Woodcliff Broke Ground in Springdale Market

Springdale has long boasted some of Northwest Arkansas’ most successful businesses. But the people behind those businesses often have opted for a residence outside of Springdale’s boundaries.

Some of the city’s upper-class businessmen chose residences on Beaver Lake or in other nearby communities with more scenic views.

Almost a quarter-century ago, a trio of men had the foresight to see that an upscale subdivision would work just as well in Springdale. And many of the town’s executives appreciated being able to live in the very city that provided them the means to live in an upscale neighborhood in the first place.

Woodcliff subdivision was Springdale’s first such subdivision, and over the years it has maintained its secluded atmosphere while being conveniently located close to the heart of the city’s business district.

Developers Jim Lindsey, Dick Calhoun and David Howell Jr. got the approval for the 56-lot plat in June 1978. It has grown slowly but steadily over the years. Only a couple of lots remain empty.

The Northwest Arkansas Business Journal annually profiles an upscale neighborhood, but this was the journal’s first venture into profiling a Springdale subdivision. Financial information pertaining to individual residences in this report was obtained from public records at the Washington County Courthouse.

Past profiles have included Savannah Estates and Brookbury Woods in Fayetteville; Rogers’ subdivisions Champions, Hyland Park and The Manors at Blossom Creek Way; and Bentonville’s Hanover last year.

Lindsey, originally from Forrest City and a former Arkansas Razorback and Minnesota Viking football player, has called Fayetteville home since returning from the NFL in the late 1960s.

Calhoun is retired and living in Woodcliff. He is a former member of the board of directors at Springdale Bank & Trust (now Arvest-Springdale).

Howell, a former president of First State Bank (now Bank of America) in Springdale, has returned to Little Rock where he is in investment banking.

“There wasn’t anything there,” Lindsey said of the site pre-Woodcliff. “David and Dick were looking for a place to build their home. Dale Parsons owned the land and he had turkey and chicken houses all over it.

“We saw this land and thought, ‘This has got a great panoramic view.’ It was beautiful. It has a lot of charisma.”

Springdale lawyer Jim Cypert lives in one of the larger homes at Woodcliff, a 5,693-SF beauty. He said the attraction to Woodcliff was the elevation it had compared to the rest of the city. Woodcliff is on what is known as Fitzgerald Mountain in east Springdale, just east of the industrial park.

“Springdale is relatively level except for a few hills to the east of town,” Cypert said. “You can count about four hills.”

Cypert said the positives of living in Woodcliff hardly end with its geographic stature. A property owners association with a “well-managed” board of directors was developed, and a swimming pool and tennis court were added.

“It’s not a huge subdivision, but that lends itself to have a neighborhood feeling,” Cypert said. “There’s only one entrance, so that makes it a little more secure.”

Jerry Reinert, president of First National Bank of Springdale, is another of Woodcliff’s happy, longtime residents. He built his home in 1991.

“Frankly, I didn’t think I’d ever live up there,” Reinert said. “But, I bought a lot at a very reasonable price. And when I’d looked around downtown and some of its subdivisions, the lots were very normal size. Mine is a two-and-a-half acre lot with large oak trees. We love the area because the lots are large and there’s a lot of room between houses.”

Most of the lots originally were sold from $25,000-$35,000 by Woodcliff Development Co., consisting of Lindsey, Calhoun and Howell.

One drawback for Woodcliff is that all of the houses there are on septic systems. But with the cons come more pros, such as the subdivision being only five minutes from Emma Street.

Lindsey said the large lots, which average in size between 1.5 and 2.5 acres, were created to handle the septic tanks needed.

The largest home in Woodcliff is that of Dr. Robert Petrino, a 7,898-SF house built in 1994 and appraised last year for $702,200. Robert Cooper first purchased the lot where Petrino now lives in 1987 for $35,000 from Lindsey.

There are five homes in Woodcliff with more than 5,300 SF and three appraised at more than $425,000.

“Some of us lived up there a long time,” Cypert said. “Usually, people that come in plan on being there permanently.”

The surveying company for Woodcliff was Blew & Associates of Fayetteville, while the engineer was Gary Carnahan of Fayetteville.

Here is a look at some of the homes in Woodcliff:

Woodcliff Subdivision

1. Tom and Carolyn Hayes, 100 Woodcliff Road (lot 1). The 4,296-SF home was built in 1986 and appraised in 2001 for $426,350.

