The construction fences and large equipment at Firewheel Town Center between the AMC Theaters and Circuit City are a give-away that something new is coming. Dick's Sporting Goods has started construction for their fourth Metroplex store, the others being in Arlington, Frisco, and Flower Mound.

The Firewheel store will probably include a climbing wall, archery range, indoor driving range, and other amenities to help enthusiasts select the brand and type of equipment best for their needs. I'll post more details as they become available.

The location demonstrates some of the versatility of the Town Center design. Originally, it was expected that two restaurants would locate in that space. However, restaurants have chosen to disperse in varied locations throughout the Town Center instead. The flexibility allows businesses to locate by their own sense of markets rather than a preconceived design.

Another "criticism" of the Town Center when it was first approved was the allowance of asphalt parking lots instead of concrete. One of the arguments presented for asphalt was the ability to more easily locate future buildings where they were needed and to the size needed. The asphalt lots had to be engineered to handle the same loads as concrete so there hasn't been deteriation but they are, demonstrably, more flexible.