Developer updates council on "Grid" redevelopment; project cites $24.8M in public infrastructure and major retail openings

Stafford — Street Level Development gave a comprehensive update on May 7 on the Grid redevelopment, a multi‑phase project the company said has transformed a former industrial site into a retail, restaurant and residential center that proponents say now functions as a regional sales‑tax generator.

Brian Murphy, a Street Level Development representative, told council the project began nearly a decade ago and that the developer has installed about $24.8 million in public infrastructure — roads, utilities, demolition and electrical systems — paid roughly 80% by Fort Bend County and 20% by the city in partnership with the East Fort Bend Development Authority and other public entities. Murphy said the taxable value of the site rose from about $24 million at acquisition to roughly $442 million today, with a projected 2025 value of $589 million; he said roughly 44% of visits to the site come from non‑Stafford residents.

“We’ve installed $24,800,000 of public infrastructure,” Murphy said, describing underground electrical, off‑site utilities and road work. He listed current and planned retailers and restaurants, including Target, Portillo’s and national dining chains and said the project includes multifamily residential components projected to reach up to roughly 2,400 units over time.

Murphy also described site amenities such as a central lawn and planned programmed events, security camera installation and ongoing talks about a police storefront and shared maintenance responsibilities with the city. He described the architect team and design vision and said developers were exploring structured parking, a mix of retail and residential massing, and flexible entertainment uses for the central lawn.

Council members and public commenters raised project management and permitting concerns tied to recent tenant delays. The city’s fire chief, speaking during public comment, defended the fire marshal’s office and said the department has limited discretion to deviate from adopted fire code. “We have no latitude,” the fire chief said, adding the office has worked to expedite plan reviews and has, in some cases, performed in‑house plan reviews rather than routing plans through third‑party review.

The fire chief said delays at some tenants — he cited Portillo’s and Hop Dotty — stemmed from construction that did not match submitted plans, multiple changes of fire‑protection contractors and permit backlog issues. “To malign the fire department and the fire marshal’s office over delays ... is woefully inadequate,” he said.

Developer and council discussion also covered ongoing negotiations around road ownership and reimbursement, potential traffic signals at key intersections, remaining acreage for development and interest from entertainment concepts such as Topgolf or similar operators. Murphy and council agreed to continue coordination with city staff, the EDC and county partners; Murphy said the county’s investment accounted for about $22 million of infrastructure participation.

Murphy asked the council to consider working with the developer’s counsel and the city attorney to revisit the 3.81 sales‑tax sharing agreement that underpins some project incentives; council members said they would consider the request and pursue joint conversations including the EDC and legal staff. There was no formal action taken on revising the agreement at the meeting.

Public commenters — including Randy Kron of the EDC — emphasized speed and caution about delays and urged the council to support timely permit processing and coordination with developers to keep tenant openings on schedule.