Developers Plan 52K SF Industrial and Retail Expansion for Richardson Interurban Site

The Richardson City Plan Commission voted 4-3 to recommend approval of a special permit for Solow Garage, a BMW-authorized collision repair shop located on Interurban Street. The business, which has occupied the building since 2012, sought the permit to continue operations amidst the city's broader goal of transitioning the corridor from an automotive-heavy district into an eclectic, design-focused area. While some commission members argued that auto-centric businesses hinder the attraction of new restaurants and retail, others noted the shop's stability and the lack of immediate pressure for mixed-use redevelopment in its specific location.

Simultaneously, Simple Development Partners is working on a long-term strategy to transform the Interurban district. The developer, led by Stephen Graham, intends to submit plans in the coming months for the first phase of a project that will eventually add six new buildings to the area, totaling 52,000 square feet of industrial and retail space. Despite the planned redevelopment, the ownership group expressed support for the garage's continued presence as a stabilizing element during the transition.