OWENSBORO, KY (WFIE) -
Ground was broken Wednesday on a new office building in Owensboro.
It's part of the Riverfront Jam project which includes a new hotel, retail space, and riverfront condos.
Downtown Owensboro is about to take a huge step forward as Texas Gas will bring over 200 jobs to downtown.
Riverfront Jam's Jack Wells is an enthusiastic supporter of what's going on.
"I think everybody's familiar with the famous saying from Don Moore, 'It's hot Don.' I've redone it and the new saying is going to be, 'Downtown is hot Ron,' because Mayor Ron Payne is our tremendous leader here in Owensboro and I think it's very appropriate," Wells said.
A groundbreaking ceremony took place Wednesday for another downtown project, the new Texas Gas Corporate Center.
"Currently we have 230 employees in the Owensboro office. We either needed to revitalize our existing building," said Jamie Buskill with Texas Gas. "We started talking with some local officials and we noticed the efforts going on downtown. It took several years, but through those talks we decided this would be a better answer for us and for the community as well."
"You can't overstate how important it is for this company that's been a long standing employer here. Very good jobs, quality community oriented company that's reinvesting in our community,: said Nick Brake with EDC. "When you bring 230 jobs into the downtown area the effect is going to be felt by all kinds of businesses."
"Downtown's going to like it because they'll be eating and shopping." Buskill said.
Riverfront Jam will lead the project, but the Texas Gas building isn't the only thing the group's working on right now.
"We also have a huge residential component of condos, town homes, and so forth, that will stretch across what used to be the old Executive Inn property. This little piece of the diamond is going to be the entire ring when we complete it," Wells said.
"You have two hotels across the street. You've got a lot of property around here. I really think it's going to be a walkable area. A lot of retail opportunities. I think you're going to see new restaurants," Brake said.
The project should be finished by next summer.
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