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Updated: 3:08 PM Dec 28, 2007
Bel Aire Plans New Downtown
It will sit on a ten acre site across from city hall on the Southwest corner of 53rd and Rock Road. Posted: 4:38 PM Dec 27, 2007Email Address: jennifer.bocchieri@kake.com |
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Besides city hall and a series of subdivisions, there's not much else in Bel Aire.
"There's really not a downtown. A true downtown like most cities have," says Bel Aire City Administrator Ty Lasher.
But soon there will be. The city has come up with new drawings of the downtown it wants to build.
It will sit on a ten acre site across from city hall on the Southwest corner of 53rd and Rock Road.
The idea was first brought up a year ago. The designs are a compilation of input from public meetings. The new city center will surround an open grassy plaza.
Two and three story buildings will house retail, restaurant, office and living space. The city is now shopping around for a developer to build it and fill it with unique attractions.
"Our hope is because we've done our homework and we've got public input and we can show them what the traffic counts are and what the demo's are within so many miles that that will peak their interest to come and put this thing in for us,"Lasher says.
As for who will pay for all this, the city says the developer will, although it does plan on offering special incentives to bring in restaurants and shops.
With all the surrounding growth, they're now hoping others see the same potential as they do for a new downtown Bel Aire.
City leaders aren't sure when it could happen but they are currently shopping for a developer.
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