Sugar Land - Missouri City Edition | July 2025

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Sugar Land Missouri City Edition VOLUME 12, ISSUE 11 JULY 11AUG. 11, 2025

2025 Home Edition

INSIDE Sugar Land, Missouri City look to expand middle housing options By Aubrey Vogel

Meeting in the middle

Land use

Multifamily Middle housing Commercial/ retail The Lawn (green space)

Lake Pointe Green , a middle housing and multifamily develop- ment in Sugar Land, is set to take over the former Fluor Corp. campus, which has been vacant since the company announced its move to the Energy Corridor in 2023. The development is also set to bring in green space and an optional commercial aspect. (Lovett Commercial/Community Impact)

Learn more about the new historical marker honoring the Sugar Land 95 Impacts 6

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SUGAR LAND - MISSOURI CITY EDITION

MADE FOR YOU.

At David Weekley Homes, you are the inspiration behind every decision we make. Your Personal Home Team in Houston will work with you from selection to move-in and beyond — because you deserve a home built with you in mind.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. About Community Impact

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Jovanna Aguilar Angela Bonilla Sarah Brager Melissa Enaje Valeria Escobar Wesley Gardner Rachel Leland Emily Lincke Tomer Ronen Nichaela Shaheen Jessica Shorten Haley Velasco Kevin Vu Julianna Washburn Graphic Designers Richard Galvan Ellen Jackson Matt Mills

Amy Martinez General Manager

Martha Risinger Jesus Verastegui Taylor White Ronald Winters Senior Managing Editor Matt Stephens Senior Product Manager Kaitlin Schmidt Quality Desk Editor Sarah Hernandez

Aubrey Vogel Editor

Jason Culpepper Houston Market President

Note to our readers: Beginning this month, you’ll no longer see Texas Monthly content featured in Community Impact. We’re grateful for the partnership and proud to continue focusing on original, impactful reporting from our own CI journalists across Texas. As always, thank you for trusting us to keep you informed about what matters most in your community.

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Texas Public Education Funding in 2025

Thank you, Texas Lawmakers, for HB 2. Let’s keep going!

New funding provided in House Bill 2

#FundOurSchools

Needed to keep up with inflation since 2019

Needed to match the national average in per-pupil spending

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SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY EDITION

Impacts

2 Imperial Recreation Center cardio and weight room The center’s multipurpose rooms have been transformed into a fitness room featuring treadmills, leg press and a rower. • Opened May 12 • 234 Matlage Way, Sugar Land • www.sugarlandtx.gov 3 Life Savers Emergency Room The newly rebranded facility provides 24/7 service as well as advanced imaging and laboratory services. • Opened May 16 4 Arici Gelato The Italy-based company offers gelato and semifreddo cakes, which contain a mixture of moose and gelato. • Opened May 23 • 2814 Sienna Parkway, Ste. 250, Missouri City • www.aricigelatos.com 5 Skip’s Beer Wine & Liquor The Texas-based liquor store offers beer selections such as lagers, pilsners and India pale ales as well as wines and liquor. • Opened May 23 • 2822 Sienna Parkway, Ste. 150, Missouri City • www.skipsliquor.com • 222 Hwy. 6, Sugar Land • www.lifesaverser.com 6 Dentarts Implants and Prosthodontics The clinic features several customizable patient services including oral wellness exams, teeth whitening, and complete and partial dentures. • Opened June 2 • 2822 Sienna Parkway, Ste. 220, Missouri City • www.dentartspros.com 7 Folk Prints The local tapestry offers handcrafted fabric products such as bedding, tablecloths and wall hangings by artisans from communities in India, Indonesia and Africa.

W . A

13 14

KEMPNER ST.

90A

MATLAGE WAY

Missouri City

90A

NBLVD.

WESCOTT AVE.

SETTLERS WAY

1092

99 TOLL

Sugar Land

COMMONWEALTH BLVD.

RIVERSTONE BLVD.

M P I A P

11 16

KITTY HOLLOW PARK

2759

SIENNA PKWY.

