Surrounded by water on three sides, it is home to the marina, largest beach in North Texas, boat ramp, shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. Mueller explains that the vision for the Lakefront District is to create a hub of quality-of-life attractions that blend leisure, dining, and entertainment.The district is designed to be as appealing to a young family spending the day at the beach as it is to a couple enjoying a night out at a local restaurant. Unlike some of the master-planned districts in neighboring cities, Little Elm’s Lakefront District is made up of multiple property owners. The town, its Economic Development Corporation (EDC), and private developers work together to create a cohesive experience despite the fragmented ownership. Public investment has gone into infrastructure, including roads, utilities, and park amenities. Private partners have brought in mixed-use developments, restaurants, and the privately operated marina, which functions under a concession agreement with the town. “It’s about attracting residents and regional visitors to boost our economic engine,” Mueller says, noting that the mix of public and private contributions creates a more prosperous and more sustainable development pattern. DIVERSIFICATION AND STRATEGIC GROWTH While the lake shapes much of Little Elm’s identity, the town is also home to significant industry. Its manufacturer, Retractable Technologies, Inc. (RTI), produces medical syringes and has been a strong community partner. “COVID was good for them; we did our third expansion during that time,” Espinosa notes. RTI received a large federal grant to reshore production from overseas, and the town is now working with the company to attract complementary research and development operations on an adjacent 22-acre parcel. The goal is to maximize the site’s potential through flexible options such as ground leases, build-to-suit arrangements, or leasing out newly built space. Still,Little Elm’s geography presents limits.With much of the land already developed or occupied by the lake, there is limited space for large-scale industrial or office campuses. This reality has led the EDC to prioritize sales-tax-generating retail development. “We want to provide goods and services locally, so 120 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09
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