The managing member of the development group says the commercial development will include an extended-stay hotel, retail offices, convenience store, and restaurants.

Kent Haag says, "We want to make it something for the city to be very proud of. It's their southern gate and we want to make it a top notch commercial center so that people are not all getting the services they need but they can feel comfortable about using those services and also impressed that the appearance it has is top notch."

Haag says this project also will create a safer situation for drivers with a new intersection towards Sammis Trail. The group is expecting to move forward by finalizing designs and starting to build by next construction season.

-Tessa Thomas