Work begins on $3.2 million residential subdivision in Greenwood

Developers broke ground Tuesday (Feb. 1) on a new subdivision in Greenwood that will eventually bring 251 new homes to the third largest city in the Fort Smith metro area. Developers are investing about $3.2 million into the project.

The group of home builders, all who live in Greenwood, broke ground on the East Village subdivision, which will be not only the newest subdivision in Greenwood, but also the largest. The “one-of-a-kind” subdivision is located along Arkansas Highway 10 East in Greenwood, across from the entrance to Vache Grasse Country Club.

Buddy Loyd with L&L Development said the development has been in the works for about two years. He said that he, Jamie Brown with Brownstone Development Group, KC Colley with KC Colley Construction and Sean Lin with Lin & Loyd Custom Homes agreed they wanted to build a subdivision that was a little different with multiple sized homes.

“To be honest, we looked in Northwest Arkansas and at Chaffee Crossing in Fort Smith, but we all live in Greenwood. So why not do it in Greenwood?” Loyd said. “The city motto is, ‘It’s a great place to live.’ We wanted to make it work in Greenwood.”

Greenwood Mayor Doug Kinslow, the Greenwood Planning Commission and the Greenwood City Council wanted the subdivision in Greenwood too and worked hard to make sure everything could come together, Loyd said.

“This has been a definite team effort. It shows what we can do if we work together as a team,” he said.

East Village will feature landscaped entrances along Highway 10 East, a news release said. When completed, it will consist of 251 new homes, approximately 2.5 miles of paved walking trail, pocket parks and several pavilions located in the common areas.

“I know a lot of people are concerned about the traffic in Greenwood, and traffic can be a big problem. Adding 251 houses with probably two cars each will add to that traffic,” Loyd said. “But we want people to know, this will be done in phases, not all at once.”

The first phase will consist of 72 lots, the second will have 80, and the third will include the final 99 lots, Loyd said. Construction of subdivision infrastructure began in late January and is expected to be completed by the end of May or first of June, Loyd said. Then the construction of the first homes will begin and residents can start moving in as soon as homes are built, he added.

Homes in the subdivision will range from cottage style – starting at 1,200 square feet – to mid-level homes – starting at 1,500 square feet – to estate sized homes – starting at 1,800 square feet). House prices will start around $250,000, which Loyd said would cover most of the cottage style homes.

“We’ve had numerous calls from grandparents wanting to move to Greenwood to be closer to their grandchildren because that is where their children have located. They might not want a large house with a large yard. That’s where the idea of the smaller cottage style comes into play,” Loyd said.

Likewise, when Loyd’s son wanted to move to Greenwood, there were few homes available and nowhere to build. The subdivision will be able to meet all the needs, he said.

Though the builders will build some spec homes for sale, potential buyers also can pick their lot and meet with one of the four builders, who can custom build for them. The subdivision has already generated response, Loyd said, with some of the lots already purchased.

“This is going to be a very unique subdivision. There will be different size houses together. They definitely will not be cookie cutter homes,” Loyd said.