Keller City Council on May 7 approved an economic development program agreement with ME Development, owner of what will be an approximately 70,000-square-foot indoor recreational multisport building on 7.8 acres at 401 Golden Triangle Blvd.
The background
Officials with ME Development want to build the facility for basketball, volleyball, cheer and futsal on undeveloped land at Keller Sports Park. The expected cost of the facility is approximately $17 million, according to a council agenda memo.
The applicant requested an economic incentive agreement to cover the cost of the building permit and impact fees for the facility. The total economic incentive request from the city is not to exceed $396,461, and it will be paid in full within 90 days of issuance of a certificate of occupancy, said Mary Culver, the city's economic development director.
What they're saying
ME Development Principal Esteban Mariel told council his company builds facilities where there is a need, and he saw a need for basketball and volleyball courts in Keller. He said people could stay in the city rather than leave the community to play somewhere else. But there will be more than basketball and volleyball, as people who participate in other sports, such as soccer, will be able to do so at this building, he said.
“You name any type of sport or court or a turf field you could play, you can utilize that within this type of facility,” Mariel said.
There will be in-house programming for the community as well as committed space for local groups and organizations to use the building for their activities.
He said they want the facility to make people feel good and proud when they visit.
“We’re very excited about the opportunity,” he said.
He said his company hopes to break ground in the fourth quarter of this year, and said the construction and completion period will take 12-14 months. Mayor Armin Mizani said he thinks the project will be a “tremendous, successful project” for ME Development, and the city and residents, and he expects support coming from outside of town.
