FayetteForward

In episode 42, former Fayetteville city council member Kyle Smith reflects on what makes Fayetteville special and how his path through teaching, advocacy, and local government shaped his deeply practical vision for housing, growth, and community life. He makes the case that protecting the city’s spirit requires more than resisting change. It means staying flexible, supporting local businesses, and allowing neighborhoods to evolve in ways that feel human, incremental, and rooted in place.

Show Links:

• Fayetteville Strong
• Strong Towns
• Jeff Speck - Walkable City
• NWA Equality
• Smitten Kitten NWA
• Boulders and Brews
• List of Current and Former Fayetteville City Council Members

#FayetteForward #FayettevilleAR #FayettevilleArkansas #NorthwestArkansas #WalkableCities #HousingAffordability #ZoningReform #StrongTowns #KeepFayettevilleFresh

In episode 41, we talk with Carlee Alm-LaBar, Chief of Staff at Strong Towns, about bottom-up change, local action, and what it takes to build places that are financially resilient, livable, and strong. We also preview the 2026 Strong Towns National Gathering coming to Fayetteville and explore what residents, advocates, and curious newcomers can gain from being part of it.

Show Links:

• 2026 Strong Towns National Gathering in Fayetteville
• Strong Towns
• Carlee Alm-LaBar

#FayetteForward #StrongTowns #StrongTownsNationalGathering #FayettevilleArkansas #FayettevilleAR #NorthwestArkansas #NWA #IncrementalHousing #MissingMiddle #WalkableCities #SafeStreets #ParkingReform #Localism #CommunityWealth #Placemaking #ActiveTransportation #BetterCities #BottomUpChange

In episode 40, Mallory Baches, president of the Congress for the New Urbanism, shares the vision behind CNU 34 and why Northwest Arkansas is uniquely positioned to host it right now. From new urbanism to long-term community belonging, she offers a compelling look at how this growing region can build places that love people and become a national model for intentional growth.

Show Links:

• Mallory Baches
• CNU
• CNU 34 in Northwest Arkansas

#fayetteforward #CNU #CNU34 #NewUrbanism #northwestarkansas #fayettevillear #bentonvillear #fayettevillearkansas #bentonvillearkansas

Episode 39: How County Decisions Shape Everyday Life with Evelyn Rios Stafford

In episode 39, we talk with Washington County JP Evelyn Rios Stafford about her path from journalism to county government—and what it really means to serve as a Justice of the Peace. Evelyn shares how planning, zoning, and public process shape growth across Northwest Arkansas, and why transparency, patience, and public trust matter more than ever.

#fayetteforward #fayettevillear #fayettevillearkansas #northwestarkansas #washingtoncountyar #evelynriosstafford

Show Links:

1. Evelyn Rios Stafford
2. Washington County Quorum Court
3. Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission
4. Washington County Cares FB Group
5. Fayetteville Housing Authority
6. Benton County Quorum Court

What does it take to build neighborhoods that work — and last? In episode 38, local developer Z Niederman reflects on lessons from the field, offering practical wisdom for aspiring builders and seasoned planners alike. From design philosophy to navigating resistance, he explores the art and grit of human-scale development.

Show Links:

• Incremental Development Alliance
• ULI Northwest Arkansas
• John Anderson's Neighborhood Development FB Group
• Walker Park Improvements & Master Plan
• City Pump in Rogers
• Turnbuckle Farm
• The Spring Shop / 7th St. Lot
• SeeClickFix

#FayetteForward #FayettevilleArkansas #FayettevilleAR #NorthwestArkansas #NeighborhoodDevelopment #Placemaking #SmallScaleDevelopment #WalkableCommunities #MissingMiddleHousing #UrbanDevelopment

In episode 37, we talk with Becky DeClerk, an occupational therapy doctoral student and passionate transit advocate, about the intersection of healthcare, accessibility, and public transportation. We explore how OT and public transit go hand in hand in supporting independence and community participation. From sharing headphones with a jazz-loving stranger to testifying at city council meetings, Becky’s journey highlights both the systemic gaps and hopeful possibilities in Northwest Arkansas transit. Her advocacy bridges clinical insight and civic action in a way that’s deeply personal and powerfully effective.

