Kellie Lane

Despite an uncertain economy, Hixson’s key Highway 153 corridor is growing with at least two office complex additions and planned retail outlets.

Crye-Leike Realtors is developing an 8,400-square-foot office complex next to its existing 14,000-square-foot office complex at 5870 Highway 153 by Grubb Road, said Kellie Lane, commercial listing agent for the project.

“We’re happy to continue the development in Hixson,” she said.

The building is speculative, Ms. Lane said, and is subdivided into six bays of 1,400 square feet available for lease at $16.50 per square foot, and more than one bay may be leased by a tenant. Initial site work is being done.

Ms. Lane said Harold Crye, Crye-Leike’s chief executive, is the building’s owner. She said she did not know the project’s development cost.

The building, which will be a masonry exterior, should be completed by November, Ms. Lane said. The Strauss Co. Inc. is the contractor.

Crye-Leike isn’t the only company adding to Hixson’s commercial scene.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. is looking at Hixson for a restaurant, corporate spokesman Jim Taylor said. A time frame for a decision and a site have not been set, he said.

Also, developers Jeff Carmack and Jason Davis have recently completed a $3 million professional office building on Highway 153 at Winding Lane. The 16,000-square-foot building, called 153 Commons, has spaces available for lease or sale from just under 1,000 square feet to the entire building, Mr. Carmack said.

The Class-A building is targeted to professional offices and medical tenants, said Steve Bandy of Grubb & Ellis/Hudson, the listing agent.

This summer a 60-acre retail center will get under way near the Crye-Leike offices and Mr. Carmack’s building. Paragon Development soon will announce multiple tenants for its commercial project, said President Greg Blosser.

“We are in the process of signing up stores,” he said. “We’re very happy where we are today.”