Quality Inn Motel in Fayetteville being renovated for affordable housing

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Quality Inn on Futrall Drive in Fayetteville will no longer serve out-of-town visitors but instead, will become affordable housing.

The Fayetteville City Council approved rezoning the motel.

“I was super excited to vote on this, especially now. We are experiencing, unfortunately, a housing crisis, so there’s no better time to bring this project forward,” Ward 1 Councilmember D’Andre Jones said.

Inside the rooms of the motels is one of the solutions to help the city’s housing crisis.

“We are going to be as affordable as we can,” Brandon Scallion, managing member at Countdown Properties LLC, said.

At Countdown Properties LLC, their mission is to “provide affordable housing anywhere it’s needed. So we look for places that are in dire need of housing.”

The rooms will turn into eco-flats and residents will have the option to have it partially furnished at no additional costs.

“All of the furniture in them will be less than a year old. They’re basically new. They have charging outlets, USB, C, USB and two plug-ins,” Scallion said. “ Even the nightstands and the tables, so it’s fairly modern for what we normally do, and that everyone who decides to move in will have the ability to either keep one or two beds, whatever they need or not bring their own stuff in.”

The pool that’s currently at the property will be made to look brand new and there will be other amenities as well such as a washateria.

“We don’t charge per load,” Scallion said.

Scallion chose this area because he has history here.

“I went to school here, I have relationships here, and the need here is one of the biggest needs in the state of Arkansas. So I felt compelled to try to find a place here as best we could,” Scallion said.

The motel is near the greenway, bus routes, and the university.

“It’s accessible to the interstate, accessible to so many businesses. I think this is a really good location,” Jones said.

Scallion says they have not decided on the rent yet, but everything is included.

“Electricity, water, sewer, gas, trash, Wi-Fi and laundry,” Scallion said.

There will be a background fee.

“Whatever we get charged for your background check, that’s all we’re going to charge you,” Scallion said.

Anyone, like college students, can apply but Scallion says they are aiming for those who need it the most.

“Our primary goal is to help single mothers, young couples, people on fixed income such as disability or Social Security income. And that’s what we do,” Scallion said.

Scallion says they have to get permits before they start renovating.

Jones says he hopes this process will encourage other developers to implement similar projects to help fix the city’s housing crisis.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.