Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ)

TIRZ 1 was created in December 1998 through Ordinance 1149 which established a 63.4-acre zone around the intersection of US Hwy 59 and Highway 6 that is set to expire in December 2024. TIRZ 1 has a nine-member board inclusive of two (2) state appointees, six (6) City appointees, and one (1) Fort Bend County appointee. In January 2000, Ordinance 1149 was amended by Ordinance 1229, which reduced the acreage to 32 acres and extended the zone’s expiration to December 2025. This area is known today as Sugar Land Town Square.

Participating entities in the zone include City of Sugar Land, Fort Bend County and Levee Improvement District (LID 2); all contributing 100% of the tax increment generated by property taxes above the base value of $5,570,200. The final Project Plan was approved in March 2002 which outlines the plans for a mix of retail, office, restaurant, hotel, and public space in an urban-style downtown development. The zone is responsible for funding roughly $11.5M in public infrastructure.

TIRZ 1 meetings are held the first Friday in March, June, September, and December and can be be streamed via the City’s YouTube Channel.

TIRZ 3 was created in 2007 through Ordinance 1667 which established an 839.4-acre zone adjacent to State Highway 6 on the west and US Highway 90 on the south that is set to expire 2038. TIRZ 3 has a five-member board inclusive of (4) City appointees, and (1) Fort Bend County appointee.

Participating entities in the zone include the City of Sugar Land contributing 50% of the tax increment generated by property taxes above the base value of $5,602,490.  Fort Bend County contributes 50% of the tax increment generated by property taxes above the base value of $11,757,620. The purpose of TIRZ 3 is to facilitate a program of public improvements to allow the development and redevelopment of property in the Zone as a mixed-use community. Included in the redevelopment plans are the preservation and reuse of certain historic structures at the Imperial Sugar site and the location of a museum to house Imperial Sugar artifacts. A Tri-Party Funding Agreement between the City, TIRZ 3 and the Imperial Redevelopment District (IRD) authorized the District to implement TIRZ expenditures on the zone’s behalf. IRD meetings are held the third Thursday of every month with more information provided here: /133/Imperial-Redevelopment-District

TIRZ 3 meetings are held the second Wednesday in March, June, September and December and can be streamed via the City’s YouTube Channel.

TIRZ 4 was created in 2009 through Ordinance 1768 which established a 698 acre zone located at the US Highway 59 – University Boulevard interchange that is set to expire 2039, TIRZ 4 has a nine-member board inclusive of (4) City appointees, (1) Fort Bend County, (1) Fort Bend County Drainage District, (1) Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District 137, (1) Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District 138, and (1) Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District 139. Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District 137 has not formally agreed to participate in the Zone and their position is currently vacant.

Participating entities in the zone include City of Sugar Land contributing 50% of the tax increment generated by property taxes above the base value of $21,523,29. Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District 138 and 139 all contributing 50% of the tax increment generated by property taxes above the base value of $10,527,513. Fort Bend County and the Fort Bend County Drainage District agreed to participate in the Zone at the following schedule: 2014- 2029 at 50%, 2030-2034 at 30%, 2035-2039 at 20% of the tax increment generated by property taxes above the base value $72,152,791. The purpose of TIRZ 4 is to finance public improvements and facilities necessary to support the development of employment, commercial, cultural arts, and entertainment districts within a mixed-use center.

TIRZ 4 meetings are held on the third Monday in March, June, September, and December and can be streamed via the City’s YouTube Channel.