Willis expects 800 new residents by end of 2024 as residential development projects boom

As Willis prepares for 300 homes to be built in a new community, officials say 800 new residents can be expected by the end of 2024. 

Enclave at Willis is the latest single-family home community expected to be built behind Kroger, off Interstate 45. 

Ibrahim Dursun, the manager of the project, told Willis officials during a Aug. 15 city council meeting Aug. 15 that they expect to see the first families moving into the community in 18 months.

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The project is in the early stages, Dursun said. 

Enclave at Willis will the third biggest residential project for the city after Moran Ranch and The Woodlands Hills, said Jeff Cross, director of community development building for Willis.

The city of nearly 9,000 residents currently has 19 building permits issued for residential projects, according to a July report. 

“If these go like they think they’re going to go, this place is going to go bigger than it is now,” Cross said. 

Moran Ranch, a 500-acre former family ranch located south of the city, is expected to build roughly 600 homes. The Woodlands Hills is a growing subdivision across from Moran Ranch and is expected to have 4,500 home sites, 112 acres of open space, a 17-acre village center complete with events center, hike and bike trails and eventually include more than 20 neighborhood parks at build out.

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City Manager Sheyi Ipaye previously said as more of the Houston workforce continues to work from home, Willis will be very attractive to them, “with good schools, natural wooded topography, and nearby recreational amenities offered by Lake Conroe and the Sam Houston National Forest.”

“Location is everything,” Ipaye said. 

In November 2022, the city saw an increase in sales tax revenue after the opening of The Market at Willis opened along I-45, anchored by the new H-E-B supermarket. 

The shopping center is also expected to have roughly 200 apartments, with plans to expand, Cross said. 

“We’re going as hard as you can go (with development projects),” he said. 

The next thing the city needs is about two hotels to give the city enough sales tax, Cross said, noting that it would allow for them to improve the city’s infrastructure. 

In October 2022, officials approved the spending of $1.7 million of federal funds to improve the city’s water and sewer system. 

If the city had more hotels, officials would be able to bring on additional staff and purchase vehicles for several departments, Cross said. 

“We got a lot coming in,” Cross said. “We’re focused on what we need and we will accomplish it.”