The New School buys 1.7-acre lot on East Township Street in Fayetteville

A vacant car lot on the north side of East Township Street was recently purchased by The New School in Fayetteville.

Image: Google Maps

Officials with The New School in Fayetteville today announced the purchase of a 1.7-acre lot along East Township Street just west of Walgreens where a vacant car lot has stood for several years.

The school plans to use the property as construction staging space for an expansion project which will add a high school for children grades 9-12. The project, which includes a new 65,000-square-foot academic building with science labs, a gymnasium and an innovation center, is expected to be complete in time for students to begin classes in August 2017.

The non-religious, private school currently includes about 380 children from preschool to eighth grade. The school plans to add ninth-grade students to its current facility this fall, but will need the extra space for the addition of grades 10-12.

The newly acquired land is adjacent to the school’s 25-acre campus to the north off Sunbridge Drive.

Dennis Chapman, president and head of school, said once construction of the new building is complete, the property will be used for future parking and potential athletics facilities, and could one serve as a new entrance to the school from Township Street.

The purchase was made possible by a donation from Bryan and Mandy Hunt and an in-kind sponsorship agreement from Greg Martin, community president of Simmons First National Bank.

“This gift shows how much confidence we have in The New School and everyone that is a part of the program,” said the Hunts in a news release. “Our family has proudly supported the school for many years and are excited for its growth and future.”