West Houston Association

News Archive

West Houston Association   |  Westhouston.org  |  Oct. 29, 2012 news In This Edition:  Yes to Metro. Yes to HCC  |  UT Tyler's New West Houston Strategy |  Transportation Funding Hopes   Vote “YES” for Metro November 6th to keep funds coming to road construction and repair. This YES vote will allow Metro to continue allocating the 25% of their sales tax to cities and Harris County for roadway construction and repair. A “NO” vote cuts this funding to ZERO. The West Houston Association has aggressively supported the 25% allocation to roads. This agreement continues the allocation and shares the sales tax growth after 2014 between Metro and the local jurisdictions. This is a fair allocation for all parties and deserves our support for both a good road program and a stronger bus system to serve our area.   Vote “YES” for Houston Community College Bonds on November 6th to support the growth of one of the most cost effective education opportunities for young Houstonians and to help expand facilities and educational programs for Greater West Houston. The West Houston Association supports HCC’s bond proposal. Their collaborative, bridge-building approach in higher education with the University of Houston and the University of Texas at Tyler brings significant benefit to both our business community and the public. These aggressive efforts by HCC are worthy of our continued support as they address critical areas of educational needs within our community.   The University of Texas at Tyler joins the Houston Community College to offer in Greater West Houston four year engineering degrees to Houston area students. This innovative collaboration creates 4-year in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering degrees and will be offered at HCC’s Hayes Road campus in Alief ISD and the Westchase District. This new program will allow students to obtain the engineering degree from UT Tyler in the normal four-year period at this HCC Houston campus in Greater West Houston. Students will be saving nearly 50% in their tuition costs. Significant as well, this new program supports the growing need of Houston businesses for qualified employees with engineering skills.   DOING NOTHING IS A REALLY BAD IDEA.   There seems to be an opening for improved TxDOT funding in the next session of the Texas Legislature, as discussions about allocating existing motor vehicle sales taxes to transportation and/or registration fees gain traction and the “cost of doing nothing” continues to accelerate.   A $50  hike in registration fees would generate $1.2 billion a year, which could then be leveraged to raise several more billion by selling bonds, according to the Texas Transportation Institute. Texans currently pay an annual state registration fee of $50.75 for cars and light pick-up trucks. The cost typically increases to about $65 with the addition of local county fees and other fees. Texas has the 18th-highest vehicle registration fees among states.   Senator Robert Nichols, newly named to the Senate Transportation & Homeland Security Committee wants to take a tax that many Texans already pay and dedicate the revenue to roads. He is calling for a constitutional amendment to dedicate the sales tax on new and used vehicle purchases to expanding and maintaining the state highway system and to paying off transportation-related debt. The money currently goes into the state’s catch-all general revenue fund.   Keep up with the latest news by going to INFRASTRUCTURE NOW.    Remember, doing nothing, while an option, is a really bad idea!  Follow West Houston Association news on transportation funding by going to this link.     WHA News Achieve

June, 2011 | In This Edition

  Announcing: The Quality Planned Development Program

  Greater West Houston Demographic & Economic Profile

  Coming Your Way:  The Grand Parkway Segment E--Continuing the Next Ring

 EPA/Corps of Engineers Purpose Expansion of Wetlands

Quality Planned Development: The Mark of a Higher Standard

The West Houston Association unveils its residential and commercial development standards program, Quality Planned Developments--The Mark of a Higher Standard.

"Quality Planned Developments is a program to recognize those commercial and residential developments that utilize professional planning and design to enhance quality of life and provide Greater West Houston with an appealing aesthetic environment," says Joel Marshall, vice chairman of the West Houston Association Board of Directors.

Properties meeting or exceeding QPD development standards will be licensed to use the QPD logo and will be promoted as QPD developments.

Chairman of the Quality Planned Development committee and member of the WHA Board of Directors, Peter Houghton says "We are hopeful that West Houston residential and commercial developments will take advantage of the detailed development standards in the QPD program to seek a designation that recognizes quality development and ensures that the Greater West Houston area continues to exemplify a high standard."

The QPD program is launched today at this  WHA site (link) and contains the development standards, an application and a discussion of the process to be used in awarding the QPD designations.  Applications may be downloaded from this site and returned via email to QPD@westhouston.org per instructions.

