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Conway, AR

Living in Conway

Conway and Faulkner County offer a wide variety of housing, from the historic homes near the downtown area to modern homes under construction in the community’s subdivisions. Residential properties include lakeside estates, spacious ranch homes and starter bungalows.

In the historic district of town you’ll find homes dating back to the founding of the city. These homes built over the decades include styles such as Queen Anne, Spanish Eclectic, Prairie Box, Tudor, Craftsman, Dutch Colonial, Cape Cod and English Country. Every bungalow and every mansion that makes up Old Conway architecture has its own importance in the history of the town.

Home prices in Conway are moderate, while real estate taxes and utility rates are reasonable. Overall, the cost of living is much lower than in nearby metropolitan areas. Starter homes can be purchased for around $70,000 to $80,000. Large, lakefront homes range from $250,000 to over $1 million. The average cost of a home in Conway is approximately $120,000.

If you are looking for an apartment to rent, Conway has over 20 different apartment complexes. There is a wide variety of sizes and styles. With amenities ranging from swimming pools and health clubs to a golf course, apartment living here promotes active lifestyles. An average two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with approximately 950 square feet of space costs about $530. For visiting business people, there are also several units in the city reserved for corporate apartments. These fully furnished apartments are designed for extended stays.

For those residents who require assisted-living accommodations, Conway offers two facilities. Residents are not only offered varying levels of care, but are also offered various activities and opportunities for social interaction.

Coming soon to Conway is a new type of planned community. The Village will be located on 178 acres between South Salem and Nutters Chapel Road. The developer of The Village believes that people want to get back to the way communities were designed in the 1920s, with neighborhood stores and daily amenities located within walking distance. This way of life is thought to encourage a more tight-knit community. This “community within a community” will feature a home for you, whether you are a college student renting your first apartment, a family building your dream home or a retired couple looking to downsize. Dedicated parkland and an integrated trail system will allow for play, while nearby office and rental space will create local services and business opportunities for residents. Homes will range from $100,000 to $500,000. The community will include a park, pool, workout room and meeting hall, as well as an asphalt nature trail for hikers and bikers.

The people in Conway care about the preservation and revitalization of their neighborhoods. In fact, the Pine Street Area Community Development Corporation is hard at work in one of the older parts of town. Organized about four years ago, this group has taken on several projects, including the building of the Pine Street Community Outreach Center. The center was built with $109,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds, a federal Housing and Urban Development program. The center includes a new police substation as well as a facility where neighborhood activities can be held. The people of the Pine Street Area Community Development Corporation are making a difference in their neighborhood.

Government
The City of Conway functions under the mayor/city council form of government. The mayor is elected to a four-year term, and each of the city’s eight aldermen is elected to a four-year term.

The City of Conway Fire and Rescue Department operates from seven stations. There are currently 85 city firefighters, and the department maintains a Class 2 ISO rating.
The Conway Police Department has 137 personnel, with 97 officers serving the area. Effective March 19, 2005, CPD was officially sanctioned as an internationally accredited law enforcement agency. The department joins the ranks of only 3 percent of the 17,000 municipal police agencies within the United States that have met the stringent standards to be awarded this distinguished recognition of excellence.

Conway Corporation
Conway Corporation operates the city-owned electric, water, wastewater and cable utility services for the citizens of Conway. The company has been a part of the Conway community since 1929, when the Conway City Council first franchised the corporation to operate the city’s electric light plant. The corporation was created at that time out of a need in the community to raise revenue to help keep Hendrix and Central Baptist College in Conway.

The water department was placed under Conway Corporation’s operation in 1930. The corporation later took control of wastewater in 1957 and the cable system in 1980.

Conway Corporation has allowed residents to enjoy good service, good water and good rates. Moreover, the company has continued to help fund numerous community projects over the years, such as the Downtown Streetscaping that is underway today. Conway Corporation has always been on the cutting edge of technology as they take a leadership role in community development. They were the third cable company in the country to offer Internet service. In 2005, the company completed a new state-of-the-art water treatment -facility.

United Way of Faulkner County Partner Agencies
The Faulkner County Chapter of the American Red Cross (329-3571) was originally chartered on Sept. 17, 1917. One of the agency’s largest expenses is assisting individuals whose homes are lost or seriously damaged by fire, which is also the Red Cross program funded though United Way of Faulkner County. Red Cross staff and volunteers also assist on the scene of disasters, such as the tornado east of Conway in 2002, the downtown Conway fires in 2002 and 2003, the Detco explosion in January 2004, and the Oakwood Village Apartment fire in December 2004. A variety of services are offered to disaster victims, including emergency food and shelter. The Red Cross also conducts a variety of classes, including CPR, water safety, first aid, AED and babysitter training. The Red Cross symbol, a red cross on a white background, is the second-most-recognized symbol in the world. (The first is Coca-Cola.)

