Staff reports highlight new businesses, hotel construction, opportunity‑zone push and city‑center land acquisition

City staff briefed the Type A board on multiple economic development and capital projects during the June 15 meeting.

Staff reported that Nothing Bundt Cakes (a bakery chain) has opened a Lake June Road location across from the Walmart center and that a ribbon cutting is planned for July 17. La Quinta del Sol hotel is under vertical construction east of I‑35 and is expected to open in early 2027, staff said. Huntington Industrial Partners is building a roughly 140,000‑square‑foot warehouse at the Edgeworth site slated for completion this summer; staff said they plan a ribbon cutting and additional recruitment work with the chamber. The board was also told that council recently approved a resolution supporting an application to the governor’s office for opportunity‑zone designation for parts of Balch Springs, a tool staff said could attract investor tax incentives to targeted census tracts.

Staff also summarized transportation and city‑center implementation steps: Shepherd Lane design to widen from two lanes to three, a funding agreement with TxDOT to redo Elam Road awaiting execution in Austin, Prosperity Bank’s expected consolidation and potential redevelopment of the vacated site, and a negotiated land contract under attorney review for a planned multipurpose civic facility and future city hall. Board members asked about sales‑tax upticks tied to summer events and staff said they will follow up with finance to provide projections.