Regal Entertainment announced as first tenant for Benbrook's The Trails Town Center

Regal Entertainment Group plans a 14-screen movie theater in The Trails Town Center, the large shopping center in the works by Fort Worth-based Buxton Co. off Interstate 20 and Winscott Road in Benbrook.

Thursday’s announcement is the first for the 1.5-million-square-foot open-air regional center that was announced nearly a year ago. The center is expected to create 6,250 jobs and generate $375 million in annual sales.

Regal said it will include among its screens the Regal Premium Experience: RPX large format screen. Details regarding when construction will start were not released.

"We are impressed with the plans laid out for The Trails Town Center," said Russ Nunley, Regal’s vice president of marketing and communications, said in a statement. "We are looking forward to being part of the new project, and are proud to be the first major tenant announced."

Tom Buxton, Buxton’s chairman, said the company anticipates making additional tenant announcements in the next couple of months.

Regal Entertainment Group operates 6,580 screens in 522 theatres in 37 states.

Buxton Co. is under contract to buy 193 acres at the southeast corner of I-20 and Winscott Road for the center. The project was announced in July with plans to have some construction underway this summer and stores opening in 2013. The Western-themed shopping center will stretch 1.5 miles along the south side of I-20.

This is Buxton’s first development since it started a real estate division about five years ago. The company primarily advises developers, cities and retailers on site selection.

The Trails Town Center is expected to draw shoppers from as far away as Abilene, Waco and Midland-Odessa, Buxton said.

_ Sandra Baker