"Building on a Legacy" or "Building on a Flood Plain using Your Tax Dollars (Ie: Corporate Welfare)" ?

Building on a Legacy
Austin developer Davis believes in future of Brownwood

By Celinda Emison / emisonc@reporternews.com
July 20, 2006

BROWNWOOD - Developer Gary Davis of Austin says he's a believer in Brownwood because of its ''legacy of leadership.''
Davis, president and CEO of First Advisors Inc. and Brownwood Market Place LLC, is developing retail, residential and office space at an unprecedented pace in Brownwood.
In 1993, Davis put in the Wal-Mart Supercenter. With partner Herman Bennett, he began buying real estate north of U.S. Highway 67/84 around Wal-Mart. In 2003, he embarked on the 130-acre development now dubbed Brownwood Market Place. And earlier this month, Davis announced plans to build a La Quinta Inn.
When all of Davis' projects are complete, there will be 600,000 square-feet of retail space along with 600 apartments and an office complex.
But that might not be all.
''I'm very interested in downtown Brownwood,'' Davis said. ''But there needs to be a catalyst business to spur other businesses. Then there's going to have to be more residential space and places that offer entertainment.''
Why Brownwood?
''Brownwood has a legacy of leadership that goes back a long way,'' Davis said.
Davis, 52, said his first visit to Brownwood was as a Gatesville High School student to attend a symposium at Howard Payne University. During that trip he got his first glimpse at the Commerce Square Shopping Center, built by Bennett.
''I remember being very impressed (with Commerce Square),'' he said. ''What struck me even then was that this was a progressive community.''
In 1980, he officially signed on to work for Bennett, who then had Bennett-Barnes Investment Co. co-owned with former Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes and the Bennett-Connally Partnership, co-owned with former Gov. John Connally. And 24 years later, Davis and his partners purchases Commerce Square.
He regards Bennett and Connally, both deceased, and Barnes as mentors.
''I learned about construction and development from Bennett and Barnes,'' Davis said. ''And I got a heavy dose of politics from Barnes and Connally.''
He regards Brownwood Mayor Bert Massey and other long-time community and business leaders such as insurance man Putter Jarvis and beer distributor Stuart Coleman as the people who set the pace for the city.
''Davis is very aware of our history, and he knew that this community was eventually going to grow and prosper,'' Massey said. ''His vision has gotten us on the radar screen with many retail companies.''
Davis said Brownwood's leadership sets it apart from other communities where he has had projects. Plus, he said, the progressive spirit of the community is being carried on by a new generation.
Bart Johnson, president and owner of Painter & Johnson Financial, is a partner in the Commerce Square project and said he will continue to be involved in future projects with Davis.
''He delivers what he promises,'' Johnson said. ''We are just getting started.''
Davis said he realizes some residents and business owners object to developing ''big box'' stores and large areas for retail chains.
''The citizens determine what is developed because they support that business with their pocket book,'' Davis said. ''We just facilitate the growth.''
He said ''mom and pop'' retailers can co-exist with the chains.
''The locally owned stores may not be able to compete on price, but they can compete on service,'' Davis said.
Currently, Davis has projects under way in Stephenville, Gatesville and Copperas Cove. During his career, he has participated in developing real estate projects in 24 Texas cities.
Davis is the third generation of his family to be in real estate, a business that started by his grandmother in the 1940s in Pasadena. Davis himself began working in his parents' real estate business in 1973 when he was 20.
''Real estate is part of my blood and my genetic make-up,'' Davis said.
Brownwood Market Place projects developed by Gary Davis
Completed
Wal-Mart Supercenter
Home Depot
CVS Pharmacy
Chili's
Blockbuster
CiCi's Pizza
Wendy's
Texas Bank
Wildwood Trails Apartments
Under way
Commerce Square renovation, which will include Staples, a department store and other businesses and restaurants
Brownwood Market Place Apartments
Planned
La Quinta Inn

source: http://reporter-news.com/abil/nw_business/article/0,1874,ABIL_7948_4857010,00.html