Pointed in the Right Direction
Planned developments expected to be boost to city's economic health
The Dallas Morning News
Richard Abshire
Mayor Bob Day pointed to the positives in his State of the City address at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon Monday, among them Harbor Point and Firewheel Town Center.
Harvest Partners closed recently on the 28-acre future home of Harbor Point, which will become home to Bass Pro Shops on Lake Ray Hubbard at Interstate 30 and Chaha Road.
"You're going to see a lot of dirt flying out there pretty quick," Mr. Day said Tuesday.
Harbor Point is scheduled to open in fall 2006.
Mr. Day said the Plan Commission is reviewing zoning in the I-30 corridor, but there are no rezoning plans along Chaha Road from I-30 south to the lake.
At Bush Turnpike and State Highway 78, a change of plans is paying dividends.
Simon Property Group scratched plans for a traditional enclosed mall in 2002 and opted instead for an open, "town center" design.
As a result, Mr. Day said, Firewheel Town Center is leasing with quality tenants.
"The change in design has made all the difference in the world," Mr. Day said. "I think we came out ahead in that redesign process."
On Tuesday, Greg Sims, Garland Chamber of Commerce vice president for economic development, will offer his annual update on the health of the city's retail sector at the Garland Economic Development Partnership March luncheon.
He will predict that the school district's new special events center is going to be a major revenue generator for retail in the Bush Turnpike corridor. People who come to concerts and sports events will eat and shop in the corridor, he said. And some will stay overnight. Mr. Sims said he's trying to line up a hotel for the Bush Turnpike corridor.
"I'm getting some hotel interest," he said.
Bass Pro Shops is expected to draw 2.5 million people a year, including out-of-towners.
The city owns the hotel site at Harbor Point.
"We have several hotel groups interested in that project," Mr. Sims said. "The city will probably do a request for proposal within the next year."
Mr. Sims noted that existing properties have potential, too.
The city has hired consultants to evaluate three shopping centers' potential for redevelopment:
*The Club Hill center on Broadway Boulevard.
*The Broadway and Centerville Road area.
*The Target center on the northeast corner of Jupiter and Arapaho roads.
E-mail rabshire at dallasnews.com or call 972-272-6591, ext. 244.
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