5 6 9

MAP NOT TO SCALE

aesthetics such as skin rejuvenation. • Opened April 28 • 8145 Hwy. 6, Building B, Ste. 100, Missouri City • www.harrisonderm.com

Now open

1 Harrison Dermatology The clinic offers various services including medical dermatology, skin cancer treatments and medical

Board Certified Gastroenterologist Gregory L. Shannon, MD

17510 West Grand Parkway South, Suite 220. Sugar Land, TX 77479 www.GregoryShannonMD.com Call 281-201-1338 Today to Schedule an Appointment

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY VALERIA ESCOBAR, TOMER RONEN & AUBREY VOGEL

• Opened June 2 • 2452 Settlers Way Blvd., Sugar Land • www.folkprints.com

• 1149 Hagerson Road, Sugar Land • www.weekenddrivegarage.com

In the news

13 Pepperoni’s The menu will offer customizable pizzas and calzones as well as various salads, garlic bread and pepperoni sticks. • Opening this fall • 11123 West Airport Blvd., Ste. 500, Stafford • www.pepperonis.net 14 Atomic Wings The eatery will serve fresh, never-frozen chicken wings and tenders paired with signature sauces and spice rubs. • Opening in the fourth quarter of 2025 • 11123 West Airport Blvd., Ste. 200, Stafford • www.atomicwings.com 15 Missouri City 1 Sueba USA began construction in May on a 346-unit multifamily development located in Fort Bend Town Center. The development will feature a co-working station, conference center, fitness club and pool areas. • Construction to be completed by fall 2026 • Located at the intersection of Hwy. 6 and the Fort Bend Tollway • www.suebausa.com 16 JuiceLand The Austin-born smoothie chain offers drinks, bowls, cold-pressed juice and plant-based meals. • Opening late 2025 • 8225 Hwy. 6, Missouri City • www.juiceland.com

8 Sugar Paws Pet Pantry The pantry offers pet supplies including food, toys, beddings and grooming supplies to those with financial need twice a month. The pantry is open the second and fourth Sunday of each month. • Opened June 8 • 101B Gillingham Lane, Sugar Land • www.sugarlandtx.gov/2906/sugar-paws-pet-pantry 9 Marco’s Pizza The menu features pizza shop classics including pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salads. • Opened June 12 • 2822 Sienna Parkway, Ste. 140, Missouri City • www.marcos.com 10 Fuzzy’s Tacos and Margs The newest location will offer tableside service rather than the restaurant’s typical counter service featuring a revised menu with a focus on tacos, including Texas brisket taco and Cali-style steak taco. • Opened June 16 • 1912 Wescott Ave., Ste. 250, Sugar Land • www.fuzzystacoshop.com

18 Sugar Land 95 historical marker Fort Bend ISD was awarded a Texas Historical Marker on June 20 for the Sugar Land 95 State Convict Lease Labor Camp Cemetery. The marker honors the Sugar Land 95—the remains of 95 African American prisoners forced into labor under Texas’s convict leasing system—who were discovered in 2018 during the construction at FBISD’s James Reese Career and Technical Center. • 12300 University Blvd, Sugar Land • www.sugarland95.org 19 Imperial Historic District The city of Sugar Land has officially acquired the former home of Imperial Sugar with plans to partner with a private developer to revitalize the area. • 192 Kempner St., Sugar Land • www.sugarlandtx.gov Fort Bend Junior Service League The women-led nonprofit, best known for its Sugar Plum Market, is celebrating its 25th anniversary of volunteerism in Fort Bend County. Since its inception, the group has raised and donated more than $6 million for area nonprofits. • www.fbjsl.org

Coming soon

11 Skinship Nail Spa The spa provides multiple services including manicures, pedicures, nail enhancements and kids nails services. • Opening this summer • 8225 Hwy. 6, Ste. 200, Missouri City • www.skinshipnailspa.com 12 Weekend Drive Garage The luxury car community will offer 53 climate- controlled garage condominiums of varying depths— between 35 and 50 feet deep by 26 feet wide—for car enthusiasts. The garages begin around $200 per square foot. • First garages complete by the end of summer

In the news

17 Mind Matters Psychiatry The business celebrated its first anniversary in April. The clinic provides comprehensive mental health services including psychotherapy, ketamine infusion therapy and attention deficit disorder testing. • 4502 Riverstone Blvd., Ste. 601, Missouri City • www.mindmatterpsychiatry.com

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SUGAR LAND - MISSOURI CITY EDITION

Government

BY TOMER RONEN & AUBREY VOGEL

Fort Bend County could receive 2 district courts Fort Bend County could receive two additional district courts from the 89th Texas Legislature during a July special session to support the increased number of cases as the county nears a population of 1 million. The big picture Senate Bill 2878 was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott for signature June 3 but was ultimately vetoed June 22, due to being lumped with other court items. If approved, the bill would bring the total number of courts to 10 with the last district court added in 2015.

