MORRILTON, Ark. (KTHV) -- A building collapse in Morrilton left an empty lot in the downtown area. Now that the city has cleaned up the collapse, the mayor wants a new business to come take its place.
He's so eager to have a business come; he's willing to throw in the property for free.
"We're not out to make money; we're out to make jobs."
Morrilton Mayor Stewart Nelson says wants to bring jobs to his town. To make that happen, he's putting prime property in downtown on the table for free.
"If we can find someone who is willing to come in here, bring some jobs to downtown Morrilton and give some local people a chance to work, I think we would be willing to let them have the property," explains Nelson.
The mayor says the city took ownership of the lot on the corner of Division and Broadway after two buildings collapsed there in May. That collapse killed a two year old girl and injured six others.
It's been nearly nine months since the tragic event and business owners agree a new shop in town would be a good fit for their community.
"We don't feel like we compete down here; we all help each other, so we want all the businesses we can get down here." says Sandra Lukas, who owns the Porch just a couple of stores down from the vacant lot.
She says a new business will be a promising sign, and resident Cotton Thomas agrees.
"I don't know what would go in here, it's not very big. But anything that helps downtown suits me just fine."
Some residents suggest they turn the area into a parking lot or a park, but Mayor Nelson points out there is a pocket park just a block down from the lot, so he'd rather have something that will pump money into their economy.
"I want jobs; parks don't give anyone jobs, I want to see some people working, drawing a pay check, shopping at Kroger's or Wal-Mart and eating at the restaurants we have, that's what it is."
Before any business is able to take Mayor Nelson up on his offer the city council must approve the move. Nelson says he priced some property nearby and a lot the size he is offering is going for about $100,000.