GROVES — Groves Economic Development Corporation is looking to kill two birds with one stone and if things go as planned a busy shopping center will have good lighting and its parking area will be fixed.

Board members on Monday approved action to work with the Malachite Corporation, owners of Crossroads Center that houses Big Lots, Family Dollar, Radio Shack, Popeyes and more. The shopping center is between the 4900 and 5100 blocks of Twin City Highway.

The EDC will provide the materials, at $1,500 per month for 12 months, while Malachite will provide the labor contingent on Malachite repairing the lighting in the parking lot.

“Groves EDC is being proactive in working to keep a popular shopping center’s parking lot from deteriorating by offering an incentive to the owners,” Groves City Manager D. Sosa said prior to the meeting.

Sosa explained to fellow members Sidney Badon, Jim Rasa, Kyle Hollier and Rob Vensel that every time the city had to cut into the parking lot to bring water and sewer services to various businesses there it left a problem. Badon, who is in the construction field said he understands this because any time you cut into concrete there is a chance for a problem.

Rasa questioned the annual cost of $18,000 and whether Malachite would hold up their end of the deal.

“When we commit are we committing to one year if two to three months along they don’t do what they said they would?” Rasa said.

That, Sosa said, if why the agreement is at $1,500 per month. In addition, an attorney will be tasked with penning the agreement and all parking lot work must be inspected each month to satisfy the agreement.

The whole issue is contingent on Malachite repairing lighting. Currently the lights closest to Big Lots are working properly but there are 6 to 10 further out not working.

The Malachite Corporation also owns half of Jefferson City in Port Arthur which houses Burger King, Dollar General, TSO, Citi Trends, and EZPawn to name a few. The exact section they own, according to their website, is from Dollar General to just past the ice cream parlor. The shopping center in Port Arthur has numerous potholes and lighting issues.

The company also owns Gilham Center, on Gilham Circle that houses Family Dollar in Port Arthur.

Reporter: Mary Meaux, 409-721-2429

Twitter: @MaryMeauxPANews