Sugar Land Mayor James Thompson is joined by members of the community to celebrate the groundbreaking of Phase 2 of the Brazos River Park and adjacent festival site.

Sugar Land Mayor James Thompson  is joined by city officials and community leaders during the Feb. 26 groundbreaking of Phase 2 of the Brazos River Park development and festival site. Sugar Land Mayor James Thompson is joined by city officials and community leaders during the Feb. 26 groundbreaking of Phase 2 of the Brazos River Park development and festival site.[/caption]

Community members and local officials gathered Feb. 26 in Sugar Land to celebrate the groundbreaking of Phase 2 of the Brazos River Park and the adjacent festival site.

The $12.37 million project is headed by Harper Brothers Construction and will develop approximately 76 acres of parkland and a 52-acre festival site along Hwy. 59. The projects are a part of the city's $31.5 million parks bond package approved by voters in November 2013.

"I remain proud of the fact we are constantly able to provide the quality of life we are able to do and constantly keep ourselves at the lowest tax rate we can," Sugar Land Mayor James Thompson said. "The [bond] election, to me, was a very clear message from the residents that they continue to have confidence in our community and the staff."

Both projects will be constructed at the same time to allow residents to access different parts of the park as construction wraps up on the festival site, city officials said.

Phase 2 of the Brazos River Park development will be delivered in three parts, city officials said. The first part includes installation of underground water and electric utilities, construction of trails and an overlook plaza expected for completion in fall 2016. Part two includes landscape and irrigation installation slated for completion in 2017. Part three is the construction of Mid Lake expected to be complete in 2018.

The festival site will also be constructed in phases over the next 18 to 20 months. Once complete, the venue will accommodate city events as well as multiday music festivals, cultural celebrations and other large events.