At a Sept. 18 meeting, the Sugar Land 4B Corp. approved the launch of the city’s Commercial Revitalization Grant Program, aimed at rejuvenating aging commercial centers by retaining and attracting businesses, and encouraging community engagement, Assistant Director of Redevelopment Jessica Huble said.
First Colony Mall is one of dozens of commercial centers that will be eligible to apply for the grant, city officials said.
“We are pleased about funding opportunities like this and are now assessing the program to determine our participation,” said Shenea Bankhead, First Colony Mall’s general manager.
This commercial program builds on the city’s revitalization efforts, joining two other residential initiatives implemented in 2015 and 2022.
The overview
The Sugar Land 4B Corp. allocated $500,000 in its fiscal year 2024-25 budget toward the Commercial Revitalization Grant Program’s pilot year.
Huble said the projects must accomplish two or more development outcomes, including improving:
- Facades and exteriors
- Amenities and open space
- Pedestrian areas and parking lots
- Commercial awnings and signage
- Public art such as murals
- Public right of way or infrastructure
Data from CoStar, a commercial real estate information company, showed only 12 of the city’s 441 commercial retail properties have had a major renovation since being built.
“By strategically redeveloping and investing in the commercial centers and public spaces, Sugar Land can not only maintain our high quality of life but also create a more vibrant, attractive and sustainable community that will continue to thrive for years to come,” Huble said.
Digging in
Since 2019, Sugar Land Town Square has seen improvements including modernizing building facades, improving signage and replacing storefronts since Rebees Management Co. took over the property, Managing Partner Tom Paterson said.
“It’s helped to draw new tenants to the project and even tenants who were already in the project, reinvested in their storefronts,” he said. “Their business has improved. Their sales have improved.”
Improvements in Town Square coming in early 2025 will address the area’s office landscape. Although these changes won’t be funded by the grant, Paterson said Rebees will look to identify other improvements that could.
Zooming out
Beyond commercial centers, the city also has two revitalization programs focusing on home and neighborhood improvements, Huble said.
Since 2015, the Fostering Unique Neighborhoods, or FUN grant, has provided a percentage of funding to homeowner associations, property owner associations and community groups to create unique spaces in neighborhoods, according to the city’s website.
The FUN grant has funded 38 projects, with the city contributing nearly $1.59 million for a total investment of $3.78 million.
Meanwhile, the Great Homes Update Program, which revitalizes home exteriors, finished its second year in September by funding 122 projects in 2024 with a total cost of $2.1 million in improvements and a city commitment of roughly $305,000, Huble said.
“It’s important for us to remain an economic and regional leader, and we have to take intentional and proactive steps to make sure we remain that,” she said.
- Funded 267 projects
- Spurred a $4.4 million reinvestment into the city
Applications are expected to open Jan. 1 for the commercial grant program and will be accepted on a rolling basis with dollar amounts depending on the cost and scope of the project, Huble said.
Beyond 2025, the program is expected to have an annual application, she said.
Keri Schmidt, president and CEO of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, said she believes the city’s designation as a music-friendly community in mid-October and staff’s focus on events will pair with retail improvements.
“When you have the aesthetics going and how beautiful everything is and then you add to it exciting events that draw people to your community, then you really have the whole package,” she said.
