Temple Towne Center work begins
The Temple Daily Telegram reports that plans for Temple's latest retail attraction have been finalized and the project
is moving ahead.The Seitz Group, Inc., of Dallas announced Monday it has completed the purchase of Temple
Towne Center, a 28.81-acre site on the south side of Skyline Drive and north Loop 363.Construction will begin
immediately with a targeted October completion date for the 276,000- square-foot shopping center.The center will
be anchored by Staples, Shoe Carnival, Ross, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Marshalls, Goody's, Hobby Lobby, Petco,
Books-A-Million and Lifeway Christian Books."I think we've all breathed a sigh of relief," said City Manager Mark
Watson. "We're now moving into the construction phase and all of our hard work has paid off."Final plat for the
shopping center was approved by Temple's Planning and Zoning Commission last August with an initial estimated
construction start of September.Two stores that were originally slated to lease space, Old Navy and Jo-Ann Fabrics,
never finalized. Nevertheless, Eric Seitz, president and owner of The Seitz Group, Inc., said the retail center is a
golden asset to the city."Some of the stores decided they weren't ready to come to this marketplace, but what we
have now is a substantial line up for the city and I think it will do well," he said.