The University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees approved a proposal to lease a six-acre tract of land on the southwest corner of campus, at the intersection of Dave Ward Drive and Farris Road, to Area Hospitality of Conway, LLC, for the construction of a Hilton Garden Inn.
A 52-year lease was signed for the property that will hold the three-story, first-class hotel. The Hilton Garden Inn has been designed to blend with the traditional Georgian architecture of the campus. The hotel will have 100 rooms and a convention center that will seat 400 for a meal.
According to a memo from Kim Bradford, dean of Academic Outreach and Extended Programs, at least four organizations and four weddings/receptions declined to have their events on campus due to the lack of a large dining room and/or convenient sleeping accommodations.
Also, more than half of the 2800 attendees from conferences, workshops and seminars held on campus last year would have been interested in lodging or dining services at the planned Hilton.
According to an economic impact study, a hotel and conference center on campus would produce nearly $30,000 annually in local tax revenue, about $250,000 in local wages and more than $1.1 million in revenue for local businesses.
UCA President Lu Hardin said, ?This is significant for the future of Conway and UCA. I am genuinely excited about this proposal.?
Representatives from Area Hospitality of Conway said they plan to seek bids for construction of the 83,600 square foot hotel immediately. Construction could be completed as early as next fall.
In other business, the board approved:
? A Master of Science in Education in advanced studies in teaching and learning. The 30-hour graduate degree is designed to enhance and expand existing knowledge, skills, and dispositions of candidates while fostering the development of competencies expected of advanced educators.
? A fee waiver of 25 percent of registration and fees for members of the Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force Reserves.
? The UCA Strategic Framework, a guide that is linked with the new campus master plan and technology plan. The framework will become the context within which university plans will be developed and actions will take place.
? A proposal to terminate an agreement between the university and CGI Management, Inc., the company that operates College Square.
? A request for provisional positions.
-Jennifer Boyett