GREATER WEST HOUSTON DEMOGRAPHIC & ECONOMIC PROFILE--GROWTH HERE CONTINUES

This summer, the West Houston Association will publish its first profile of Greater West Houston, a 1,000 square mile area in the western portions of the Houston metropolitan area.  Following publication of the 2010 West Houston Development Map and the 2050 Land Use Scenario map of Greater West Houston, this new report adds population and employment data forecasted through 2050 revised using 2010 Census data.

The report will be available to West Houston Association members and distributed to area elected and agency officials.  It is being prepared for the West Houston Association by CDS Market Research's Charles Savino.

Watch for it next month.

Grand Parkway Segment E--Continuing Houston's next ring

Following TxDOT's $350 million funding commitment, Segment E of the Grand Parkway, construction contracts are scheduled to be let in July and August, 2011.  TxDOT has also published a "Request for Information" for SH 99, the Grand Parkway.  Information received by TxDOT will allow them to better accelerate development of the Grand Parkway's full 180 mile length.  Information is due by July 6th.

The Grand Parkway was designated by the Legislature as one that may proceed with private sector involvement with a Comprehensive Development Agreement or CDA.

EPA/CORPS OF ENGINEERS PROPOSE VAST INCREASE IN "JURISDICTIONAL WETLANDS"

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed on May 2, 2011, a new draft “Guidance on Identifying Waters Protected by the Clean Water Act”. This draft guidance intends to clarify the extent of federal control over construction work in “waters of the United States,” which has been a continued source of confusion following competing decisions in two U.S. Supreme Court cases.

The proposed guidance broadly interprets the Supreme Court decisions and, if adopted, will result in significantly more federally controlled waters that would require Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permits and would expand wetland protections to NPDES, oil spills, water quality standards and TMDLs and water quality certifications.

The proposed guidance and related information are available on EPA’s website. Public comments are due July 1, 2011. The final 2011 guidance is intended to supersede a 2003 “Joint Memorandum” and a 2008 Joint Guidance memo that currently remain in effect.  More information at this WHA link.

 

