**Magnolia Set to Lift Development Moratorium Amid Infrastructure Upgrades**
In a positive development for commercial real estate stakeholders, the city of Magnolia, located in the Houston metropolitan area, is preparing to lift its building moratorium in the coming months. The moratorium, initially implemented in December 2022, was a response to concerns over a potential water shortage driven by rapid development. As a result, the city had paused issuing new water hookups, effectively halting large-scale residential and commercial construction projects.
According to Community Impact, significant progress has been made on infrastructure upgrades aimed at expanding water capacity. The city is nearing completion of several projects totaling $30.2 million in investments, which include new water wells, storage tanks, and booster pump systems. These improvements will enable the city to resume development, with the moratorium expected to be lifted as early as September.
City officials anticipate a surge in development activity once restrictions are removed. To accommodate future growth and prevent similar issues, Magnolia has already secured land for the construction of a fifth water plant. Additionally, efforts are underway to acquire land for a sixth plant, ensuring long-term water infrastructure stability amid expected expansion.
This move marks a strategic turning point for Magnolia, promising renewed momentum in commercial and residential development while addressing critical infrastructure needs.
