City of Bedford Announces Next Steps for Bedford Commons
The City of Bedford is announcing a change in direction for the City-owned Bedford Commons property. After careful review, the City and Midway Development Group have mutually agreed to part ways on the original development proposal and partnership at this time.
This decision reflects a strategic reset, and one made deliberately to protect the long-term success of the site and the City’s financial interests. To date, all City funds expended have been directed toward site assessment, analysis, and development preparation, with all resulting work products owned by the City.
The Bedford Commons property spans approximately 30 acres, with the core area containing 16 acres, and is generally located between E.M. Bilger Boulevard and Parkwood Drive, south of Bedford Road and north of L. Don Dodson Drive.
Why the City Is Changing Course
Over the last few years, City staff and development partners have continued to evaluate how Bedford Commons could realistically move forward. As market conditions evolved, it became increasingly clear that the original development approach no longer aligned with today’s economic realities, especially given the added complexity of creating a new retail/restaurant destination in an already competitive market.
New commercial development is currently facing higher construction, labor, and financing costs, while many prospective tenants are cautious about taking on large upfront investments, especially in projects that are still establishing traffic and customer activity.
City staff and Midway representatives explored many funding options to approach these challenges. Unfortunately, given these realities, moving forward would have required a level of City financial participation in commercial development costs and rent support for local businesses that exceeded what the City felt comfortable providing.
Rather than pushing a plan forward simply to keep momentum, the City is choosing to pause, reassess, and change the approach.
A City-Led, Phased Approach
Moving forward, Bedford Commons will transition to a City-led, phased development strategy. This approach provides the City greater flexibility, allows infrastructure and amenities to be prioritized more thoughtfully, and ensures development occurs at a pace aligned with market conditions and available funding.
At this time, the City still plans to include both a residential and commercial portion, with various resident-requested amenities that will complement these portions.
Most importantly, it allows the City to guide how the site evolves over time, rather than reacting to market pressures that could compromise the project’s long-term viability.
What’s Moving Forward First: Residential Development
As part of this reset, the City plans to move forward with the residential portion first. It will be comprised of single-family homes (not apartments). The type of homes, their price range, and number will be finalized once a home builder is chosen. The residential portion will be located on the eastern side of the property.
Residential development provides long-term stability for the site, creates consistent daily activity, and establishes a built-in customer base to support future restaurants, retail, and community amenities. Beginning with housing allows the City to generate momentum at the site while setting up future commercial phases for success.
City staff will seek a residential development partner to advance this first phase.
What Happens Next
While residents may not see immediate vertical construction, meaningful work will continue behind the scenes:
- The City will proceed with site planning and preparation, positioning the property for future commercial development when conditions are more favorable.
- Necessary FEMA approvals will continue to move forward to remove barriers to future phases.
- The City plans to partner with a residential developer to begin Phase I, providing long-term stability for the site and establishing a built-in customer base for future businesses and amenities.
- As the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) accumulates additional funding over time, the City will be better positioned to support future phases without overextending public resources.
This approach creates steady progress while reducing risk and allowing Bedford Commons to grow in a sustainable, intentional way.
A Long-Term Commitment
The City understands that Bedford Commons has been discussed for a long time, and residents are eager to see visible progress. This reset is about making sure that when development happens, it works financially, functionally, and for the community.
The City remains committed to the long-term vision for this site and will continue to share updates as each phase moves forward.