Document Lgv3bLx5334RMMQ44M4r2oKv5

SOUTH BELT-ELLINGTON LEADER, Thursday, March 20, 1997 Chamber members learn of area's growth plans / By Cheryl Bolen Leader -co-publisher Marie Flickinger was the instrument of several bombshell an nouncements about area growth at last Wednesday's monthly meeting of the South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerce. Telling (he large crowd--uncharacter istically populated with an abundance of local realtors--of the area's explosive growth, Flickinger said the toll way was the dynamite for the explosion. About 80 percent of her talk was a recap and update on home, retail and road con struction that had been previously an nounced in the Leader. However, she was the first to make public news of the following projects: Brand new announcements A 21-acrc Carrnax auto dealership is going to be constructed adjacent to and south of the AutoNation dealership being constructed on 1-45 at Fuqua. Like AutoNation, Carrnax is a national used car dealership. Carrdax, owned by Circuit City, is be ing touted as no-hassle sales with computer assistance. Computers will enable buyers to designate a cost, number of payments and instantly to get a list of autos available to fit the buyers' needs. Carrnax is expected to open this summer. - Flickinger said AutoNation is owned by the former Blockbuster owners who recent ly bought Avis and National Rent-a-Car and four Houston Joe . Myers auto dealerships. Charlie Thomas Ford will relocate from the Gulfgate area to across (he freeway from AutoNation into a $5- to $6-iuillion facility that will sell new and used vehicles. It is projected to open Sept. 1. The three dealerships will bring 500 new jobs to the area, she said. ' A new free-standing Walgrcen's pro totype building with drive-thru pharmacy will, be constructed on the Scarsdale- Bcamcr intersection where a sign now pro claims it as the site of the future chamber office. The land deal will close in April for the new Walgreen's, which will replace the present facility in the same intersection. A road she announced, though details appeared in last week's Leader, was the ci- ty's intention to widen Sabo to four lanes from Fuqua to Kingspoint. . She thanked the chamber's Dr. B.J. Garner for his efforts on behalf of its Traf fic and Transportation Committee in urg ing the city to construct the road. Two co-brand gas stations are planned for the area along the beltway/lollway, A Chcvron-McDonald's with a conve nience store is expected to open soon on the beltway at Beamcr. Also, an Exxon is planned for the beltway at Sabo, it will possibly, be co branded, possibly with TCBY yogurt. Ground will break in May for the Exxon. Updates on previously announced projects Final papers will be signed in April for DSW 137472 1/2 STLCOPCB4037429 ingcr said. She said sales a $5 million assisted living center to be constructed at the present end or Scarsdale Boulevard in Pearland. there arc projected at 60 a year. Close to the Estates of Green Tee, the defunct "The fact that we have Southbend subdivision strong community ties is nears extinction. part of why the facility is Flickingcr announced all being built here," Flickingcr said. The complex will feature private apartments, three meals a day and transporta tion to. shopping and med ical care. 670 of the subdivision's homes will be torn down by the end of this month. Also, she was the first to announce that the unfin ished two-story Bcamcr Towers on Bcamcr will also For some residents, ser be torn down by the end of vice will include help with the month. bathing, dressing as well as /. receiving medication. Recap on previously announced projects . Sagcmonl Church breaks "Last year's projectsground this month for its such as the 67,000-squarc- $1.7 million project that foot Federal Express com will include two entrances to the beltway, a 350-car lot, a road all around the church complex and reten tion and athletic facilities. plex on Fuqua, the First Community Bank on the Gulf Freeway, the Park & Ride on Sabo should have been a clue," Flickingcr Phase II, which will cost said. "But they were the tip $7 million, will add more of the iceberg. building space than is lo Some of the other projects cated in the church's present she mentioned were: facilities. Fuqua Park & Pool, a As is the church's debt- 400-spacc lot expected to free custom, all projects will open early next month. be paid for as constructed. This week's tollway opening will see 50,000 cars Crcsco is developing a day on the stretch of road 460 homesites on Hall Road from 1-45 to SH 288. between Moore Elementary The stretch of tollway and Rollac. Houses will from 288 to 59 will open range from 1,600 to 2,800 early May, with a road par square feet and cost from ty estimated to cost $95,000 to .$130,000. Lots $300,000. arc expected to be on ' Construction of a $30 ground in January. million AMC 30-scrccn In another new area theatre near the 1-45 subdivision, the Estates of beltway intersection is ex Green Tee on the south side pected to be complete by oT Scarsdale Boulevard, Christmas. home sales arc far ahead of Laud is currently being expectations. cleared for the theater, Nine houses have been which will feature "love sold, and 10 more arc on scats," a courtyard, 3,000 contingency. parking spaces and 15 ticket The builder has already stations. ' requested more homesites to Wings arc being added go with the original 35 lots. to Stuchbcry, Atkinson, "This has been way past Thompson and Meador their expectations," Flick- campuses. ' Lutheran High School will relocate to the area and add a campus of 6th, 7th and 8th grade. The 16-ncrc site for the school is located near 1-45 and Dixie Farm Road. ?/? CLIPPED FOR you ny GOLDMAN At CO. DSW 137473 STLCOPCB4037430