From store closings to road bonds, take a look at fives of the most-read Community Impact news stories in The Woodlands area for the year.
The following stories are in order of the most page views throughout the year.
Kroger to close Sterling Ridge location in The Woodlands
Kroger announced Feb. 28 it would close its store in the Village of Sterling Ridge in The Woodlands. Kroger had operated in Sterling Ridge for 25 years, according to a news release from the company.
Brad Bailey, chair of The Woodlands Township board of directors, said in a statement to Community Impact the board asked for community input on restaurant or retail businesses they would like to see in The Woodlands.
"While this is unfortunate news, we have seen this coming for some time," Bailey said of the closing. "Shopping has drastically changed since the '80s and '90s when our village shopping centers were built. It's time for us to reimagine our village shopping centers to meet the retail needs of our community today."
Read the full story here.
The Woodlands' Development Standards Committee rejects applications from Goodwill for Cochran's Crossing store
The Woodlands Township’s Development Standards Committee on Nov. 5 turned down applications presented for a Goodwill store at Cochran’s Crossing Village Center after determining the site, as proposed, would be a warehouse use, which is prohibited at the center.
“Although we are disappointed by the outcome, we respect the decision and will be meeting with the center’s owner to determine the best path forward,” said Barbie Parker, vice president of fund development and community relations for Goodwill Houston, in a statement to Community Impact.
Read the full story here.
The Woodlands begins $4.5M intersection improvement plan on Woodlands Parkway
The Woodlands Road Utility District and The Woodlands Township announced the kickoff of a $4.5 million enhancement project at the intersection of Woodlands Parkway and Grogans Mill Road, which will include the installation of a sculpture commemorating the first 50 years of The Woodlands.
Funded in full by The Woodlands RUD, the project will provide new landscaping across 8 acres of land surrounding the intersection of Woodlands Parkway and Grogans Mill Road.
According to information provided by Landology, the design firm overseeing the project, it will also address soil erosion along medians and right of ways at the intersection. According to Landology, the project had started work as of April 1.
Read the full story here.
Voters approve $480M Montgomery County road bond
Montgomery County voters approved the $480 million road bond with a vote of 5,760-5,147, or 52.81% for and 47.19% against the proposition.
County Judge Mark Keough said in a post on social media the bond will allow for the county to make investments in its roads.
"Thanks to this bond, we’ll see significant investments in road improvements across the county. From reducing congestion and improving safety, this bond is a bold step forward in making our transportation infrastructure work for Montgomery County all with zero increase to our tax rate," Keough said in a post.
Read the full story here.
Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner removes Townsen Boulevard extension from bond list
Following a two-hour town hall on April 16, Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner Ritch Wheeler announced he will not construct the proposed extension of Townsen Boulevard due to the number of resident concerns regarding the impact on surrounding neighborhoods in Benders Landing.
During the town hall, which was held at Community Fieldhouse in Spring, Wheeler gave a presentation to residents regarding how the extension was identified as a potential project for the $480 million road bond being sought for voter approval by the county May 3. As part of the project list for Precinct 3, a project to extend Townsen Boulevard from Lexington Boulevard to Rayford Road in Spring was included, which would connect the roadway to two major thoroughfares: Rayford Road and the Grand Parkway.
Read the full story here.