$12.5M renovations coming to Sugar Land Town Square More changes are coming to Sugar Land Town Square, with officials voting May 20 to spend $12.5 million to revitalize the shop- ping center in partnership with Rebees, a commercial development company. Two-minute impact The renovations, funded by sales tax, aim to make the development more attractive to businesses, residents and visitors, according to a May 21 news release. The building improvements include: • Building B ( $6 million ): addition of com- munal office spaces, upgraded landscap- ing and streetscapes • Building H ( $2 million ): entry, lobby and signage renovations, garden area updates and new furniture • Property-wide office tenant improvements ( $4.5 million )

By the numbers Data from the Office of Court Administration shows the number of criminal, civil and family cases have increased 30.18% since the last district court was added in 2015. Officials said this can be attributed to the county’s growing population, which increased more than 41% between the American Community Survey’s 2013 and 2023 five-year estimates. Zooming out The bill would also add five district courts to Harris County and one court to Brazoria County. Looking ahead The courts will now be considered at a special session beginning July 21. If approved, they will be created Sept. 1, according to bill documents.

Fort Bend County total cases on the docket*

50K

40,374

39,757

36,853

40K

33,407

39,971

39,304

30,190

35,800

30K

35,179

32,739

20K

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

2022 2023 2024 *INCLUDES CRIMINAL, CIVIL AND FAMILY CASES SOURCE: TEXAS OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Missouri City’s ETJ could see assistance district In a June 10 meeting, Fort Bend County com- missioners shared the county’s intent to create a county assistance district within Missouri City’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, or ETJ, near the Sienna area. The ETJ is an area outside of the city’s limits, although the city can regulate land use and zoning. The item will need to be approved by area voters in November to be created. Zooming in Proposed assistance district

Sugar Land elects 1st female mayor

Carol McCutcheon, Sugar Land’s first female mayor, was sworn in June 17, replac- ing nine year incumbent Joe Zimmerman, who served the maximum amount of time allowed by the city. The overview McCutcheon, an eight-year City Council member and retired reservoir engineer in the exploration and production of oil and gas, won the June 7 runoff election, defeat- ing former City Council member William Ferguson with 53.05% of the vote.

521

The district’s primary role would be to provide construction, maintenance and improvements to roads, bridges and drainage facilities, said Carlos Guzman, director of the county’s internal eco- nomic opportunity and development department. If approved by voters, the projects would be funded by an additional 2% of sales tax in addition to the state’s 6.25%, Guzman said. The 2% tax would be limited to use in the assistance district boundary.

SOURCE: FORT BEND COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Going forward To be placed on the Nov. 4 ballot, Fort Bend County commissioners will need to call an election no later than Aug. 18, according to agenda documents.

"This is the honor of a lifetime, and I am ready to get to work." CAROL MCCUTCHEON, SUGAR LAND MAYOR

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY AUBREY VOGEL

Missouri City shares update on comprehensive plan

Missouri City City Council heard land use recommendations June 4 for the city’s 2017 comprehensive plan update following delays. The plan update kicked off last June following rezoning con- cerns from City Council members and residents. The details The June 4 presentation provided recommendations for the future land use map and zoning ordinances of 10 focus areas, Director of Development Services Jennifer Thomas Gomez said. Key recommendations include: • Incorporating alternative housing options • Adding mixed-use developments throughout the city • Encouraging low-impact devel- opment for flood plain areas through incentives The update also proposed comprehensive plan goals includ- ing a more cohesive city, varied developments, focus on neigh- borhood integrity and commercial

redevelopment, and quality design, Gomez said. What they’re saying

With several residents express- ing concerns including impacts on neighborhoods, wildlife, traffic and infrastructure, District A council member Monica Riley said she feels it’s important to consider resident input and incorporate what they want to see in Missouri City instead of letting developers decide. “If we don’t have the right zon- ing and we don’t put landscaping ordinances in place, and we don’t put certain aesthetics requirements in place, we’ll get the same thing. And 20 years from now ... someone will be sitting up here having the same discussion all over again,” she said. “We’ve got to be unique. We’ve got to think outside the box and talk to our residents.” Looking ahead The final plan is tentatively scheduled for approval and implementation in July or August, although it may take longer.

