FORT SMITH (KFSM) — A groundbreaking ceremony will begin the construction of a $6 million apartment project next week.
The new apartments will be adjacent to the Arkansas Osteopathic Medical College and will be known as The Greens. The ceremony will be take place at 11 a.m. Thursday (Dec. 15).
The units should be completed in time for the beginning of the fall 2017 semester. Initially, the 150 students enrolled for the 2017 fall semester at the college will have the option to live at the apartments.
Vice President Tom Webb of Arkansas Colleges of Health and Education said plans are already in the works to expand the number of apartments.
"You're looking at four and a half acres that have been cleared to begin the construction of an apartment complex of 84 units," Webb said. "It will be mixed one- and two-bedroom units."
The apartments will look more like a neighborhood than a traditional apartment complex, Webb explained.
"Lot's of green space... there will be a workout facility," he said. "We are also dog friendly, so we will have a dog playground."
Four study rooms, a swimming pool and cafe will be among some of the amenities at the new complex.