Location
Sugar Land, TX
Size
651 acres
Project Type
Mixed-use revitalization of a former sugar refinery

Project Background
Located 18 miles southwest of Houston, TX, the Imperial redevelopment consists of 651 acres, representing the largest remaining development opportunity in Sugar Land, TX. The Imperial redevelopment is a joint venture project with the Texas General Land Office. The project consists of two land tracts, the 165-acre Imperial tract and the 525-acre Texas General Land Office tract. Imperial Sugar Company, the oldest continuously operating business in the state of Texas, processed sugar on the site for more than 160 years. Sugar Land’s city council designated the redevelopment of the Imperial property as the city’s number one priority for 2006.

The Cherokee Solution
In 2004, Cherokee and the city of Sugar Land forged a partnership to redevelop the Imperial Sugar Refinery. Cherokee has since developed a strong working relationship with the Mayor, city council, city staff and various community organizations. In September 2007, Cherokee held a strategic visioning charrette that brought together development partners, city staff and local team members. The charrette helped foster conversation on innovative solutions that will help define redevelopment of the property. Redevelopment will revitalize the area while preserving the past and integrating some of Imperial’s landmark historic structures.

Redevelopment Plan
Cherokee plans to redevelop the site into a vibrant, mixed-use community. The current development plan includes more than 1,300 residential units, 46.4 acres of mixed-use space, 26.7 acres of commercial retail space and 58 acres of office space. The project will feature numerous sustainability features including: a mix of land uses, adaptive reuse of historic structures, community gathering places, natural stormwater management, pervious paving materials and narrow streets. The Imperial redevelopment project is the product of significant commitment and community outreach from each of the project partners and the citizens of Sugar Land.

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