A proposed 20 million dollar student housing complex that would be located on East Johnson Avenue near Arkansas State University is getting further consideration by the Jonesboro City Council. Representatives from Zimmer Development Company said they plan to place several buildings on 15 acres of land on East Johnson Avenue. The new development would be called University Woods and would be built in two phases. The first phase would consist of six buildings and would house 432 beds in 144 units. The second phase would consist of four buildings containing over 100 units and 290 additional beds. The facilities are being called upscale living quarters for students and would have on-site security. The city council decided to hear the proposal on three readings. The first reading was held last night and the next two readings will be held at the next two meetings.
At the next city council meeting, the council is expected to also decide whether to allow a special election to be held in November on a proposed sales tax in Jonesboro. If approved by the council next week, a one cent sales tax would be voted on during a special election November 10th. 7/8 cents of the tax would go toward funding 20 transportation projects in the city and would generate just over 14 million dollars a year. The remaining 1/8 cent of the tax would go toward the development of the Jonesboro Economic Development Commission and would generate almost two million dollars a year. If approved, money would be collected starting next June and the tax would last for 10 years.
Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin says he will be in Little Rock meeting with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department as well as Bridgearmer in Little Rock about the design for the new overpass at Highland Drive and Nettleton Avenue in Jonesboro. Bridgefarmer is the same group that built the new US Highway 412 bridge at Black Rock. The engineering work will cost about one and a half million dollars, with a majority of that money coming from a federal grant. The initial plan involves building a four lane overpass at Highland Drive, with a separate two lane overpass at Watt Street. Bridgefarmer's officials estimate both bridges could cost as little as 10 million dollars. Once construction starts, work on the project could be completed in less than two years.
