Wayne Emerson, Director of Economic Development, Town of Addison
Wayne Emerson, the director of economic development for the town of Addison, spoke with Invest: about how the city is being outfitted to accommodate the economic growth in the region. Hotels, restaurants and, most importantly, public transportation mean that Addison is poised for growth in the near term.
What is your vision for economic growth in Addison?
It starts with the DART Silver Line, which we will welcome to town soon. Starting in Plano, the line will make stops in Dallas, Addison, Carrollton and Coppell before reaching its final destination at DFW International Airport. The Silver Line’s significance lies not only in its regional connectivity but also in its ability to connect Addison to the world. This development promises to be a significant economic driver for our town. Surrounding the Addison station, a world-class transit-oriented development is planned. In the first phase, we anticipate an investment of approximately $360 million, encompassing office retail and multifamily housing. Subsequent phases will introduce a hotel, a conference center, additional office spaces, and potentially civic structures. The DART Silver Line and its associated development will undoubtedly be major milestones for Addison’s growth and prosperity.
In addition, Addison has always been known as a restaurant mecca. We have over 250 restaurants and, until someone fact checks me, I think it’s safe to say that we probably have more restaurants per capita than anywhere in the country. We’re a small town. If you don’t know about Addison, we sort of punch above our weight due to our central location. We have about 17,000 residents, but we have about 12 million square feet in offices and over 250 restaurants.
We have a development called Village on the Parkway, which showcases a growing trend in the restaurant industry toward entertainment-oriented concepts. We have a few new concepts that we’re really excited about. new additions include Batbox, where patrons can enjoy batting cages while dining and drinking, and Puttshack, offering food and beverages alongside mini golf, elevating it beyond traditional putt-putt. We’ll have another one that hopefully we can announce soon, but it’s in that same vein. All of that is going on at Village on the Parkway.
What are your key priorities for economic development in the next few years?
Addison, we like to say, is sort of an oasis. We like to say we put the urban in suburban, so you kind of get that urban feel. The area offers a diverse array of activities, from bustling nightlife to suburban tranquility. Despite its suburban feel, which ensures safety and quiet neighborhoods, the area is conveniently located within a five-minute drive of lively activities and trendy nightlife venues. Moreover, its central positioning is a significant advantage. Dallas is just 15 minutes to the south, Plano and Frisco are 15 minutes to the north, Richardson is 15 minutes to the east, and Las Colinas is 20 minutes to the west. This strategic location makes it an ideal place for businesses seeking employees and conducting business, as it provides easy access to a large labor market and a plethora of business opportunities in the region.
What initiatives do you have in place to support and retain large employers?
We have large employers like Google, Bank of America and Hilton. Our incentives aim to encourage the return to the office by transforming it into an inviting environment. To achieve this, we’re introducing an amenity or collaborative space grant. Through this program, we partner with businesses to create welcoming and collaborative spaces within their offices. Unlike traditional job-based incentives, this initiative focuses on enhancing the workspace to benefit employees directly
How do you support the hospitality sector?
We are establishing a tourism public improvement district, commonly known as TPI. This initiative involves collaborating with hotels, offering them a novel revenue stream. Hotels can utilize this revenue to entice more conferences to their establishments, enhancing our competitiveness in the market. The revenue can be employed in various ways. Hotels can provide reduced room rates or meal packages. Additionally, the town can invest in expanding transportation options, such as shuttles, to facilitate convenient movement of hotel guests between their accommodations and nearby restaurants. These developments promise exciting prospects for the future.
