One of Tomball’s most prominent eyesores could soon be receiving a major facelift.

Plans are in the works for a new $2 million retail center to be located at the intersection of FM 2920 and SH 249. The site currently houses what remains of a Shell gas station that has been closed for four years. In that time, the building and the grounds surrounding it have deteriorated, prompting several local residents to log complaints at City Hall.

There have been talks and proposals discussed with the city, but nothing serious until late summer when Urban Meridian Group, a Houston-based development company, showed interest in the site.

A proposal was submitted to the City’s Board of Adjustments, which on Oct. 21 approved the request by Urban Meridian to build the retail center.

Mayor Gretchen Fagan explained that the center will closely resemble the same design concept as the buildings at Tomball Town Center.

“This is not just a stand-alone retail center,” Fagan said. “Urban Meridian has contracted with the architect that worked on Tomball Town Center to ensure that the projects are unified.”

Fagan added that the new center will utilize the same brick color scheme, materials, lighting, signage and landscaping as Tomball Town Center.

Ronny Hecht, Urban Meridian Vice President, said the FM 2920 and SH 249 intersection, or Four Corners as it’s often referred to, presented an ideal location for the development.

“We feel like that’s a main location,” Hecht said. “It’s a small site, but we’ve configured the building and made the site so that we can successfully bring in two tenants.”

Hecht said he could not discuss details regarding what types of businesses may open in the center and added that the next step in the process is for architects to draw up plans for the site, which will need to be approved by the city.

Once final approval is given by the city, Urban Meridian will begin the demolition of the former Shell station.

The center is expected to open by summer 2011.

“We definitely won’t break ground until next year,” Hecht added.

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