The proposed economic development project, first introduced during the Carter administration, has survived six mayors, nine economic development directors, four branding initiatives, three redesigned logos, and what officials estimate to be “at least 11 visionary strategic plans.”
Despite decades of delays, leaders insist momentum has never been stronger.
“We’re closer than ever,” said Economic Development Director Adam Kline during Tuesday’s update to the City Council. “There’s real alignment right now around potentially identifying a framework for next-step conversations moving forward.”
The 640-acre site currently remains an open field featuring two cows, a partially collapsed sign reading Future Home of Opportunity, and a stormwater pond created during preliminary grading work completed in 1998.
According to meeting documents, the project’s current status is listed as:
“Advancing toward actionable consensus pending infrastructure clarification.”
Officials confirmed the project has already completed:
three market feasibility studies
four traffic analyses
two utility capacity reviews
one workforce assessment
and an “early-stage branding exercise” that concluded the site should be marketed as “where possibility meets momentum.”
A fifth traffic study is expected to begin this fall after residents raised concerns that the project could increase traffic near an intersection already considered “emotionally difficult.”
Longtime residents say they have grown attached to the project’s perpetual planning stage.
“My father attended meetings about this park,” said resident Alan Brooks. “Now my daughter attends meetings about this park. Honestly, it’s become kind of a family tradition.”
Several council members praised the city’s deliberate approach to economic growth, emphasizing the importance of “getting it right.”
“We could have rushed this,” one official noted. “But then we might’ve made progress before fully understanding all possible viewpoints.”
Tensions briefly rose during public comment after one resident asked whether the city was moving too slowly.
Leaders pushed back strongly against the criticism, citing the complexity of modern economic development.
“People don’t understand,” said one consultant. “These projects take time. You have stakeholders, infrastructure, land use compatibility, sewer discussions, branding exercises, website updates, gateway signage concepts, and at least three rounds of visioning.”
The meeting concluded with unanimous approval to establish a new steering committee tasked with refining the project’s long-term implementation readiness framework.
The committee is expected to present preliminary recommendations sometime in late 2034.
