For more than 30 years, our philosophy has guided our mission: All persons have the potential to learn, the capacity for change, and the right to live a meaningful life in the community of their choice. As ACCESS continues to seek new opportunities to serve our mission and live out this philosophy, we are excited for the long-awaited dream of the ACCESS Village to begin development and bring more opportunities for adults of all abilities to realize their full potential.
Our proposal includes a new development of a “pocket neighborhood,” a small-scale community that will seamlessly integrate into the surrounding neighborhood and businesses. This vibrant and inclusive community will be located in midtown Little Rock, on the former grounds of Miss Selma’s School, 7814 T Street, just minutes from our ACCESS Academy and Young Adult Campus,1500 North Mississippi Street.
Structures
This proposal will involve demolishing the existing vacant homes used as classrooms and cleaning the site. The existing gymnasium and classroom building will be retained and repurposed as a central facility for vocational education and recreational activities. This building has large exterior overhead doors that open allowing for a seamless blend between outdoor and indoor spaces. This is a perfect space to facilitate vocational education and recreational activities encouraging skill development, independence, and personal growth.
This development proposes new single family detached and duplex residences to be pushed to the perimeters to entice a “front yard” community environment. This environment is to enhance a sense of need and assistance to the fellow neighbor with person-to-person communication. The residences will be constructed with 100% quality materials as defined by City of Little Rock building codes. The residences will consist of one- and two-story construction with a maximum building height of thirty-five feet. The square footage footprints will vary from 450 to 1500 square feet. The residences will utilize a mix of styles and materials to create a diversified aesthetic within the development.
A new Café building will be constructed utilizing 100% quality materials as defined by City of Little Rock building codes and meet all local requirements. This building will consist of one-story construction with a maximum building height of thirty-five feet. This building will allow the residents to further their skills cooking, serving, and cleaning while providing meals to other residents. This will give a common place to serve meals in a communal setting, enhancing the sense of community.
Grounds and Amenities
This integrated community will feature beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces, including walking paths, a dog park, a pavilion, and areas dedicated to games and leisure activities. These spaces will encourage residents to enjoy time outdoors, fostering social interaction and a connection with nature. Our development is designed to be a walkable community, with convenient access to shopping, dining, and public transportation.
Safety and Security
Each home will prioritize safety and security, with on-site staff available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to ensure the well-being of all residents. In addition, each structure will be equipped with life safety and emergency alert systems, along with security measures to ensure a safe living space. To maintain security and privacy, the property will be fenced, and there will be clear signage for identification purposes. All residents and staff will undergo comprehensive criminal background checks and drug screenings, and the development will be a smoke-free environment.
Lighting
The community will have low voltage, non-intrusive outdoor lighting directed inward, providing adequate visibility for residents without disturbing our neighbors.
Traffic and Parking
Unlike the property's previous use as Miss Selma’s School, which served almost 200 children and additional staff daily, our community will have significantly less traffic. Even with daily staff members and visitors, the property will host significantly less individuals daily. There will be ample parking to accommodate visitors since most residents do not drive, and no heavy traffic periods will be associated with the property.
Waste Disposal
A dedicated dumpster enclosure will manage waste disposal effectively, ensuring a clean and safe environment.
Noise levels
Though our community does not anticipate events or activities involving loud noises, we will adhere to all city noise ordinances.
Animals
Residents will be permitted to have pets, including dogs and cats. The community will contain a small dog run/dog park to accommodate the needs of those pets. Pet size and quantity limits will be placed on all community residents.
This development will serve a greater mission of offering long-term rental solutions for adults with disabilities who seek to live independently and engage fully within their community. Community residents will be regularly supported by staff, including a property manager living onsite and available 24/7, as well as various direct support professionals providing additional support throughout the day to create an independent and productive living environment.
Addressing A Need
Our proposed development represents a long-awaited opportunity for many families who have been searching for an inclusive, supportive living environment for their loved ones. This community will not only help individuals with disabilities thrive, but it will also empower them to contribute meaningfully to the broader community.
Convenient Location
This property’s central location in the heart of Midtown will allow residents to engage with the surrounding neighborhood and find employment opportunities, promoting vocational growth and furthering their overall independence.
We aim to add value to the surrounding neighborhood and businesses by revitalizing a currently vacant, vandalized, and unkept property that has been misused by nonresidents. ACCESS has a strong history of being a good neighbor, as demonstrated by our other locations in the Walnut Valley and Leawood neighborhoods. We are deeply invested in fostering positive relationships with our neighbors and enhancing the quality of life in the community.
Many of our future residents already work in and contribute to the community, and its convenience to different areas of the city will make transportation to and from workplaces and appointments convenient for residents.
ACCESS takes pride in the upkeep and appearance of our spaces and grounds and has dedicated teams to ensure grounds are well maintained. Our expertise within our existing gardening program at the nearby ACCESS Academy and Young Adult campus will extend to this new development, and the program is already integrated with our adult programs for vocational training and local community partnerships.
Do you have questions about the proposed ACCESS Village development?
ACCESS Life is a unique program for adults emphasizing community integration and vocational training, preparing individuals to be part of their community. Opportunities include culturally-enriching community outings, engaging social activities, daily fitness, and more. Members enjoy the benefits of a robust life while fostering independence and discovering purpose.
Project SEARCH® Arkansas: ACCESS Initiative is an innovative job training program for adults with developmental disabilities ages 18-35. In partnership with area host businesses, the program operates at seven business sites across Arkansas. With the goal of helping individuals develop vocational skills, Project SEARCH assists adults with developmental disabilities with the goal of obtaining and keeping competitive, integrated employment in the community of their choice.
Social Security's Ticket to Work Program supports career development for people with disabilities who want to work. Social Security disability beneficiaries age 18 through 64 qualify. The Ticket Program is free and voluntary. The Ticket Program helps people with disabilities progress toward financial independence.