Livingston could soon welcome new retail development in the west end of town, with a property owner already entering into an agreement with a business interested in the area.
Industrial Development Authority Secretary Zach Stephens said discussions with property owners along the bypass have produced promising results, including a second potential retail development. Stephens said he hopes an announcement about the first business will come soon.
“Especially that west end of town, the traffic count, they’re our highest area, about 25,000 a day,” Stephens said. “So pretty much everyone wants to be in that area.”
Stephens said another property owner is also in discussions that could bring an additional shopping option to Livingston.
“One of our landowners has entered into a deal with a retailer,” Stephens said. “So hopefully we’ll have an announcement on that soon.”
Neither retailer has been identified, and no opening dates have been announced.
“At some point we’re going to have to probably have some conversations with some of those landowners as to what happens to the property,” Stephens said.
Stephens said the west end of Livingston attracts considerable interest from businesses because traffic counts reach approximately 25,000 vehicles daily, making it one of the busiest commercial areas in the community.
Stephens said finding suitable property remains a challenge because retailers typically seek flat, easily developed sites, which are limited along the bypass.
The potential retail additions come as Livingston also considers future commercial development near Tom Davis and McCalpin Road. Plans associated with a proposed hotel include additional retail space and possibly a restaurant, although those businesses would be part of a later development phase.
Stephens said economic development officials will continue working with landowners to identify opportunities for commercial growth in Livingston.