Parts of Fayetteville’s entertainment district will be closed to vehicle traffic Saturday evening as part of a trial effort to improve pedestrian safety, Fayetteville Mayor Molly Rawn announced on social media.
The closures will make portions of streets in the district pedestrian-only. Fayetteville Mayor Rawn said the plan is being tested and will be evaluated after the closures.
West Avenue will be closed from Watson Street to Dickson Street starting at 10 p.m. The parking garage driveway and West Watson Street will still be accessible.
Dickson Street itself will be closed from School Avenue to West Avenue starting at 11:20 p.m., when the University of Arkansas’ transit system ends post-game operations.
Saturday, Arkansas Razorbacks host #21 South Carolina Gamecocks in Fayetteville. This will be the first home game since shots were fired on Halloween weekend.
Fayetteville’s Dickson Street area regularly draws thousands of people on weekends. During Razorback home games, parades, festivals and other special events, crowds can exceed 20,000, according to the announcement.
“I want everyone to have fun, and that only happens if everyone is safe,” the statement from Rawn said.