Sterling Ridge site boosts number to 4 in community

05/23/2006
By: BETH KUHLES, Chronicle Correspondent

A new Wal-Mart Supercenter with upscale features recently opened in the Sterling Ridge neighborhood of The Woodlands and another store is being planned on the outskirts of the Grogan's Mill neighborhood, boosting the retailing giant's total to four such stores within easy reach of the community. Wal-Mart Supercenter, at 10001 Woodlands Parkway, officially opened its doors May 17, offering not only discount retail but a grocery store for its surrounding neighbors.

It also includes some new upscale features, including a home decor section, expanded electronics, upgraded stationary and card area and an all season garden center. The store features tire and lube service, a full service pharmacy with drive-thru, a vision center, a Murphy's gas station, a Woodforest Bank, McDonald's and Smart Style Family Hair Salon. "The Woodlands and surrounding areas are growing very rapidly," said Kimberly Randle, senior public affairs manager for Wal-Mart and Sam's. "Our main focus is to provide customers with one stop shopping and every day low prices."

Expansion project

Also in the planning stage is a Wal-Mart on Sawdust Road, just outside The Woodlands' boundary in Spring. Wal-Mart purchased a 17-acre tract from the Spring Woodlands Church of Christ, along with adjoining property. Plans for that facility include a 205,000-square-foot store and restaurant pad sites to be open in late 2007 or early 2008. According to the plans, that store would have access via Sawdust Road and include a 100-foot buffer zone from neighborhoods. The new store would replace the existing facility at 610 Sawdust Road, Randle said.

"I am not happy they are building a Wal-Mart," said Bruce Cunningham, president of the Grogan's Mill Village Association. "But with the existing laws in Montgomery County, there is nothing they could do to stop that. It is located outside The Woodlands in unincorporated Montgomery County and there is no zoning." The two new Wal-Marts will join three others that exist in or near The Woodlands, including those at College Park Shopping Center, Sawdust Road and Kuykendahl Road in Spring.

Boost for jobs

Ron Bourbeau, executive director of the South Montgomery County The Woodlands Economic Development Partnership, said the new Wal-Mart stores will mean new jobs, expanded shopping opportunities and infrastructure to attract other businesses to the western sections of The Woodlands. "It means a lot of jobs," Bourbeau said. "It serves a new market to the west ... It is accessible to Tomball." Randle said Wal-Mart looks at many factors before selecting a store site to make sure it makes sense in the marketplace. "I would assume there is a tremendous amount of business to be had in this area," said Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner Ed Chance.

Anthony Fasone, the Sterling Ridge representative on The Woodlands Association homeowners board, said the new Woodlands Parkway store has proven so far to be a good neighbor. He said that all deliveries will be made via FM 2978, that there are plans to clean the parking lot frequently and security will be on site around the clock. "Residents have not voiced a single concern that has not been answered to our satisfaction by Wal-Mart," Fasone said. In Grogan's Mill, residents are already working with Wal-Mart officials on area issues, even through the store is not expected to open for a year or two. Cunningham praised Wal-Mart for being very responsive to community requests. "I want them to be a good neighbor," Cunningham said. "That's all I'm concerned about."

Traffic concerns

Chance said he initially had concerns about traffic at the new Sawdust Road site, but said he believes Wal-Mart has addressed the issue in their site plan. The plan includes additional left-hand turn lanes as well as a new traffic signal at the entrance. Cunningham said he believes the new Wal-Mart probably will cause traffic problems on Sawdust Road, as traffic spills into the curved intersection at Grogan's Mill Road. Cunningham said Wal-Mart plans to put a light at the entrance to the facility at Sawdust Road, but he has been assured there will be no back entrances to nearby residential streets, such as Peace Rose, Dreamweaver or Wind Whisper.

Chance said another company had looked at the site several years ago and had 4,000 employees who would have flooded the area during rush hour. He believes Wal-Mart is a better alternative for the site. Cunningham said Wal-Mart representatives have agreed to a future meeting with area residents to work out issues before construction begins. Some residents also are concerned about noise and lights from the facility. The buffer also is a concern as it appears some trees have been marked for removal, Cunningham said.

Originally published in The Chronicle This Week section.