Business on the rise in Lockhart
By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER
Whether it’s an old business moving into larger quarters or new business breaking ground, growth and construction can be seen all over Lockhart.
In spite of the ongoing construction on Highway 183, or perhaps because of it, commercial construction has taken off in Lockhart, with millions of dolla
rs of potential property values being added to the city’s rolls.
“In terms of building permits, Advance Auto Parts, Dollar Tree and Fresh Donut are under construction,” City Planner Dan Gibson reported via email this week. “Plans have been submitted for Schlotzky’s, and a restaurant next to Fresh Donut.”
According to Economic Development Director Sandra Mauldin, the visible construction is only the tip of the iceberg.
“There are so many things that are going on that we aren’t quite ready to talk about yet,” she said. “This is an exciting and vibrant time, and we have a lot of opportunities.”
Those opportunities, she said, include the pending replatting of a property in the Lockhart Industrial Park, which will open up one of the properties for not only the proposed hotel in the area, but also for additional retail and commercial space.
“If I had my wish, we’d see [that whole area] covered with retail and industry,” she said. “And that’s something that we’re working on.”
Mauldin noted plans are still in the works for the Pure Castings foundry, though there are behind-the-scenes actions being taken by that business to ensure a smooth transition as they move operations from their current location to Lockhart.
“The thing that we have to remember, not only with them but with all new businesses, is that just because we don’t see what’s happening, doesn’t mean nothing is happening,” she said.
Activity is not limited to the Highway 183 corridor, she noted. Interest has also been high in the Center Point and Maple Park areas.
“Maple Park is starting to work on installing the infrastructure,” she said. “And there is strong interest in some of the property at Center Point.”
Again, she noted, the principals in those deals are not in a position to go public with their plans, but she suggested big things on the horizon. After what appeared to be a stall in development after the construction of Fashion Glass and Mirror, the property owners of the Center Point development have restructured, and are ready to move forward with development of their multi-use property. Maple Park is the 50 acres bordered by Cityline Road and Clearfork Street near Highway 130.
The city has also worked to bring infrastructure to that area in advance of the expected growth in the coming months and years.
This is the first in a series of articles discussing growth and development in Caldwell County. Future issues will address rural industrial and residential development, including the Walton, Cherryville and 130 Environmental Park projects, school construction, and the ongoing renovations of Highway 183. Pick up future editions of the Post-Register for comprehensive updates on local growth as it impacts the community.
THIS ALL SOUNDS EXCITING FOR LOCKHART, THE CITY NEEDS TO MOVE FORWARD AND HELP BRING BUSINESS TO CALDWELL COUNTY SO LIFELONG RESIDENTS CAN SPEND MONEY IN OUR OWN CITY, RATHER THAN GOING OUT OF TOWN.