Sugar Land officials are looking for ways to soundproof the Imperial Sugar Char House as redevelopment conversations continue.
In a nutshell
At a Sept. 22 workshop, Sugar Land City Council reviewed design alternatives, noise mitigation, pricing and a timeline for the Imperial Sugar Char House Preservation Project.
The Imperial Sugar Char House, built in 1925 and rooted in the city’s founding, has been vacant since the sugar factory closed in 2003. City officials announced plans to preserve it last year, but a finalized redevelopment plan is still in the works.
The details
City officials requested an acoustic sound study to address the loud noise from the nearby train. The study resulted in four options for soundproofed windows, including:
Option one: Base option with non-laminated glass, which would result in a $14.72 million contract.
Option two: Laminating one side of the glass to get a slightly quieter office space, which would result in a $15.37 million contract.
Option three: Laminating both sides of the glass to get a more modern, quiet office, which would result in a $15.88 million contract.
Option four: Installing a second interior window, which would allow the space to serve as a hotel. Staff does not recommend this option due to the cost, which was not listed.
The more soundproof the location is, the more options it has for redevelopment, Assistant City Engineer Robert Wilson said.
Option three soundproofs it enough for a retail and office space, but not a hotel or residential area, Wilson said. While option four does allow for hotel use, Wilson said the second window can be added at a later date if the city wants to turn the space into a hotel.
What else?
The site was assessed to measure the restoration efforts, although there has been more damage since then from events such as Hurricane Beryl in 2024, Wilson said.
The restoration efforts include:
New 100-pound roof
Reattaching the liquor gallery, which is separating from the building
Repairing or replacing windows
Repairing steel and brick
Electric and mechanical installation
Restoring Imperial signage and moving it to its original location on the east side of the building
How we got here
For over 20 years, the community and council have wished to preserve the Imperial Sugar Char House, but past attempts with private developers failed, Director of Redevelopment Devon Rodriguez said at the meeting.
In 2022, the council identified redevelopment as one of its top priorities, with the Imperial Sugar building standing out as a key focus.
In 2025, the city purchased the historic district—which includes the Char House—through a $31.5 million acquisition. It also budgeted an extra $12.3 million for the Char House preservation, which has since increased to over $15 million following further deterioration.
The project is funded by a $50 million certificate of obligation, under which a local government issues debt to fund public work without voter approval, according to the Texas Public Policy Foundation. The city plans to repay the debt through sales tax, Rodriguez said.
What they’re saying
Since the city has not approved a final reuse project, council member Robert Boettcher asked about the possibility of it staying vacant. However, Rodriguez said that is not the intention and that she hopes it does not happen.
City Manager Mike Goodrum said if city staff does not start preserving the building, then it could face further deterioration.
“There’s risk in everything we do, but this will preserve the icon of what this city was created on and prepare it for the future, whatever that future is,” Goodrum said.
Looking forward
City officials said they expect to select a private development partner at the end of the year.
Other important dates include:
Oct. 20: City Council will consider the contract for preservation
Nov. 5: Char House groundbreaking
December: Mobilize on site
March 2028: Expected preservation completion date
