BMDD approves Downtown Retail Opportunity Program Grant for 201 Center Ave.

April 15, 2025 at 3:57 pm Updated: April 18th, 2025 at 7:42 am Derrick Stuckly

Executive Director Ray Tipton shares a variety of progress updates on projects throughout the City with BMDD Board.

During Tuesday’s meeting, following an executive session, the Brownwood Municipal Development District Board of Directors voted to approve a Downtown Retail Opportunity Program Grant not to exceed $25,000 to Steven and Teresa Beal for property located at 201 Center Avenue.

Tipton stated the grant is one not often used by the BMDD as it will go toward exterior renovations only. The Downtown Retail Opportunity Program Grant is for properties purchased in which the future business within the facility has not yet been decided.

Also during the meeting, Executive Director Ray Tipton shared a variety of progress updates on projects throughout the City with BMDD Board:

Tropical Smoothie Cafe, which is located within the new addition to the Shoppes at Pecan Bayou at 424 East Commerce, is now taking applications and Tipton anticipates it will be opening “soon.”
Demolition work at the future site of the Shops on Commerce at 537 W. Commerce is nearing conclusion and the City is still awaiting final plans from TABAT Properties, which are expected in the near future. “He’s a little behind just from the fact that he doesn’t have his plans, but he’s locked in,” Tipton told the Board.
Riverside Park’s contractor is in the punch list phase and has 30 days to complete the punch list. As soon as that’s complete, the City will start moving forward with a re-opening plan for the park. A ceremony is expected to take place when the park re-opens.
Tipton stated there were two housing developments holding discussions with the City. One is talking with the City about a Public Improvement District, where the City would issue bonds related to that subdivision to pay for the infrastructure. The other is one that approached the City a few years ago and has rekindled interest.
The City has sold two acres of land to Central Texas Truck and Trailer in the light industrial park for $20,000, and The City and Danhil Containers are still negotiating a sale of 10 acres of land.
There was a Building Improvement Incentive application received for 306 N. Fisk for a salon at the site of the former Axe House. Since the location received the incentive in the past, the property must wait at least five years to apply again.
The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce banquet is scheduled for Thursday, April 24 at the Brownwood Event Center.