CELEBRATION: Ground breaking ceremony for The Wells takes place

MINERAL WELLS – Dozens of people turned out Wednesday morning to celebrate the start of construction on the first planned residential development ever in Mineral Wells.

The event took place at the western edge of the 113-acre tract located along Garrett Morris Parkway between U.S. Highway 180 East and Municipal High 379. The development is called The Wells. When completed, the three-phase project will total 486 homes in a master-planned setting including some 12 acres of green space, walking trails, a pond, a community garden, and even a chicken coop.

The homes will be priced in the $200,000s range, which project principal Diane Kessler, president of DMK Properties, said will attract to Mineral Wells a range of new families and a host of new opportunities for the community. Lots in the development’s first phase could become available by the end of 2022.

“This journey began several years ago with visits to Mineral Wells with my wonderful husband, Ken Kessler,” Diane Kessler told the gathered crowd. “Ken was raised here and we frequently made visits to see the houses he grew up in, the schools he attended, the basketball courts he played on, the First Christian Church where his family attended and, of course, The Baker Hotel where his family dined on Sundays after attending services. And it is where he met up with his friends at the pool.

“I got to see firsthand the housing need in Mineral Wells, a need for housing that can provide new beginnings for families just starting out, fresh starts for those needing to spread their wings and a place for those looking for a new lifestyle in their twilight years. We hope that The Wells will provide the opportunity that each person, or family, is looking for.”

On hand with the Kesslers were developers and project investors Bob Murray and his son, Cory, along with Cory’s wife, Lily, and their son, Levi. Cory Murray represents M. Sharp Family, L.P., Investments. Members of the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association were also present.

Among the speakers was Mineral Wells Director of Economic Development David Hawes, who worked with the project team to help put together a development and finance agreement with the City of Mineral Wells that includes assistance through the city’s Tax-Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 2.

“The foundation of economic development is quality housing,” Hawes said. “When Diane showed up with this idea and they were looking for property, where we wound up was in the right place, at the right time, and for the right reason. We got the right land plan. We worked very diligently to make sure we had a quality development.”

Among other speakers were Mineral Wells Mayor Regan Johnson and City Manager Randy Criswell.

Mineral Wells Area Chamber of Commerce President and Executive Director David May called the project a “game changer” for the city, saying its impact on Mineral Wells is equal to that of the historic renovations of The Baker Hotel & Spa and Crazy Water Hotel & Plaza.

“This project will change the face of Mineral Wells forever,” said May.

The Chamber proved golden shovels and hard hats, and the Kesslers, Murrays and local officials joined in the ceremonial turning of the first dirt for the project. A catered lunch from Firefly Grilling Co. of Fort Worth followed.