Greenspoint Mall is officially gone as of today. Friendswood Development built the mall in 1976 and one of the only malls in the area before Willowbrook started in 1980 it was the place to be. It officially opened on August 5, 1976. Friendswood Development built it as a hub for Exxon employees as Exxon Corporation bought 2000 acres for development in the area. Friendswood saw it as an investment, an investment in which they never planned infrastructure, police, fire, and utilities. That was left up to the City of Houston which annexed it shortly after opening. But then a steady decline. The oil bust of the 1980s started it. Then on September 31, 1991, Harris County Deputy Roxyann Allee was abducted as she walked to her van from the mall after shopping. Witnesses saw two black males force her into the van. Her van was found a short time later burned. Then her body in another location. Then Katrina hit in 2005 bringing more problems to Houston with some of the influx of evacuees. The closing of Foleys, Macy’s, Sears, JC Penney, Palais Royal, Montgomery Ward, Lord and Taylor, and Dillards as the anchor stores. Other businesses included a cinema, Oshmans, and Joskes, and over 100 other stores and restaurants. The 16 acres is slowly turning to apartments. The Sears parking lot already has nearly completed apartments. The apartments, partially funded by Hurricane Harvey recovery funds will be called Summit at Rennaissance Park. It includes housing and retail space on the lower first floor. The rent rates will be based on income.
NOTE: DEPUTY ALLEE’S MURDER CASE WAS NEVER SOLVED-CRIME STOPPERS CONTINUES TO OFFER A REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST OF HER KILLERS
