July 31–CLEBURNE — The city is proposing a major multimillion-dollar development at U.S. 67 and the Chisholm Trail Parkway that would include retail, hotels and a multi-use facility for sporting events and concerts.
Mayor Scott Cain said Friday that the proposed development, called Cleburne Station, is expected to bring 1,000 jobs to the area and be a major economic catalyst for the city of about 30,000 residents. A city news release Friday described the project as possibly the “city’s largest retail economic development program in the last 10 years.”
The city will hold a community meeting and news conference Thursday where more details about the project will be given. Besides Cain, private partners on the project, including Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson, will be on hand, the city said.
For Cleburne Station to go forward, Cain said, voters are being asked to approve a half-cent economic development sales tax Nov. 3 that would pay some of the city’s cost of the development.
“The public-private partnership is key,” he said.
Cain said one of the most exciting aspects of Cleburne Station is the multi-use facility, which would include an outdoor stadium where minor-league baseball, soccer tournaments and other sporting events could take place. The stadium could also be used for concerts, he said.
The city is looking at bringing in a minor-league baseball team called the Railroaders, according to the news release.
Cain said potential anchor stores could include Belk and Academy, but he said more definitive information would be available before the November sales tax election.
“This is a watershed moment for Cleburne; these are exciting times,” Cain said.
Elizabeth Campbell, 817-390-7696
Twitter: @fwstliz
More information
The city will hold a news conference and community presentation at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Cleburne Conference Center, 1501 W. Henderson St., where more details about the project will be given.