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Missouri City comprehensive plan study areas The update includes recommendations for 10 study areas throughout the city.

90A

Samantha Parker Lane, MD Neurosurgery

Muhammad Arshad, MD Neurology

1 Fondren Road area 2 South Gessner Road area 3 Texas Parkway area 4 Fifth Street/Independence Boulevard 5 FM 1092 area 6 Cartwright Road area

7 Fort Bend Parkway area 8 Trammel Fresno area 9 Highway 6 area 10 Watts, Knight and McKeever roads area

SOURCE: MISSOURI CITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SUGAR LAND - MISSOURI CITY EDITION

Education

BY VALERIA ESCOBAR

RIGHT WHERE

Temporary tax hike would fund Fort Bend ISD raises

Fort Bend ISD officials say a temporary 7-cent tax increase per $100 of taxable property value would enable the district to fund raises excluded from the state’s $8.5 billion public education budget for 2025-27 biennium. However, the district is pro- jected to face a shortfall once the one-year “disaster pennies” measure expires ahead of the 2026-27 school year, Chief Finan- cial Officer Bryan Guinn said at a June 9 agenda review meeting. The proposal During the 89th Texas Legisla- ture, Guinn said FBISD received $40 million to fund raises through 2027, including $2,500 for teachers with three to five years of experience and $5,000 for teachers with more than five years of experience. Outside of state funds, the raises for staff not covered by House Bill 2—including first-year teachers and support staff—rely on the temporary use of the seven disaster pennies in the tax rate—a one-time board-approved tax increase allowed by the state following Hurricane Beryl in 2024, Guinn said.

What they’re saying The use of disaster pennies helps the district end the 2025-26 school year with a $7.5 million surplus, maintaining its 90-day reserve, Guinn said. However, with the expiration of disaster penny revenue for the 2026-27 school year, district officials project a $26.2 million shortfall and a drop to a 78-day operating reserve, below the board’s thresh- old, Guinn said. Many trustees raised concern that, like relief funds granted after the start of the pandemic, these emergency pennies are temporary and will not sustain long-term compensation plans. “This is a one-year fix—just like [the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund] was,” trustee Angie Hanan said. “What happens after the disaster pennies are gone?” Moving ahead Superintendent Marc Smith said the district is already working on strategies to mitigate the projected shortfall for the 2026-27 school year, including analyzing vacant positions, trimming administrative costs and reevalu- ating long-term financial plans.

You

Belong

We all dream of finding a place where we belong.

A place where neighbors meet, greet, and bond. A place where there’s always something to do and someone to do it with. A place like Sienna. Our community has it all, from an ever-growing list of amenities to onsite schools, churches, and businesses within walking distance. A place you never have to leave because everything you need is around the corner. Sienna. Right where you belong.

Fort Bend ISD disaster pennies fund breakdown A temporary hike of $0.07 per $100 in taxable property value will raise $35.7 million in usable revenue in the 2025-26 school year after recapture. One-time $1,200 supplement

Employee health benefits fund*

Surplus

Two wellness days per staff Increase starting teacher pay to $63,000

$35.7M in usable revenue

New Homes from the Low $300s-Million+

$150 employee referral $5,000 new-hire signing bonus $250 per semester bus driver perfect attendance

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*REOCCURRING FUND TO BE PROPOSED

SOURCE: FORT BEND ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY VALERIA ESCOBAR

FBISD outperforms state peers in 18 of 20 standardized tests Fort Bend ISD students are scoring better than their Texas peers in 18 out of 20 on the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness exams, or STAAR, according to results released by the Texas Education Agency on June 17. The only two areas where the district scored at or below the state average were algebra and eighth- grade math, the data shows. This comes as FBISD received a “C” account- ability rating from the TEA in April for the 2022-23 school year, Community Impact reported. Moving ahead The district will receive final STAAR scores from the state in July, with official accountability cam- pus ratings for the 2024-25 school year released publicly Aug. 15, according to the TEA.

