Benbrook Economic Development Corporation

Benbrook Towne Center Project 

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In the last quarter of the year 2000, the Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors (EDC) began discussing the economic future of Benbrook. Most developed property was occupied, and there were only a few large tracts of undeveloped property left within the City limits. In order to facilitate the best use of this undeveloped property, the Benbrook Economic Development Corporation engaged J.D. Wilson & Associates, with TIP Development Strategies, Inc., and James Richards Studio, Inc., to make recommendations regarding the development of property located along the Interstate Highway 20/Interstate Loop 820 corridor.

Benbrook Freeway (I-20/Loop 820) Corridor Plan (1.4MB)

Following the final presentation in June 2001, the EDC Board then presented the report to the Benbrook City Council. The City Council officially adopted the report in August of 2001.  The City received a grant from North Texas Council of Governments to assist with the moving of the Winscott/I-20 East entrance/exit ramps further to the East, and for a Texas U-turn added to the Winscott Road Bridge.  The EDC then funded a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Reinvestment Zone Feasibility Study in early 2002, using Schrader & Cline, LLC, as consultants. The resultant report was presented in July of 2002, and the City Council adopted a Tax Increment Financing District in November of 2002.

Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zone Feasibility Study (772kb)

Schrader & Cline, LLC was engaged to prepare a feasibility analysis using tax increment financing to encourage accelerated development of several tracts of unimproved and undeveloped land along the IH-20 and US 377 corridors as they traverse through the City of Benbrook. Over the years, these tracts have remained undeveloped primarily because of a lack of access and utilities.  To make the area marketable for development, a series of infrastructure improvements is needed to accelerate the rate of development in the area. This analysis explores the feasibility of using tax increment financing to pay for those public improvements.

Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zone Project Plan (772kb)

 While the TIF study was being compiled, the EDC began to plan for marketing the Town Center. What retailers would locate there? Was there a potential market for retailers in the Benbrook Town Center? Community ID, a firm specializing in retail recruitment, was engaged to assess the retail potential of the Benbrook community, profile the lifestyles and buying habits of the households in the community, rate the retail potential, and provide a sampling of retailers that fit the household profile. Their report was presented in September of 2002.

Community ID Retail Assessment Report (3.3MB)

The studies/reports all told the same story. Benbrook had an opportunity to develop a unique town center that would create a "draw" and encourage private investment, assist with the long term economic stabilization of Benbrook, and at the same time, provide amenities for Benbrook that would serve current residents as well as attract new residents and new businesses. But what would the town center look like? Where would the streets be? As stated in the I-20 Corridor Study, "successful town centers require consensus and cooperation between public and private stakeholders." To facilitate that consensus, GSBS, a full service architectural firm, was retained to develop a "prime coat" for the Town Center's eventual look, utilizing an intense design workshop strategy called a charrette. Their final report was presented in December, 2002.

 Towne Center Charrette - Urban Core Master Plan (8.2MB)

As the process has continued, developers have been kept up to date on findings, and continue to express their interest in the Benbrook Towne Center. Check back for updates on a regular basis.