fishing among other amenities, near Yellowstone National Park.

Stinnett said the Arkansas development, dubbed Seasons on the White Lodge, would include 30 suites, a restaurant, seven private riverfront cabins, a pool, a boat dock, a professional fly shop, fly fishing classes and a team of professional guides. Stinnett formed Seasons on the White LLC for the property.

He said his company has entered a contract and hopes to close in March on the purchase of the five-acre tract of land, which recently was rezoned by the city of Cotter. Construction is scheduled to begin in May.

Stinnett, who is a fly fisherman, has been planning the development for a couple of years and began seeking approvals last year. He expects the development to be completed in January 2013.

"I feel very confident in the economy," he said of the projected timeline.

Stinnett, who also was the developer behind 65 Marketplace in Ozark and recently was involved in the B&B Theatres multiplex, also in Ozark, said the resort's cabins would be available for purchase starting at $237,000 and its lots would start at $89,900. Those who opt to build their own cabins would need to adhere to certain exterior designs, he added. Cabin construction costs aren't included in the $3.9 million project projection.

Cabin owners also could elect to be part of a rental program, where third parties could rent the cabins for $275 per night. Proceeds would be split between the cabin owners and SL Stinnett Co., Stinnett said.

Suites would range from $105 to $225 per night.

Americom of Mountain Home, Ark., has signed on as the general contractor for the development, with Springfield-based Pellham Phillips Architects and Engineers and Jeffrey Jackson, of Mountain Home, as architects.[[In-content Ad]]