Fayetteville housing plan could replace apartment complex
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — At Fayetteville’s April 22 planning commission meeting, a plan was passed with recommendation for city council approval for a mixed-use district that would replace an apartment complex.
Subtext Acquisitions, LLC and Modus Studio presented development plans, which they said are not indicative of the final design, of a five-story building that would make up Main Street Center. It would replace the Summit Terrace apartment complex among other buildings on the block of Hill Avenue and Treadwell Street and Duncan Avenue and Putman Street.
New luxury hotel coming to Downtown Springdale
Donna Wonsower, Fayetteville’s city planner, said when considering projects like this, the planning department thinks about future vitality before forwarding an item to the city council.
“Planning really looks at the City Plan 2040 with future land-use plans, what’s existing around it to see whether it’s compatible with some of the stated goals of the city,” Wonsower said.
At the April meeting, the plan was met with one person in support and two explicitly opposed to the project.
“I am very much opposed to rezoning this and eliminating housing, affordable housing in a place where you can’t find a place to rent as it is,” one planning commission meeting attendee said.
“I’m going to be living across the street from the development a few months from now,” another planning commission meeting attendee. “It would fit in with the neighborhood character. It would be a walkable development, so I support it.”
Another citizen who said he’s lived in the area since the 1990s was concerned with the current residents being offered affordable housing if they can’t afford rent for a unit in the new building.
Fayetteville development review manager Jessica Masters said at the meeting that the city doesn’t have any ability to require affordable housing offsets for residents.
The planning commission passed the motion 8-1 at the April meeting, and it will be forwarded to the city council meeting May 21.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
