Week of June 26, 2005

The Editorial

Week of June 26, 2005

By Jeffrey J. Ortiz

Dear Reader, www.jeffortiz.com

I received numerous emails asking me what and where is Sunset Village. A brief history is below.

The City of Nederland along with the Nederland EDC announced the plans for Sunset Village in early October of 2004, a proposed $30 million dollar, 50 acre “open air mall”. (I remember reading a news story about it way before October of 2004 published by the Mid County Chronicle. If I remember correctly, it was during the Mayorial Election of 2004). This retail center is to be located at the corner of highway 69 and Beauxart Gardens Road in Nederland, Texas. I hear it should include a few retail stores, restraunts, a cinema and office buildings. Sounds good to me! Finally, we will have something to do rather than drive to Beaumont or Port Arthur. Then it happened. The Mayor of Port Arthur got on television to report they too were in the process of developing a plan to build a $31 million dolloar retail development project.

In an anoumous email recieved concerning the PA site this was stated..."The site takes in ALL the area from Allen Samules to Jimmy Johnson and from the hospital to Hwy 69. About 5 resturant pads, Hotel, 2 banks, and about 10 retail stores. Clearing of the area should start this week. I am told ground breaking may start as soon as August".

So, it's another race as to who can get what. The race has been going on for years. Port Arthur has beat Nederland in many areas. For example, Walmart moved to PA town as did the hospital. Who's going to win this time? Predictions? In a published report it was reported that ground breaking for this project is set for the summer of 2005. Hopefully, it will be soon!

NEDERLAND, October 13, 2004 -- NEDERLAND - A new $30 million, 50-acre retail center has been announced for Nederland that will be a "lifestyle destination" at the corner of U.S. 69 and Beauxart Gardens Road. Sunset Village will resemble an open-air mall such as those in The Woodlands and Sugarland. The center will feature small, medium and large retail opportunities: restaurants, a multiplex cinema and office buildings, said Rick Williams, executive director of the Nederland Economic Development Corporation. The NEDC has worked on the plan over a year in concert with Dan Ratner, a developer from Weston, Conn. Construction on the center, to built out in phases, is set to start in early summer 2005 with some of the retail stores finished by the holidays next year. The entire project set for completion by the end of 2006.