Page 20 - CityofKellerFY25Budget

support the city's award-winning event lineup and allow staff to consider other additions to the special
event calendar throughout the year.

Goal 2: Attract Vibrant Development

Strategy 2.1: Maintain the Momentum of Old Town Keller by Supporting Organic Growth Consistent
with Council's Vision for the Area

Old Town Keller Redevelopment Phase II - Part I was completed this year and included converting Bates
Street into a festival street and installing a median and Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon to provide visitors safe
access across South Main Street/Hwy. 377 on foot. This revitalization project has acted as a catalyst for
surrounding property owners to work with city staff to improve their properties and explore uses that are
harmonious with the vision of Old Town Keller. Recent attractions have included Hush Keller, Golden Haus,
and Dandelion House. Upcoming developments include the Houghton Horns Performance Hall and Taco
Tequila.
Redevelopment of Old Town will soon see the benefits of the established Tax Increment Reinvestment
Zone (TIRZ) No. 2, which stretches along Hwy. 377 and includes all of the Old Town Keller zoning district.
By capturing increased valuation increments from new projects like Center Stage and the redevelopment
of properties along the highway corridor, money will be earmarked to pay for significant infrastructure,
drainage, park and other public improvements in Old Town for years to come. The tax base was
established on Jan. 1, 2022, and following the second year of collections, the TIRZ is outperforming the
estimated cumulative contributions.

Strategy 2.3: Attract Experiential Businesses to Keller, including Sit-Down Restaurants

A growing number of new restaurants have chosen Keller as their home. Business-friendly policies, quality
of life, and exceptional city amenities have helped attract quality restaurants such as the Cajun-inspired
seafood restaurant Te'Jun, Texas barbeque hotspot Outpost 36 and popular sushi destination Hush Keller,
to name a few. The attraction of these unique restaurants highlights the city's recognition by various
publications as an up-and-coming dining destination.

In FY 2023-24, City Council approved a ground lease and economic development incentive with ME
Development LLC to construct a 65,000-square-foot multi-sport recreational facility on the north side of
the Keller Sports Park. This experiential business will drive new activity to the park, providing residents
with youth sports programs that have not previously been available in Northeast Tarrant County. In
addition, city staff has seen an increase in site selection activity for family entertainment centers and has
developed a recruitment plan for these users focused on target sites within Keller. City staff will continue
to promote Keller's strengths to identify and target other experiential businesses consistent with the
vision of Keller residents.
Strategy 2.4: Continue Improving Primary Commercial Corridors

Redevelopment of existing commercial corridors will become increasingly important to growing Keller's
commercial tax base as we reach our community's natural buildout. The Tax Increment Reinvestment
Zone No. 2 referenced above is expected to generate increased interest from developers seeking

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