SW Arkansas Times

The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) has awarded a federal grant of $2,750,000 to the state of Arkansas for security and fire protection services at the former Army-Navy Hospital property in Hot Springs. Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) and Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders released statements commending the announcement.

Congressman Westerman stated, "This grant will provide critical funding for much-needed security and fire prevention services at the former Army-Navy Hospital, a site that holds so much value for Hot Springs and the entire state of Arkansas. With this grant, we are not only ensuring the safety of the buildings and surrounding areas, but we are one step closer to putting this historic site on a clear-cut path to safer and more beneficial use in the future."

Governor Sanders remarked, "The Army-Navy Hospital has a significant place in our state’s history and deserves proper care to stay viable for future use. I was proud to work with our federal, state, and local partners to help secure this grant and ensure the safety of the building and downtown Hot Springs. Very grateful for our congressional delegation for their leadership and making this happen."

The nearly 21-acre site of the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs is situated atop downtown on National Park Service land. The property is rapidly falling into disrepair since operations ceased in 2020. Initially used by both the Army and Navy beginning in 1887, major buildings were constructed by the U.S. Government in the 1930s as part of America's first general hospital serving military patients.

In 1960, ownership transferred from the Army to Arkansas where it became a state-run rehabilitation center before being converted into the Arkansas Career Training Institute (ACTI). Since its closure four years ago, vandalism and unauthorized access have raised serious safety concerns.

On September 10th, OLDCC approved a federal grant aimed at addressing these issues by providing necessary security and fire protection services.

Congressman Westerman collaborated with Arkansas Senators Tom Cotton and John Boozman along with Congressman Steve Womack (AR-03) to include language authorizing funding for this grant within Section 2852 of Fiscal Year 2024's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).