2. T.J. and Mida Neff, 102 Woodcliff Road (lot 2). The 2,909-SF home was built in 1984 and appraised in 2001 for $235,600.

3. Martin J. Jr. and Tracy Haest, 104 Woodcliff Road (lot 3). The 4,208-SF home was built in 1990 and appraised in 2001 for $335,550. Haest bought the home Jan. 11, 2002, for $385,000 from Kurt and Holly Lind. The Linds purchased it for $360,000 March 22, 2001, from Dyke and Richard Davies. The Davies purchased it for $340,000 Sept. 26, 1997, from Miller Jr. and Debbie Mathews. The Mathews purchased it for $375,000 June 6, 1994, from Norbert and Tanya Woodhams. The Woodhams purchased it for $338,000 Aug. 15, 1991, from Paul and Francene Shiffler.

4. Dane and Mary Jo Myers, 106 Woodcliff Road (lot 4). The 5,348-SF home was built in 1992 and appraised in 2001 for $335,550.

5. Neil and Donna Johnson, 108 Woodcliff Court (lot 5). The 2,995-SF home was built in 1987 and appraised in 2001 for $280,400.

6. Robert and Janet Smith, 112 Woodcliff Court (lot 7). The 3,490-SF home was built in 1996 and appraised in 2001 for $274,050. The Smiths bought it for $258,000 March 31, 1998, from Rocky and Patricia Blanton. The Blantons bought it for $250,000 Oct. 30, 1995, from Larry and Sharon McKissick. The McKissicks bought it for $200,000 June 3, 1991, from Kevin and Denise Frazier.

7. Mike and Gayle McMullin, 114 Woodcliff Court (lot 8). The 3,698-SF home was built in 1981 and appraised in 2001 for $253,250. The McMullins bought it for $225,000 Oct. 28, 1992, from Jon and Freddie Mae Power.

8. James and Claudia Slezak, 116 Woodcliff Road (lot 9). The 4,216-SF home was built in 1993 appraised in 2001 for $313,000. The Slezaks bought it for $200,000 June 24, 1991, from Leslie and Dollie Havens.

9. Charles Stanley, 118 Woodcliff Road (lot 10). The 3,090-SF home was built in 1986 appraised in 2001 for $243,100. Stanley bought it for $224,000 July 15, 1993, from John III and Deidre Lea. The Leas bought it for $177,000 May 27, 1988, from Carl and Lottye Huff. The Huffs bought it for $190,000 Sept. 2, 1987, from Jeff and Tandi Lee Newman.

10. Glenn and Winifred Clark, 122 Woodcliff Road (lot 12). The 5,427-SF home was built in 1987 appraised in 2001 for $354,050. The Clarks had bought it for $358,000 May 3, 1992, from Curtis and Cecilia Barlow.

11. James and Sherry Young, 124 Woodcliff Road (lot 13). The 2,965-SF home was built in 1986 and appraised in 2001 for $235,850. The Youngs bought it for $219,000 Aug. 15, 1996, from Robert and Delores Roderique.

12. Michael Atchley, 126 Woodcliff Road (lot 14). The 3,480-SF home was built in 1986 appraised in 2001 for $244,250. Atchley bought it for $226,000 April 28, 2000, from Mickey and Mabel Wagner.

13. Danny and Judy Funderburg, 128 Woodcliff Road (lot 15). The 3,568-SF home was built in 1990 appraised in 2001 for $283,150.

14. Gene and Mary Lee Hill, 130 Woodcliff Road (lot 16). The 2,715-SF home was built in 1989 appraised in 2001 for $199,150.

15. Bill Lee McClellan, 181 Woodcliff Road (lot 17). The 2,932-SF home was built in 1988 appraised in 2001 for $202,950. McClellan bought it for $204,000 June 16, 1995, from Floyd and Rebecca Henley. Henley bought it for $165,000 July 23, 1992, from Michael and Gayle McMullin. The McMullins bought it for $147,000 June 19, 1987, from Jim Lindsey.

16. Victor and Kathryn Smith, 179 Woodcliff Road (lot 18). The 4,072-SF home was built in 1987 and appraised in 2001 for $243,150. The Smiths bought it for $230,000 Dec. 23, 1997, from Timothy and Rebecca Sacrey. The Sacreys bought it for $228,000 Dec. 15, 1993, from Barry and Annatta Jones. The Jones bought it for $150,000 Aug. 22, 1986 from Jim Lindsey.

