The area's housing and zoning rules aren't best accommodating the people who live here and what they can afford, architect Alli Thurmond Quinlan said at Tuesday's meeting of the Northwest Arkansas Council.

• NWA's population is expected to increase to 1 million by 2050, which could exacerbate the problem.

The big picture: Most NWA housing caters to a minority demographic — families with children.

• But 68% of NWA households have no children, 27% are one person living alone, 26% are nuclear families with children, and 6% are single-parent households.
• Yet, 75% of incorporated land in NWA is zoned for single-family homes. That, combined with low density, means the cost of maintaining services and infrastructure for a given area falls on relatively few people.

What they're saying: Changing rules to allow a variety of housing like duplexes, detached accessory dwelling units and single-family homes on smaller plots of land can drive down costs, Quinlan said.

By the numbers: In a recent survey by the council, affordable housing was by far least likely to be rated good or excellent when compared to other quality of life aspects.

• Just 17% of respondents gave affordable housing a good or excellent rating, compared to 95% for outdoor recreation, 73% for activities and nightlife, and 75% for jobs.

Zoom out: The nonprofit council consists of leaders from the region's largest businesses and community organizations. It focuses on improving quality of life in NWA — from workforce development to infrastructure to health care.

• Lately, the group's mission has been to ease the burden of housing costs.

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Alex here. If you've been sleeping on Black Apple Hard Cider this whole time, I'm going to add a trip to the downtown Springdale taproom to your to-do list.

The intrigue: NWA has an awesome brewery scene. A local spot making hard cider, which is made from fermented apple juice, is a cool alternative.

• Black Apple also has lots of events, like weekly trivia and comedy nights, making it a good staple for weekday sipping.
• The cider, while not syrupy, is still cider and naturally on the sweet side. Two drinks on a Thursday night was on point.

What to try: The black and blueberry cider is tart and worth sipping. For a crisper option as we go into the warmer months, try the pineapple express.

Stop by: 4-10pm Monday-Thursday, 10am-11pm Friday-Saturday, and noon-8pm Sunday, at 321 E. Emma Ave. in Springdale.

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🏗️ A 78-room hotel, restaurant and events venue dubbed Stonebreaker is planned for the top of Markham Hill, west of the University of Arkansas campus. (Fayetteville Flyer)

• Specialized Real Estate, the same group heading the seven-story Moxy Hotel in south Fayetteville, are the developers.

🚨 Former Arkansas lieutenant governor Mark Darr pleaded not guilty to a DUI charge related to his arrest in Springdale on March 7, during which he failed two field sobriety tests. He has a June 6 trial date. (Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

💰 State lawmakers began the fiscal planning session for 2025 today. The $6.3 billion annual budget proposed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is expected to pass with few changes. (Arkansas Advocate)

Many participants in the upcoming Arkansas Graveler are from the Natural State.

State of play: The six-day, 336-mile, fully supported event will be the first of its kind in the U.S.

• The Graveler is Arkansas' take on state (almost) border-to-border cycling events, like Iowa's annual RAGBRAI, but largely using gravel roads.

The event will kick off in Fayetteville on June 23 and end in Jonesboro on June 28.

By the numbers: As of April 1, 119 of the 232 registered participants for the full event are from Arkansas, 20 are Texans and 14 hail from Missouri.

The intrigue: At least one rider from Alaska is registered.

Do it: If interested, you've got until June 14 to register, but fewer than 70 spots remain.

• The cost is $950.

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