While it may seem like ExxonMobil has recently made the decision to move to the quickly thriving Woodlands area, the developer for the 1,800 acres of land has been waiting since 1961 for the opportunity.

“[ExxonMobil] saw this giant piece of land on I-45 with nothing on it and eventually got to us and said they were interested in the location,” the Coventry Development Corporation Executive Vice President Keith Simon said. “But they were concerned that there was no infrastructure, no master plan, no nothing, and so what can we do?”

The CDC whipped together a plan that convinced ExxonMobil to buy 386 acres and the construction of Springwood Village began in 2008.  The community plan includes accommodations for thirty-five to forty-five thousand future employees and is projected to raise around $5.5 billion in annual gross product to Harris County and $1 billion annually to Montgomery County.

While the deadline for the completion of this complex plan is not for 15 years or so, certain phases should be ready in the next couple of years.  2015 should see the relocation of 10,000 ExxonMobil and 1,500 Southwestern Energy employees, as well as the conclusion of the Grand Parkway and first segment of the Springwoods Village’s Town Center.

“Projects like Springwoods Village really help us in that progression in the growth of our overall region; it’s that extra boost when we’re already in an amazing time for this region,” Jack Cagle, Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner, said. “Springwoods Village and the ExxonMobil campus, these are the things that fill my heart and make me proud of this precinct. I think these are the things that will help bring people into Precinct 4 [not only] to work, but also to play.”

Town Center and amenities

The new village includes retailers, hotels, and a number of restaurants within the Town Center’s four- to ten-story buildings. A major conference center/hotel will eventually make its way into the region within the next three to five years.  There’s also talk of medical, fitness, and education facilities settling in the village with land already secured for a Spring ISD school.

Paula Lenz, executive director for the North Houston Association, said Springwoods Village and the ExxonMobil relocation is sure to leave a lasting impression on the community by positively affecting the economy. Support services and businesses are likely to pop up in the region due to the growth inspired by the development. “Those kinds of supporting entities, like hotels and the medical side of it, other companies who are going to serve ExxonMobil and residents within Springwoods Village—that’s a whole range of services that will have to come into this area to serve the employees,” Lenz said.

Residential and commercial

Springwoods Village should consist of around 5,000 homes and apartments with its eight million square feet of commercial development. Four different options of properties will be available for incoming tenants. Many Southwestern and ExxonMobil employees have already purchased homes in the area.  Audubon Grove model homes will be opened in January, starting home sales; twenty contracts have already been signed in Harper Woods.  In February, leasing for the Belvedere apartments will also start.  “There’s no models,” Simon said. “There’s nothing to look at but paper plans and to get 20 out of 90 pre-sold is really pretty phenomenal.”

Governance and other services

Springwoods Village is predicted to grow to 15,000 people and requires different levels of governance and the county will maintain the infrastructure of and provide other services for the Harris Country Improvement District No. 18.  Services provided by the district include water and wastewater services, constructing and maintaining parks, marketing, economic development, and operating the Town Center plaza. Homeowners associations will help govern neighborhoods while a design review committee will implement covenants on the developments.  The fire and EMT station plans to break ground in 2014 and will have seven bays total.

Article Citation: Stephens, Matt. (November 14, 2013). Community will bring amenities, home to region. Community Impact. Retrieved December 3, 2013 from: http://impactnews.com/houston-metro/the-woodlands/community-will-bring-amenities%2C-homes-to-region/.
Picture Citation: http://constructioncitizen.com/blog/springwoods-village-update/1310141