FBISD to allocate leftover bond funds Fort Bend ISD administrators are deter- mining how to use $65.4 million in leftover funds from the 2023, 2018 and 2014 bonds to complete projects that were included or deferred in the $1.26 billion 2023 bond. Zooming in Chief Financial Officer Bryan Guinn proposed several uses for contingency funds, including: • $6.2 million to supplement the $22.9 million aquatic facilities construction • $12 million to supplement slab repairs at Madden Elementary School • $21.2 million for unexpected building system failures or facilities maintenance • $8.2 million for a special education transportation facility

STAAR passage rates, spring 2025

Fort Bend ISD Texas

3rd grade

4th grade

5th grade

6th grade

7th grade

8th grade

3rd grade

4th grade

5th grade

6th grade

7th grade

8th grade

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT 0% 20% 60% 80% 100% 40%

Children must be 3 years old on or before Sept 1, 2025, and reside in FBISD. PRE-K3 HEAD START PROGRAM!

FortBendISD.com/PreK

SUGAR LAND - MISSOURI CITY EDITION

SUGAR LAND

RICHMOND

Brazos Town Center

ROSENBERG

Prices and availability are subject to change without notice. 6/25

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Business

BY VALERIA ESCOBAR

Cake batter with crushed strawberries and whipped cream ($7) is one of the many snow cone combinations.

COURTESY SNODREAMZ

To keep the business thriving during cooler months, SnoDreamz also serves wings, fries, boudin balls, tacos and funnel cakes.

VALERIA ESCOBARCOMMUNITY IMPACT

SnoDreamz celebrates 1st sweet year in Missouri City The family-run, Louisiana-inspired snow cone shop brought its signature soft shaved ice and bold avors to the area in February 2024. But the busi- ness also has deeply rooted history in the Houston area, co-owner Crystal Tankersley Ikeakor said. Ikeakor said the growth of SnoDreamz in Hous- ton is a testament to the dreams her mother, who died in October 2023, sowed decades ago. The history What makes it special? Ikeakor said SnoDreamz oers a cultural

Crystal Tankersley Ikeakor’s parents began working in the snow cone industry in the ’80s.

VALERIA ESCOBARCOMMUNITY IMPACT

experience where customers, both locals and transplants, quickly learn what makes a New Orleans-style snowball special. “It’s the ice,” Ikeakor said. “The ice is really soft—not like the hard, crunchy kind. There’s tons of dierent avors ... [and] all the toppings.” Next steps Ikeakor said the community is at the heart of everything SnoDreamz does by raising the next generation in the family business. “We want to grow, franchise and eventually expand outside of Houston,” Ikeakor said.

T HOMAS TAYLOR PKWY.

Missouri City

GRAND PARK DR.

The journey began in the ’80s, when Ikeakor’s parents, Denise and John Tankersley, started selling the icy treats in Houston’s South Park area. That original shack eventually led to the family’s agship location on Fondren Road, followed by a second location in the Third Ward on Scott Street.

1731 Texas Parkway, Missouri City www.snodreamztx.com

SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY EDITION

Transportation

BY AUBREY VOGEL

Sugar Land expands microtransit service area Sugar Land On-Demand now provides service to 24 square miles, including more of Telfair, said Mel- anie Beaman, transportation and mobility manager for Sugar Land. The expansion, which began May 26, adds six additional square miles. The service initially launched in March to expand upon the county’s Fort Bend Transit Program, which lacks on-demand trips and has limited availability, Beaman previously said. By the numbers As of May 31, Beaman said the service has completed 2,934 rides with an average of 267 weekly trips. About the program The Sugar Land On-Demand eet features seven on-demand vehicles, including ve fully electric sedans and three hybrid wheelchair accessible

Missouri City seeks pedestrian path grant At a June 16 meeting, Missouri City City Council approved the submission of an application for the Texas Department of Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside program grant to fund a $5 million shared- use pedestrian path along Knight Road from

Sugar Land microtransit service area

8 TOLL

Former service area

New service area

McKeever Road to Hurricane Lane. If awarded, the grant will provide

SOURCE: CITY OF SUGAR LANDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

$4 million of the project’s total cost with the city responsible for a 20% match, or $1 million, Assistant City Manager Shashi Kumar said. Going forward Missouri City will be notied of its application progress in approximately three months, Kumar said.

minivans, Beaman said. Riders are able to request services via an app or phone call to 346-615-5786 within the microtransit service area, and a vehicle will arrive within 12-15 minutes for only $2 per trip, Beaman said. Addi- tional riders can be added for $1. Looking ahead The service area will continue to be expanded as additional funding becomes available with the ultimate goal to incorporate the entire city.

