LAST UPDATED • October 7th, 2026
New development transforms tornado-impacted property along Walnut Street through public, private and nonprofit partnership
ROGERS, Ark. — October 7, 2026 — Excellerate Housing today announced the opening of Walnut Commons, a new 60-unit affordable housing community in Rogers offering one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for individuals and families.
Located at 202 S. 24th Street, Walnut Commons sits in an area heavily impacted by the May 26, 2024 tornado that caused widespread damage across Rogers. In the aftermath of the storm, the property was identified as an opportunity not only to rebuild, but also to bring much-needed housing back to an important corridor in the city.
“After the tornado, there was an immediate focus on what it would take to help Rogers recover,” said Brad Sikorski, President and CEO of Excellerate Foundation. “Walnut Commons is one example of what can happen when that recovery is paired with a longer-term community need. No single organization could have made this project happen. The City of Rogers, Benton County, ADFA and an incredible group of development, design and construction partners each brought something essential to the table. Two years later, 60 families will have a place to call home because everyone was willing to figure out how to get it done.”
The approximately $13.2 million development was made possible through a collaborative effort involving Excellerate Housing, Benton County, the City of Rogers, Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA), Craig Development, Lloyd Construction, BUF Studio and numerous additional partners.
“Rogers has done a lot of rebuilding since the tornado, but rebuilding isn't just about replacing what was damaged; it's about making good decisions about what comes next,” said Rogers Mayor Greg Hines. “We need housing for the people who work here and want to be part of this community. Walnut Commons puts 60 homes back on a piece of property that was hit hard by the storm, and that's a good outcome for Rogers.”
Walnut Commons includes a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and shared outdoor space designed to create opportunities for residents to connect with their neighbors.
The development also represents the collaborative model behind Excellerate Housing, a wholly owned subsidiary of Excellerate Foundation created to help accelerate the development of affordable housing throughout Northwest Arkansas. Rather than approaching housing development alone, Excellerate Housing works alongside public, private and nonprofit partners to bring together land, financing, development expertise and other resources needed to move projects forward.
Walnut Commons joins a growing portfolio of collaborative housing projects supported by Excellerate Housing across Northwest Arkansas, including the recently opened McAuley Place in Bentonville.
“Projects like this are complicated—they take the right land, the right financing, the right partners and a lot of persistence,” Sikorski added. “Walnut Commons is a great example of people looking at a real need in the community and asking, ‘What can we do with what we have?’ That’s the kind of work we want Excellerate Housing to continue doing.”
Walnut Commons opened to residents on September 28, 2026.
Walnut Commons was made possible through the support and expertise of numerous organizations, including Excellerate Housing, Benton County, the City of Rogers, Arkansas Development Finance Authority, Craig Development, Lloyd Construction, BUF Studio and other development, engineering, construction, financing and community partners.
