AMARILLO, August 23, 2011 — Amarillo City Commissioners today unanimously voted to begin Phase One of the Civic Center-area redevelopment project. Amarillo Mayor Paul Harpole and the City Commissioners gave approval to City Manager Jarrett Atkinson and his staff to initiate contractual agreements with Wallace-Bajjali Development Partners, LP. Wallace-Bajjali was authorized by the City on February 15, 2011, to propose a project plan incorporating due diligence, financial feasibility studies, and public input. Today’s unanimous Commission vote was in response to the Phase One plan Wallace-Bajjali submitted to the City on August 3rd.

“This is an extraordinary day for Amarillo and her citizens,” said Paul Harpole, Amarillo Mayor. “As a result of a very open and transparent public process, we are enacting a public-private partnership that will accomplish a vision for downtown redevelopment which was identified more than three decades ago. And very significantly we will fund these three catalyst projects without an increase in property taxes. This effort will bring new businesses and more than 1,000 new jobs to Amarillo, while enhancing the quality of life we all enjoy.”

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