BIG SPRING -
The old Furr's Cafeteria building in Big Spring will be demolished, and something new put in it's place. That's according to developer Jeff Farmer, owner and CEO of White Oak Development, based in Memphis, TN.
Farmer's company is re-developing the commercial property, but also is the entity behind a new residential development in the Kentwood Area here in Big Spring.
As far as the former Furr's location, Jeff Farmer says his company had nothing to do with its demise. Furr's parent company has closed 20 or more locations in Texas. But White Oak Development now has the Big Spring property under contract, is scheduled to purchase the property in May or June, and the plan is then to demolish the old building and construct a new mixed-use shopping center. That facility will include about 19,000 square ft and house 8 businesses. The developer's current goal is to have the entire shopping center open by this November.
The White Oak Development owner tells KBYG News that some individual lease negotiations are still ongoing for the commercial space, but that there are several business that can be announced: Rue21 is expected, as well as AT&T, which will both be new for Big Spring. Jeff Farmer also says there is a "national hamburger restaurant chain" he is currently negotiating with, but couldn't disclose the name at this stage of discussions. Only that the company also has restaurants in Midland and Odessa. There are still some of these commercial spaces available.
Farmer told KBYG News that this commercial development, as well as what he is doing on the residential side of things has been greatly facilitated by Terry Wegman at the Big Spring Economic Development Corporation, as well as The City of Big Spring and other individuals and entities. The residential development is currently planned as 31 units within quad-plexes on 25th Street in the Kentwood area. Each 2-3 bedroom unit will have abundant living space and garage parking available, we are told. Phase I with 18 units will begin construction in late July, according to Jeff Farmer, and completion could come by the first January 2015. There is already a demand and great interest indicated, he says.
Farmer says that if anyone is curious about these commercial or residential projects happening in Big Spring, especially if you are interested in acquiring space in either, you may phone the White Oak Development offices at (901) 300-3585, as well as access the company's website at http://www.whiteoakdevelopment.net/
