Story and photos by Steve Nash – Special Contributor to BrownwoodNews.com

Early Mayor Bob Mangrum’s audience reacted with delight Friday when Mangrum announced Heartland Mall is “getting ready to be transformed.”

Unfortunately Mangrum — giving his annual State of the City address at Howard Payne University’s Mabee Center — had to pull his punches.

“New facade, new signage, parking lot, and that’s all I can tell you today,” Mangrum said.

“We were hoping to have an announcement, but you know lawyers. And so probably next week, about this time, we’ll have an announcement about something going on at Heartland Mall. We’ve been working on it a long time.”

A slide in Mangrum’s slide presentation stated the mall will be transformed to the Heartland Shopping Center.

Mangrum was later asked if he could provide any additional details.

“I can’t really say yet, because it’s still, as I indicated, in the hands of the lawyers,” Mangrum said. “The deal’s coming, but we can’t say anything until we know for a fact it’s a done deal. It’s going to involve at least one more business.

“But again, until they finish the negotiations, we prefer not to actually make an announcement.”

Mangrum discussed numerous other topics in his State of the City, including plans for an all-inclusive playground at the north end of the Early Town Center.

Construction is expected to begin this June, Mangrum said.

According to additional information on the city’s website, the playground will be ADA compliant. A “fitness court” will be installed next to the playground with the idea that parents can use it while their children play, and walkers in the park can also stop and use the court.

Mangrum also said:

• The city has been awarded $5.3 million in state sidewalk grant funding.

• The grand opening of the Penatukah Comanche Trails will be April 24-25 in the town center.

• The Early Blooms Subdivision in the 200 block of Longhorn will feature 240 new homes in three construction phases. Starting price will be $275,000.

• Pioneer Crossing between Comanche Road and West Street will consist of a housing development for ages 55 and over. The development will consist of 48 to 64 units.

• The Early Town Center Park has seen a variety of enhancements including the completion of the boardwalk.

• Hutch Properties LLC will be a mixed use development next to the boardwalk’s main entrance. The 14,000-square-foot building will offer retail and restaurant space.

• Twisted Oak Bar and Grill is coming soon to the town center.

• Construction is expected to start this summer on Townplace by Marriott.

• Construction of Parkside at the Boardwalk is expected to start this fall.

• Construction of Buffalo’s on the Boardwalk is expected to start this summer.

• Grumps Burgers, in the former Heff’s Burgers location, is “a family friendly burger joint.”