17. Ewing Northcutt, 177 Woodcliff Road (lot 19). The 2,138-SF home was built in 1987 and appraised in 2001 for $173,400. Northcutt bought it for $128,000 March 14, 1986, from Gary and Sherri Brandon.

18. Howard Thurman, 175 Woodcliff Road (lot 20). The 2,203-SF home was built in 1984 and appraised in 2001 for $150,650. Thurman bought it for $128,000 May 4, 1992, from John and Mary Frances Niven. The Nivens bought it for $110,000 Jan. 10, 1991, from Jim Lindsey.

19. Mikel and Deborah Morgan, 173 Woodcliff Road (lot 21). The 2,615-SF home was built in 1988 and appraised in 2001 for $191,150. The Morgans bought it for $179,000 Aug. 3, 1993, from Wendell Jr. and Catherine Weed. The Weeds bought it for $129,000 July 6, 1987, from Jim Lindsey.

20. Thomas and Diann Dykhouse, 171 Woodcliff Road (lot 22). The 2,726-SF home was built in 1989 and appraised in 2001 for $188,650. The Dykhouses bought it for $153,000 July 23, 1991, from Walter and Daphne Chastain. The Chastains bought it for $135,000 Oct. 13, 1987, from Jim Lindsey.

21. Susan McGaughey, 169 Woodcliff Place (lot 23). The 2,190-SF home was built in 1992 and appraised in 2001 for $150,900.

22. John and Shannon Petitt, 167 Woodcliff Place (lot 24). The 2,460-SF home was built in 1985 and appraised in 2001 for $177,000. The Petitts bought it for $174,000 Oct. 20, 2000, from Mikel and Sue Spittler. The Spittlers bought it for $158,000 Oct. 19, 1993, from Robert and Anoland Sullivan.

23. Ronal and Alice Phillips, 165 Woodcliff Road (lot 25). The 3,018-SF home was built in 1981 and appraised in 2001 for $229,550. The Phillips bought it for $176,000 March 25, 1994 from David Marbury.

24. Priscilla Payne, 163 Woodcliff Road (lot 26). The 2,303-SF home was built in 1981 and appraised in 2001 for $222,650. The Paynes bought it for $239,000 Aug. 31, 2000, from Lena Collins.

25. Andre Whiteley, 161 Woodcliff Way (lot 27). The 4,084-SF home was built in 1994 and appraised in 2001 for $280,750.

26. James Doss, 159 Woodcliff Way (lot 28). The 3,526-SF home was built in 1995 and appraised in 2001 for $316,550. Doss bought it for $180,000 Dec. 8, 1993, from James and Mary Jackson. The Jacksons bought it for $176,000 April 22, 1992, from Steven and Nancy Bestmann. The Bestmanns bought it for $147,000 Feb. 10, 1989, from Jim Lindsey.

27. Jerry and Marsha Reinert, 157 Woodcliff Way (lot 29). The 3,618-SF home was built in 1991 and appraised in 2001 for $214,450.

28. Kalynn and Richard Harris, 155 Woodcliff Way (lot 30). The 2,428-SF home was built in 1993 and appraised in 2001 for $172,900. The Harrises bought it for $155,000 Sept. 18, 1991, from Jim Lindsey.

29. Jack and Cynthia Todd, 153 Woodcliff Road (lot 31). The 2,525-SF home was built in 1981 and appraised in 2001 for $166,000. The Todds bought it for $123,000 Oct. 30, 1991, from Curtis and Cecilia Barlow.

30. Michael and Joan Norton, 151 Woodcliff Road (lot 32). The 3,283-SF home was built in 1984 and appraised in 2001 for $249,850. The Nortons bought it for $255,000 Dec. 9, 1999, from James Murphey. Murphey bought it for $242,000 April 10, 1996, from Magna Dyne Industries Inc. Magna Dyne Industries bought it for $193,000 Sept. 19, 1995, from Henry Cantrell. Cantrell bought it for $193,000 Feb. 18, 1992, from Bob and Alice Ralston.

31. James Selman, 147 Woodcliff Lane (lot 34). The 2,478-SF home was built in 1991 and appraised in 2001 for $159,350. Selman bought it for $144,500 May 14, 1992, from Jim Lindsey. Lindsey bought it for $135,000 Sept. 18, 1991, from Kalynn Harris. Harris had purchased it for $135,000 April 16, 1991, from Lindsey.

