At the Jan. 8, 2020 meeting of the Balch Springs Community and Economic Development Corporation (Type A and Type B items discussed), EDC staff presented a year‑in‑review and an update on active and upcoming projects, funding and partner agreements.

Staff said the board approved a near‑$1.5 million budget (referred to during the meeting as “just under $1,500,000”) and reviewed a number of Type A and Type B projects funded or under procurement. Notable items cited in the presentation included: an Alexander Village mixed‑use development with an estimated $50,000,000 private investment for a 14‑acre site; a restroom facility at Oak Ridge Park approved at about $265,000; a Woodland Park basketball court funded at about $133,000; participation with Star Transit for public transportation funding (cited as $460,000 for fiscal year 24–25); streetscape and intersection improvement projects along Elam, BeltLine and Mercury; a downtown master plan and professional services contract with Callus Commercial; and a traffic-signal warrant analysis funded up to $150,000.

Staff also reported progress on design and grant activity: a trail master-plan design funded in partnership with Dallas County, a Green Ribbon gateway-corridor grant for corridor redesign, and a U.S. DOT grant to complete a comprehensive safety action plan. Staff noted multiple private projects in permitting or construction, including hotel and retail proposals, a 250‑unit apartment phase in Arcadia Trails (JPI/Tarlton development), and a La Quinta hotel under permit review.

Staff said the EDC conducted about 80 business retention and expansion meetings in the prior year and produced updated demographic and marketing data under a one‑year contract. The presentation noted that the EDC expects several procurement steps and construction starts in spring and that the Alexander Village infrastructure phase and other private developments will continue through the year. Staff announced a Starbucks groundbreaking scheduled for Jan. 27 at 11 a.m. and said several items will be forwarded to City Council for final approval as contracts and budgets are finalized.

Board members asked no substantive follow-up questions during the report. The presentation packet and supporting documents were available in the meeting materials; staff said bid solicitations and contract documents would be presented to the board in future meetings when appropriate.