Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. and Montgomery County Commissioner James Noack announced construction will begin today on the revitalization of Grogan’s Mill Village Center. Originally developed in 1974 as the first village center in The Woodlands®, this project will breathe new life into a beloved community hub and feature a state-of-the-art library, community center, and 32,000 square feet of modern retail space.
The design for the future Library and Community Center has been developed in close consultation with the county, ensuring that both current and future resident needs are met.
“This is an exciting opportunity to update and expand what the Grogan’s Mill Village Center offers residents,” said Jim Carman, President of the Houston Region for Howard Hughes. “Through thoughtful master planning, we are creating places and spaces that bring people together to meet, shop, learn, and connect as part of a revitalized village center in The Woodlands—a project that exemplifies our long-standing commitment to community building.”
The library will include several new features to meet the needs of residents, including a special children’s area fully separated from the rest of the library with an enclosed space for reading sessions and play; an enclosed young adult room, podcast room, 3D printer, and multiple workrooms; and a 100-person, theater-style classroom. Creative artwork and beautiful wall coverings will help create an inviting atmosphere.
The community center will offer a modern conference room, boardroom, and several meeting rooms; a multifunctional meeting hall/ballroom; and enhanced facilities to continue serving residents of all ages. It also includes a larger meeting hall used for daily senior meals, voting, community activities, and meetings. Both the library and the community center will have upgraded technological amenities throughout.
“Laura Bush famously said, ‘I have found the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card.’ The Precinct 3 Commissioner’s Office and Howard Hughes have teamed up to provide our residents access to priceless information, resources and knowledge through the latest and greatest in library technology—at no cost to taxpayers,” Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack said. “The new library and community center not only will provide the gold standard in facilities for lifelong learning, community activities, group gatherings and events, it will serve as a key hub in continuing to build this great community.”
Noack continued: “Author Neil Gaiman has said, ‘Google can bring you back 100,000 answers, a librarian can bring you back the right one.’ There were numerous ideas on how to revitalize the existing Grogan’s Mill Village Center; Howard Hughes and Precinct 3 have brought our community the best solution.”
“The new community center and library will be a staple for exploring, socializing, and succeeding in this community for many years to come,” Noack said. “I am proud of this project and the positive impact it will have on our residents—from youths to adults and seniors.”
Aaron Hoffstadter, President of the Grogan’s Mill Village Association, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. “For years, we have talked about the need to revitalize The Woodlands' original Village Center, and today, we are able to celebrate a project that will generate excitement while providing premier amenities for our residents and visitors.”
In the retail and restaurant portion of the Grogan’s Mill Village Center, Howard Hughes has secured long-term leases or recently signed long-term extensions with current operating businesses including Brother’s Pizza, Ome Calli Café, Safeway Driving, The UPS Store, Woodforest National Bank, and The Woodlands Cleaners. Additionally, businesses such as Chef Chan’s, 4H Tailor and SN Liquor will continue to operate under their current leases. The businesses will remain open throughout the construction and improvement process. New tenants are expected to be announced soon, ensuring a seamless transition and continued vibrancy for the community.
The project also includes accommodations for the local Farmer’s Market to remain in operation throughout construction and beyond, continuing to serve the community. The new village center is expected to be completed by summer 2025.
Open communication and collaboration have been key to this project, involving regular meetings with the county, Grogan’s Mill Village Association, and current retail tenants to gather input and keep stakeholders informed.
Renderings of the reimagined Grogan’s Mill Village Center are available for download HERE. Imagery is courtesy of Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. For more information, including updates on the project, visit thewoodlands.com.
