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Economic development staff reports new businesses, property marketing activity and recruitment work
Summary
City economic development staff told council on Feb. 4 that six new businesses opened or joined the city in January, several construction permits and certificates of occupancy were issued, and staff is actively marketing larger vacant properties and exploring an Open Rewards program with BlueDot.
Economic development staff updated Keller City Council on Feb. 4 about recent business activity, active projects and retail recruitment efforts.
The staff report said six new businesses were recorded in January, including Masters of Barbering (Keller Hicks Road), Grizzly Brothers Gutters (Whitley), a pediatric eye specialist near Cook Children’s, WellMed at 110 Keller Parkway and others; 13 certificates of occupancy (COs) were issued year‑to‑date, six of them for new businesses. Penguin Patch and Houghton Horns — both incentive projects — reached substantial completion and staff will work on incentive reimbursement and grand opening details.
Staff also reported on marketing efforts at a recent International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) event. Properties highlighted to potential users included the former Big Lots site on Keller Parkway (current lease running through 2028; liquidation sale process via Gordon Brothers), the Edge Realty‑listed “F and G Eats” site (Keller Art House property), a Petco‑sized site in Town Center/Regency Center, the foreclosed Shannon Arbors property (list price about $4.5 million) and the former McDonald hardware site. Staff said bids for the Big Lots lease sale were due Feb. 10 and that several entertainment and family‑oriented users showed interest in the Big Lots parcel.
Other items: the city will present BlueDot’s Open Rewards program at a future work session to explain a possible 5% cashback/rewards promotional program and CRM features; staff launched a “Keller foodie” video series to highlight local restaurants and reported 544 responses to an ongoing restaurant/retail survey. Staff will send council dates for grand openings and expects the City Sports Campus site plan to come to council at the next meeting.
Staff also noted training and board schedule items: Economic Development Specialist Melanie Boykins will attend a basic economic development course and the Economic Development Board next meets Feb. 24 to review an incentive request and the ED strategic plan.
