DEVELOPMENT
Village center sees new owners, potential for revitalization
SWITCHBUD PL.
The Grogan’s Mill Village Center has seen its former anchor store, Randalls, empty since February 2020, but discussions between the center’s new owner and Montgomery County ocials could lead to the its rebirth as a community hub, ocials said. The Howard Hughes Corp. con- rmed May 12 that ownership of the in-line retail and anchor components of the village center was acquired for an undisclosed sum. Montgomery County Commission- ers Court on May 23 agreed to explore a potential land exchange regarding the property with the company. Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack initially proposed a trade between the county and The Howard Hughes Corp. to potentially put the South Regional Library and South County Community Center at the village center site. In exchange, BY VANESSA HOLT & JESSICA SHORTEN
Hughes would get the properties on Lake Robbins Drive where those facilities are located, according to a news release from Noack. The terms of the exchange have not yet been discussed publicly. Jim Carman, Houston region president of The Howard Hughes Corp., said at the May 23 meeting the company was motivated by residents to revitalize the center. The memorandum of understand- ing between the entities allows talks to begin for a potential agreement, Noack said. There is no set time frame for the talks, ocials said. In the meantime, new businesses planned at the site include Phat Eat- ery, a project of chef Alex Au-Yeung. “Construction has started earlier this month, and it’s going smooth; we are expecting [to be nished during] fall in this year,” Au-Yeung said in a May 24 phone interview.
GROGANS MILL RD.
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A Randalls store anchoring the Grogan’s Mill Village Center closed in 2020.
JESSICA SHORTENCOMMUNITY IMPACT
POTENTIAL FOR CHANGE Grogan’s Mill Village Center, which saw its anchor grocery store Randalls close in 2020, was purchased by The Howard Hughes Corp. in May and will be the subject of a land exchange discussion between the company and Montgomery County ocials.
2020
May 2020: The Woodlands Farmers Market returns to weekly events March 2020: COVID-19 pandemic begins, leading to more retail closures February 2020: Randalls grocery store closes
2022
June 2022: Phat Eatery restaurant announced to open in center in 2023
2023
SOURCES: GROGAN’S MILL VILLAGE ASSOCIATION, PHAT EATERY, THE HOWARD HUGHES CORP., MONTGOMERY COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT May 12, 2023: The Howard Hughes Corp. announces it acquired the center May 23, 2023: Montgomery County, Howard Hughes Corp. agree to discuss land swap
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THE WOODLANDS EDITION • JUNE 2023
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