Plans for 2015 opening of new Netherland shopping center

"The Landing" is simply the name of the new shopping center due to be established in Nederland. The 100 acres of land situated along the US69 service road, just in front of the airport, has been leased by a commercial development firm from Arizona.

The name was decided upon by executives at Accelerated Development-Velocity retail who deposited $50000 toward the property during May and have since been hard at work to gain letters of intent from tenants. 

Kay DeCuir, Nederland Economic Development Corporation’s economic development director, stated that the businesses due to move to The Landing remain confidential until all the paperwork has been completed.  She could however confirm that a hotel and a financial institution are on the list. She said the focus is currently on the development of the first 36 acres and construction is not envisaged prior to 2015. 

There has been a problem trying to find tenants for the retail space as the drawback is that the land has to be leased, not sold, and most businesses are keen to own their own land.

Accelerated Development has signed a long-term, 49-year lease. The land cannot be sold as there is a federal rule which prohibits the county from selling airport property. The land is due to be broken into four mixed phases, with tag lines signifying different sections of the shopping area.

According to the brochure for The Landing Shopping Center, there is an indication that Nederland is losing out on about $445m, due to a retail leakage.  This implies that residents of Nederland who are currently shopping elsewhere may spend money locally if they had the opportunity.  

There are different projects cited by the development company, to bring residential and employment growth to the area.