DALLAS, TEXAS, FEB 2019—Servitas has partnered with National Park College (NPC) to build the first on-campus housing at the College. The 180-bed residential development is expected to break ground in spring of 2019.
NPC, located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, selected Dallas-based developer, Servitas, to build the College’s first on-campus student housing. The project will be funded using a public-private partnership (P3) structure. The project will feature a 48,500 square foot building with a bridge to the new Student Commons building that is currently under construction.
“Residence halls on campus will allow us to attract a new market of students,” said NPC President, Dr. John Hogan.
In a news release Hogan said he considers on-campus housing an investment in retention and student success. “It is also an economic investment. Our ultimate goal is to retain those students in our community, so they learn here, earn here, and pour back into our local economy.”
NPC is the fourth largest community college in the state of Arkansas and serves approximately 7,500 students per year in credit and non-credit programs. The college released an RFP mid-year in 2018 for a student housing development. Servitas performed a feasibility study for the college to determine and understand student’s primary wants, needs, and budget. Seventy percent of responding students were interested in on-campus housing, especially those commuting more than 30 minutes to campus. David Braden, Vice President of Business Development at Servitas said, “On-campus living will increase enrollment, encourage recent high school graduates to stay close to home, and attract students from outside the region to new or expanding degrees and athletic programs.”
“It’s a different experience for a student when it’s a residential (campus) as opposed to commuter. National Park College students will have an opportunity to interact and get to know each other to enhance their whole college experience,” said, Braden.
Jerry Thomas, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at NPC, said during a project meeting that, “Housing will enhance the College’s student success efforts and the overall campus experience.”
The project is scheduled to be completed by fall of 2020. The double and single occupancy apartments will include amenities such as group study and collaboration spaces. Servitas will lead property operations and management.
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About Servitas
Servitas, based in Dallas, Texas, is a pure student housing development firm offering clients a full suite of services including Design-Build-Finance-Operations-Maintenance.
About NPC
National Park College was established in 1973 and is located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The College enrolls over 7,500 credit and non-credit students per year. NPC is a comprehensive two-year institution offering associate degrees and certificates as well as continuing education, community services and workforce training.