April, 2011 | In This Edition   Greater West Houston Landmark Winners! Texas Medical Center West Campus Wins Landmark Award Newland Communities' Cinco Ranch Wins Landmark Award   Grand Parkway Segment E Commission Vote Set for April 28th   Mayor Annise Parker to Speak to West Houston Association May 12th   Texas Medical Center West Campus Wins 2011 Landmark Award The new Texas Medical Center West Campus consisting of Texas Children's Hospital West Campus and The Methodist West Houston Hospital, has won the Landmark Award for medical real estate projects.  The Landmark Award is a recognition presented by the Houston Business Journal after a nomination and selection process evaluating competing major projects throughout the Houston region. In making the award, the panel noted the Texas Medical Center West Campus at 170 acres is approximately the same size as its parent, the Texas Medical Center, and will offer "world-class medical care to a growing suburban population" of more than 1 million.  The project includes nearly 1.2 million square feet of healthcare facilities. Texas Children's Hospital West Campus is the area's only dedicated suburban pediatric hospital, as well as the only dedicated pediatric emergency service in Greater West Houston.  The project includes a 294,000 square foot inpatient hospital and a five story, 221,000 square foot outpatient clinic. The Methodist Hospital System's Texas Medical Center West Campus first phase development  includes a 478,500 square foot hospital with 193 patient beds, 15 operating suites and 26 labor and delivery suites, 28 emergency room beds, two radiation therapy facilities, and three cardiac catheterization labs.  It also includes a six story, 221,000 square foot medical office building. The Texas Medical Center West Campus and its current institutions are well located to serve Energy Corridor companies and the rapidly increasing population and employment growth in Greater West Houston and beyond. Newland Communities' Cinco Ranch Continues Winning Streak with its 2011 Landmark Award On the heals of nation leading home sales, Cinco Ranch, the Greater West Houston master planned development has won the Landmark Award for Residential Development. The Landmark Award is a recognition presented by the Houston Business Journal after a nomination and selection process evaluating competing major projects throughout the Houston region. Cinco Ranch, opened in 1991 with 5,000 acres, is continuing its expansion to stay apace with demand for new homes in Greater West Houston.  Its most recent expansion is the addition of nearly 500 acres last year for the 1,200 new home sites. Cinco Ranch has grown to encompass a towncenter, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch with national retailers and plans for Class A office space on its 34 acre site owned and developed separately by Vista Companies. Cinco Ranch has included significant amenities that attract discerning home buyers to the Katy ISD located development.  These include extensive trails, recreational sites and dedicated preserves along area bayous. The Texas Transportation Commission Decides Segment E Funding April 28th At their April 28th meeting, the Texas Transportation Commission will vote to approve $350 million for Segment E.  This will tee up the project for a contract letting in July, 2011.  Construction would include the main decks of the Grand Parkway over Interstate 10 W, two new direct connections with I-10 W, and the main toll lanes of the Parkway north to US 290.  A wetlands permit is expected from the Corps of Engineers. Previously we reported:  After decades of planning and study, the Grand Parkway from I-10 to US 290 appears close to construction.  The West Houston Association has led efforts at the local and state levels to gather support for a series of actions initiated by the Texas Transportation Commission.  Ned Holmes, Transportation Commission, has been singularly focused on getting the entire Grand Parkway underway in the shortest time possible--starting with an allocation of $350 million from TxDOT to Segment E construction.  Ted Nelson, Newland Communities, and member of the WHA Executive Committee, was in Austin testifying about the need for the Grand Parkway before the March Transportation Commission meeting.  Mark Kilkenny, Mischer Investments, and member of the WHA Executive Committee, led a group to Austin to testify in favor of the Segment E funding.  Roger Hord, president of the WHA, testified before the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee in favor of public-private-partnership authority on the Grand Parkway for TxDOT in the event that continued development of Segments F1, F2, and G are unable to progress under the standard municipal-toll revenue model. TxDOT's latest funding initiative on Segment E followed Harris County's decision to rescind its primacy of the Grand Parkway segments within its boundaries.  As of this writing, Segment E is likely to go to construction contract in July of this year.  Mayor Annise Parker to Address West Houston Association Members May 12th In her first address to West Houston Association members, Mayor Annise Parker will be our keynote speaker at our May 12th Issues Forum at the Westin Hotel-Memorial City.  