Page 37 - NRH FY20 Approved Budget

BUDGET OVERVIEW

COUNCIL GOAL 7:

TARGETED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Strive to maintain and build our vibrant and
diverse economic base.

Objectives:

 Attract businesses with higher wage, high-skill primary jobs that positively contribute
to our community

 Promote diversity in economic development

 Maximize use of underutilized real estate and business locations through strategic
land planning and management

 Retain and grow our current businesses

Accomplishments:

 Babe’s Chicken opened this year to a resounding success. As of July 2019 the North
Richland Hills location is the busiest restaurant in the chain. Sweetie Pie’s Ribeyes is
expected to open in late 2019 in the lot adjacent to Babe’s.

 Alamo Drafthouse North Richland Hills opened in Spring 2019. The 42,000 square foot
building on Davis Boulevard near North Tarrant Parkway includes eight theaters, a full
service restaurant, and an outdoor patio with a play area for children.

 The former Home Depot Expo Design Center and Total Shooting Sports building at 7901
Boulevard 26 is being redeveloped by shooting sport retailer Weby Corp. The retailer
represents more than 500 widely varying brands in both physical storefronts and popular
third-party online marketplaces like Amazon. The NRH location will house Weby Corp’s
corporate office, distribution warehouse and retail space, complemented by re-opening
the indoor shooting range. The anticipated opening is Fall 2019.

 The former City Hall building was sold and the new owner is formalizing a plan for future
use of the property, possibly requiring renovation or redevelopment.

 More than $15.8 million in new commercial construction has been permitted this fiscal
year to date, including new commercial buildings, add ons and remodels.

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