After the site was cleared in the fall, the newest large-scale shopping area in Tomball will break ground in mid-2016.

The 63-acre Grand Parkway Town Center, which will be located at the southwest corner of Hwy. 249 and the Grand Parkway, will feature about 600,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space across about 15 pad sites.

Sam’s Club was the first tenant announced for the NewQuest Properties development in mid-2015. The estimated 136,000-square-foot building is projected to open later this year or in early 2017, NewQuest Properties Vice President Brad Elmore said.

“We’re currently negotiating with a large grocery store, sporting goods store and a variety of other retailers and small service providers like nail salons,” Elmore said.

Kroger has been discussed as the possible large grocery store tenant for the retail center, said Bruce Hillegeist, Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce president.

Kroger Public Relations Manager Kristal Howard said the company is still determining its plan for new stores in 2016 and could not yet comment on a possible Tomball location.

In addition, Chick-fil-A is included on the NewQuest site plan as a possible tenant for the center. Chick-fil-A spokesperson Amanda Hannah said the chain is evaluating new potential locations.

“It has been a longtime goal of ours to serve customers in the Tomball area,” Hannah said.

On May 11, Tomball City Council voted to expand its city limits with a limited purpose annexation of a 153-acre tract, which includes the future town center. The limited purpose annexation will allow the city to collect 2 cents of sales tax revenue from any businesses developed there.

“We’ll have a well-rounded anchor base for daily needs as well as leisure and athletic goods,” Elmore said. “In addition to that, we’ll have a lot of new sit-down restaurants, fast-casual and fast-food options. We anticipate it being the most easily accessed shopping center for the region.”