Bethlehem House (329-4862), Faulkner County’s only homeless shelter, estimates that there are 2,000 people in this county who are either homeless or on the verge of homelessness. People staying with friends or family on a temporary basis are considered homeless. Bethlehem House is a transitional shelter, meaning that clients are able to stay for extended periods of time, up to two years, while they find employment and work on other life improvements in order to be self-sufficient when they leave the program. The shelter also has a soup kitchen and laundry facilities available for use by those in need who are not living at the shelter.

Volunteers can mentor youth through two programs sustained by Big Brothers/Big Sisters of North Central Arkansas (336-9505). The community-based program is the more well-known program in which the adult volunteer and the child spend eight to 12 hours a month doing things together in the community. In the school-based program, adults visit with their “little” at school, such as during lunch, for at least one hour per week. The programs are open to any youth age 6 to 15, with preference given to those from single-parent families. BBBS recently celebrated 100 years of “making little moments of big magic.” The agency’s logo features a big and little person holding hands and making a heart shape.

As a result of earning a merit badge, Boy Scouts (800-545-7268) gain knowledge in a particular field of interest. Approximately 40 percent of scouts will choose a vocation based on information learned while earning a merit badge, while almost 70 percent will develop a lifelong hobby. Scouts earning the rank of Eagle (about 4 percent on average) open themselves to increased scholarships and education opportunities as well as increased desirability to future employers. About 76 percent of scouts attending camp learn a new skill from adults; 80 percent will make new friends or strengthen existing relationships, and 89 percent will have an opportunity to serve other scouts.

The mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Faulkner County (329-8849) is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens and to provide a safe, positive place for kids to learn and grow to be caring adults. The agency’s programs offer a safe, supervised environment for children and teens to come to during the most at-risk times of the day. Research shows that the number of crimes committed by or against youth doubles between the hours of 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on school days and during the summer. Any child who is between the ages of 7 and 18 is eligible to become a member of the Boys & Girls Club. Membership is $25 per year.

Community Action Program for Central Arkansas (CAPCA) (329-3891) assists more than 5,000 people annually in Faulkner County with basic household needs. The agency just celebrated its 40th anniversary in May. Clients who meet certain eligibility guidelines may be able to get assistance paying a utility bill or rent payment, receive a gasoline or bus voucher, or have a life-sustaining pre-scription purchased. Clients are eligible for assistance only one time per year. CAPCA also operates a food bank, which United Way also funds; over 4,800 food boxes were distributed in 2004. CAPCA also has several other programs, such as Head Start and weatherization and home improvement.

Community Services, Inc. (327-9788) runs a Day Services program that encompasses mental health, substance-abuse treatment, behavior modification and education assistance for at-risk youth. This program began in 1997 as a response to the needs of youth who were being referred for services by the Juvenile Court. They were not enrolled full time in school due to expulsion, suspension or being in alternative school; they did not have adequate supervision; and did not have a high school diploma, but also did not have the maturity to attend classes at the Adult Education Center. These children experience behavioral problems in school and need more intensive intervention than traditional school can provide. Through behavior modification, educational classes, mental health and substance abuse treatment, independent-living skills training, and peer socialization, the students become more prepared to be productive adults.

Consumer Credit Counseling Services (327-2100), a program of Family Service Agency, is designed to encourage greater self-sufficiency and avoidance of bankruptcy by learning how to better manage existing family finances, address outstanding debt and control patterns of overspending. People gain greater control over their economic lives and become more viable contributors to community activities and improvements. Budget counseling, debt-management counseling and first-time home buyers classes are among the services offered.

Conway Cradle Care (730-0017) has helped more than 100 young parents graduate from high school by providing day care to students’ children. The agency was founded in 1995 as an outreach mission of First Presbyterian Church. There are requirements of the students, such as maintaining a certain grade point average and attending parenting classes. Many young Conway High School parents walk across the parking lot to Conway Cradle Care and visit with their children during lunch and study hall. The program also provides hands-on learning credits for CHS students interested in a career focus as a child care facility owner or nanny.

The Conway Interfaith Clinic strives to provide unmet health care assistance to Faulkner County’s working uninsured, of which there are an estimated 10,000 to 12,000. The clinic can see 30 to 35 patients a day and there is no waiting list, although new patients must complete a pre-registration interview to determine fees, which are determined by a sliding scale based on household income. CIC also sees patients with ARKids and Medicaid. Although dental services are currently only available for children, there has been discussion about expanding to adults when/if funding can be obtained. CIC provides an option other than the local emergency room for non-emergency illnesses in residents who previously had no primary physician.