Events

BY VALERIA ESCOBAR

• Sugar Land Town Square, 2245 Texas Drive, Sugar Land • www.sugarlandtownsquare.com

July

Imperial Sugar Char House & Water Tower Centennial Celebration The family-friendly event will feature live music, games and a special commemorative ornament unveiling. • July 13, 2-7 p.m. • Free • Talyard Brewing Co., 1033 Imperial Blvd., Sugar Land • www.slheritage.org Sassy and Classy Fort Bend Steppers Line Dance Workshop The beginner-friendly workshop will be led by certified instructor Bonitta “LineDance DIVA” Warren. • July 19, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. • $15 (early bird), $20 (at the door) • Landmark Community Center, 100 Louisiana St., Missouri City • www.facebook.com/events/1064523155543193 Bingo & Music on the Square: Kane Alvarado Residents can visit Sugar Land Town Square to play bingo and see a live concert by artist Kane Alvarado. • July 25; 6-7 p.m. (bingo), 7-9:30 p.m. (concert) • Free (admission)

August

Thrive and Shine–Back-to-School Workshop Expose Excellence Youth Program will host a workshop series for middle and high school students covering college readiness, public speaking, artificial intelligence study tools, goal setting and mental health. • Aug. 1, 9 a.m. • Free (admission) • Brazos Hall, 14004 University Blvd, Sugar Land • www.eeyp.org Battle in the Republic The Texas Armwrestling League will host a tournament featuring divisions for all ages and classes. On-site registration and weigh-ins will take place Aug. 7-8. • Aug. 9, 1 p.m. • $30 (entry fee), free (kids and teens) • Republic Harley-Davidson, 12707 Southwest Fwy., Stafford • www.facebook.com/events/1603675467139498

Goo Goo Dolls with Dashboard Confessional– Summer Anthem Tour The Goo Goo Dolls bring their signature blend of alternative rock to the stage, performing hits like “Iris,” “Slide” and “Name.” • July 17, 8 p.m.

• $60-$407 (admission) • Smart Financial Centre,

18111 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land • www.smartfinancialcentre.net

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Real estate

BY TOMER RONEN

Home Edition

2025

Welcome to the annual CI Home Edition! This guide highlights the rise of middle housing options expected to come to the Sugar Land and Missouri City areas. These housing types include townhouses, complexes, duplexes and small lot homes. The edition also covers area housing market trends and the state’s upcoming Nov. 4 election with property tax-related propositions. Updates on Fort Bend County’s 2025 appraisal values round out this edition highlighting a decrease in value for nearly 60% of residents.

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What's inside

Learn more about property tax propositions (Page 19)

Explore incoming middle housing in the area (Page 20)

See how the area’s real estate market has changed (Page 22)

For relevant news and daily updates, subscribe to our free email newsletter!

Nearly 60% of property values decrease

Fort Bend County residential value trends, 2024 vs. 2025

Had nominal

Despite Fort Bend County seeing an average increase of 1.9% for residential properties values from 2024 to 2025, only 37.9% of homeowners saw their properties increase in value, according to an April news release from the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District. The average increase is also down from last year’s 4.4% increase. “The real estate market is stabilizing following the turbulent COVID[-19] years,” FBCAD Chief Appraiser Jordan Wise said in the release. “Overall, residential property saw modest gains while com- mercial property has declined slightly, led largely by faltering oce and retail markets.” Wise said key market drivers for property values increasing include: • Interest rates and ination shaping markets on national and local levels • Levels of available houses in Fort Bend County climbed

• Increasing interest in real estate • Low inventory and strong demand for houses By the numbers Homes valued under $200,000 saw the biggest negative shift among the ve property value ranges, with 74.6% of houses decreasing in value, appraisal data shows. Meanwhile, homeowners with properties valued over $750,000 were the only group to see more than half their values increase, at 63.1%. Despite the drop in the values of most homes, single-family home sales, median prices and months’ supply of homes in Fort Bend County all increased from 2024 to 2025. The amount of homes added to the county rose, seeing a 4.5% increase, from 7,360 to 7,691, according to FBCAD data.

