The city of Hutto, in tandem with Perfect Game and Sports Facility Advisory|Sports Facilities Management, announced at its Sept. 19 City Council meeting that Legacy Development has been chosen as the new developer of its $800 million mixed-use development, anchored by Perfect Game.

“We selected Legacy because they are nationally known to be passionate about their work and their clients’ satisfaction and they find solutions and produce results,” said Mayor Doug Gaul, in a Sept. 19 news release. “We look forward to the innovative and creative spirit they bring to the table.”

The project, located at Hwy. 79 at CR 132, adjacent to Fritz Park, had previously employed Wolverine Interests, LLC as head developer before the city terminated its contract and filed action on July 26 against Wolverine, claiming breach of contract and seeking restitution of more than $1 million for damages. Wolverine filed a countersuit for breach of contract against Hutto in August.

“Legacy Development is proud to partner with the City of Hutto and Perfect Game on this project,” said Dan Lowe, Managing Partner of Legacy Development, in the news release. “We are excited about the astounding possibilities and we are honored to be participating with these organizations. The development will add a dynamic element to Hutto, dramatically increasing tourism and hotel and convention business and bring a class-A sports facility to Hutto.”

Legacy has developed 55 properties in 14 states throughout the midwest and southwest since it was established in 1996, and has negotiated more than $1 billion in public-private partnerships.

“When cities entrust us with their property and sales tax revenue, we take it very seriously," Lowe said. "We feel very honored that you trust us with your community.”

Within two to three weeks of the Sept. 19 meeting, both Lowe and Hutto City Manager Odis Jones said they will work toward hosting a community engagement forum with all parties of the development, in an effort to allow members of the public to ask questions and gain a greater understanding of the site plan, construction schedule and how the site will fit into the greater Hutto community.

“The goal when we develop projects is to fit them into the communities in which we build them," Lowe said.

In terms of the project's construction timeline, Lowe said that he believes, based on the discussion that he has had with both city staff and the project's fellow partners, the site will still be ready by its original Memorial Day 2021 opening date.

"We still believe Perfect Game can play their first games Memorial Day of 2021," Lowe said.

John Hansen, managing director of all IRR Corporate & Public Finance projects nationally, presented a revised timeline for the development.

A preliminary revised site plan is anticipated to be completed within 30 days of the Sept. 19 meeting, the site plan and design of which is in progress. Zoning is expected to be done in the fourth quarter of 2019, with the initial bond financing of land and predevelopment done during that same quarter, as well.

Primary bond financing would be done second quarter of 2020, while the power line relocating will be complete in quarter four, 2020.

The facility's grand opening is set for Memorial Day 2021, with phase one of the outside opening date anticipated in fall 2021 and staged openings held throughout 2020.

"Behind this schedule is a great deal of detail that we are developing," Hansen said.

Mayor Pro-Tem Tom Hines said he is grateful to have Legacy join the project and is excited to see the project get off the ground and into the community.

"I want to welcome you to Hutto and I’m very excited you’re here," Hines said. “We need to make sure we have the right partners and we do it the right way and we bring stuff the residents have been asking for.”