Morgan’s Point resort EDC board approves plans for future

By David Stone

The Belton Journal 

A new Village Center in the Four Corners area in Morgan’s Point Resort tops the list of projects being considered by the City’s Economic Development Corporation.

The EDC board of directors was scheduled to meet Thursday to officially approve the list of projects, but there wasn’t a quorum of directors present. Instead, the EDC and Morgan’s Point Resort’s City Council will have a joint meeting next month, according to Linda Bridges, director of the EDC.

The recommended location for the Village Center is a 3.5-acre parcel of city-owned property at Lake Forest Drive and FM 2483, Bridges said. “That site offers visibility, accessibility, and room for phased development.”

“The Village Center would blend public service, small business opportunities, and gathering spaces,” she added.

While full sewer infrastructure will be required for permanent buildout, the site can initially support the Tiny Business Village, a Makerspace Pavilion, and an Outdoor Commercial Event Area.

The Showpiece of the Center would likely be the Tiny Business Village. It would feature artist studios for art teams, micro-retail startups, and youth entrepreneurs.

According to Bridges, the Makerspace Pavilion would be an open-air venue for art demonstrations, youth workshops, and community learning options.

“Like the chalets, it functions as a pop-up component of the Tiny Business Village with the potential to evolve into a permanent creative hub within the future Village Center,” she said.

An outdoor commercial event area would provide a venue for vendor markets, food trucks, and civic celebrations. In its future build-up and development concept, focus could be spread within the larger commercial area where Village Center is implemented.

“An anchor for more permanent build-out is a Maker or MPR’s food space such as a coffee and bakery that sells fresh bread, coffee, and breakfast items by the space,” Bridges said. “But it would be a hybrid model with multiple businesses.”

“Tasters, a snowcone business, is interested in starting a storefront at the Village, and Indian food would be the bakery,” she said.

“The EDC is actively exploring the area with long-range vision and in partnership with MPR’s new hospitality project.”

The bakery would operate as a pop-up location that complements the Tiny Business Village,” Bridges said. “This is not event space, but a welcoming location where friends can meet for a social moment and an anchor bakery area — a place passed by and in the rhythm of community life.”

“We’re not just launching a bakery; we’re cultivating a space where neighbors gather, youth entrepreneurs grow, and MPR’s spirit shines with every loaf.”

Another EDC project is the revitalization of the Four Corners area.

“We are launching a targeted revitalization initiative to unify legacy parcels within the future Village Center — reinforcing Four Corners as MPR’s gateway district.”

Proposed upgrades include façade improvements, native landscaping, decorative lighting, ordinance-compliant trash enclosures, and coordinated signage.

“To support participation, the EDC is exploring matching grants and low-interest loan programs for eligible commercial property owners — helping reduce upfront costs and incentivize investment. This initiative is designed to attract new tenants, support existing businesses, and create a cohesive visual identity across the district,” she said.

The revitalization will complement traffic calming, walkability improvements, and signage coordination already underway. Up to refreshing buildings and undeveloped areas — we’re renewing belief in what Four Corners can be.”

Bridges said the EDC is exploring a speed reduction to 35 mph on segments of FM 2483 and Morgan’s Point Road, all within the Four Corners area.

“This adjustment would support legal pedestrian crossings, pedestrian safety, and align with the district’s vision for walkable, community-friendly infrastructure.” Bridges continued. “Any changes we make won’t come lightly and will be subject to public input and traffic analysis.”

“We are working to improve infrastructure access and attract new investment to existing and undeveloped areas,” Bridges said. “We are renewing the spirit of what Four Corners has been and could be.”

A new federally funded sidewalk is scheduled to break ground this month, she said. “It would pass through Four Corners area as part of the Safe Routes to School Trail, as well as the Fort Hood Joint Use Trail connecting MPR to Temple.”

The third base project being explored is the R.O.C.K. Project — short for Reclaim Our Community Kulture. It’s a partnership with Hope for the Hungry based in Troy that hopes to secure a closed bus-stop station at Four Corners.

“This would support workforce mobility, student access, and event transportation that enhances the area’s connectivity and walkability,” she said.

Another EDC project involves a nature-based tourism, Bridges explained. One plan is creating a stargazing program at Oakmont Park.

“This would include luxury and camping, youth science programs, and seasonal events designed to position MPR as a quasi-desert destination for nature-based hospitality,” she said.

The nature-based programs are designed to generate camping demand through campsite rentals, season events, and passholder access.

The MPR EDC has partnered with selected Star vendors to host events and use observation decks to promote astronomy education and awareness through night-sky events among community networks.

Oakmont Park is a candidate for official recognition through the DarkSky Program. Certification would elevate Morgan’s Point Resort’s visibility as a stargazing destination and reinforce its commitment to preserving natural nightscapes, according to Bridges.

“The EDC’s aim is to strengthen Morgan’s Point Resort’s overall identity by offering respectful, optional support to the nonprofits and civic groups who lead that work.”

The EDC is happy to help align dates, venues, and bundled promotions with community planning sessions. “We’re not always leading the work — but we are always willing to work alongside our groups supporting this version of natural beauty.”

“This isn’t just a plan — it’s a promise,” Bridges said. “It’s a step toward brighter, smarter, more resilient ways for our community and every resident to take part in the art.”