FAYETTEVILLE — Another large apartment complex targeting the University of Arkansas’ growing student population is in the works.
Planning commissioners last week approved plans for a five-story, 447-bedroom building off West Center Street between the high school’s Harmon Stadium and the university campus.
At A Glance
Apartment Boom
The city has issued building permits for at least four 100-plus-unit apartment complexes in the past year.
Name Address Units Bedrooms Status Permit Date Developer
The Grove 1005 S. School Ave. 232 632 Open February 2012 Campus Crest Communities
The Vue 1111 Stadium Drive 180 656 Under Construction September 2012 University Student Living/ParkGreen Properties
The Domain 1801 W. Diamond Drive 224 654 Under Construction July 2012 Asset Campus Housing
Sterling Frisco 501 W. Maple St. 182 637 Under Construction July 2012 Specialized Real Estate Group/Sterling University Housing
Source: Fayetteville Planning Division
The development is the latest project by Specialized Real Estate Group of Springdale. The company opened Eco Modern Flats on Hill Avenue in 2011 and is building the 637-bedroom Sterling Frisco apartments north of Dickson Street, between Lafayette and Maple streets. Sterling Frisco is set to open this fall. The firm also plans to build a complex near the intersection of Lafayette and West streets.
Seth Mims, a partner with the firm, said Friday he hopes to start construction on the Center Street apartments this spring and have them open for the 2014 fall semester.
Plans include a 408-space parking deck, swimming pool and native plant garden.
“We’re trying to one up ourselves,” Mims said.
The city has granted permits in the past year for three other apartment complexes that have more than 100 units, according to Fayetteville planning staff.
Mims said he’s not worried about the competition.
“I’m confident that not just our projects will fill up, but so will theirs,” he said.
Mims’ newest development will replace a 31-unit apartment complex, triplex and three houses south of Center between Duncan and Harmon avenues.
Mark Pryor, who owns an apartment complex immediately south of the project site, told planning commissioners Monday the development will raze and remove older properties between Harmon and Duncan.
“It’s really going to clean up the area,” Pryor said.
Developers plan to add a center turn lane on Center west of Duncan. New sidewalks and curb and gutter are planned along the west side of Duncan, east side of Harmon and south side of Center. Traffic signals will be installed at Center and Duncan, and a lighted crosswalk will be required on Center at Harmon.
Harmon leads south from Center to the high school football stadium and north to the university’s Harmon Avenue parking garage.
David Tate, physical plant director for the Fayetteville School District, said Friday district officials plan to install a gate on Harmon Avenue south of Center that will limit through traffic. Exceptions might be made during sporting events, Tate said.
Harmon has been closed for several months while an indoor practice facility was built at the football stadium. Tate said district officials had no issues funneling vehicles onto Bulldog Boulevard, formerly Stone Street.
For university students, the Center Street apartments will provide another option for off-campus living.
Residence halls on campus have not kept pace with increased enrollment, which grew by more than 5,000 students in the past four years.
The renovation of Hotz Hall and the construction of Founders Hall dormitories will add 614 beds, said Flo Johnson, the university’s executive director for housing. The newest dorms opened in 2007.
“I think this project’s good for students because it offers a diversity of living options,” Johnson said.
City Council members approved plans in June for an apartment complex by Specialized Real Estate at West Cleveland Street and North Hall Avenue. Four neighbors challenged the council’s decision in Washington County Circuit Court. The university’s Board of Trustees intervened in November and agreed to purchase or condemn land where the private apartments would have been built. Property records last week did not reflect a change of ownership.