You have asked for updates on what is happening at the old San Jacinto Mall location. As a City, we want you to receive accurate information on topics of interest, including this project and others.
This has been a process seven years in the making and all parties involved want to get the project right. The City’s goal is to be transparent while protecting the integrity of the possible agreement.
City Collaboration with Fidelis
The City is collaborating with Fidelis Partners LLC on a new economic development agreement. The agreement will emphasize the use of sales tax rebates to incentivize the highest quality of development possible. This agreement will take the place of the current agreement that was originally created and approved in 2015. Changes in the agreement were necessary due to changes in the market for the past seven years and by modifications in the project scope.
- Did you know? The City does not own any property within the project area. Fidelis owned most of the property, but as of April of this year, the company now controls all of the 105 acres at the project site of the old San Jacinto Mall.
What Happens Next
The new agreement is currently under legal review and is likely to be submitted for final review to Fidelis before the end of June.
Following Fidelis’ review, City Council will receive the agreement and prepare for the possible within the next month.
The pending agreement does not prevent Fidelis from moving forward with demolition plans of the remaining mall portion or preparation for other construction. This will be determined through Fidelis’ timetable.
What to Expect
In working with the developers, the City remains committed to an exciting, vibrant retail property that will focus on great places for the public to gather, improved signage, beautiful landscaping, and other elevated standards.
Future of Retail in Baytown
Baytown has great opportunities for our residents to shop and dine locally and our residents proudly do that. Our healthy retail sales in our brick and mortar stores continue to impress national companies and there are many impressive franchises looking to create a footprint here.
In addition to the mall property project, there are several retail opportunities taking shape in Baytown:
- Mixed-use retail at I-10 and Highway 146
- Plans are being discussed for I-10 and Highway 99.
- City officials focusing on high-end shopping options for Grand Parkway, Alexander, Main Street, Market Street and Bayway Drive.
Keep watching the City of Baytown’s website and social media pages for more updates.