About
MPO Planning Area
The Hot Springs area is the eastern gateway to the Ouachita Mountains in Central Arkansas. The regional topography is hilly and mountainous, resulting in some steep and winding roadways. This topography creates numerous creeks, natural drainages, and flood plans, many suitable for alternative transportation uses, such as pedestrian and bicycle paths. Additionally, this topography presents some unique challenges for roadway improvements, especially when considering new capital projects or roadway expansion.
MPO Structure
The MPO is supported by a diverse committee and governance structure that provides input from a variety of sources. A description of each structure is described below. Current bylaws, committee memberships, meeting minutes and calendars, are available on the COMMITTEES page, or feel free to reach out for more information.
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Board – The MPO board is the final level of review and decision-making body in the MPO organizational structure. Recommendations from MPO staff and the committee substructure are reviewed, discussed, and then either approved or rejected through a one member one vote process.
The MPO Board is guided by bylaws, adopted in 2003, amended in 2008, 2013, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
The MPO Board voting membership is comprised of:
City of Hot Springs (2)
Garland County (2)
Hot Spring County (1)
Fountain Lake (1)
Mountain Pine (1)
Hot Springs Village Property Owners Association (1)
Hot Springs Metro Partnership (1)
Arkansas Department of Transportation (2)
The MPO Board typically meets quarterly on the 3rd Thursday, at 10:00 a.m. in the West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District’s (WCAPDD) Conference room, located at 1000 Central Avenue in Hot Springs. All meetings are open to the public.
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) – The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is comprised of professional planners, engineers, technicians, and other professionals representing local government agencies and transit providers. This group is responsible for reviewing transportation plans, programs, projects, and policy guidance. They review and provide feedback to MPO staff from a more technical standpoint, based on their professional expertise. Ultimately, the TAC makes recommendations on the plans and projects placed before to the MPO Board.
The TAC is comprised of the following membership:
City of Hot Springs (2)
Garland County (2)
Hot Spring County (1)
Chamber of Commerce (1)
Hot Springs Metro Partnership (1)
Hot Springs Village POA (1)
Railroad Representative (1)
Fountain Lake (1)
Mountain Pine (1)
Intracity Transit (1)
Airport Director (1)
Arkansas Department of Transportation (2)
The TAC typically meets quarterly on the 1st Tuesday, at 10:00 a.m. in the West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District’s (WCAPDD) Conference room, located at 1000 Central Avenue in Hot Springs. All meetings are open to the public.
