Benbrooks moving up in the world. New "entertainment facilty" being built

[stephen4785]

BENBROOK -- Fort Worth-based Buxton Co., which provides customer analytics to the retail industry, is under contract to buy 193 acres at the southeast corner of Interstate 20 and Winscott Road, where it plans a 1.5-million-square-foot regional shopping center called The Trails Town Center.

Buxton Chairman Tom Buxton said Wednesday morning that construction of the new open-air shopping center could begin in about a year, with some stores opening in 2013. The shopping center will stretch at least 1.5 miles along the south side of Interstate 20 and be highly visible from the Chisholm Trail and I-20 highway overpasses now under construction just to the east.

No tenants have been signed, but negotiations are underway with a number of destination and nationally-recognized retailers not already located in the area, Buxton said. Buxton is looking at retailers in the home improvement, electronics, sporting goods, entertainment and grocery sectors. There will also be restaurants.

When completed, the center could employ more than 6,250 workers, and have a potential sales tax revenue of $3.75 million annually and property tax revenues of more than $4.4 million annually, the company said.

This will be Buxton's first development. It previously has advised developers, cities and retailers on site selection.

Buxton said it is "the best opportunity we've seen. This is very big."

The Trails Town Center is expected to draw shoppers from as far away as Abilene, Waco and Midland-Odessa, Buxton said.

The land is part of the Edwards Ranch. The deal with Cassco Land Co. is expected to close in the next year.

Benbrook Mayor Jerry Dittrich said the city has entered into a public-private partnership to help facilitate the mall's development but did not offer details.

"We feel confidant that this partnership lays the groundwork for an exceptional shopping destination," Dittrich said. "A development of this magnitude will serve as a gateway to West Texas. It is the only open-air, regional development of this size projected for the southwest. The city stands ready to work closely with Buxton to expedite this venture."

Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/07...#ixzz1RdjGbjxS

[stephen4785]

http://thetrailsshopping.com/site-plan

[Trip McNeely]

Its all Barnett Shale money too. Lots of drilling around that area for awhile.

[347Mike]

Read my PM!

[BLAKE]

Dammit. That's probably not even a mile from my house. One of my favorite things about living here is access to retail and restaurants (Bryant Irvin/Hulen) without having to dick with the traffic. Looks like the traffic is coming to me.

[78X]

damn, I was hoping for a titty bar

[BP]

They haven't even made a deal on the land yet, much less signed up any anchor retailers. Who is going to agree to move into a 250k square foot building there? Sears, Wal-Mart, Target, Macy's, Costco and Sams all have locations within 2 miles of it.

I'm not excited about 3000+ additional cars driving down Winscott every day.

[Big A]

[IMG]Buxton Chairman Tom Buxton said Wednesday morning that construction of the new open-air shopping center could begin in about a year, with some stores opening in 2013. [/url]

Who wants to shop in 90-110* heat? Perhaps that's their sell, people will come into your store for the AC.

[GrayStangGT]

damn, I was hoping for a titty bar

I don't understand the need for " " if there is no titty bar involved in this entertainment facility.

[Cannon88]

Dammit. That's probably not even a mile from my house. One of my favorite things about living here is access to retail and restaurants (Bryant Irvin/Hulen) without having to dick with the traffic. Looks like the traffic is coming to me.

Same here. I live and work right off of Winscott. I have heard old men bitch in the Quickway about the Wal-Mart that opened. Wait until the hear about this.

[downshift_me]

Same here. I live and work right off of Winscott. I have heard old men bitch in the Quickway about the Wal-Mart that opened. Wait until the hear about this.

That is the only Wal-Mart I actually don't mind going in! No one is ever there, it's clean (for now) and the employees aren't total mouth-breathers! Oh, and I'm not the minority.

[roliath]

Who wants to shop in 90-110* heat? Perhaps that's their sell, people will come into your store for the AC.

Firewheel is open air and its nothing but kids, I hate going there.

[BP]

Hey maybe we'll get a Central Market? It'd be a good spot for one. Build some alternative access to Bryant Irvin (maybe extend Vernon Castle to Bellaire) and I'd be for it.