LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - The importance of technology continues to grow in our country and it's something that could really hit close home in the near future. A board that oversees the planning of a Little Rock Technology park released an updated list of locations.
There's no question of demand for this technology park as more than 20 different locations made their way to the board. One of the larger proposals is at the intersection of University Ave. and Asher Ave., the old location of a Coleman Dairy plant. Students and higher ups at UALR are excited about the possibilities near campus.
"I don't think our campus would survive a day without technology," says Anthony Smith, a UALR student.
Smith studies civil and constructive engineering and says a technology park nearby can only enhance his academic experience. More than 80 acres near University and Asher, right across the street from campus, is one of the proposed locations. Both Smith and classmate Brittney Wanner see how technology changes their careers.
"Technology has come a long way... from everything being on blue prints and paper and hardback to being generated in computer software," says Smith.
"With the construction...all the little details will work out better on that than they would just drawing them out, you get more accurate responses," says Wanner.
After residents of previously considered locations shared concern over the park, a new list of more than 20 locations developed. UALR Chancellor, Joel Anderson, says the Research and Technology park is a win, win situation.
"Whether it's close to this university or somewhere else it's going to be good for all of the people and all of the institutions like this university," says Anderson.
Even though both students think the technology park would be a good thing for UALR's campus, they worry about parking.
"You want to have parking because they already took some away by building the student center," says Wanner.
Little Rock's Technology Park Authority Board will judge the 20 locations on cost, traffic, size and many other factors. Chancellor Anderson says no matter where the board chooses, he hopes the park will flourish.
"It needs to be in the right place, it needs to be in a place where it can succeed," says Anderson.
Smith wants to soak up as much knowledge about and through technology as possible, because he knows responsibility is around the corner.
"If I sit there and mess up on any part of my job then that's severe casualties. So technology is going to limit the amount of mistakes that are possible," says Smith.
In determining the location of the park, the board will also look into known environmental hazards, proximity to research institutions and the effect on surrounding neighbors.
Below are the proposed locations:
37.5 acres on John Barrow Road across from the Sid Mc-Math Library, offered by Faithland Properties.
41 acres on Roosevelt Road from Cross Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, offered by Roosevelt/Wright Corridor Planning Group.
10 acres, with the possibility of expansion, from E. 6th Street to E. 8th Street between College Street and Collins Street, advocated by a group that includes the University of Arkansas Clinton School for Public Service, Moses Tucker Real Estate, Heifer International and other partners in that area and proposed by the World Services for the Blind.
39 acres at 25616 Arkansas 10, offered by Colliers International.
12.32 acres on Kramer Street, one block off University Avenue and Colonel Glenn Road, offered by Coldwell Banker Commercial real estate.
37 acres at Interstate 630 and John Barrow Road along Riley Road, offered by Coldwell Banker Commercial real estate.
40 acres on Leander Drive off Kanis Road, offered by Coldwell Banker Commercial real estate.
84.37 acres at the former Coleman Dairy site at the corner of University Avenue and Asher Avenue, offered by Flake & Kelley Commercial Inc.
60 acres at Interstate 430 and Colonel Glenn Road in The Village at Brodie Creek, offered by Flake & Kelley Commercial Inc.
33 acres along South Shackleford Road south of 36th Street, offered by Crye-Leike Commercial Realtors.
Up to 120 acres near the new site of Bass Pro Shops at the Gateway Town Center at the intersection of Interstates 430 and 30, offered by Gateway Town Center developers.
43.1 acres in the Chenal Valley Development off Chenal Parkway, offered by Deltic Timber.
6,300 square feet at 5507 Asher Ave., offered by a private resident.
32 acres at Interstate 430 and Stagecoach Road, offered by Lewis Realty and Associates.
36 acres on Cantrell Road off Interstate 430, offered by Harvey Property.
16.8 acres off Clearwater Drive, offered by Re-Max Realty.
An unknown amount of acreage on Vance Street encompassing the Moon Distributors property, proposed by a private resident.
30 acres on Bond Street near the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, Adams Field, offered by Colliers International.
66 acres at the intersection of Interstate 430 and Colonel Glenn Road offered by Colliers International.
5.9 +/- acre site is located at the northwest intersection of University Ave. and 12th Street. (Brandon's House)
Up to 28.25 +/- acres of contiguous land by combining Lots 6, 7, 8, and 9. The subject property is located in northwestern Little Rock, Arkansas. The property is north of Highway 10 (Cantrell Road), west of Chenal Parkway, and east of Highway 300.
Building 5 of the Verizon Campus, 1 Allied Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas