New Plans For Lubbock Are In The Works

It's amazing what you can run into when you come to City-Data.com, where it's great to be alive. From time to time, you'll see me peering into our Lubbock forum underneath the Texas umbrella, and we've got a few good discussions going. By the way, don't be afraid to come on here if there is something you want to talk about with us; we need more discussions on the Lubbock threads.

New information is coming to us about some new developments in the Lubbock area in the days and months to come, as the region's economy is thriving. And, thanks to our friend shoe01, I've been introduced to a website that's existed for some time, but didn't know about it until just this morning. Here's the link to that website for those of you who are curious as to rumors and happenings in the Hub City:

Coming Soon To Lubbock | Lubbock in the Loop

I'll hit just a few things. The Canyon West center in Southwest Lubbock is finally going to take even further shape with two new hotel projects. The Arbor Inn and Hilton's Home2 Suites are opening in that area later this year. The Steak-N-Shake burger chain is planning two additional locations on top of the one the city already has. Lubbock is also getting two Amarillo-based Mexican food outlets: The Plaza and Jorge's Mexican Bar & Grill. They will both join the aforementioned hotels in the new developments in Canyon West.

Further up Marsha Sharp near Tech will be the George H.W. Bush National College Baseball Hall of Fame, in which ground will be broken this year for a potential opening to take place next year. It's near downtown and also in that corridor between Avenue L and University Avenue, where some of the freeway frontage is being cleared for one new hotel and other commercial developments. In some instances, blight is being replaced by gold.

The Slide Road/NW Loop 289 interchange is also taking shape. Dirt is fixin' to be turned at North Park, where a Twisted Root Burger is going in, along with Alamo Drafthouse. I'll be surprised if it stops there, but I see a ton of potential for the Northwest Passage, and it's only a mile from a new interchange currently under construction, as Erskine Street will finally be threaded under the 289 Loop. And that's sure to open up even more doors.

Speaking of opening up new doors, how about that Interstate 27 corridor? Yes, it's hard to believe, but it's also about time. There actually are plans at I-27 and Regis Street, right across from Lubbock/Preston Smith International Airport. A Love's Travel Stop and a Cobblestone Hotel & Suites are both planned for that interchange. Good! It's a positive start for a part of town that needs much more. That interchange could easily have commercial, retail, and restaurant spots at three of the four corners. North Lubbock, admittedly, is drab and boring, but it has tons of potential, since this area is the first thing Amarillo travelers will see when entering the Hub City. When people see developers acting in a certain place, then others are will see it and are sure to follow.

Much more to come. Great news for the Lubbock economy.