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Hinesville working on bringing in 'family entertainment center'
Kenneth Howard
Kenneth Howard

Hinesville could be breaking ground on a family entertainment center in the not too distant future, according to Kenneth Howard, the city’s interim manager.

“We’re ready to move in that direction,” he said.

Howard, who took over as interim city manager in September, also is executive director of the Hinesville Development Authority.

He said a family entertainment center has been in the works for nearly five years, but the project took a backseat to the city’s efforts to bring in Oglethorpe Square, which the city helped secure through $25 million in bonds.

The shopping center is expected to generate about $55 million annually in retail sales and $17 million in payroll, Howard said earlier.

The family entertainment center apparently will be developed using a similar public-private approach.

“The city of Hinesville and in particular, the Hinesville Development Authority, is currently in the process of recruiting developers for a family entertainment center. While the specifics of the facility will ultimately be determined by the developer, it is our hope to build a facility that will provide entertainment for the entire family under one roof,” Howard said Monday. “Our wish list’ includes a bowling alley, skating rink, arcade, laser tag, miniature golf, water park, restaurant and an area to host large gatherings that will hold 200-300 people.”

Howard discussed the center Thursday night at a town hall forum sponsored by District 1 Councilwoman Diana Reid. 

See more on the forum in Wednesday’s Coastal Courier.

 

 

 

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