'Hidden Gem' - Development
Could Spur Bellwood Improvements - March 25, 2007 Development of 543 acres purchased last month by a Scottsdale, Ariz., investment firm could hasten the extension of Sunnybrook Drive to Texas Highway 31 and aid in improving the public area of Lake Bellwood, officials said. Eric Davis, president of TierraStar Real Estate in McKinney, which helped facilitate the sale, previously said the buyers will create a master plan for the property, then bring in developers who specialize in the different parts of the master plan and sell those parcels to the developers. Although land use plans are not finalized, Davis said discussions have included attracting an upscale hotel with significant meeting space. The mixed-use development will include retail, office, hospitality and residential components and it should spur additional development on the city's west side, he said. Davis, too, said the new owners would work with the city to help develop and improve Bellwood Lake. The lake, a water source for the city from about 1895 until Lake Tyler became the primary surface water supply in the 1950s, began to see more development a couple of years ago with the development of The Cascades. Multimillion dollar homes in that community are being built on the lake's southern and western sides. But Lake Bellwood's northeastern side has had a longstanding reputation as a place where undesirable occurrences - including hard drug activity, deviant sexual forays and public lewdness - have been reported. It includes a boat ramp and a park with some overgrown areas and playground equipment in disrepair. (Staff Photo By Tom Turner)A picnic table in the park is overgrown with trees.One day, according to the city's master street plan, Sunnybrook Drive will pass close by the park. The city of Tyler is designing a westward extension of Sunnybrook Drive, which will extend the current roadway from an area just west of the Tyler Independent School District administration building to just past Loop 323. Formerly Eighth Street, the roadway in front of TISD administration was renamed "New Sunnybrook Drive." "The actual construction for the Sunnybrook extension, the actual design plans, will take it over to Sam's," Barbara Holly, Tyler director of planning, said. "Those plans take it to about 200 feet west of the loop. From that point it's expected to start veering north and eventually terminate into State Highway 64." Design plans have not been drawn for this portion, Ms. Holly said, adding, "it's a line on a map that says we want to continue this." Also, the entity or entities that develop that property would be responsible for continuing the roadway. The extension would also line up with Patton Lane, which now dead-ends a short distance south of Texas 31. Mayor Joey Seeber said the plans the investment group has for the area are very exciting. "Any time that a developer like this comes in to develop property in our city, it's exciting," Seeber said. "They have some big plans and I hope all of those work out. If they do, it would be great for the city." One of the Tyler 21 working groups is studying Bellwood Lake, and Seeber said the group will issue specific recommendations pertaining to the use of the lake and the property. People continue to use Bellwood Lake. Last week, despite the condition of some of the park area, several cars and visitors were observed at the lake. Seeber said the lake has great potential. "Bellwood Lake is a hidden gem in the city," he said. "We recognize that it's a resource that is underutilized. We'd love to work with the developer to make it more accessible, safer and more attractive for the use of our citizens." An upscale development nearby would help clean up the area, Seeber said. The developer's installation of the Sunnybrook extension would give the area greater access. "I think once there's development nearby and access is better, it will drive away whatever unsuitable activities may be going on out there," he said. Seeber said Tyler police have also beefed up their patrols in the area to keep it safe. Heines, who, with his wife, Michelle, sold about 79 acres of the land to be developed, said he believes it will be beneficial to Tyler that development continue on the west side. "Michelle and I bought the land to build a house on," Heines said. "When they approached us (to sell the land), we were agreeable." Heines property contained the former Bellwood Golf Club site. He said the course had not been used in four or five years and he did not know what the developer's plans were for it. Records show that in February, Westchase Land Development and Heines sold their properties, totaling 575 acres, to an entity titled IBD Property Investments Ltd. IBD, which has a Gladewater address, then sold 543 acres to Bellwood Lake & Loop 323 LLLP in Scottsdale. Information on the Scottsdale group that formed Bellwood Lake & Loop 323 LLLP could not be obtained by late last week. IBD also sold 27 acres to LadoLago LLC in McKinney, and the remaining five acres to a Tyler individual, according to records. Greg Junek is Business editor. He can be reached at 903.596.6280.
e-mail: business@tylerpaper.com << Archive |