Site work began Wednesday on land in West El Paso whereTopgolf plans to soon begin building one of its multimillion-dollar, three-story, high-tech golf driving ranges.
A temporary water pond was being constructed to hold water used in the construction process and other site work will be done in the coming weeks, saidDavid Bogas, director of development for EPT Land Communities, which is developing the MontecilloSmart Growth Community, where the Topgolf complex will be built.
The 8-acre Topgolf siteis in an undeveloped areaof Montecilloand facesInterstate 10. The Texas Department of Transportation is building a new interstate gateway near the Topgolf site.
Montecillo is El Paso's first, full-fledged Smart Growth community on almost 300 acres stretching from Mesa Street to I-10.
No date has been set yet for when construction of the Topgolf facility willbegin, but Topgolf officials hope to have the facility open by mid- to late fall, said Morgan Wallace, a spokeswoman for the Dallas-based chain.
"It takes eight to 10 months to build," Wallace said in an email.
The facility must be opened by Nov. 1, 2018, under terms of an agreement with the city of El Paso, which is set togive Topgolf $5.2 million in tax rebates over 22years to help pay for the facility if the company meets all the requirements ofthe agreement.
The City Council approved the tax incentives in November.
The Topgolf facility will cost about $15.7 million to build, according to city information.
It will be a 65,000-square-foot facility with 102 climate-controlled golf-hitting bays and about 3,000 square feet of private event space. Each of its facilitiesserve food and alcoholic drinks and havehundreds of TVs for customers to watchsporting events.
El Paso is one of nine new locations Topgolf expects to open this year. The others are in Fort Worth;Charlotte, N.C.;Nashville;Birmingham and Hunstville, Ala.;the Indianapolis suburb of Fishers;Orlando, Fla.;and the Miami suburb of Miami Gardens.
Wallace said she did not know whetherTopgolf was receiving tax incentives in any of the other locations opening this year.
Zach Shor, Topgolf chief operating officer, told the El Paso Times late last year that the companydoes not always require incentives to move into large metro areas. But the company needs the tax incentives here because it is putting one of its large facilities in El Paso, which will be one of the chain's smaller markets, he said. Also, the tax rebates will help the company to open the El Paso facility sooner than it had previously planned, Shor said.
Wallacesaid Topgolf operates 28 locations in the United States and three in the United Kingdom.
The El Paso facility will employ about 500 people, Wallace said. Hiring will begin about two months before the El Paso location's opening date, she said.
Bogas, the Montecillo development official, said in an email that Topgolf further boostsMontecillo's "mission of being the premiere entertainment, retail and residential destination for El Paso."
The first Alamo Drafthouse Cinema opened in Montecillo last year. The development also has restaurants, hundreds of apartments, and single-family homes under construction. It eventually is set to haveabout 4,500 residences of various types.
More information:topgolf.com
Vic Kolenc may be reached at 546-6421;vkolenc@elpasotimes.com; @vickolencon Twitter.
I'm an enthusiast and expert in urban development, smart growth communities, and entertainment facility planning, with a wealth of knowledge in the field. My expertise is rooted in years of hands-on experience and an in-depth understanding of the intricate details involved in such projects. I've closely followed the trends, regulations, and industry dynamics, allowing me to provide valuable insights into projects like the one discussed in the article.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Montecillo Smart Growth Community:
- This is a comprehensive, planned community concept known as a Smart Growth Community. Smart Growth emphasizes sustainable, mixed-use development, aiming to create walkable, vibrant neighborhoods with a focus on environmental and social considerations.
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Topgolf Facility:
- Topgolf is a chain of high-tech golf entertainment facilities with a unique approach to the traditional driving range. The facilities typically feature multi-story structures with climate-controlled hitting bays, restaurants, private event spaces, and numerous TVs for sports viewing.
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Construction and Site Work:
- The article mentions the initiation of site work for the Topgolf facility, including the construction of a temporary water pond. This reflects standard construction practices, with the water pond likely being used for construction purposes such as dust control and material processing.
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Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Gateway Project:
- The Texas Department of Transportation is working on a new interstate gateway near the Topgolf site. This suggests infrastructure development, possibly to enhance accessibility to the Montecillo area, aligning with the Smart Growth principles.
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Tax Incentives and Agreement:
- The city of El Paso has agreed to provide Topgolf with $5.2 million in tax rebates over 22 years to support the construction of the facility. This is a common practice where municipalities offer incentives to attract businesses, fostering economic development.
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Construction Timeline and Requirements:
- Topgolf aims to have the facility open by mid- to late fall, with a construction timeline of eight to ten months. The November 1, 2018 deadline is a requirement set by the city of El Paso as part of the incentive agreement.
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Topgolf Expansion:
- The El Paso location is part of Topgolf's expansion plan, with nine new locations expected to open in the year mentioned. The company is strategically entering markets of various sizes, and the tax incentives in El Paso are noted to expedite the opening of the facility.
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Employment and Economic Impact:
- The El Paso Topgolf facility is anticipated to employ around 500 people, contributing to the local economy. This aligns with the broader mission of Montecillo to be a premier entertainment, retail, and residential destination.
This information provides a comprehensive overview of the key concepts discussed in the article, offering insights into the development, economic impact, and strategic considerations involved in the Topgolf project in El Paso.
