Cisco's Business Park Proposal Includes Hotel, Housing and Shopping Center
By: Homa Bash
Updated: August 27, 2012
A new major hotel, shopping center and housing complex could make the city of Cisco a much more appealing hub for travelers on Interstate 20.
Monday, city councilors met to take the next step to make a proposed business park a reality.
The city is gearing up for what they hope will be a business boom.
A new business park called The Village at Cisco is in the works, thanks to the city's Economic Development Corporation's persistence.
Standup: It may not look like much now, but if the city gets its wish, this land behind me will be home to shopping, housing and a new hotel.
There's already been a feasibility study done, and according to CDC Director John Diers, it found that the profit potential for the businesses is tremendous.
"We're right in the center of Texas, right off I-20, US 183 and Highway 6 and they are very heavily traveled roadways," said Jim Baker, Cisco City Manager. "Any convenience we can have for them, it's only going to benefit everyone."
It would also fulfill a growing need for a growing city.
"On average, every week, I have three to five people asking me for rental properties and we just don't have the housing to support that many people hoping to move into our area," explained Bridget Flores, Executive Director of the Cisco Chamber of Commerce.
The next step is to find investors to back the business park.
According to the Cisco Development Corporation, it will be an initial investment of about $15 million that they are hoping to get returns on through the additional sales and property taxes.
"Any community likes to have sales tax, it's a revenue we can use in a multitude of ways, like roads and infrastructure," said Baker.
But for small business owners who will stand directly in the shadow of the new hotel, which will likely be a Hilton Garden Inn or Hampton Inn, it's not as black and white.
Payal Bhakta has been running two of the three motels in Cisco with her husband for six years now and said it's always been a struggle.
"So if the new hotel comes here, our business will definitely be hurt," Bhakta said.
The timeline for when construction will start on the business park is uncertain, but the area right off Interstate 20 and Exit 332 is already being cleared to make way.
Monday, city councilors met to take the next step to make a proposed business park a reality.
The city is gearing up for what they hope will be a business boom.
A new business park called The Village at Cisco is in the works, thanks to the city's Economic Development Corporation's persistence.
Standup: It may not look like much now, but if the city gets its wish, this land behind me will be home to shopping, housing and a new hotel.
There's already been a feasibility study done, and according to CDC Director John Diers, it found that the profit potential for the businesses is tremendous.
"We're right in the center of Texas, right off I-20, US 183 and Highway 6 and they are very heavily traveled roadways," said Jim Baker, Cisco City Manager. "Any convenience we can have for them, it's only going to benefit everyone."
It would also fulfill a growing need for a growing city.
"On average, every week, I have three to five people asking me for rental properties and we just don't have the housing to support that many people hoping to move into our area," explained Bridget Flores, Executive Director of the Cisco Chamber of Commerce.
The next step is to find investors to back the business park.
According to the Cisco Development Corporation, it will be an initial investment of about $15 million that they are hoping to get returns on through the additional sales and property taxes.
"Any community likes to have sales tax, it's a revenue we can use in a multitude of ways, like roads and infrastructure," said Baker.
But for small business owners who will stand directly in the shadow of the new hotel, which will likely be a Hilton Garden Inn or Hampton Inn, it's not as black and white.
Payal Bhakta has been running two of the three motels in Cisco with her husband for six years now and said it's always been a struggle.
"So if the new hotel comes here, our business will definitely be hurt," Bhakta said.
The timeline for when construction will start on the business park is uncertain, but the area right off Interstate 20 and Exit 332 is already being cleared to make way.
Comments
To my knowledge, there is no board. And the city refuses to give the facilities any assistance at all.
Kenny K.
August 30, 2012 at 7:20 am
I agree, Kenny K. And--what about the Cisco Country Club?? It's sad that the "board" or whoever has allowed it to get to its current state.
Cosameano C.
August 28, 2012 at 10:03 pm
Too bad Cisco can't do anything about the golf course. Might be surprised at the income it would generate.
Kenny K.
August 28, 2012 at 7:43 am
