What about the Cornelius Center that still sits empty?

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In an unprecedented effort, Hickory Creek town leaders, landowners, businesses and citizens-at-large came together this week to discuss conceptual plans for a potential mixed-use town center.

According to Barry Steele, the town's economic development consultant, the goal of this week's meetings was to ascertain community interest and determine landowners' willingness to develop a 75-80 acre, mixed-use development comprising retail, office, restaurant, entertainment, residential, and governmental uses.

Steele said the project could create a recognizable downtown area for the town and serve as a community gathering place. The area to be decided is bordered by I35E to the east, FM 2181 to the north, Ronald Regan Boulevard to the west, and Turbeville Road to the south.

Steele said based on conversations with town council members, Mayor John Smith and citizens, he believes a strong vision has existed for some time within the community to use "smart growth principles" for the town those include a mix of land uses, compact building design, creation of a walkable environment with a distinct sense of place, and involving citizen and stakeholder participation in development decisions.

According to Steele, the project has the potential of developing an interconnected network of streets, short blocks, and buildings at the sidewalk to create a compact, pedestrian-scaled area. Interior streets in the project could be designed as traditional downtown shopping streets, with on-street parking and pedestrian amenities.

In addition, the idea of public squares, plazas, and parks could add value to development and create a sense of place.

Hickory Creek citizen and landowner Ron Furtick said he believes the project has the potential to set Hickory Creek apart from surrounding areas through the use of unique fountains, ponds, pavilions and parks providing gathering spaces. "I have been very worried about sprawl for many years and now I feel very confident that our leaders and the community overall wants to create a very special place in Hickory Creek," Furtick said.

"Hickory Creek is faced by the same placemaking challenges faced by most other towns. These challenges are rapid expansion, lack of a sense of place, single-use zoning, and large-format suburban retail and office uses, and if these issues are dealt with appropriately and with a solid vision, the end result can be very well done, creating a timeless area. But the key is handling this well," Furtick said.

According to Steele, the design firm GSGB, already hired by the town to design a comprehensive master plan, will receive feedback from this week's meetings and create conceptual drawings for the project.

Steele will then use those drawings as he markets the town in Las Vegas next month at the International Shopping Center conference.

One of the challenges, according to Steele, in designing the project lies in the fact that the Glenview subdivision is located in the proposed area for development.

Council member Richard Baker, a resident of Glenview said there has been some talk of the possibility a few homeowners on the exterior areas of the subdivision may sell their homes to make way for the project. All interested persons may attend a public workshop at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10 at Hickory Creek Town Hall regarding the proposed development.