The Mayor is expected to address the recently passed Proposition 1 ordinance and its implementation as well as other infrastructure and fiscal issues. Join these WHA member firms in sponsoring this Issues Forum: Pate Engineers Jones & Carter, Inc. Newland Communities Brown & Gay Engineers Michael Baker, Jr. Houston Community College Bridgeland Entech Civil Engineers Delta Troy Interests Mischer Investments CH2MHill R.G. Miller Engineers   January, 2011  |  In This Edition   ReBuild Houston Ordinance Passes   Grand Parkway Segment E Advances   TxDOT District Engineer Delvin Dennis to Speak April 12th  Mayor Annise Parker to Speak May 12th   ReBuild Houston Passes Houston City Council The Houston ordinance implementing the voter-approved Proposition 1 Drainage and Street Program passed City Council in a 12-3 vote April 7th.   The ordinance contains exemptions for current church and school owned property as well as non-revenue producing Harris County owned property.  The drainage fee is expected to raise $125 million per year and will go into effect this summer.  Proceeds from the fee will be paid into a dedicated fund that will pay for rebuilding Houston's 4,600 miles of streets and drainage systems. The West Houston Association was strongly supportive of the dedicated fee.   Grand Parkway Segment E Moves Toward July, 2011 Contract Letting After decades of planning and study, the Grand Parkway from I-10 to US 290 appears close to construction.  The West Houston Association has led efforts at the local and state levels to gather support for a series of actions initiated by the Texas Transportation Commission.  Ned Holmes, Transportation Commission, has been singularly focused on getting the entire Grand Parkway underway in the shortest time possible--starting with an allocation of $350 million from TxDOT to Segment E construction.  Ted Nelson, Newland Communities, and member of the WHA Executive Committee, was in Austin testifying about the need for the Grand Parkway before the March Transportation Commission meeting.  Mark Kilkenny, Mischer Investments, and member of the WHA Executive Committee, led a group to Austin to testify in favor of the Segment E funding.  Roger Hord, president of the WHA, testified before the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee in favor of public-private-partnership authority on the Grand Parkway for TxDOT in the event that continued development of Segments F1, F2, and G are unable to progress under the standard municipal-toll revenue model. TxDOT's latest funding initiative on Segment E followed Harris County's decision to rescind its primacy of the Grand Parkway segments within its boundaries.  As of this writing, Segment E is likely to go to construction contract in July of this year.  TxDOT Houston District Engineer Delvin Dennis to Address Issues Forum April 12th Delvin Dennis will address TxDOT transportation issues at the West Houston Association Issues Forum, Tuesday, April 12th at the Westchase Marriott.   He will address new projects on US 290, Westpark and the Grand Parkway among other issues.  Sign up at this link. Forum Sponsors Mischer Investments Parkside Capital LJA Engineering Newland Communities Bridgeland Dannenbaum Engineering Michael Baker., Jr. MetroNational Costello, Inc. HDR | Claunch & Miller   Mayor Annise Parker to Address West Houston Association Members May 12th In her first address to West Houston Association members, Mayor Annise Parker will be our keynote speaker at our May 12th Issues Forum at the Westin Hotel-Memorial City.  The Mayor is expected to address the recently passed Proposition 1 ordinance and its implementation as well as other infrastructure and fiscal issues. Join these WHA member firms sponsoring this Issues Forum: Pate Engineers Jones & Carter, Inc. Newland Communities Brown & Gay Engineers Michael Baker, Jr. Houston Community College   January, 2011   |  In This Edition   WHA Supports Ending Harris County Primacy on Grand Parkway   2011 Board & Officers Announced   WHA On Prop 1/ReNew Houston  2011 Work Plan Set   New Members:  Parkside Capital  |  Aliana Development Company WHA Supports Grand Parkway Transfer from Harris County to TxDOT The West Houston has supported the transfer of Grand Parkway segments in Harris County to TxDOT with the indications that TxDOT is prepared to begin construction of Segment E in fiscal 2011.  Read the Association's letter to Harris County Commissioners at this link (PDF). 2011 West Houston Association Board of Directors, Officers & Committee Chairs Announced The West Houston Association announces David Hightower of Wolff Companies has been elected by the Board of Directors to serve as Chairman of the Board in 2011.  This will be David's third one year term.  Other officers elected are:  Joel Marshall of Trendmaker Development as Vice Chairman; Peter Houghton of Bridgeland/Howard Hughes Corporation as Secretary;  Steven Moskowitz of ConocoPhillips as Treasurer; Ted Nelson of Newland Communities and Mark Kilkenny of Mischer Investments are At-Large members of the Executive Committee. New WHA Board Members are Fred Caldwell of Caldwell Companies and Michelle Riley-Brown of Texas Children's Hospital West Campus. Board Members elected to new 2 year terms concluding December 2012 are: Chuck Cervas  |  BP Americas Dick Phillips  |  University of Houston Cinco Ranch David Hightower  |  Wolff Companies Roger Hord  |  President, WHA Dr. David Anthony  |  Cy-Fair ISD Steve Moskowitz  |  ConocoPhillips Peter Houghton  |  Howard Hughes Corporation Troy Maxwell  |  Woodcreek Development Fred Caldwell  |  Caldwell Companies Michelle Riley-Brown  |  Texas Children's Hospital West Campus WHA Board Members continuing a two year term concluding December 2011 are: Joe B. Allen  |  Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP Joel Marshall  |  Trendmaker Development Nick Bell  |  Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc. Mark Kilkenny  |  Mischer Investments Pat Maddox  |  Maddox Investments Ted Nelson  |  Newland Communities Brad Freels  |  Midway Companies Karl Willmann  |  The Willmann Company Ed Knight  |  Harrison Interests Jeff Ross  |  Pate Engineers   WHA Presses No Property Exemptions and Dedicated Fee in Wake of Prop 1 Passage After passage of Proposition 1, the ReNew Houston charter change election, representatives of WHA visited with Mayor Parker and Councilmember Costello concerning our thoughts that all properties in the City be subject to the drainage fee in a fair and equitable manner with no exemptions.  