This item was created as a comment on a September 12, 2007, post on the popular The Iconoclast
blogspot titled "Tracy Hoskins and His Johnson."
Tracy Hoskins is a nice guy. However, he is still negotiating with the Fayetteville planners over details of his proposed
Park West. Another project in the Illinois River will require careful study, regardless of which city has jurisdiction.
As biologist Joe Neal (right, in photo above), said on a March 10, 2007, visit to the Park West, "This is all wetland prairie and none of it should be developed."
Could that be the same problem at the Johnson site?
Hundreds of acres of wetland in the Clear Creek watershed are already developed or also threatened with development. I am sure the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission will want to help with the project in order to get more Northwest Arkansas silt into the Illinois River and Lake Tenkiller.
Any stormwater and water-quality expert would see the removal of vegetation and topsoil from such an area and addition of concrete and other impervious surfaces in the Illinois watershed as creating blight.
Reply to another part of the post and a comment on it: Actually, many people considered Johnson a destination until Antonio's closed. And, of course, Susie Wong's was just across Clear Creek from Johnson but it has been closed much longer than Antonio's. Actually, I believe that the owner was Johnson Constable and then Johnson Police Chief back in the day. So maybe Susie Wong's was actually in Johnson. Those are a couple of restaurants that likely won't ever be overshadowed in the dining memories of old-timers by any of the new places opening in the area.
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