A $7.7 million AMP expansion, a college remodel and work in the trades

A permanent hospitality building is coming to the Walmart AMP, and a Siloam Springs contractor has the assignment. At NWACC, a new remodel request gives general contractors a November deadline. Siloam Springs is also seeking a wastewater master plan that will help shape its next round of capital work.

This week also brings welding and plumbing openings, a trade-school scholarship deadline, motor-control training and three dates worth saving. For homeowners, the Weekly Fix tackles the greasy filter hiding above the stove.

The Walmart AMP is expanding its hospitality complex and backstage artist wing, with Ellingson Contracting of Siloam Springs named as contractor for both projects. The venue's announcement, published November 2, puts the investment at $7.7 million and targets completion for the 2027 concert season.

A permanent two-story building will replace the open-air tent that has housed the Land O'Lakes Lounge since 2014. The expanded hospitality complex will total 12,725 square feet, including more than 6,000 square feet of climate-controlled space, with new restrooms and patio access.

Backstage, a separate 1,274-square-foot addition will create a gym and artist lounge connected to the dressing, catering and production areas.

For local building trades, the announcement identifies who is delivering the work and what the venue intends to have ready next season. It names the general contractor; it does not advertise open subcontract packages. Read the AMP's announcement.

Wednesday, November 18, 10 a.m. Central: NWACC is selecting a general contractor for a surgical-technology simulation lab and adjacent classroom changes in its Center for Health Professionals building in Bentonville.

The work concerns a lab in Room 2026 and classroom changes in Room 2030. The college generally supplies the equipment. Its anticipated initial contract start is December 2026.

This is RFQ-27-003, a qualifications selection. Do not include pricing in the response: the college says doing so will disqualify the submission. Price will be negotiated after evaluation. Written questions are due Tuesday, November 10, at 2 p.m.

Deliver sealed responses to Purchasing, Attn Karen Walls, Burns Hall Room 1128.7, One College Drive, Bentonville, AR 72712. NWACC does not accept faxed or emailed proposals. The bid page provides the RFQ, drawings and specifications. Open NWACC's bid documents.

Monday, November 30, 10 a.m. local time: Springdale Public Works is accepting sealed bids for a project advertised as Hail Damage in its November 4 notice.

Specifications are available from Public Works at 269 E. Randall Wobbe Lane, Springdale. Bids go to that office in a sealed envelope marked Hail Damage. Public Works lists 479-750-8135 as the contact number. Official notice and bid instructions.

Siloam Springs is seeking a consultant for a Wastewater Master Plan covering collection-system modeling, treatment-plant analysis, current and future capacity needs, and a capital improvement plan with cost estimates.

Statements of qualifications are due Friday, November 20, at 2 p.m. Central. Written questions are due by close of business November 10. The city anticipates finishing the plan in mid to late 2027 to inform its 2028 budget and wastewater capital program.

Firms must provide five printed, bound copies and a USB flash drive containing the complete PDF in a sealed submission. In-person delivery goes to Public Works, 1000 E. Ashley Street, Siloam Springs; the notice gives a separate mailing address.

This selection is for professional services. The resulting plan will help identify and prioritize future work; construction contracts would be separate. Read the city's scope and response instructions.

Multi-Craft Contractors: Welder. The work includes fabrication, machinery repairs, blueprint reading and weld inspection. MCC seeks proficiency in MIG, TIG and stick welding. A high school diploma or equivalent is required; at least one year of experience or schooling is preferred. Welding certification depends on the job specifications. Benefits listed include medical, dental and vision coverage, a 401(k) match and education assistance. Read the role and apply.

Franklin: Licensed Plumber, posted range $70,000-$100,000. The role covers repair and maintenance of customers' plumbing systems. The employer lists two weeks of PTO and a 401(k) plan. Employer posting and application.

Northwest Technical Institute's current application lists A/C Motors and Motor Controls for November 16-19 at $1,400. The course requires completion of Electrical Controls Troubleshooting or a passing prerequisite skills assessment. It is an option for workers developing industrial electrical and maintenance skills. Course application and prerequisite details.

SupplyHouse's Track to the Trades scholarship accepts applications through November 10, with 30 awards of $2,500.

Current trade-school students and high school seniors planning to enroll can apply. Applicants must be U.S. legal residents pursuing plumbing, HVAC, electrical work or a closely related field. The application requires a 500-750-word essay responding to one of four prompts.

The national award is open to eligible Northwest Arkansas students. If someone in your family or on your crew is preparing for trade school, this is one to pass along. Eligibility and application.

Monday, November 9, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Bentonville Fall Developers Forum. The city's forum meets at Bentonville Public Library, 405 S. Main Street. Official event listing.

Tuesday, November 10, noon-1 p.m.: Business Money Management Made Easy, online. ASBTDC's free session with Rita Mitchell covers bookkeeping, software options, financial statements and tools for understanding a business's financial health. Event details.

Saturday, November 14, 1:30-2:30 p.m.: A Woodworker's Tour of Peel Mansion: Old Problems, New Tools. Local woodworker Jason Buss explores how 19th-century craftspeople solved problems that still arise in the shop today. Peel Compton Foundation lists the Bentonville tour as free. Program details.

The filter under a range hood can collect plenty of grease while the rest of the kitchen gets cleaned. Before the holiday cooking starts, give a removable metal grease filter some attention.

Turn the hood's fan and lights off, let everything cool and follow the model's instructions for removing the filter. Wash a washable metal filter with warm water and detergent, using a soft brush or sponge for buildup. Use a dishwasher only when the appliance instructions allow it; dishwasher cleaning can discolor some metal filters.

Rinse the filter, let it dry completely and secure it back in position. A recirculating hood may also have a charcoal filter, which is a different part. Whirlpool's charcoal filters are not washable and need replacement according to the model's instructions.

For landlords and property managers, record the cleaning date and any damaged or missing filter. Keep this task to the removable filter. Whirlpool's care instructions and GE's metal-filter guide.

Have an opening on your crew, a project milestone or a class worth sharing? Reply with the details. We want to hear from the people doing the work across Northwest Arkansas.

If someone forwarded this, subscribe free to The NWA Trade Guide.

Levi Pittenger
Publisher, The NWA Trade Guide

Publisher affiliations: Comfort Control and Ambassador Home Maintenance.