Show Links:

• FayetteForward Episode 17 w/ Joel Gardner
• I Am Northwest Arkansas Episode w/ Joel Gardner
• The Growing Minds Foundation
• Groundwork NWA
• Ozark Regional Transit (ORT)
• Passio GO!
• Parking Benefit Districts
• Benton County Strong
• Fayetteville Strong
• Citymapper
• Strong Towns
• Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission
• National Federation of the Blind
• RTC Washoe
• Mountain Line Transit
• SEPTA

#FayetteForward #FayettevilleAR #FayettevilleArkansas #NorthwestArkansas #SpringdaleAR #SpringdaleArkansas #RogersAR #RogersArkansas #BentonvilleAR #BentonvilleArkansas #PublicTransit #OccupationalTherapy #FreedomThroughTransit #MyOtherRideIsTheBus #MakeTransitSexy

In episode 36, we sit down with Megan Brown, Director of Operations at ULI Northwest Arkansas, to explore how real change happens in communities—through relationships, shared vision, and events like the ULI Place Summit. Megan shares how her background in finance, music, and event planning shaped her passion for the built environment, and why the Place Summit is more than just a conference—it’s a catalyst. From wastewater to walkability, it’s all about making Northwest Arkansas better, together.

Show Links:

• ULI Place Summit
• Urban Land Institute Northwest Arkansas
• Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP)
• Groundwork NWA
• Dr. Gregg Colburn – “Homelessness is a Housing Problem”
• Trinity River Authority of Texas
• Velocity Group / Dan Hintz
• CNU 34 Northwest Arkansas

#ULIPlaceSummit #ULIPlaceSummit2025 #PlaceSummit #PlaceSummit2025 #FayetteForward #Placemaking #CityPlanning #FayettevilleArkansas #FayettevilleAR #NorthwestArkansas

FayetteForward has brought you conversations with incredible guests from across Fayetteville’s creative, planning, and community worlds. In Episode 35, we’re especially thrilled to sit down with someone whose role touches every corner of our city: Fayetteville’s Mayor, Molly Rawn!

Together, we explore what it means to build Fayetteville’s future. From housing affordability and trails to climate resilience, public transit, and the power of local culture, Mayor Rawn shares both the challenges and opportunities of guiding a growing community. Grounded in optimism and collaboration, this episode highlights what it takes to build a city that works for everyone.

Show Links:

• Fayetteville Mayor Molly Rawn
• Downtown Fayetteville Coalition
• Experience Fayetteville
• Music Cities Convention in Fayetteville
• CNU 34 Northwest Arkansas
• Grant propelling plan to put shelter at most bus stops in Fayetteville

#FayetteForward #FayettevilleAR #FayettevilleArkansas #NorthwestArkansas #SpringdaleArkansas #SpringdaleAR #RogersArkansas #RogersAR #BentonvilleArkansas #BentonvilleAR #Mayor #CNU34

In this final episode of our Passive House series, builder and general contractor Alex Munson takes us behind the scenes of the Magnolia House—the first certified Passive House in Arkansas. Alex shares how her background, hands-on building style, and deep-rooted love for construction shaped the project, and she reflects on what it means to collaborate closely with architects and consultants to meet the strict Passive House standards. She also talks shop on airtightness tests, ductwork challenges, and the art of mentoring other builders—while staying grounded in community, craftsmanship, and a genuine love of swinging a hammer.

Show Links:

• Munson Construction
• KUAF Story on Magnolia House
• NWA Democrat-Gazette Story on Magnolia House
• Home Energy Rx
• Ozark Natural Science Center
• Habitat for Humanity ReStore

#PassiveHouse #MagnoliaHouse #EnergyEfficiency #GreenBuilding #WomenInConstruction #SustainableHomes #HighPerformanceBuilding #FayetteForward #FayettevilleArkansas #FayettevilleAR #NorthwestArkansas 

Cameron Caja joins us to explore the world of Passive House design—what it is, how it works, and why it matters for Northwest Arkansas. From energy modeling and airtight membranes to long-term resilience and community health, Cameron unpacks the systems thinking behind better buildings. He also shares insights on affordability, incremental change, and his work with Habitat for Humanity to make high-performance housing more accessible.

Show Links:

• Cameron Caja
• Polaris High Performance Homes
• Passive Building Principles
• KUAF Story on Magnolia House
• NWA Democrat-Gazette Story on Magnolia House
• Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV)
• Home Energy Rx
• Phius
• Spring Street Passive House
• City of Fayetteville Composting Program
• Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Arkansas
• Groundwork (Northwest Arkansas Council)
• Community Development NWA
• Passive House Accelerator
• Reimagine Buildings Collective
• Tri Cycle Farms
• Apple Seeds NWA
• Cobblestone Farms

#FayetteForward #FayettevilleAR #FayettevilleArkansas #NorthwestArkansas #PassiveHouse #PassiveHouseSeries #BuildingScience #HighPerformanceHomes #HumanCenteredDesign #EnergyModeling