[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6269344,"mediaKeyId","3044010-77f01ca0acc09250d738e091a61ddaad","parentId",3044010,"title","EDC discusses multiuse entertainment and event‑space options; board urges outside partners and field visits","audioSeconds",1220,"startMs",2164000,"endMs",3384000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044010-77f01ca0acc09250d738e091a61ddaad&start=2164&end=3384","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044010-77f01ca0acc09250d738e091a61ddaad/thumbnail_2164000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6269344/Whitehouse/Smith-County/Texas/EDC-discusses-multiuse-entertainment-and-eventspace-options-board-urges-outside-partners-and-field-visits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269344-7d194e93ea76dbed7613e82b713b8abf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771031257&Signature=jjmwaafYjfFTwlSocIoIQ6HA8rb1TNgdw~ofeLVMNlNfMpKZwbpokCozTa2VX9jhEdrwRjeLRNmAtYLvGHUj6Fzxusg6~cb2hELveOt67WEh0FRY5gR5VAata~71Wx52RtBUEnrmHyOHP-ayjghXxqWj4m22VpE0UGPwtFt41u5xQsiXJfXYQtt2BvM77oILKeAXKbc4YsRcZeTx~fTDZZykwd00Gm48SiOdZ4NOBr5xvSt4roBGdICPMjHs9is30yq6HO7A99Fq~OXdD8Psbh8Jm4~WmWENUMBghrCkbwg740LZuhrm4q0rNiczculrF2rsP~U1dtr9mihyMG2Cfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Whitehouse Texas","date","2025-04-18T00:35:55.09Z","article","The Economic Development Corporation opened a broad discussion about possible entertainment and event spaces for White House, exploring small open‑air stages, food‑truck clusters, repurposed buildings and larger multiuse developments.

The board discussed examples from other towns—micro‑restaurants around a central plaza, repurposed school buildings with outdoor wings, container food courts and covered open‑air stages—and considered site constraints including floodplain areas and parking. Members suggested starting with lower‑cost, flexible options (rotating food trucks, temporary stages and PowerPoint displays) while identifying sites for larger investments.

“One, what type of facility, what would that look like? Two, where would you put it? And three, how much would it cost?” said the meeting chair, summarizing the board’s three questions to guide any future work. Several members said the EDC lacks the staff and capital to deliver a large anchor project alone and recommended recruiting third‑party developers or investors and engaging Retail Coach or other consultants for market validation.

Board members flagged several possible locations—city‑owned parcels near Center Food Store, the site behind CVS, a parcel formerly known as Rosefields and other parcels near Forestdale and the Highway 110 corridor. Members suggested considering annexation and road improvements where needed, and noted that some parcels could be suitable for outdoor venues that tolerate intermittent flooding.

Participants recommended practical next steps: identify a visionary architect or consultant to produce concept sketches, seek Retail Coach input on entertainment‑retail synergies, evaluate zoning and infrastructure needs, and organize one or more field‑trip meetings to visit comparable venues.

No formal action was taken; the board directed staff to pursue contacts, report back on potential partners and to consider bringing a guest architect or consultant to review site options at a future meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Economic Development Corporation Meeting - April 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The EDC held a wide-ranging discussion on creating entertainment and event space in White House, from small outdoor stages and food‑truck clusters to multiuse developments; board members recommended pursuing third‑party partners, exploring potential sites (including city‑owned parcels), and conducting field visits to comparable venues.","taxTitle","Whitehouse, Smith County, Texas","taxId",52509,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6269350,"EDC updates retail recruitment; members report interest from restaurant and hotel prospects",502,1598000,2100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044010-77f01ca0acc09250d738e091a61ddaad&start=1598&end=2100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044010-77f01ca0acc09250d738e091a61ddaad/thumbnail_1598000.jpg","/articles/6269350/Whitehouse/Smith-County/Texas/EDC-updates-retail-recruitment-members-report-interest-from-restaurant-and-hotel-prospects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269350-88a5cc7fdae4441500d2600f56abea14/orig.mp4?Expires=1771031257&Signature=TdVoUPcUTl7kix0FdAZJz7~hqoo1Yx41USBIfBNnkBaslrixRsSJEte7Ke2zVs8RRNVoDaSDWMS0~FBii3EVyv1A2QI3EwHY3Zni2G0wrs11Nw5HP7wd1C0nvGvdBzxLLKbMk9aBTB6tIZTmf-jdxhoEnPseljEQcKzhRjHU4XDCrZI5VGqOGR2HTjUbgQ-Od1RtGxLXiJRvdrV9RjpogMVPNOhQWYiHwNGUkbq740oExmu~ZxaDGWZFLqUjKEMR42pAbxcn49dDtUW0Y9~mD3f5iMPLjcrzTBn2gvtgfOPCwBLfOc38FH17kCPHk~xL7m84Cm1Oc-2~vOdi7TCDsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","EDC staff told the board the city’s Retail Coach consultant is ramping up outreach to retailers and developers ahead of the ICSC Las Vegas conference in May, and that several retail and restaurant prospects have requested sites in White House.

