Site work and new construction of a mixed-use development in Newport, Arkansas. Working plans call for the construction of a 46,000-square-foot, two-story above grade educational facility; 400-seat theater / auditorium; conference / convention center; laboratory facility; and medical facility.

As of October 7th, 2026 - this project is currently undergoing review and is projecting a Quarter 1 2027 bidding timeline. Anew systemwide strategic plan and revised budgets for major capital projects were approved Monday (Aug. 10) during a special meeting of the Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees. “Framework for the Future” outlines updated mission, vision and priorities for the ASU System, said System President Todd Shields in the first meeting since his leadership appointment on July 1. “I want to thank Trustee Gary Harpole, the Task Force and many constituencies for contributing to this plan,” Shields said. “We have a clear path for escalating our systemwide economic impact on Arkansas, and we’re going to get to work.” The first project updated was the phase one of construction of the Career Readiness Education and Skills Training (CREST) Center at Arkansas State in Jonesboro for $18 million. Phase one will be the first 26,000 square feet of a planned 70,000-square-foot facility designed to enhance workforce training opportunities in advanced manufacturing, food processing and steel production. A-State is pursuing New Markets Tax Credits to help reduce financing for the construction. Another project updated was the construction phase of the Center for Health Science at ASU-Newport for $18 million. ASUN is pursuing New Markets Tax Credits to help finance the construction. Construction continues on the Indoor Baseball Development and Training Center at Arkansas State for $8.5 million in cooperation with the Red Wolves Foundation. Trustees voted to accept a contingent offer of $1.585 million which exceeds the appraised value, for the sale of residence known as the McAdams House in Little Rock. It previously served the ASU System as the president’s residence. A housing allowance will now be extended to Shields instead to create savings to the ASU System. In other business, the board approved: A-State to name Innovation Park on campus the Dr. Les Wyatt Park of Innovation in honor of the visionary leadership of the former longtime president of A-State. Wyatt became the 10th president of Arkansas State in Jonesboro in 1995 and later became the first president of the expanded ASU System. Shields said Wyatt had the vision for connecting the A-State campus to the Jonesboro Municipal Airport and for establishing an innovation and technology park on campus. A-State also will name the newly constructed equine teaching barn the Dash Goff Equine Center – Nodouble Barn in honor of a significant contribution by Goff, a businessman and thoroughbred owner and breeder from Fayetteville. The racehorse Nodouble won the Arkansas Derby in 1968 and set track racing records across the country. --------------------- Plans call for the construction of a 46,000 square foot building to house the Great Hall University & Public Event Space to accommodate 400 seats, classroom spaces, clinical labs, simulated operating suites and associated spaces. The final plans are anticipated to be completed late June/early July and the construction manager will be placing the project out for subcontractor trade pricing at that time. The CM utilizes prequalified subcontractors/vendors only. Interested firms must reach out to the CM directly.