Cleburne Unveils Huge Development Project

Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter

CLEBURNE (CBSDFW.COM) - A huge development is coming to Cleburne and it is located right along the Chisholm Trail Parkway. The mayor said that the city has been listening to voters, and this is what they wanted. The development will include new shopping areas and even a ballpark.

This will be the largest retail economic development for the city. Between the ballpark, new stores, hotels, sporting events and live concerts — this all means about 1,000 jobs coming to Cleburne, and the economic impact is estimated at $100 million for the city.

The development will be paid for through private donations and a sales tax increase, and aims to be built in about two years.

Voters will have a chance to decide on the project in November. They will also get to decide on the final name. Some ideas that have been tossed around include Cleburne Station and Cleburne Depot.

"There will be no property tax increase involved with the city's portion," said Mayor Scott Cain. "We will own the stadium and we will lease it to an operator, who will be required to provide year-round activities in the stadium."

The hope is that the ballpark can be used to establish a new minor league team.

According to city officials, this is exactly the kind of development that they had in mind when they jumped to get the Chisholm Trail Parkway built near Cleburne. "For the last several years, our residents have told us they want more shopping. They want more family-friendly entertainment. They want to preserve the character and the nature that makes Cleburne great," Cain said on Thursday. "I think people will love to come, will want to come here."

Some residents in Cleburne on Thursday morning said that they are tired of driving to Burleson or Fort Worth to go shopping or eat at a restaurant. "It would be amazing," said Heather Kelly. "Busy mom saving time, that's all I could ask for!"

Fort Worth is doing something similar. Construction is already underway at the Clearfork development, also located along the Chisholm Trail Parkway.