Home values

Increased Decreased change in

in value

value

Less than

3,184

13,000

1,226

$199,999 $200,000- 15,137 $299,999 $300,000- 36,309 $449,999 $450,000- 33,300 $749,999 $750,000+ 14,815

41,614

1,024

57,391

2,326

41,531

1,823

8,200

447

Total single-family homes sold in Fort Bend County

95,302 85,163 83,854

2022 2023 2024

SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY EDITION

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Real estate

BY HANNAH NORTON

This November, voters across Texas will be asked to approve larger property tax breaks for homeowners and businesses. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the three proposals into law June 16, although voters will have the final say. If voters approve the constitutional amendments Nov. 4, homeowners will see increased exemptions from school district taxes. In turn, the state will spend $10 billon to ensure districts do not lose revenue. “These exemptions, once you vote for them in November, will be there... for life,” Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, said June 16. Voters will have final say on property tax cuts

Zooming in

How it works

In a June 11 interview, Abbott said that because the state does not levy property taxes, it also cannot make direct tax cuts. “Local jurisdictions, in my opinion, have imposed too much property taxes on our fellow Texans,” he said. To limit homeowners’ tax bills, Abbott has suggested requiring entities to receive two-thirds approval from local voters before they can raise tax rates.

The following proposed tax cuts will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot as state propositions.

Senate Bill 4 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston

• Raise the statewide tax exemption for all homeowners from $100,000 to $140,000 • Apply only to taxes levied by public schools • Save the average homeowner about $484 annually

Senate Bill 23 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston

• Give homeowners who are over 65 years old or have a disability a $200,000 exemption • Apply only to taxes levied by public schools • Save seniors and people with disabilities about $950 annually

Texas’ tax system Homeowners are taxed by over 3,700 local governments, including:

• School districts • Cities & counties • Hospital districts

• Junior college districts • Municipal utility districts

House Bill 9 by Rep. Morgan Meyer, R-University Park

• Exempt up to $125,000 of businesses’ inventory from taxation, up from $2,500 today • Save the average business owner about $2,500 annually

SOURCE: TEXAS COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCES: TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE, SEN. PAUL BETTENCOURT’S OFFICE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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SUGAR LAND - MISSOURI CITY EDITION

Meeting in the middle From the cover

What’s happening?

Middle housing

Missouri City

Fifth Street & Independence Boulevard: mixed-use development with alternative housing

Constellation Field area: middle housing options tied in with offices, shops and restaurants

As the Sugar Land and Missouri City area begins to reach build-out with only 4% and 9% of developable land remaining, respectively, city officials are looking to bring in more housing variety with middle, or compact, housing options, such as townhouses, duplexes, cottages and small- lot homes. Sugar Land has about 1,000 middle housing units, while the concept is emerging but “limited” in Missouri City, officials said. In May, Sugar Land City Council approved a concept plan and up to $24.3 million in incentives for Lake Pointe Green, a new development to replace the former Fluor Corp. campus, aimed at redeveloping the area and providing up to 350 middle housing units. The city also approved rezoning 30 acres of land near Constellation Field to allow the development of housing options tied in with offices, shops and restaurants, Planning Manager Ruth Lohmer said. Meanwhile, with Missouri City’s comprehensive plan update underway, city officials said they’re looking to bring more housing variety, including middle housing to areas such as the FM 1092, Cartwright Road and Independence Boulevard corridors.

Sugar Land

IMPERIAL BLVD.

FM 1092: repurposing old CVS store and adding mid-density housing

INDEPENDENCE BLVD.

90A

CREEKBEND DR.

Lake Pointe Green

CARTWRIGHT RD.

Cartwright Road: alternative housing or mixed-use

1092

Sugar Land housing variety, 2023

Missouri City housing variety, 2023

Multifamily 4% Single-family 96%

Single-family 90% Multifamily 8% Townhouses 2%

38,000 total homes

27,758 total homes

1,000 townhouses

SOURCE: CITY OF SUGAR LAND/COMMUNITY IMPACT

NOTE: MISSOURI CITY DOES NOT TRACK TOWNHOUSE TOTALS SOURCE: CITY MISSOURI CITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Average home price

May 2020 May 2025

Why it matters

Single-family Townhouse

“The trends are more about building smaller, more affordable homes than building mansions, which are [4,000, 5,000] or 6,000 square feet, because those price out [many people],” he said.

With interest rates and home prices on the rise, the market has begun to shift to building these smaller-scale homes to meet residents where they can afford to live, said Kunal Seth, team lead for The Seth Brothers Real Estate Team.

