Published: August 27, 2008 11:57 pm            

Corsicana Crossings growing, but slower

Mall renovation, Fuddrucker’s being planned

With the opening of the new Taco Bell on South U.S. Highway 287 at Interstate 45, development on the outskirts of Corsicana is still growing, albeit more slowly.

“There is activity out there,” said Lee McCleary, Corsicana/Navarro County Economic Development director. “Owners of undeveloped and owners of existing retail stores are working together for some collaborative marketing campaigns.”

One of those owners is Mickey Hillock, who owns the Exxon/Wendy’s at U.S. 287 and I-45.

“We’re doing great. Sales are good,” Hillock said recently. “The construction on the road (U.S. 287) hurt us a little bit.”

However, the owners are meeting to buy or rent billboards advertising the offerings at Corsicana Crossing and around the site, he said.

“The committee is trying to tie all the properties together,” he said. “We’re trying to make a plan, rather than it happening haphazardly.”

Another significant property owner in the area is Ken Landers of Landers Development in East Texas. Landers bought the VF Factory Outlet this year, and has plans to renovate the mall and bring in more businesses.

“We’re going to put a Fuddrucker’s in the vacant space, and we’re going to completely redevelop the mall,” Landers said. “New parking lot, new exterior, and we’re going to renovate the interior.”

Because the mall also includes some vacant land, Landers also has room to add onto the mall.

“It’s basically the best area over there in Corsicana,” Landers said. “It looked like a good investment. I think Corsicana has wonderful potential.”

Not all projects are moving ahead, though. The Office Depot shell which began last July and was finished in 2007 still remains empty, although signs continue to be posted saying “opening soon.”

Representatives with the corporate office said the company doesn’t have it slated to open in the next few months.

“It is not on the 90-day (openings) list,” said Jason Shockley, spokesman for Office Depot’s corporate offices.

The slower economy is making openings of all sorts a little more difficult, theorized Jerry Bauer, another owner of property in the Corsicana Crossing area.

“It’s the economy,” Bauer said. “Everybody’s slowing down a little. The project is good, and it’s a great area, and everybody loves Corsicana. It is a good project.”

There’s still interest in the properties, he said.

“Right now, we’re talking to some people about putting strip centers in,” Bauer said. “Things are going along pretty good. We’re getting a few calls. Right now, it’s all negotiations.”

If the city goes ahead with plans to put in a matching frontage road on the south side of the interstate it could make it easier for cars to navigate the area, and attract more businesses, Bauer said.

“I think that’s going to help,” he said. “I think the more people who tend to stop in the area the better for all of us. I think it helps all of us.”

On the other side of U.S. 287 are still pockets of open property to be developed. One of those was recently filled with the new Taco Bell franchise. Local attorney Barbara Moe is one of the investors who owned that land.

“There’s always plans, and there’s always nibbles,” she said.

She also holds out hope that the new frontage will bring in more traffic.

“It’ll help the whole area,” Moe said. “We need all the frontage roads we can get, but as far as specifically helping our side, I don’t know. Everybody out there is happy if there are any improvements made to help our whole area.”

“The city and county and highway department has helped us get these folks in, and that’s what matters.”

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Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com

        

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