The Rayford Road corridor has been in a state of development in the past year with a wide array of commercial, office and residential real estate projects underway. These projects are drawing in more residents, business owners and customers from The Woodlands and Spring areas to take advantage of the emerging community.

Although current construction of developments has resulted in increased traffic on Rayford Road according to recent traffic studies, many developers and business owners said the addition of more commercial and residential developments will have a positive effect on residents in the area.

Josh Feinberg, a broker with J. Beard Real Estate Company, said that with The Woodlands filling up and having about seven years left for commercial developments, there is a fundamental demand from real estate developers for more space.

“With the Rayford Road area you’ve got momentum from [I-45], you have the new H-E-B on Riley Fuzzel Road, and there is just a demand for more retail,” Feinberg said. “You’ll find that there is a lack of land, but we’re going to continue seeing developments. There’s been residential growth in Springwoods [Village], and the ExxonMobil campus is bringing in a lot to that area.”

Feinberg said although Rayford Road can be congested and widening it would be ideal, the new developments will contribute more to the surrounding community. J. Beard Real Estate is planning two new office buildings in the Rayford Road area.

At I-45 and Rayford Road, a Class A mixed-use project called Woodlands Gate, which will feature office, retail and hospitality space, could start construction in early 2016. In addition, Havenwood Office Park is being constructed just north of Rayford Road and Sawdust Road.

“I would like it if Rayford Road could be expanded during the construction of the Woodlands Gate development and have a wider turn lane,” Feinberg said. “But it all depends on the county. Hopefully they can put money into this area.”

Montgomery County allocated $60 million in a $350 million bond proposal to widen Rayford Road from the Union Pacific railroad line to Riley Fuzzel Road, but county voters turned down the bond proposal in May.

Real estate development

Besides new office developments, new residential neighborhoods are coming into the area, bringing with them many new residents.

According to Esri, a demographic research firm, there was about a 15 percent increase in population along Rayford Road from 2010 to 2014. The number of households in the area from the end of 2014 to 2019 is also now expected to have about a 16 percent increase in the next few years.

With neighborhoods such as Harmony off of Rayford Road and Woodson’s Reserve, located on Riley Fuzzel Road near the Grand Parkway, home developers say the location is ideal for current and future residents.

Ben Douglas, general manager of Harmony, said the location of the development was a key component in drawing residents into the Harmony community.

“The ExxonMobil campus is less than five minutes away, and then you have the Grand Parkway,” Douglas said. “We already have sold 635 homes and 529 are currently occupied, and we’re continuing to keep building new lots and a recreation center.”

More than 800 residential lots will be on the market this year for the Harmony development, and an estimated 2,300 homes are expected to be complete at build-out.

Douglas said residents who choose to live in the area are drawn to it because of how close they are to schools, churches and now new businesses.

“The new H-E-B, the new emergency center and retail centers—this all caters to residents wanting to live here,” he said. “It’s a real plus for us because it’s right at our front door. Even though right now with construction, getting into Harmony can be difficult and confusing for visitors, these construction projects should be finished by the end of the year.”

Penny Benbow, founder of the Spring Creek Home Owner’s Coalition, said she thinks the new communities and neighbors are just a beneficial aspect of growth and part of development.

The Spring Creek neighborhood area is near the Rayford Road corridor.

“We do need to develop our infrastructure—that is a concern,” she said. “But I think the development is wonderful, and I’m looking forward to when the Grand Parkway is finished.”

Construction on a 32-mile segment of Grand Parkway, Houston’s third outer loop, is expected to be complete by the end of the year. The $1 billion section under construction stretches from Hwy. 290 in Cypress to Hwy. 59 north of Kingwood.

Commercial development

Residents living along the Rayford Road area, especially those in the Harmony community, have seen new businesses opening at a rapid rate.

One of the most anticipated projects was H-E-B Spring Creek Market, on Rayford Road and Riley Fuzzel Road.

Isaac Christlieb, unit director at H-E-B, said he has seen a high number of customers at the new grocery store, despite the nearby construction of the Grand Parkway.

“Business has been very good since we’ve been here at this location,” Christlieb said. “Road construction limits customers being able to get in and out, but we’re still doing really good.”

Christlieb said he has noticed the area’s population expanding and sees the increase in residents as having the potential to bring in more businesses and benefit both new and longtime residents and business owners.

“This area has seen a lot of growth recently,” he said “There are new homes being built, and this area just really needed another grocery store.”

Misty Perinne, president of Benders Landing Estates, said she has lived in the Rayford Road area her whole life and that business development is greatly needed in the area, giving residents new options for businesses and homes.

“There was nothing back here for a long time. We have had to go to The Woodlands to do anything, and it’s just a long journey,” Perinne said. “Change is always going to happen, and this is the next step.”

Perinne also said although the many upcoming commercial and real estate developments have brought on more traffic congestion and delays on Rayford and Riley Fuzzel roads, there is no other way to build new developments and widen roads without some traffic build-up and road construction.

“People want to be upset about traffic and congestion, but I think they have done a decent job with construction so far,” she said. “And soon it will all be gone. The real estate development and business development are directly related, and we have to change our infrastructure now to do that.”