BENTONVILLE — Nearly six months since NorthWest Arkansas Community College held a public celebration of its plan to build a permanent facility in Washington County, no land has been purchased and no building designs have been produced.
College officials, however, continue to work on the project and say a purchase deal likely will be presented to the Land Use and Facilities Committee within the next 90 days, said Steven Hinds, college spokesman. If the committee agrees to it, the proposal then would go to the Board of Trustees for approval.
“While we have not taken formal action yet, we have continued discussions both internally and externally with a number of stakeholders,” Hinds said in an email.
Evelyn Jorgenson, who took over as college president in July, has been meeting with community leaders and gathering feedback. The college probably will organize meetings with focus groups to discuss the matter within the next couple of months, Hinds said.
The college has identified 39 acres in Springdale, just west of Arvest Ballpark, to build a facility. The land is owned by Philip Taldo. The college’s board gave the go-ahead for negotiations on Taldo’s land in May 2012.
The original idea was that the college’s foundation would raise the money to purchase the land and construct the building. Now, however, the college is exploring the idea of purchasing the land itself, said Meredith Brunen, executive director for development at the foundation. The foundation still would raise the money for the building, which officials have estimated at being between 40,000 and 50,000 square feet.
“There just seemed to be some alternative methods to go about it, and once we have the land, that makes for a little better philanthropic campaign,” Brunen said. “With Dr. Jorgenson it’s a very strategic conversation with area leaders and trying to be good neighbors and making sure we go ahead with the project comprehensively.”
The college has been discussing the possibility of a permanent facility in Washington County for years. About 40 percent of its students have Washington County addresses.
At A Glance
Washington County Students
NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s overall enrollment declined this fall by 3.8 percent from fall 2012, but enrollment at its Washington County Center in Springdale rose from 775 to 908 students, an increase of 17 percent. Record attendance also was recorded this fall at the college’s Jones Center location with 488 students.
Source: NorthWest Arkansas Community College
The college offers classes at three leased spaces in Washington County, including two in Springdale and one in Farmington. The largest of those sites is the Washington County Center on White Road in Springdale.
The college is studying enrollment patterns to determine the numbers of students taking classes at each location as well as the types of courses students prefer to take there, Hinds said.
“This information is pertinent as we build plans for the academic offerings that would be available at a permanent Washington County Center,” he said.
The college also has been trying to increase its visibility by adding or improving signs at its Washington County locations.
Doug Sprouse, Springdale’s mayor, said he’s had a few meetings with college officials in which the Washington County Center was discussed.
“I think there are some questions they’re still trying to answer,” Sprouse said. “They are aware of the city’s strong desire and support for a Washington County Center and they know we’re ready to do what we can once they finalize their plan on that.”