KILLEEN, Texas — City of Killeen Downtown Revitalization Director Kate Kizito is inviting Killeen citizens and Central Texans to come explore the best Downtown Killeen has to offer.
Although the City's "Moving Forward" plan is only 20% complete, the occupancy rate in Downtown Killeen has grown from 30% to 80%. This growth has left new restaurants, a photo studio, and a chiropractic practice in its wake.
"We really hope to bring downtown back as the cultural and fiscal heart of the City of Killeen," Kizito said.
Owners are using various grants and incentives to make Downtown Killeen their business home. Multiple owners that 6 News spoke with have bought the buildings they currently occupy for business.
"Prior to this, I was shooting in the 150 square feet of my living room, so the opportunity to buy a building really was not step one of what was next, but the opportunity I can't complain. It was fantastic," said Khandiese Cooper, the owner of Khanetic Images.
Another local business owner, who is a neighbor to Cooper, compared what Killeen is like now to the feel of a big city. CJ Nickens is an Army Veteran and he said Killeen was a perfect place to open an upscale restaurant.
"And so, I wanted to offer something a little bit different, to expand with the experience that Downtown Killeen is and create an environment for professional and mature clientele in the area," Nickens said.