32. William and Kathleen Jaycox, 145 Woodcliff Lane (lot 35). The 3,332-SF home was built in 1987 and appraised in 2001 for $289,100. The Jaycoxes bought it for $266,000 Jan. 14, 1990, from Mike and Barbara Bedford.

33. Robert and Lori Petrino, 143 Woodcliff Lane (lot 36). The 7,898-SF home was built in 1994 and appraised in 2001 for $702,200.

34. Charles and Mary Jane Dyson, 141 Woodcliff Lane (lot 37). The 3,914-SF home was built in 1985 and appraised in 2001 for $204,250.

35. Lena and Robert Collins, 137 Woodcliff Road (lot 39). The 3,960-SF home was built in 2000 and appraised in 2001 for $328,100.

36. Charles and Louise Farmer, 135 Woodcliff Road (lot 40). The 3,048-SF home was built in 1981 and appraised in 2001 for $213,900.

37. Frank and Juanita Miller, 133 Woodcliff Drive (lot 41). The 3,145-SF home was built in 1995 and appraised in 2001 for $216,350. The Millers bought it for $210,000 July 23, 1999, from Daniel and Patricia O’Donnell.

38. Mark and Becki Olsen, 131 Woodcliff Drive (lot 42). The 5,446-SF home was built in 1987 and appraised in 2001 for $437,600. The Olsens bought it for $419,000 Oct. 11, 1994, from George and Marian Smith.

39. Chris and Sandra Lou Brown, 129 Woodcliff Drive (lot 43). The 3,004-SF home was built in 1984 and appraised in 2001 for $213,350. The Browns bought it for $235,000 July 19, 1999, from Jim Metheny. Metheny bought it for $142,000 Aug. 25, 1987, from Jim Lindsey.

40. John and Elizabeth Alonso, 127 Woodcliff Drive (lot 44). The 3,302-SF home was built in 1981 and appraised in 2001 for $270,400. The Alonsoes bought it for $217,000 Dec. 2, 1996, from John and Dawn McDowell. The McDowells bought it for $200,000 Oct. 16, 1995, from Paul Jr. and Luann Lawrence. The Lawrences bought it for $207,000 May 14, 1992, from James and Cleta Selman. The Selmans bought it for $162,000 Oct. 10, 1988, from Jim Lindsey.

41. Warren Center, 125 Woodcliff Drive (lot 45). The 3,768-SF home was built in 1984 and appraised in 2001 for $302,550. Center bought it for $346,000 March 30, 1989, from Kirk Thompson.

42. Stephen and Donna Guenther, 123 Woodcliff Drive (lot 46). The 3,890-SF home was built in 1984 and appraised in 2001 for $264,500.

43. Jo Anna and David Brown, 121 Woodcliff Drive (lot 47). The 3,921-SF home was built in 1981 and appraised in 2001 for $272,100.

44. Michael and Polly Bell, 119 Woodcliff Drive (lot 48). The 4,084-SF home was built in 1986 and appraised in 2001 for $276,600.

45. Eugene and Susan Anderson, 117 Woodcliff Circle (lot 49). The 2,757-SF home was built in 1990 and appraised in 2001 for $193,300.

46. Richard & Kris Calhoun, 115 Woodcliff Circle (lot 50). The 2,996-SF home was built in 1989 and appraised in 2001 for $193,550.

47. Curtis and Linda Goettsch, 113 Woodcliff Circle (lot 51). The 2,547-SF home was built in 1984 and appraised in 2001 for $173,400. The Goettsches bought it for $165,000 Aug. 31, 1998, from Joseph and Lola Helf.

48. Craig and Toni Cooper, 111 Woodcliff Circle (lot 52). The 3,295-SF home was built in 1989 and appraised in 2001 for $228,800. The Coopers bought it for $283,000 Dec. 1, 1994, from John and Alice Watson.

49. Jim and Gaye Cypert, 109 Woodcliff Circle (lot 53). The 5,693-SF home was built in 1989 and appraised in 2001 for $442,700.

50. Jeff and Tandi Newman, 107 Woodcliff Circle (lot 54). The 3,757-SF home was built in 1987 and appraised in 2001 for $333,800.

51. Donald and Wanda Mayfield, 105 Woodcliff Circle (lot 55). The 2,638-SF home was built in 1982 and appraised in 2001 for $187,700.

52. Eric and Mary Ann Vitunac, 103 Woodcliff Circle (lot 56). The 3,946-SF home was built in 1984 and appraised in 2001 for $210,000. The Vitunacs bought it for $210,000 March 30, 2001, from Darrell Laughlin.