Sugar Land Hosts Grand Opening Of Sugar Land Heritage Center

SUGAR LAND, TX — The city of Sugar Land has reinvented a vital part of its history and is set for the big reveal this weekend.

For nearly 80 years, the Imperial Sugar refinery was the mainstay of Sugar Land before it closed in 2002, and is even the reason why the city bears such a sweet name.

On Saturday, the city will host a ribbon cutting and official unveiling of the Sugar Land Heritage Museum located within the former sugar refinery.

The event begins at 10 a.m. and continues until noon, with Mayor Joe Zimmerman and other city leaders expected to be onhand for the event.

Other planned activities and displays include:

• Ribbon cutting and confetti launch with city officials
• Strolling entertainment
• Historic interactive Sugar Land timeline (1800’s – 1950’s)
• Ange Hillz art exhibit and live painting demonstration
• Illuminated original signage from 1925 Imperial Refinery
• Sugar Land Retail Store
• Interactive Tourism Concierge Corner

The project was funded with restricted sales tax revenue, funds that state law only allows to be used for economic development, tourism and historical preservation initiatives.

The museum is a central component of ongoing efforts since 2003 to preserve and protect one of the most iconic sites in Sugar Land.

The city was a partner in an agreement for the redevelopment of the site that ensured historic preservation, the creation of a museum and the expansion of economic development and tourism initiatives.

The museum will be part of the future Imperial Market development -- an 850,000 square foot mixed-use lifestyle center currently under development on the site of the 1843 Imperial Sugar Refinery.

The Imperial Market development will include upscale retail, restaurants, offices, residences and a boutique hotel.

The project ensures the preservation of Sugar Land’s history, meets the needs of the community for cultural/entertainment venues and provides important tourism revenue that supports the high level of city services that residents expect while maintaining on the state’s lowest property tax rates.

Image: The old Imperial Sugar refinery is seen this December 2002 photo, in Sugar Land, Texas. At the height of its operation, The Imperial Sugar refinery processed up to 3 million pounds of granulated, brown and powdered sugar each day. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan).

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