What’s happening
Town Manager James Childers said this project is an opportunity to develop a catalyst and an amenity within the River Walk, which could draw more foot traffic to the mixed-use development. The 3.67-acre site that will house the future arts center was previously envisioned as an amphitheater adjacent to the River Walk’s restaurants, according to the development documents.
“The general idea is to be able to put something that has people on a regular basis,” Childers said. “From there, the people go to the restaurants, they go to the shops.”
Chris Kummer—a co-owner for the building housing Vinifera Wine Lounge & Bistro, which recently opened in the River Walk—added that the arts center project could help generate foot traffic for the area and complement the existing businesses.
“This is a hidden gem, and it’s not like they’re going to build another River Walk in the town of Flower Mound,” Kummer said. “Rather than just come down here for the arts, they can come down here and grab dinner [and] go to the show afterwards.”
With the arts center project, town officials said they hope it will ultimately make the River Walk a local and regional destination. Officials added that they recognize the generally negative opinions about the development, stemming from it not living up to the original vision for the River Walk.
“There is a recognition that we have to do our part to finish it out,” Childers said. “Flower Mound doesn’t benefit if everybody just stands and points and criticizes the River Walk. There has to be some energy and investment to finish it out.”
Additionally, Childers said the town is looking to find ways to program nearby undeveloped land in a complementary way to the arts center, such as putting up a screen for outdoor movies or setting up a performance stage.
By the numbers
Town officials project to spend around $50 million on the arts center, but the final price tag will be finalized during the design process. Other town investments within the River Walk area include the construction of a parking garage near the development’s restaurants.
“This represents that first sizable investment besides just the oversight and approval that previous councils have done to say we bless this concept,” Childers said.
Because the project is in the early stages, town officials have not created any formal initiatives used to increase the number of hotel nights. Childers said internal conversations are happening about ways the town could leverage those funds in conjunction with arts center programming.
Diving deeper
Additionally, town officials extended Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1, which includes the River Walk, for five years last December. A tax increment reinvestment zone is a public financing tool that allows municipalities to capture up to 100% of the growth in property tax values above the base set when the zone is established. The zone was originally created in September 2005, and funds within the zone are earmarked to pay for improvement projects, such as the arts center.
“We have this unique financing tool that puts us in a position to do that without having to raise the tax rate or touch the tax rate for our residents to be able to deliver this facility,” he said.
Along with town funding, Denton County has agreed to fund the project through participation in the tax increment reinvestment zone.
“We anticipate the performing arts center benefiting communities across our county and region,” Denton County Judge Andy Eads said. “We need more public venues to continue building on our exceptional quality of life here in Denton County.”
Additionally, the Grand Theater has helped revitalize Old Town Lewisville since opening in 2011, said Denise Helbing, the venue’s manager.
“Since then, more restaurants have come back into Old Town and the retail has expanded,” Helbing said.
Looking ahead
The tentative opening date for the arts center is in spring 2029. While the town works its way through the design process, Childers said public input will be important.
“We want people to be engaged in the process, share their thoughts, and take advantage of these opportunities to be able to engage and provide feedback,” Childers said.
Doris Aguirre, a resident who attended the Dec. 11 feedback session, said she hopes the proposed arts center incorporates more green space and feels inviting, which could help connect the development.
“I really hope that this new arts center enhances the River Walk and brings people into the River Walk because the River Walk is actually very beautiful,” Aguirre said. “If they work together to kind of connect one to the other, I think they can bring people into those restaurants.”
