Does Hendrix have a Master Plan for the campus?  Where did the idea for the Village development come from?
The College has a campus Master Plan prepared by the planning firm of Duany Plater-Zyberk ("DPZ").  The DPZ Master Plan for the main campus proposes the construction of several new buildings, and also connects the campus with downtown Conway.   The Conway Downtown Partnership and other interested groups are in the process of improving and re-designing Front Street from the central downtown area to the Hendrix campus.

In addition, for several years DPZ has also recommended that the College create a "village" using some of the land east of Harkrider and adjacent to the campus.  In January of 2005, DPZ conducted a week-long planning "charrette" and discussed how the College and surrounding areas should look in the future. Based upon this work, the Master Plan for the entire Hendrix campus was revised, and in addition a plan was proposed for "The Village at Hendrix."

The plan for the east side of Harkrider proposes that the land owned by the College (approximately 130 acres) be used not only for recreational and sports facilities, but also to create a village, or "college town" environment.  This land has been used for many years by the Hendrix community (students, faculty and staff), as well as by citizens of the local community, for sports and recreation.   In 2005, the college began a significant program on the east side of Harkrider to enhance its sports and recreational facilities.  This includes constructing a new Wellness and Athletics Center, a new track and lacrosse/field hockey facility, and a new soccer field.  In addition, new baseball and softball fields will be constructed.  Once completed, these new facilities will use approximately 30 acres of the land.

With regard to a portion of the remaining land owned by the College on the east side of Harkrider, the Board of Trustees has determined that it should be used to enhance the Hendrix community. This development, to be known as "The Village at Hendrix" will be a phased, orderly development keeping in mind the traditions of the College and the principles of traditional neighborhood development. 

How will the Village be developed and what will it look like?
Hendrix has retained the services of a development firm based in Durham, N. C., to be the developer for The Village.  This firm, Traditional Neighborhood Development Partners, LLC ("TNDP") has an excellent record of developing traditional neighborhoods in the "new urbanism" style.  This means a mixed use development, which is a safe, walkable neighborhood, designed and built the way towns and neighborhoods used to be.  Think of places in Little Rock like The Heights/Hillcrest, or the Quapaw District.  Most recently, TNDP developed land adjacent to the campus of Duke University in this new urbanism style.  People walk to the university, know their neighbors, sit on their front porches, and enjoy all that the city of Durham has to offer.

Development of The Village will provide additional opportunities for Hendrix students, faculty, staff, and also the citizens of Conway.  Moreover, through this development, the assets of the college will increase, thereby providing for long-term growth of an under-utilized asset.  In addition, development of the Village should further enhance the ability of Hendrix to attract top-quality students while enhancing the quality of life for many people who want to live in a traditional neighborhood setting.   It will also help the College deal with increasing demand for student housing.

Phase I, which will contain approximately 20 acres of land, was approved Feb. 20, 2007 by the City of Conway.  None of the remaining land beyond Phase I can be developed without further input and formal action by the Hendrix Board of Trustees.  The Board and the administration will be mindful of any expansion needs of the college, and the college has sufficient land for future expansion of the academic and student-support programs.

Is this development damaging to the environment and what will happen to the pine trees and the cross country course?
Hendrix has a strong and steadfast commitment to the environment.  All applicable environmental laws and regulations will be strictly adhered to and followed in the development of The Village.  Some of the pine trees have been removed to build the new sports and recreational facilities.  Other pine trees will be removed during the construction and development of Phase I of The Village.  The pine trees were planted years ago as a cash crop.  From time-to-time, some of these trees have been harvested and sold, and the proceeds used by the college.  These trees, while adding to the overall beauty of the campus, were planted to be harvested.

Hendrix has, and will always maintain, a beautiful campus of many, many varieties of plants and trees.  This commitment on behalf of the college to preserve and enhance nature and the environment is unwavering.  Hendrix is planning to add hardwood trees to the new neighborhood and create green space in the design that preserves some of the open feeling of the pine forest.

We have commissioned a survey of hardwood trees in the development area.  All hardwoods six inches or greater in diameter have been mapped.  We are committed to preserving the healthy, viable hardwoods. 

As it was pointed out in response to the earlier question, only Phase I (about twenty percent of the entire non-recreational tract) is currently under formal plans for development.  As Phase I is developed, the cross country course will be re-designed.  However, the College is also gaining many other sports and recreational facilities.  In addition, the long-term plans include preserving some portion of the course as well as developing a new design that winds through the community's green space.

Will the lots be sold and/or apartments rented only to Hendrix faculty, staff, or alumni?
No.  While certain properties within the Village may be restricted or released for advance pre-sale to friends and family of the College (faculty, alumni, staff and others) lots, homes and all other types of residential and commercial structures will be available for sale and/or lease to members of the general public. 

What types of amenities will be offered to persons residing in The Village at Hendrix?
The specific amenities will be determined and developed later.  However, we anticipate that residents of The Village will enjoy a neighborhood where they can walk to a grocery store; have coffee and browse for books and movies; have recreational facilities to utilize; play tennis; go for walks; enjoy nature; attend lectures, plays and other performances at the college; and eventually have a number of dining options, including Hendrix's highly regarded cafeteria.

Earlier plans contained a proposed 'charter" school. What is the status of this school?
The Master Plan for The Village at Hendrix contains a proposed charter school for grades K-8.

Dr. James Jennings, chair of the Education Department, has completed a year-long study of the feasibility of establishing a charter school affiliated with the College and located in The Village at Hendrix. The study was funded by a $20,000 grant from the Walton Family Foundation. The College will decide whether or not to move forward with the school based on his research. 

How much will a single-family home cost?
The exact cost for homes in The Village have not yet been determined.  However, we anticipate the cost of the homes (structure and lot) to be comparable on per square-foot basis to homes in west Conway.  Upgrade packages will be available.

Will I be able to customize my home?
We are continually developing floor plans for the various lots.  To maintain quality control and affordability, standard floor plans will be used.  However, color choices and various upgrade packages will be available allowing owners to customize their home.

When will there be floor plans or models I can look at?
Drawings of floor plans are now available.  Contact Beth Tyler, Director of Marketing and Sales, at 501.450.4592 or stop by the office located at 1551 Washington Avenue for a complete set of floor plans, lots and selections and finishes.

What kind of stores or business will be in The Village?
The College and its developer, Traditional Neighborhood Development Partners, LLC, is working with several groups and entities to locate businesses in the Village.  In Phase I, which will contain approximately 70,000 square feet of office/retail space, we are seeking some form of grocery store; a coffee shop; a restaurant or cafe and other merchants.  Later phases may include a movie theatre, a small hotel/inn, the college bookstore and other types of retail.

What's included in Phase I?
The current plan for Phase I calls for 52 single family homes (with each having the option of having a "garage apartment" in the back of the lot along the rear access lane); 75 apartments; 62 townhomes or "live work" units, and approximately 70,000 square feet of office/retail space. 

Will you be building "green" or sustainable buildings?
The College and its developer, TNDP, will work with builders to build "green" buildings to the maximum extent possible.  TNDP has previously implemented successful green builder programs that had little impact upon the cost of construction, and will work with builders in The Village to repeat those results.

For more information, email info@thevillageathendrix.com or contact Beth Tyler, Director of Marketing and Sales at 501.450.4592.