The south end of Owensboro got a big win by landing the Ellis Park expansion, Gulfstream Commercial Services’ COO Ed Ray said Tuesday, and there’s potential for even more development at Towne Square Mall with the former Macy’s building now under Gulfstream’s management. It’s the latest in what Ray said was an effort to bring new business to all areas of Owensboro-Daviess County.
“Having Ellis Entertainment choose Owensboro and South Frederica is just a testament to everything that has been going on in our community for the last 15 years,” Ray said. “There’s been significant blood, sweat, tears, and investment in many areas of the community — both public and private — to get us to where we are today.”
As first reported by Owensboro Times, Ellis Entertainment will be opening a new entertainment venue in the former JCPenney’s location. The venue plans to initially open with a wide selection of historical racing machines (HRMs), a simulcast betting and viewing area, and a new race- and sports-themed bar and grill. Construction on the Ellis Park Owensboro facility is slated to start this summer, with an anticipated opening date in early 2023.
Also as first reported by Owensboro Times, the former Macy’s building has been sold to TSM Holdings LLC, the same investment group that owns the rest of the Towne Square Mall property. TSM Holdings purchased Towne Square Mall — minus the Macy’s building — in December 2019. Gulfstream Commercial Services LLC brokered the deal and later took over management of the mall.
It’s no secret that Gulfstream has been a major part of the economic developments in the area over the last few years. However, there have been mixed feelings among residents about the role the company plays and how much property they own, as well as which businesses have opened and where.
Ray said attracting businesses, especially the ones that are most desired, is not a simple process.
“Oftentimes, people don’t realize how much effort in recruiting and education goes into trying to find someone to locate to Owensboro or any community,” Ray said. “I often get comments that it would be great to have this business or that business in our community so why don’t you go ahead and open that. It’s a lot more difficult than that. There are a lot of decisions by the tenants such as where they want to be, what the demographics and traffic counts are in that area.”
Ray claimed that as Gulfstream works on a development or redevelopment project, they have two main goals.
“Our first goal is to keep the activity that we have here that’s productive and keep good jobs in the community,” he said. “Second is to be able to have the amenities to attract new customer wants and needs — in retail, restaurants, entertainment and services that support what the entire community is looking for.”
Ray added that there are times “when a concept is simply relocated from one area of the community to another.”
“That’s not always seen as a new win for the community, but what people don’t realize is that relocation also likely saved those jobs and kept those jobs in the community with a chance to then flourish and grow in another location,” he said. “That also opens up opportunities wherever that group left and the space that they no longer occupy for something new, which is exciting.”
Much of the latest developments Gulfstream has been a part of has been in the Gateway Commons area on the east side. But Ray said they try to draw business to all areas of the community.
Aside from the announcement of a Chipotle Mexican Grill and a Chili’s opening, the Ellis Park expansion is by far the biggest development announcement in years for the south end of Owensboro.
“We can’t lose sight of the fact of the fact that this is a huge win for South Frederica, but it’s also just a huge step forward in furthering Owensboro as a destination,” Ray said. “That’s really what raises everything. Is it a destination for tourism? Is it a destination for corporate citizens? Is it a destination for manufacturing? And is it a destination for finding skilled and hard working labor? We believe that all of those things are hitting on all cylinders right now, and I think it’s the start of something fantastic for not only South Frederica but the entire community.”
There have also been several projects announced for the downtown area. Big Rivers Electric Corp. has broken ground on their new 47,000-square-foot headquarters on W. 2nd Street. And after long delays, construction has finally started on the development of a Home2 Suites hotel, Riverfront Brio Apartment Homes, and a parking garage — all in one structure located across from the Owensboro Convention Center.
Ray said that there’s a lot going on behind the scenes “to really attract new and exciting additions to Owensboro.” While they are doing much of the recruitment, Ray said landing a project is dependent on everyone in the community.
“We believe that there are different types of new businesses and new innovation that looks to a community to find where they want to be,” he said. “It takes the entire community to attract new businesses and new corporate citizens. This community seems to work well together. When they do work well together and there’s public-private partnerships, amazing things happen.”