Sugar Land

Missouri City

SOURCE: HOUSTON ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Going forward

Breaking it down

Sugar Land, Missouri City population

In addition to affordability, Seth said residents are moving to smaller homes seeking less mainte- nance and more accessibility with the emergence of mixed-use developments as cities work to make the most out of their remaining land. “The trend I’m seeing is that inner city strategies of building vertically are now bleeding into the suburban part of Houston, especially in the Sugar Land area, because the land is almost saturated,” he said. “We don’t have any more land to build single-family [homes].” Director of Redevelopment Devon Rodriguez said Sugar Land officials also hope the housing options will help grow the city’s population, which declined 7.15% from 2018 to 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. “Sugar Land is beginning to see a decline in pop- ulation, largely because many longtime residents who moved here in the ’80s and ’90s have stayed, while their children have grown up and moved elsewhere,” she said.

Although middle housing is on the way, several projects will take time to develop or still need to find developers, officials said. The Lake Pointe Green project is set to begin this year, with the first housing deliveries in 2027, followed by final completion in 2034, Lovett officials said. Additionally, Rodriguez said the city has begun to see renewed interest on the rezoned property near Constellation Field, although no contracts are underway. However, there is no timeline for middle housing in Missouri City with the comprehensive plan still underway, Director of Development Services Jennifer Thomas Gomez said. The final plan is tentatively scheduled for approval in July or August.

2018 2023

118,182

109,735

75,234

73,573

Sugar Land

Missouri City

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU 5-YEAR AMERICAN SURVEY RESULTS/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

Age breakdown

75%

74.16%

65 and over Under 65

Sugar Land

Missouri City

25%

24.84%

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU 5-YEAR AMERICAN SURVEY RESULTS/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

SUGAR LAND - MISSOURI CITY EDITION

Real estate

BY TOMER RONEN

With 440 homes on the market by the end of April, the Sugar Land real estate market had more than 4.5 months of inventory available for the first time since May 2020, according to data from the Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center. The Missouri City real estate market stayed stable with 405 homes on the market by the end of April, staying above 360 homes available for the 11th consecutive month, the first time since 2019. Supply chain issues and record-low interest rates during the early COVID-19 pandemic affected inven- tory levels, which were as low as 0.42 months of inventory locally in February 2020, said Shae Cottar, chair of the Houston Association of Realtors. “I think that while a lot of times it’s easy to Sugar Land home inventory rises for 1st time since 2020

Sugar Land and Missouri City active listings

Sugar Land Missouri City

800

612

600

440

400

200

405

352

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

NOTE: CHART INCLUDES DATA FROM THE SUGAR LAND SOUTH, SUGAR LAND WEST AND MISSOURI CITY MARKETS.

SOURCE: TEXAS A&M REAL ESTATE CENTER/COMMUNITY IMPACT

in Missouri City, compared to 43% in Fort Bend County, according to HAR’s Q1 Housing and Rental Affordability Report released May 8. In the first quarter, the median price of a home in the Missouri City area was $340,000, with a minimum qualifying annual household income of $105,200, and Sugar Land’s median home price was $485,000 with a minimum income of $141,600, data showed. Additionally, Fort Bend County’s median home was $378,000, and its minimum income was $117,600.

look at the last five years and feel like that is the way it is, that’s normal; if you look on a historical timeline, I think what we’re actually seeing right now is a normalizing of the market,” Cottar said at the June 10 Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Also of note During the first three months of 2025, 34% of Sugar Land households could afford to buy a medi- an-priced home, while the number climbed to 49%

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Real estate

Residential market data

Number of homes sold

May 2024

May 2025

+8.06%

+4.17%

+18.99%

-12.5%

There were 297 homes sold in ve ZIP codes in May versus 318 for the same month in 2024.

77459

77478

77479

77489

77498

77478

77498

Median home sales price

77489

99 TOLL

May

2024

2025

77479

$432,278 $503,959 $616,000 $258,500 $312,500

$466,500 $490,000 $548,500 $239,500 $319,700

77459

77478

77459

77479

77489

77498

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY

Average days on market -4.21%

+9.09%

+20%

+11.69%

-21.74%

77459

77478

77479

77489

77498

NOTE: DATA INCLUDES SALES FROM SINGLEFAMILY HOMES, TOWNHOMES AND CONDOMINIUMS.

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SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY EDITION

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