By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
Members of Del Rio’s Economic Development Corporation voted 5-0 Thursday afternoon to give $150,000 to SSC Development to build a Texas Roadhouse on Veterans’ Boulevard.
The money will be used to demolish the building there and clear the lot where the new steakhouse will be located.
The $150,000 will be given to the company in three $50,000 increments at the beginning, middle and end of the project.
Developers told the EDC that the total cost of the project should be around $4 million.
SSC’s website said the company is, “a privately held, fully integrated commercial real estate development, investment, and brokerage firm.”
According to the company’s website, the Texas-based company has developed projects in 19 states, including numerous projects in the Lone Star state ranging from hospitals to Starbucks.
Eddie Amezcua Jr, president of the EDC board, said he was optimistic about the project. “Hopefully the world will see Del Rio is a player when it comes to working with developers and this gives us an improved quality of life for people having one more thing to do here,” Amezcua Jr. said.
The previous vote to table giving the developer the money was met by a social media firestorm in October. Many thought the project was tabled to die, but Amezcua said they wanted to ensure the project was done right.
“This was our first time supporting a project like this and we just wanted to ensure we were doing it the best way possible,” he said.
The City Council still has to approve the support at an upcoming meeting.
The city issued the following release shortly after the vote:
Del Rio, Texas – The City of Del Rio is excited to announce that the Del Rio Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has negotiated terms with the developer bringing in the Texas Roadhouse Restaurant to Del Rio. At today’s regularly scheduled EDC meeting, the board went into executive session to discuss options to offer to the developer of the project. Upon completion of executive session, President of the EDC, Eddie Amezcua, made a motion to provide $150,000 to be issued in three $50,000 installments throughout three phases, the beginning, middle and end of the project. The original request from the developer was $150,000 in full to demolish the building. This would allow for the EDC to ensure the project is awarded the incentive as it progresses, versus awarding a lump sum at the beginning of the project. The motion was seconded by board member Andy Mitchell. The item was passed by a unanimous vote. This is the first step in the incentive agreement process and the item will now be presented to the Del Rio City Council for final approval and establishing an agreement.
“At the end of the day, these are the projects that will push Del Rio forward. We hope to show people from outside and inside Del Rio that we are working together to move forward in business and other routes and avenues. We hope this is the first step and many more are taken”, stated President Eddie Amezcua.
In a previous press release, publicized on October 4, 2022, the City of Del Rio reassured the community that negotiations were ongoing for this project, and we are delighted to share the progress of those negotiations.
“I would like to congratulate the Del Rio EDC board for pushing our city forward and opening the doors for any and all businesses to invest in Del Rio,” stated Mayor Al Arreola. I want to be clear that there is no more of this ‘We lost Academy, or we push businesses away’, we are and will continue to progress forward.”
“Very exciting!! Our sincere gratitude to the Economic Development Director, Jorge Ramon and the Del Rio EDC board for negotiating and approving this incentive, and for their continued service during the transition from a Type A to a Type B EDC Board. This is only the beginning, Del Rio. We will be sharing much more exciting news in the near future,” stated City Manager, John Sheedy.
—
Contact the author at joelalangton@gmail.com
