F
idelis Realty Partners is moving forward with the redevelopment of a Baytown shopping mall, San Jacinto Marketplace. The project, located at 16900 Garth Road, will feature a 550,000-square-foot shopping center, apartments, office buildings, and a hotel on the site of the former San Jacinto Mall. The 105-acre development is expected to be completed in two phases, with retail and restaurant components finished by December 2026 and the remaining phase, including apartments, hotel, and offices, completed by mid-2028.

    The project benefits from an agreement with the city of Baytown that will grant sales tax rebates of up to $16.2 million. Fidelis Realty Partners' Alan Hassenflu envisions a walkable community for residents and visitors. The redevelopment comes after nearly two years of site preparation, following demolition crews clearing the area.

    Hassenflu notes that indoor retail facilities are becoming less viable due to high operating costs and decreased convenience for customers. The San Jacinto Mall, which opened in 1981, saw a prolonged decline before Fidelis acquired the property from multiple owners between 2016 and 2022. Despite initial plans to retain JCPenney and Macy's as anchor tenants, both closed their stores during the pandemic.

    Fidelis is currently negotiating leases with 10 potential anchor tenants, aiming to finalize agreements by year-end. Baytown Mayor Brandon Capetillo expressed enthusiasm for the project's progress, stating that it will be worth the wait for residents once completed.