EARLY – Mayor Robert Mangrum closed the annual State of the City address Friday with the statement, “We’re moving forward. Early’s place is in the sun.” A handful of announcements revealed to the near 200 people in attendance at the Early Visitors and Event Center demonstrated the continued growth within the city limits of Early.

Mangrum revealed that just 48 hours prior, an agreement had been reached to bring Atwoods Ranch and Home Goods to Early, which will be located at 1701 Early Blvd. – near the Jenkins Springs Cemetery cutoff. The City of Early is expecting to receive plans within the next 30 days and construction on the 63,000 square foot store, which will be built on 11 acres, is expected to be complete in about a year.

Also Friday, Mangrum revealed that TownePlace Suites by Marriott will build a hotel at the site of the Early Town Center Boardwalk. Townhouse Suites will feature 75 studio suites along with a meeting space, fitness center and patio.

Construction on the Boardwalk is set to begin by the end of May, and Hutchins Brothers, LLC will be building a mixed use location adjacent to the main entrance that will feature a restaurant/bar, retail and other potential retail space, and a visitor’s center for the Boardwalk.

The end of 2024 or first part of 2025 is the expected start date for construction, as the restaurant will be two stories and feature an overlook of the Boardwalk on the second level. The occupant will be announced a later date. The current design of the building is 18,400 square foot.

Mangrum Street – named in honor of the Early mayor who has served the community for 25 years – will run north and south and intersect with Kelcy upon completion and be the entrance way for the Boardwalk. Allcorn Street, in honor of City Council member Bennie Allcorn, and Tatum Street, in honor of longtime City Council member Helen Tatum, will also be completed in the area soon.

An update was also provided on the Early Spring Homes development, where 254 houses are expected to be constructed over 10 years in the 200 block of Longhorn Drive. Phase 1 of the four-phase plan is currently underway and will feature 37 new home sites.