Houston Chronicle
Francisca Ortega

The Southern Land Co. and Cherokee developers have again asked Sugar Land residents how they want the Imperial Sugar Refinery property to be developed.

Imperial Sugar shut down the century-old refinery in 2003. Now the companies want to turn the land into a community with 800 to 1,000 new homes, retail space and an entertainment district.

Jim Cheney, vice president of corporate communications with Southern Land Co., said developers plan to make the area a "city center," reducing the need for people to leave the community in order to shop, dine and relax. Making a neighborhood self-contained minimizes suburban sprawl and creates a community atmosphere, he said.

Cherokee Developers specializes in the revitalization of industrialized or underutilized properties. It plans on saving Imperial Sugar historical markers such as the Char house, the water tower and the warehouse.

To obtain public input on the project, the developers held a series of planning and design meetings last year. Another meeting is planned at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Safari Texas Ranch, 11627 FM 1464 in Richmond.

The meeting is open to the public, but people planning to attend are asked to RSVP to Alison Cooke at Alison.cooke@southernland.com or 615-778-1206.