Kyle Williams, developer behind The District, provided an update on where things stand with the project Monday, Oct. 21, 2019.
Demolition work is complete and utility installation is beginning on the 20-acre development at the corner of Cleveland and Garriott.
“We hope, Lord willing, in 120 days we’ll have street and utilities ready for the property,” Williams told members of Enid Rotary Club. One lane of traffic along Garriott currently is closed as workers construct curbing around the development.
Hideaway Pizza, Colton’s Steakhouse and the Jiffy Trip convenience store chain, of which Williams is president, all have signed on to The District.
In addition to a 7.1 acre lot set aside for a future movie theater, a 13,000-square-foot shopping center will be constructed as well. According to Williams, two national companies are interested in the shopping center, and currently are looking at lease rates.
The promise of a new theater is a primary reason why Williams decided to strike a deal with the city of Enid and purchase up the properties that made up the 20-acre parcel formerly called Lahoma Courts, and develop something new.
“We wanted to help with Enid getting a theater. That’s probably the single most important quality of life issue I believe Enid has,” he said.
After the theater lot is prepared to build on and equipped with all the necessary utilities, Williams’ company Anchored Capital 3 Investments will give the 7.1 acre lot up to the city. With the prepared property in hand, the city will have better means of incentivizing a theater chain to invest in Enid.
“My only counsel to them was to make sure we get the very best, let’s not settle,” he said. “We’ve got phenomenal property, we’ve got a great market, and we need to deliver an entertainment venue and movie theater to our community.”
Confident the city can close a deal, Williams said a main street leading into the The District will be dubbed “Cinema Lane.”
The city has been in talks with Apex Cinemas for several months to bring in a theater. Apex has three theater locations, with one in Muskogee, a second in McAlester, and another in Roswell, N.M.
A final piece of the development, located across the street from Hobby Lobby, still is available with no firm plans set for its future.
Williams said his team ultimately may decide to sell the parcel, or over time, develop it into a medical center.
Story written by: Mitchell Willetts
Story provided by: Enid News
