As I drove around town over the weekend, I noticed a few new things. I am excited to report that there is a fence up and it looks as though work has begun on the "Old Walmart Building" located on highway 365. The property was sold on February 3rd, 2005 during a Nederland Economic Development Corporation Meeting. Published reports say that the developers plan to spend $1.7 million dollars on renovations to the property. I hear it is to open by the holiday season. Merry Christmas, Nederland!
WAIT! Not so fast. Why did it take two years to sale, when the building had NO RISTRICTIONS on what businesses can come into that building?
In an article published on June 18th, 2003, this was what was reported:
Jun. 18--NEDERLAND, Texas--Economic Development Corporation officials here have struck a deal with Wal-Mart Stores Inc., to buy the empty Wal-Mart building on F.M. 365 without any restrictions on what businesses can come into the building. "Typically, Wal-Mart just doesn't do that," said Rick Williams, executive director of the Nederland EDC, in a telephone interview earlier this week. The $1.85 million deal for the 111,000-square-foot building and 12.4 acres of land took two years to negotiate, Williams said. Typically, Wal-Mart officials will sell a business to another company, where they know what kind of business will go in there. "Usually, they know who the end-user is going to be," said Steve Buser, president of Partnership of Southeast Texas, an economic development group for nine counties.
Let me get this straight. That's two years of negotiating plus two more years to find a buyer. Hmm! Let's move on.....
I'm also hearing that the City of Nederland is inching closer to break ground on "Sunset Village". It's taking a while, which is understandable because hey, this is Nederland. We drag our feet around here. I urge the city to break ground soon. Since I'm on the subject of the property located on Highway 69. Looks like Candlewood Suites Hotel will be breaking ground in a matter of days. I ran across a published report from December 12th, 2003. I thought it was worth while reading. You may click the paragraph below to verify it's crediablity.
The Nederland Economic Development Corporation has approved the agreement with Aesha LLC, which includes selling the 1.5-acre plot for $227,500. When the Candlewood Suites hotel opens, the EDC will pay a $327,500 incentive. The agreement represents a $2.5 million investment by Aesha. Because of the hotel/motel tax, the hotel is equal to having a retailer with $4 million in annual sales move in. Groundbreaking will be in April 2004. [Beaumont Enterprise]
Guess I won't believe it until I see it!
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