President David B. Burks announced in chapel on Jan. 25 that the new student housing area off of Dr. Jimmy Carr Drive and East Park Avenue has been named Legacy Park.
The first phase of the housing project, which should be completed by August 2012, will consist of 64 apartments for single women and married students.
According to Burks, each of the eventual 15 apartment buildings in Legacy Park will be named after people who have played significant roles in the development of Harding. Each structure will have a plaque that describes its namesake’s contribution to the university, Burks said.
While Burks said he could not pinpoint an individual person who suggested the name “Legacy,” he said he could list a number of people who suggested the concept.
“We wanted a name [for the park] that would be meaningful,” Burks said. “Legacy was something people liked because it gave us the opportunity to recognize a number of key people have been an important part of Harding’s history.”
Burks said the name Legacy also appealed to him because of its optimistic connotation.
“Legacy is one of those words that does relate to the past, but it also has a forward-pointing meaning to it,” Burks said. “It suggests that because of the legacy there is a bright future.”
Burks said that the name is appropriate for the design of the area as well. According to Burks, Legacy Park will have an urban walking-village design with a historical style of buildings.
In addition to more housing, Legacy Park will provide students an alternative location to eat and hang out.
A full-service Starbucks will be located on the corner of Dr. Jimmy Carr Drive and West Park Avenue in the first-floor commercial area of the new apartment buildings. Students will be able to use their DCB in the store to purchase items such as coffee, sandwiches or salads.
Burks said he thinks Starbucks will be a drawing factor for the west side of campus.
“It’s something that has been a long time coming,” junior Bri Smith said. “I think it’s going to be extremely popular. Having a Starbucks will give us another place to hang out on campus other than the student center.”
According to David Collins, vice president of student life and dean of students, West Apartment buildings A and D will be torn down this summer as part of phase 2. Buildings B and C will be available to rent next school year and torn down at the end of next year. Collins said the west side of campus will be available for girls, married couples and renters. Male students currently living in West Apartments staying next year will have the choice of moving to the Village Apartments on the east side of campus, which is also constructing more apartment buildings.
Burks said that heavy landscaping and the large green quad that will be finished in the second phase will give west campus a welcoming park-like atmosphere.
Many students said they are already anticipating the completion of Legacy Park. Junior Noëlle Villard said she is looking forward to the new opportunities the park will offer Harding students.
“I think it will be a good addition to Harding,” Villard said. “I’m really excited to have more space on campus to hang out and for activities like playing Frisbee. It sounds like it will be a nice living space, and a nice escape from central campus.”