“They are now preparing for the upcoming ICSC Las Vegas conference in May. That is a premier event for retailers,” Susan, an EDC staff member, said, adding that the consultant reported about 17,000 registrants for the conference and is actively contacting targeted prospects.

Staff reported recent meetings with local property owners who indicated openness to ground leases on parcels along Highway 110 and, in some cases, possible sales. Those owners own several parcels that exceed one acre—one constraint retailers and restaurants had previously flagged. Board members said ground leases could help attract quick-serve and other restaurant concepts that need about one to 1.5 acres for parking.

Board discussion also touched on hotel development. A board member said there is “a willing property owner, a willing hotel operator,” but that the missing piece is a developer or financial backer to build and deliver a hotel. Board members estimated that development capital for a hotel would be “probably a few million” dollars and noted the higher construction and sprinkler costs that can raise project budgets.

Staff said Retail Coach is also engaging hotel contacts and will follow up with introductions to local property owners and developers as prospects emerge. The board asked staff to continue updating members as Retail Coach progresses on outreach and site matches.

No formal vote was taken on the retail recruitment update; staff said it will continue to provide periodic updates as the Retail Coach identifies leads.","EDC staff reported active outreach by the Retail Coach ahead of the ICSC Las Vegas conference and described several prospective retail and restaurant leads plus early hotel interest tied to ground-lease options; board members said development hinges on a developer/backer to build and deliver projects.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6269355,"EDC sets $4,500 preliminary budget to support White House City Center grand opening",1008,607000,1615000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044010-77f01ca0acc09250d738e091a61ddaad&start=607&end=1615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044010-77f01ca0acc09250d738e091a61ddaad/thumbnail_607000.jpg","/articles/6269355/Whitehouse/Smith-County/Texas/EDC-sets-4500-preliminary-budget-to-support-White-House-City-Center-grand-opening","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269355-feaafe5bde0b5fb20078c0f61aafe922/orig.mp4?Expires=1771031257&Signature=fuI6FOFc61ujS3uQzEE97eqmNERngrC5l3WI4hzqk-AkqLCyuiWf2FyVeGkZxjlnZvV2vwVR-7Qcjn2q~tWGTiHfdS9NBbqryU-ako0LfMToDtL9QdlFL~DG6s7jJD9fSg0Y2HAIGy-Mi8irG7eZaRdbrj3v0ww11GCDP1iSS-woGN2CX4c6ZlFrCR~xusG11LRWv23OkY20xKXTEMOnl5tsSbbOnneZFhJCg1P5AYsb7NI8rF2rRugISquRLsZtgxZJpwMm9SLClGlRyk4IzKFLfsRcTtWd27~RQ0nnD~-FXdwBhX0WpINHoudy9Zq2ghvd~fRwl9lnRgrhw4p4yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) voted unanimously on April 17 to set a preliminary budget of $4,500 to support the grand opening of the new City Center at 109 East Main Street.

EDC staff described the event as an early-August open-house and formal dedication intended to showcase the City Center, the EDC office and the Chamber of Commerce relocation. The corp. said City Council has already approved a $2,500 event budget covering professional photography, branded refreshments and 200 individually wrapped cookies; the EDC’s budget will supplement that for displays, swag and other promotional items.

“As a part of the city's ongoing commitment to enhance our community spaces and fostering economic growth, Staff has decided to update you on the upcoming grand opening event for the city center at 109 East Main Street,” said Susan, an EDC staff member, describing planned tours, public safety displays and a formal dedication. Staff identified early August as the target timeframe and said the event is being planned for roughly 200 guests.

Board members debated sponsorship options including splitting cookie costs with the Chamber (estimated cookie cost $650), sponsoring charcuterie hors d’oeuvres for about $3,000 (200 servings), funding a prize drawing, or buying reusable promotional materials such as a step-and-repeat backdrop and display boards. One member proposed using part of the EDC allocation for reusable promotional items (backdrops, storyboards, brochures and “swag”) that the EDC could reuse at future events.

“I'll make a motion, that we set a preliminary budget at $4,500 subject to review based on what staff can discover,” the meeting chair said; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with the board recording the motion as carrying unanimously.

Staff said the Chamber has agreed to contribute $1,500 toward event expenses. The EDC noted it currently pays a modest rental amount for the new EDC office and views the grand opening as an opportunity to raise awareness of EDC services and to present the facility positively to the community.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of EDC minutes (Jan. 16, 2025): approved (consent agenda, unanimous)
- Preliminary grand opening budget: motion to set $4,500 (subject to staff review): approved, unanimous

The board directed staff to return with a detailed proposal of how the EDC funds would be used at the next meeting, including proposed displays, swag and any additional costs for catering or presentation materials.","The Economic Development Corporation approved a $4,500 preliminary budget (unanimous) to support the City Center grand opening at 109 East Main Street, splitting sponsorship opportunities with the Chamber of Commerce and planning promotional displays and hospitality for an expected crowd of about 200.","actionData","errors"]

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EDC discusses multiuse entertainment and event‑space options; board urges outside partners and field visits

EDC updates retail recruitment; members report interest from restaurant and hotel prospects

EDC sets $4,500 preliminary budget to support White House City Center grand opening