As the New Year gets started, I hope that your holidays were filled with joy and great memories. The Blaydes clan was a bit scattered but managed to get together at different times throughout the season. If you are like me, short visits are better than none at all when it comes to my family and friends.

With the passage of the Lake Highlands Tax Increment Finance District (TIF), things have begun to pick up on several proposed projects within the district. Town Center is back on track. Kingsley Square is under construction. Trammell Crow Company is hard at work on the plans for a major retail project at Skillman and Northwest Highway. The Northwest Terrace Apartments have been put under contract for redevelopment. General Growth Company, from Chicago, is looking at two different locations for other developments in the area.

Sign up for our newsletter!

* indicates required

The point is, Lake Highlands is a viable and desired location for new retail today. I agree with Realtors who feel our centers are old and in need of updating, but I sure disagree with those who continue to preach doomsday for new retail in our town. The locations may change.