People need to point to Lewisville and say, ‘That’s our model.’ That’s when we all know we’ve really gotten it done and gotten it done right is when other cities want to copy us.” City Hall’s relocation was the dom- ino that led to the construction of residential developments, Kunke said. Efforts slowed during the 2008 recession and again in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he said development in the area is now booming. One of the major residential proj- ects is the Main and Mill Lofts. The $35 million mixed-use project will have
Blackall said change is hard, but revi- talization has positively impacted her business and others in the area. “It’s busier over here. A lot more people [are] walking up and down my street,” she said. “But as a business owner and someone who is in a busi- ness association, I love seeing all the fresh faces down here. That’s a blessing for business owners.” Odin Leather Goods opened in the heart of Old Town in October 2021. The store’s owner, Odin Clack, said the area’s charm influenced his decision to move his retail store and manufactur- ing studio to 131 W. Main St.
201 luxury-style units and will be located at the corner of Main Street and Mill Street, according to project details. The two six-story buildings will include parking garages and retail on its respec- tive first floors. Another project is Old Town Station, located on College Street. It will be the largest multifamily development with 420 units. Another project, called Deck on Main, will be a 20,000-25,000 square-foot building with retail space anticipated for the first floor, office space on second floor and an event space on the third floor, according to project details. Additionally, plans for a boutique hotel were approved in June. The
“We’re not here to just take up space; we’re here to be a part of the area,” he said. “I would love for people to say some years from now, Old Town has benefited and value was added to Old Town because we were here.” Keeping a vision While the area has seen a number of changes through the years, revi- talization efforts in Old Town have been met with challenges. Changes have naturally been met with resistance from those who have an emotional attachment to the area, Kunke said. It is also more expensive and difficult to build in Old Town. The city plans to pre- serve Old Town’s charm
“The key to any down- town really is to have enough of a variety that draws you down there.” LORI FICKLING, LEWISVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT
and character by ensuring new devel- opments adhere to architectural and design standards. Kunke said the city is also committed to protecting his- toric buildings. “If people choose to live in the Old Town district, there’s a reason, and we just need to make sure they don’t for- get that reason,” he said. Kunke said seeing the fruits of revi- talization takes time; it is a process that can take decades. “It’s a process that doesn’t really end. You reach milestones,” he said. “Old Town will never be totally fin- ished. We’ll reach milestones. We can stop and take a breath, and look and say, ‘Wow we did that,’ and now what’s next?”
proposed hotel will be located at 102 W. Main St. and will have eight guest rooms along with a restaurant that will be open to the public. “A lot of the residential projects are because that helps spur the demand for that commercial activity, for the demand for that type of space,” Sam- ples said. “That’ll bring a substantial amount of new residents to our city.” Business benefits Revitalization has brought new busi- nesses to the area and helped existing businesses, according to local owners. Kelly Blackall is a wedding photogra- pher and board chair of The Main and Mill Association. As a longtime resident and business owner in Old Town, Blackall said she has witnessed many changes, but The Main and Mill Association’s efforts, combined with loyal patronage, have helped businesses survive.
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
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LEWISVILLE - COPPELL EDITION • OCTOBER 2022
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