There is a town coming to this city

By Jamey Boyum - email

TYLER, TX (KLTV) - It's a town…within a town. Bulldozers have started doing the dirty work at what will be North Chase, a development for those with low to moderate income.

Located in north Tyler, the 400 acre site will feature a community center, a pool and even places to shop. We talked with the man with the plan.

Like all good sons, Ed Thompson listens to his mother. She kept asking what could be done with a large tract of undeveloped land at the loop and North Broadway.

Ed said, "One day we were sitting down shelling peas, and the conversation came back up and at that time I realized she wasn't going to let it go so I went to investigate and I looked into what I could do to purchase the property and turn it a nice development, so this is my inspiration right here." He motioned towards his mother.

The groundbreaking for Lake View Apartment homes is just the beginning. There are plans for several other low to moderate income living areas, and even retail and commercial zoning. All this land has just been collecting dirt…or trees… for years, since Tyler's recent development has been on the opposite side of town. Ed's mother couldn't be happier…and neither could Ed.

"It makes me feel very blessed to have been able to bring a project like this to north Tyler," He stated.

"Three, Two, One…" Ed said.

Ed and his buddies threw some dirt in the air… "That's better…now we're seeing some dirt fly!" He said, breaking ground. That made it official.

"You are building your mom a town," I pointed out. "Well. I try to live every day to make her happy," he said.

"Well…you have," His mother beamed. Its pretty obvious Ed believes if Momma's happy…everybody's happy.

The first complex will have 140 units, and is scheduled to be ready for residents next spring.

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