By HEATHER HARTSELL
Leader staff writer
With five subdivisions under construction in Ward, the housing market will soon see an increase of more than 500 new homes, according to Mayor Art Brooke. Mayor Brooke identifies the housing growth as the result of Ward having affordable housing and being on the outskirts of a larger community. “We have people coming to Ward from the Cabot and Little Rock areas, and we have military families moving here,” Brooke said.
Ward’s population has gone from 1,269 in 1990 to 2,580 in 2000, according to the Encylopedia of Arkansas Web site.
Ward issued six single-family home permits in July for building sites in Orchard Hollow, Willow Lake and Fowler Ridge subdivisions. Eighteen to 20 homes will be built in a small subdivision across from Busby Lake, Mayor Brooke told The Leader.
Phase one of Deerfield Estates is full, and according to Mayor Brooke, they are looking to start phase two. Three subdivisions are in different phases of construction around Ward Central Elementary. Orchard Hollow, next to the three-legged water tower, has completed phase one construction with 87 new homes. Phase two will begin soon, with 60 more homes.
A total of 193 homes will be located in the subdivision directly behind the school once all three phases are completed, Mayor Brooke said. “Phases two and three will be going online soon,” Brooke said. Weatherwood subdivision on Wilson Rd. just went in, according to Mayor Brooke.
The Willow Lake subdivision will have 171 homes upon completion. A new manufactured-home park on Moon Rd. is also under construction. “They will have to conform to the new rules,” Mayor Brooke said. “No old units will be allowed.” Ward issued a total of nine permits during July for a value of $477,075. Three commercial permits were issued for a total value of $14,400. Six single-family home permits were issued, at a value of $462,675.
The permits included: A $93,075 permit issued to Royal Concepts to build at 21 Lake Side Dr. Two $84,800 permits issued to Royal Concepts to build at 35 Opal St. and 28 Lakeside Dr. A $55,000 permit issued to Billy Weeks Jr. to build at 181 Brewer
Two $72,500 permits issued to Greer Properties to build at 17 Shamsie and 18 Farrah.
