Growth Spurs Redevelopment in Oak Ridge, Spring, TX

Photo by Jerry Baker / Freelance

Like all of South Montgomery County, Oak Ridge North is experiencing growth. But since the city is mostly built out, the change is primarily in redeveloping retail space and homes built decades ago.

The number of commercial and residential permits issued by the city increased 60 percent in 2014, compared with 2013, said Susan Cates, director of economic development with Oak Ridge North.
"What we are seeing is redevelopment of houses that were built in the 60s, 70s and 80s," Cates said. "As our population gets older, younger families are coming in buying these 2,000 square foot homes and they are renovating and expanding them."

And schools in the area are already feeling the growth. The Oak Ridge region is the fastest growing area for the Conroe Independent School District, said superintendent Don Stockton. The district is responding by preparing for a bond referendum to, in part, pay for a new high school in the area.

"The growth that we anticipate is the young families moving in - and they will be young families with children," Cates said. "We are excited to see CISD be forward thinking about the growth that is coming to the our community and continue providing the great schools that draw businesses into our community."

And Oak Ridge High School is already at capacity. "What is happening is that CISD knows that level is not going to stay flat," she said. "We have seen a sharp spike upward (in population) in South Montgomery County since Exxon announced their campus three years ago."

Business growth
Oak Ridge North is in talks to open a new hotel and conference center at Robinson Road and Interstate 45, Cates said. The hotel will have a 10,000 square foot conference center, she said.
Oak Ridge North officials plan to announce the hotel brand the end of February or beginning of March, Cates said.

In addition, Oak Ridge North is planning retail to open near the hotel. And the city is in talks to build townhomes catering to young urban professionals, Cates said. In the last three years, the city's business park, Oak Ridge North Commerce Park, has grown to 75 acres and is currently 85 percent occupied.

"At this point, all but one lot is sold and almost all of them are already built on," Cates said of the business park. 

Photo by: Jerry Baker / Freelance

And Austin-based iFly Indoor Skydiving is constructing one of two Houston-area facilities at 26860 I-45 North. iFly is an indoor vertical wind tunnel that allows people to enjoy the free-fall portion of skydiving but indoors and without an airplane. "It will be a great amenity," Cates said.

Source: Chron.com
 

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