Amarillo city commissioners recently voted unanimously to accept a deal between the Amarillo Economic Development Corp. and Coca-Cola Refreshments to move the beverage company to a new location.
The Amarillo Globe-News reported the new Coca-Cola complex will be constructed at the CenterPort Business Park. AEDC funds will pay for construction of the new structure which would cover 81,000 square feet on 9.8 acres, according to a memo from AEDC President and CEO Buzz David. It could cost up to $8.5 million and would be paid for with money collected through a half-cent sales tax.
“We’re looking at getting bids the first part of January, and a notice to proceed right after that with construction starting in March,” David said. “Finishing in January 2015 is our guesstimate.”
As part of the deal, Coca-Cola would swap the land from its current location, 3.5 city blocks south of Southeast Seventh Avenue and east of Buchanan Street. The land will b become the property of the City of Amarillo. AEDC funds would then pay to demolish the old buildings, making way for construction of the proposed ballpark, an element of the large downtown redevelopment project.
