During Tuesday’s meeting of the Brownwood Municipal Development District Board of Directors, Deputy City Manager Ray Tipton shared with those in attendance that all of the Shops on Commerce are expected to be open by early October.

“The Shops on Commerce are almost done,” Tipton said. “I don’t have specific dates on any of them, but everything should be open by early October. That’s what they’re shooting for right now. The primary construction will be done at the end of this month.”

The Shops on Commerce will consist of Ross, Ulta Beauty, Five Below, Bath & Body Works, and James Avery Artisan Jewelry. Located at 537 W. Commerce, the development is adding approximately 41,000 square feet of new retail space and represents a project valued at nearly $10 million.

Two of the stores could open in the next few days.

“We issued certificates of occupancy to Bath & Body Works and Five Below this week, which means they are getting very, very close to opening,” Tipton said.

Also, the installation of the new playscape at Riverside Park is nearing completion, Tipton said.

“There’s going to be a couple of sidewalk loops on it, and the interior’s done, but they’ve still got to do the exterior one,” Tipton said. “Once they do that they can open it, but the equipment itself is pretty much in place.”

The new walking trail extension at the front of the park is almost complete as well, and some of the new new sidewalk is expected to ready for use Wednesday, Aug. 26 at Brownwood High School hosts its cross country meet at Riverside Park.

In other news, four slabs have been poured and two buildings have been framed at the Trafalgar Homes Indian Creek addition. The next step is utility installation, Tipton stated.