Promises

Promises

by

Jeffrey J. Ortiz

So, it was two years ago today...

NEDERLAND, October 13, 2004 -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.

....it was two years ago today the Nederland Economic Developement Corporation and City of Nederland announced a 30 million dollar plan to build an outdoor mall. The outdoor "mall" was to house several new restaurants, office buildings, retail outlets and a multiplex theatre. It was expected to bring in 100 million dollars in revenue in just the first year. A huge boom to the economy of the City of Nederland and Southeast Texas.

Numerous talks were held through out 2004 and 2005. Below are excerpts from a couple of Nederland EDC meetings.

2004 talks:

A discussion was held concerning the status of the following NEDC projects:
Sunset Village
Former Walmart Building
Boston Avenue Beautification Project
Delta Airlines
H.E.B. vacant building

2005 talks:

Mr. Rick Williams also reported that Sunset Village is progressing well with letters of intent being negotiated. He stated that the office is spending the majority of time on this project.

I was told time and time again that ground breaking on this project will be "soon" and still nothing.

In March of 2006, I recieved a phone call from a citizen that told me that he/she heard throught the "grapevine" that the NEDC rescinded the contract of developer of the Sunset Village project. I then went on to confirm that information. Which ended up being true. With some news media reporting on it.

Now, two years later...a year that would have brought new life, fresh look and energy..we still have a vacant lot with an addition of a hotel. Oh yeah, and another gas station.

I hear some apartments may be something the City and EDC is working on. In which I think would be a HUGE mistake.

Hopefully, one of these days the citizens of Nederland will be rewarded with their very own retail center so that we don't have to drive to Beaumont to eat, shop and catch a movie.

Who knows, maybe we will see an announcement of a groundbreaking soon....