Redevelopment efforts emerge in Grogan's Mill

Then, in late July, Gracepoint Homes announced plans for Lakeside Cove. The luxury villas will also be constructed on the same land that was once home to the WAC. Lakeside Cove will include 57 homes, ranging from 3,500 up to 4,200 square feet with features such as optional elevators, a gated entry and wine grottos. There are eight proposed home plans for the development and Tom Cox Jr., president of Gracepoint Homes, said construction will begin on model homes this fall.

"We were targeting [the former WAC site] in particular," Cox said. "If you talk to real estate agents, they will tell you any property in Grogan's Mill is considered a premium location."

Alex Sutton, co-president of The Woodlands Development Company, said upgrades are continuing at places like The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center, which saw the condominiums located along the first hole of the Panther Trails Golf Course torn down to be replaced by the Lakeside Lodges.

Home rebuilds

In some instances, older homes in Grogan's Mill have been targeted for tear down so that homeowners may build a new home on a desirable plot.

"Somebody may find a house in disrepair or in foreclosure and may like the location or find the house doesn't suit their needs, tear the house down, submit plans, then build a new home," said Hennie Van Rensburg, director of covenant administration for The Woodlands Township.

He said there have been new homes built on older sites along golf courses or near parks. However, Van Rensburg said he has yet to see large-scale efforts by developers to redevelop home sites.

"I don't see that any one entity has offered to buy up eight or 10 homes," he said.

Grogan's Mill saw the build out of new homes in the mid-1990s, when its population leveled off at around 13,000 residents. Since that time, the majority of home sales and resident growth have been in newer villages, such as Sterling Ridge and Alden Bridge.

However, with its proximity to Town Center and I-45, Grogan's Mill is being hailed as a desirable living location and an area of growth, Cox said.

"It's already out of control," he said. "I've got friends in real estate that tell me so many houses aren't even getting to market because there is such a demand. People are getting four, five bids on their home and they are all over value."

According to Houston International Realty, the average home value in Grogan's Mill is $767,500.

Township efforts

In addition to homeowners and developers, the township is also playing a key role in redevelopment efforts.

The township has about $220 million worth of assets among its more than 100 parks and pathways, tennis facilities, park playground equipment, sports fields and 13 pools. Monique Sharp, director of finance for the township, said money is allocated for the capital replacement reserve in order to replace and renovate aging infrastructure and amenities owned by the township.

One of those projects was Sawmill Park, The Woodlands' second oldest park that opened in 1979. Earlier this year, the township funded a $905,000 renovation to the park, including the installation of a splash pad, a new tennis court, a tennis gazebo, an expanded playground, an expanded baby pool and several other amenities.

"The renovation of Sawmill Park was big," Denton said. "There are so many families out there now. All the kids really enjoy the splash pad, and it's just great for the community."

Another project the township is funding is a refurbishment of the pedestrian bridge across Grogan's Mill Road. The township has budgeted about $50,000 for that project, which will begin this fall.