Nashville-based developer Southern Land Company, in conjunction with Cherokee, a private equity firm specializing in the acquisition, remediation, and sustainable development of brownfield sites, as well as international design consultants Development Design Group (DDG) and Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, have developed the Imperial Sugar Project – a 650-acre mixed-use, sustainable community in Sugar Land, TX. Construction is expected to begin in 2009.

As the former site of the historic Imperial Sugar Company, when complete, the community will include 800-1000 new homes, as well as a commercial and retail element.

Cherokee has worked in close contact with the city and its residents, in order to define the project's scope and scale.

"The city leaders and residents of Sugar Land have added a tremendous historic perspective to this project," says Kyndel Bennett, Cherokee project leader. "In addition to the mill and refinery, you have Oyster Creek, which has served this community for centuries and is a marvelous natural element to the overall project. The Imperial Char House and the company's signature water tower are important icons in this region that we intend to preserve."

Several charrettes were held in order to define specific design and development goals for the property. International firm Duany Plater, Zyberk & Company and Development Design Group (DDG) are also assisting Cherokee and Southern Land Company with design elements for the commercial neighborhood that will incorporate some of Imperial's original structures still standing at the site.

City officials, neighborhood associations, local and national media, and various business and civic leaders were involved, in order to learn more about the team and its intentions to bring a historically sensitive, modern, mixed-use community to the city. Many of the presentation segments at the charrette were videotaped and placed on-line. Access the footage at www.sugarlandcharrette.com.