During Tuesday’s meeting of the Brownwood Municipal Development District, Executive Director Ray Tipton told Board members that the new T.J. Maxx location in Commerce Square was still on target to open in the first quarter of 2023, “probably March-ish.”
Renovations continue on the former Bealls building located in Commerce Square, and Tuesday afternoon signage was being added to the Commerce Square entrance. There has also been significant work completed on the facade of the building, including the addition of red trim.
In other updates provided by Tipton:
* The third floor of the Home 2 Suites hotel being built behind Studebaker’s is currently being framed.
* Several structures in the new Trafalgar Homes division are complete. The City has all the material for water and sewer lines and is scheduling out the installation over the next couple of months.
* The owner of the former Kroger building will meet soon with Tipton to discuss future plans.
* Tipton showed property at the industrial park to a couple of potential prospects, one for a relocation and one for an expansion.
* The stage of the Multipurpose Events Center is being framed.
* A lease is in the works for the parking lot adjacent to the Lehnis Railroad Museum to be used for overflow parking for the Events Center. Between 400 and 600 cars are expected to be able to be parked on the lot.
The Board also approved during the meeting a Resolution to update the rules to the Building Improvement Incentive Program (BIIP) grant program.
The changes include:
* Redoing the Matrix scoring – Instead of scoring on a four-point criteria scoring will be done on three points which include the location, if it is sales tax producing or not, and sustainability.
* Time restrictions – Five years would have to elapse before the business or building could be eligible for funds from either the Building Improvement Incentive or Downtown Retail Opportunity programs
* Facade improvement component – There must be some visible improvements, whether it be awnings, windows, a paint job, etc.
In executive session, the Board approved a Building Improvement Incentive Program grant not to exceed $15,125 for Baked Artisan Goods, located at 207 East Lee Street.
