On April 15, construction began on the residential portion of Valley Ranch’s 328-acre Azalea District, which will also feature health care, dining and shopping options within the master-planned community in New Caney.
Current situation
Design is underway on the medical and wellness portion of the Azalea District, which is expected to feature a multibuilding campus, said Jhanae Kelley—a public relations specialist for Valley Ranch’s developer, The Signorelli Co.—in a May 18 email statement. Company leaders said they are hoping to draw a “well-rounded” variety of medical offerings for the district.
Demand for more health care options in the New Caney and Porter areas is strong enough to potentially draw a hospital to the district, said Greg Wattson, senior vice president of commercial development for The Signorelli Co., via email June 4.
“There is a clear opportunity for a comprehensive health and wellness destination that can meet rising demand and provide convenient access to integrated care and services closer to home,” Wattson said.
The Azalea District also opens up retail and business opportunities, said Kelley Mattlage, the chief operating officer for the East Montgomery County Improvement District, via email June 2.
“Medical is a huge component to any successful and healthy community, and we welcome this significant investment,” Mattlage said.
A large medical district coming to the area is great news for local doctors and patients, especially since it will likely improve access to medical specialists, said Melissa Herpel, a family nurse practitioner and owner of Express Family Clinic in New Caney.
“That’s just a win for everybody because so many people travel outside of the area for certain types of care. ... It’s just going to make health care so much more accessible for those patients,” Herpel said.
Some context
The population in the two ZIP codes making up the New Caney and Porter areas—77357 and 77365—grew from 46,609 to 77,795 from 2013 to 2023, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. This increase of 31,186 residents represented a 67% change.
Meanwhile, from 2013-23, the number of businesses offering health care and social assistance services—which the U.S. Census Bureau groups together—grew by 31, or an 86% increase.
The local impactEven if a large hospital eventually opens in the Azalea District, local clinics will still be needed, especially to help uninsured or underinsured residents, Herpel said. Plus, local clinics will be needed to provide follow-up care for patients discharged from a hospital or urgent care, she said.
“There’s a room and a need for all of us, and basically the real winners in the whole thing are going to be the residents of New Caney, Porter and Valley Ranch,” Herpel said.
Officials with Fresenius Medical Care—an international company with a kidney dialysis clinic in New Caney—are supportive of the Azalea District, said Kirsten Stratton, the company’s senior media relations manager, via email June 9.
“We support efforts that expand access to healthcare services and contribute to the overall health and well-being of local residents,” Stratton said.
Also of note
In addition to commercial space, the Azalea District will feature nearly 360 homes and marks the last single-family residential community to debut in Valley Ranch, according to The Signorelli Co.’s news release.
“Azalea District completes the vision for Valley Ranch by delivering the final key components of a truly dynamic community,” said Jeff Dewese, president of the land division for The Signorelli Co., via the release.
The first residential phase of construction for the Azalea District will include over 155 homesites, which are expected to be delivered this summer, according to the release. First America Homes, a division of The Signorelli Co., will build the homes.
Leaders for The Signorelli Co. opted to first focus on the residential aspect of the district, while continuing to plan the health care components, Wattson said.
“While the project is still in early stages, our primary focus is having ... components that together help to create a complete live-work-play lifestyle at Valley Ranch that supports the continued residential and economic growth of East Montgomery County,” Wattson said via email.
Looking ahead
The start and completion dates for construction of the health care portion for the Azalea District will depend on “market conditions,” Wattson said.
“For any ... development like Azalea District, the addition of medical and wellness services will create jobs, improve access to care and add convenience,” Wattson said.
