The big picture
At a Feb. 18 meeting, Sugar Land City Council approved spending up to $35 million to acquire the 45-acre property, which is home to the former Imperial Sugar site and the Char House. The property is located north of Hwy. 90A and east of Ulrich Street.
According to a Feb. 18 news release, an additional $15 million will be used to:
- Restore the Char House
- Improve the city’s utility system, streets and drainage infrastructure
- Other professional services
The acquisition will be funded by a $50 million certificate of obligation, which will be paid for using sales tax revenue designated for economic development, said Jing Xiao, director of finance for Sugar Land. No property tax will be used.
“City Council's approval to purchase this property represents a significant step forward in our commitment to preserving Sugar Land's rich history while planning for our future,” Mayor Joe Zimmerman said in the release. “We recognize the importance of making investments that honor our past and support our community’s growth.”
What they’re saying
Although the council ultimately approved the acquisition, several residents spoke during public comments about the city acquiring the project.
Resident Peter Jacob, who owns a real estate development business, said he didn’t agree with the city purchasing the entire historic district and urged the city to focus on just preserving the Char House. He cited struggles of developing mixed-use sites and claimed the property was not a good fit for that purpose.
“The city should keep in mind it is there to help the development and redevelopment of commercial sites and not become the developer,” he said. “It is apparent these [sales tax] dollars can be allocated to more important public projects. ... If the city desires to create a memorable tribute to the city of Sugar Land, ... convert the Char House into a museum, a banquet facility or any other number of uses.”
However, Fort Bend ISD senior Caleb Kirkpatrick said he supports the efforts to ensure the city’s namesake is around for future generations to enjoy.
“Over the past 20 years, there have been many private attempts to preserve this historic monument to the city, all of them have been unsuccessful,” he said. “To me, this shows that private is not the path that this historic district should take. To me, this shows the city has a responsibility to help preserve this piece of history, instead of turning toward private businesses to take that responsibility.”
Next steps
A tentative sale date is scheduled for April 15 with closing slated for May, Xiao said.
Additionally, city officials hope to select a private development partner and begin negotiations on a Master Development Agreement by the end of this year, according to the project website.
Houston-based entrepreneurial firm Puma Development was the latest attempt at revitalizing the area, although the project stalled in August and the developer cited financial and market challenges. Community Impact reached out to Puma for comment but the request was not returned by press time.
City officials will also prioritize preservation efforts for the Char House including “mothballing,” which includes structurally securing the building, preventing vandalism and providing interior ventilation, according to the project website.
