Development on Cedar Creek Lake appears to be picking up again as the local economy slowly recovers from last year's devastating drought that saw the lake drop eight feet and business drying up in some locations. Several businesses locations have changed hands, and other locations are being transformed into something entirely new. At least three new restaurants and three new nightclubs have either opened or about to open as summer gets into full swing. At the same time, improvement in public amenities is occurring. Construction on the new Highway 198 bridge connecting Gun Barrel City to Payne Springs has been completed, and Gun Barrel City is expanding and enhancing City Park, which will be shown off to the public for the first time at the July Fest celebration and concert July 6-7. The biggest new real estate development is the sale of the old Main Place Cinema building in Seven Points to Big Show Auction, which is in the process of gutting the old 25,000-square-foot movie theater and remodeling it. It reportedly will be renamed Main Place Galleria and will open in early July. The purchase came about after Big Show Auction's previous location on Highway 274 burned in April. The building had been on the market for a couple of years after the theater closed when the new cinema in Gun Barrel City opened. Two former nightclubs that have been operated by several people are undergoing changes on Highway 274 between Seven Points and Kemp. A large nightclub formerly known as the Straight Shot Saloon and the Island Club just erected a new sign advertising Player's Lounge. A large lighted ball with spheres also has been installed in front of the club. A smaller nightclub nearby formerly known as Blue Shores was leased by Thomas Eason, pastor of Master's Touch Ministry and Full Gospel Church. Services are scheduled to begin on Sundays soon. Pinky's Rock and Roll Bar and Grill also opened this summer in Seven Points in the old Wing's building that looks like an airplane hanger In Gun Barrel City on Highway 198 a new nightclub named Rumors was opened in the old Gator's location, and the former longtime gay bar Friends that closed is being renovated into a nightclub that is being designed to resemble a western saloon. The new owner reportedly said all customers will be welcome, but he does not plan for it to be a gay bar. Two new restaurants have opened in Gun Barrel City. The Hippie Hut and Car Hop opened in the old Extreme Barbecue location on Highway 198, and Extreme Barbecue, which is not operated by the former owners, has opened in the shopping center near the La Quinta Hotel on Main Street. An apartment complex that will cater to the 55 and older tenant called Silver Leaf is currently under construction of Municipal Drive near the City Park. Residential real estate activity appears to be picking up also. One lake area resident who is building a new home on the lake said he was surprised to sell his old home that was not on the lake in just two weeks after putting it on the market. Real estate agents say they are seeing more interest from prospective buyers who want to take advantage of lower prices and low mortgage rates. Purchasers these days tend to be for affluent, paying cash for property or putting 20 percent down, because qualifications for mortgages became more strict following the banking crisis four years ago.