The Faulkner County Senior Citizens Center (327-2895) strives to identify and meet the social, nutritional and transportation needs of senior adults. The agency was established in 1972 and has grown from one unit to six units in Faulkner County. Last year 80,000 meals were served to homebound elderly residents throughout the county; 43,000 meals were served at Centers in Conway, Greenbrier, Mayflower, Vilonia, Twin Groves and Mount Vernon; there were 43,500 visits to the centers; and 22,000 units of transportation (one-way trips) were provided. Individuals benefit greatly from these programs and are able to stay in their own homes longer because of services they receive from this agency. This not only keeps the area’s seniors out of nursing homes, but it also saves Medicare millions of dollars annually.

Faulkner County Council on Developmental Disabilities (327-3037), often referred to as FCC/DD, provides job development and job coaching to disabled adults (at least 18 years of age.) It is estimated that over 24 percent of Faulkner County’s population is disabled. The agency also provides transportation services for developmentally disabled and disadvantaged residents of Faulkner County. This includes transportation for employment, education, medical and personal needs.

The Faulkner County Day School (329-2164) has been affiliated with United Way and its predecessor, the United Fund, since its inception in the early ’60s. Ruth Castleberry, Executive Director of the Day School, is the longest-tenured director of any of the United Way agencies, serving over 22 years in the same position. The Day School was once a learning laboratory for the State Teachers College of Arkansas (now UCA). All of the employees directing services for clients and families have more than 10 years of experience with the Faulkner County Day School, and the majority of executive staff members have more than 20 years of experience with the Day School. The Day School targets children through the Milestones program and adults through the Workforce program.

The Faulkner County Literacy Council (329-7323) was originally started as a service project of First United Methodist Church. Volunteers are the primary providers of service to adults. The services offered are instruction in basic reading, writing, mathematics and English. The agency estimates over 15,000 Faulkner County adults either can’t read at all or read below a fifth-grade level. More than 800 direct instructional hours were provided to students in 2004.

The Girl Scouts (800-632-6894) program allows girls to have fun and understand the power of girls together. Girls develop strength, confidence, leadership, motivation and skills of success that will last them a lifetime. On March 12, 1912, the first Girl Scout troop was started in Savannah, Georgia, and that’s why that date is noted as the Girl Scout birthday. Any girl age 5 to 17 can become a Girl Scout. The local council has a goal of having one in every 10 girls in Faulkner County participating in scouting.

Habitat for Humanity of Faulkner County builds affordable, permanent homes for people in the 25–50 percent community median income range. Homeowners help build and work on other Habitat projects and must work 300–400 “sweat equity” hours, 90 of which must be prior to the groundbreaking of their home, and pay $650 earnest money. Homes are sold at cost via interest-free mortgages. Millard Fuller founded Habitat for Humanity International.

Help for Abuse Victims in Emergency Need (HAVEN) (327-1701) was started by Conway Junior Auxiliary. At the end of fiscal year 2003, there were 3,000 children in foster care in Arkansas. In 1998, approximately 13,000 children were victims of child maltreatment. Children in foster care must have safe shelters or foster homes to live in while an investigation is pending and sometimes remain in foster care until age 18. Foster children are at risk for mental health disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. In school, these children have a greater risk of lower grades and a decline in peer and teacher interaction. HAVEN provides shelter, food, clothing, transportation and on-site mental health services to approximately 80 young females per year and has cared for over 1,500 children since its creation.

Independent Living Services, Inc. (327-5234) assists in making a better life possible for people with developmental disabilities. Services are provided in clients’ homes, ILS-owned apartments and group homes. ILS recognizes that each person has different levels of abilities, and services are designed to meet those specific needs. United Way provides funds for two ILS programs — transportation and the Greenbrier apartments. ILS provides transportation for the developmentally disabled to and from work and for banking, medical appointments, shopping, day services and recreation. The ILS apartments at Greenbrier have 17 one-bedroom units and one unit for a live-in manager.

My House, Inc. (329-4252) serves individuals who are developmentally disabled and therefore unable to participate in day-to-day activities without supports. The consumers are individuals who, according to federal law, must live in the least-restrictive environment. Some of these individuals, if not provided the necessary supports in this least-restrictive environment, would suffer physical harm along with possible mental abuse. Some of the individuals would end up in institutions such as nursing homes, mental-health facilities and possible correctional facilities. It is estimated that over 23 percent of Faulkner County residents have disabilities. My House, Inc. has a group home with nine men in Mayflower and also offers Medicaid waiver services.

The Women’s Shelter of Central Arkansas (329-7405) works to create a community free of domestic abuse. It is estimated that one out of every three women is a victim of domestic abuse. Because of the mental and physical control an abuser has over his victim, the average victim will leave seven times before leaving for good. The WSCA provided 3,244 shelter nights to women and children in 2004. Transportation is a large challenge for women who have often left everything behind when they fled their abuser. United Way helps to fund a collaborative transportation program in which the WSCA provides the driver and My House, Inc. provides the vehicle. This allows two groups of very different clients to have similar transportation needs met.