Developer granted extension in Commerce land deal

COMMERCE - A Pennsylvania-based developer has asked Texas A&M University-Commerce for an extension in the discovery and permitting of a 7.3 acre tract west of Whitely Hall. 

The A&M System Board of Regents in May approved the sale of the land for $1 million to Armstrong Development, who has proposed to bring in alternative dining and employment opportunities to A&M-Commerce students.

Rex Giddens is the Assistant Vice President for Business Services and Director of Employment Services at A&M-Commerce. He says, “They’ve experienced a few delays in getting some documents on previous owner’s mineral rights and so they asked for a three month extension is all.”

The new discovery deadline becomes February, 2012. Armstrong then has a six month window to complete all permits with the City of Commerce; a process Giddens says shouldn’t take that long.

A&M-Commerce struck a similar deal several years ago that brought in a new Wal-Mart and in turn hundreds of jobs for students and community members.