Geyer Commons opens as Mansfield's new place to play

By Amanda Rogers

Mansfield Record

Mansfield opened its newest place to play with pomp, ceremony, music, games, food and lots of shopping on Friday night, converting a long-loved corner in downtown into a bustling new concept.

Geyer Commons, set on the northwest corner of North Walnut Creek Drive and East Broad Street, is the site of the former Geyer Field, where thousands of Mansfield kids played baseball for decades. The completely overhauled $5.6 million city-owned area now boasts 12 cottages for small businesses, a splash pad, two pavilions and two lawn spaces for yoga, putt putt golf and other gatherings.

“Have you ever seen anything like this?” Mayor Michael Evans asked the crowd assembled for the ribbon cutting on Friday evening. “It’s really a whole lot better than we ever imagined. We have never created a space like this.

“This spot has a history,” Evans said. “(Council member) Brent Newsom can tell you about shagging baseballs here. This will be the place where Mansfield can come and play.”

The crowd of approximately 100 cheered as the new small business owners assembled to cut the ribbon to open the space. The new businesses moving into the dozen white cottages include a crafts store, dog bakery, book store, candle maker, soap maker, popcorn store, cookie maker, chocolate store, clothing boutique and chocolate maker.

“From an economic development perspective, this is exciting,” said Rachel Bagley, assistant director of the Mansfield Economic Development Corp. “Geyer Commons is about supporting the most vital segment of our local economy – small businesses. These businesses are the backbone of our community.”

In addition to shopping, the city has planned regular events to keep Geyer Commons busy, including Saturday morning yoga, Sunday afternoon pickleball, live music in the pavilion, food trucks and the splash pad, which is set to be turned on next weekend, just in time for the school district’s spring break.

The space has been the site of a school for more than a century, and still contains the historic Mansfield High School, which houses the Mansfield ISD administrative offices.

In November 2023, the Mansfield ISD and the city swapped properties with the city getting Geyer Field and Mansfield ISD administration buildings at East Broad Street and North Walnut Creek Drive, along with the shopping center on the northeast side of the East Broad and North Walnut Creek Drive intersection. The school district will receive the current City Hall building after the city builds and moves into a new facility, which is currently under construction on Heritage Parkway.

Phase 2 will include demolition of some of the Mansfield ISD buildings, said Matt Young, executive director of community services. The buildings will be torn down after the school district moves into the current City Hall building at 1200 E. Broad St. Phase 2 will also include a Wiffle ball field on the site of the current Student Services building.

The Mansfield ISD Administration Building, built in 1924, and the Rock Gym, a WPA Project built in 1940, both recognized as historic landmarks, along with a gazebo on the property will remain, Young said.

“Geyer Commons will strengthen existing businesses and create shared experiences,” said council member Tamara Bounds. “Geyer Commons is the beginning of a bright and bold future.”