Developers will break ground this week on apartments in downtown Springdale

The redevelopment of downtown Springdale will take another key step forward Tuesday (Dec. 17) when officials break ground on the first apartment complex on Emma Avenue.

Emma Building Group, a team of investors with ties to the region, specifically Springdale, is the developer of the 26-unit property at 726 E. Emma Ave. It’s dubbed Little Emma.

“These are exciting times in Springdale,” Don Harris, a partner in Shiloh Capital, said in a statement. Shiloh Capital is a Springdale-based private investment firm specializing in the design, implementation and conforming operation of Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) enterprises and investments. Harris is an investor in the Emma Building Group.

“Tyson Foods’ investment in jobs on Emma got the ball rolling. We intend to keep the momentum going by offering quality apartments for those working/commuting downtown or anyone who wants to live in downtown Springdale to take advantage of its amenities.”

The site for the apartments is four blocks west of Tyson Emma, a 56,000-square-foot building at 319 E. Emma Ave., which houses approximately 300 information technology employees of Tyson Foods. The company has made several investments to help bolster revitalization efforts downtown, including the Tyson Manufacturing Automation Center (TMAC). It opened this past August.

Harris said Little Emma represents the first phase of a multi-phased project planned by Emma Building Group on Emma Avenue.

“We are bullish on Springdale’s downtown revitalization and the planned enhancements for George Park, Greenway Mile 13 and other announced building plans,” he said.

The apartments vary in size from 500 to 850 square feet with a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. Design elements, according to the developers, will enhance the downtown lifestyle and promote walkability, access to the Razorback Greenway and use of the Jones Center amenities.

All units will have access to symmetrical gigabit fiber internet so tenants can stay connected at high speed. Commercial and office space is incorporated on the bottom floor of the complex fronting Emma Avenue.

Plans are for pre-leasing to start in the spring with occupancy by late 2020. Information will be available here as it develops.

C.R. Crawford Construction of Fayetteville is the general contractor. Springdale-based Legacy Bank is supporting the development.