Any exemptions would increase the resulting fee burden on the remaining non-exempt properties such as single family and commercial properties. In addition, WHA stressed that the fund must be dedicated solely to drainage and street construction as voted on by the voters and that there should be no diversions from that fund for any other purposes.  WHA will communicate our views to members of City Council and will report regularly to its members as the ordinance to implement the fee is discussed and presented to council.   The 2011 WHA Work Plan The Board of Directors has reviewed and will vote at its January meeting to adopt the Association's 2011 Work Plan.  The Plan includes the following projects: Greater West Houston Demographic & Economic Profile: a document that discusses the demographic, employment, residential and commercial development data that defines Greater West Houston. Greater West Houston Capital Infrastructure Register:  The Association will prepare and distribute to its member firms only current and future capital projects by agency. 2012 Greater West Houston Development Map:  The Association will begin preparation in 2011 for distribution in 1Q of 2012 a new Development Map and associated maps similar to the current 9 maps produced in 2010 Greater West Houston Transportation Study:  The Association will sponsor along with the Energy Corridor, Westchase and Memorial City an evaluation of the current and future transportation needs of Greater West Houston's "Downtown core". Public Policies: The Association will monitor the 82nd Legislative Session for issues affecting development and growth in Greater West Houston; participate in critical City and County ordinance and regulatory actions; and monitor population forecasting of HGAC New Member:  Parkside Capital Parkside Capital has joined the Association as a developer/landowner.  Parkside's primary property investment target is Houston and they own several parcels in Greater West Houston including West Ten on I-10W in Katy.  John S. Moody is President of Parkside Capital. New Member:  Aliana Development Company Aliana Development Company has joined the Association as a developer of Aliana, a 2,000 acre masterplanned mixed use residential and commercial community in northern Fort Bend between the Grand Parkway and FM 1464.  E. Travis Stone is President of Aliana.       Fall 2010 |  In This Edition                                   WHA Endorses City of Houston Prop 1   TxDOT Funding Resolution Calls for More Funding   RoundTable:  Wastewater Regionalization Reviewed   8th Annual TRI-COUNTY Issues Forum Set for Nov 15th   West Houston Plan 2050 Update 2010 Available   WHA Endorses City Houston's Prop 1 to Begin Restoration of Houston's Aging Drainage Systems and Roadways The West Houston Association Board of Directors has endorsed the November 2nd City of Houston Charter Amendment Election to create a dedicated fund for drainage and street improvements within the city limits. The Association has advised the Mayor and Council of its support and is requesting participation in the process of developing the implementing ordinances for the drainage user fee and the development impact fee that Council will have to implement if voters approve the measure.  The complete resolution is available at this link (PDF). Only with passage of this proposition will Houston begin to address its massive backlog of aging drainage systems and poor streets.  The deficit is estimated to be in excess of $10 billion.  This proposal will establish a dedicated fund that cannot be used for other purposes and will be supported by a drainage fee on all existing properties and an impact fee on new developments within the city limits.   WHA Endorses Increase in Statewide & Local Fees to Restore Eliminated Roadway Projects in the Houston Area. Numerous roadway capacity increase projects are facing elimination or major delays because of greatly reduced funding from the State of Texas and federal government.  TxDOT has notified the Houston region's Transportation Policy Council (TPC) that only $60 million per year will be available for new capacity projects over the next ten years.  (Click for latest Comparison from the TPC of original and current Regional Transportation Plan funding levels PDF) What does this mean for the Houston area?  Alan Clark, director of transportation for HGAC says, "...the reduction in available funding has forced the Transportation Policy Council to update the long-range plan...by scaling back, delaying and cancelling billions of dollars worth of projects." In response to this crisis, the West Houston Association is calling upon legislators to increase state motor fuels and vehicle registration fees; provide for a local option for these fees; and end non-education diversions.  The goal of these increases would be to assure the Houston District an annual $1.2 billion in funding for maintenance, safety, rehabilitation and expansion of the roadway system.  Read the West Houston Association policy at this link.  This document discusses how much each of the proposed fee increases would mean to the state and the Houston area.   Harris County Advances Wastewater Regionalization Appearing at a recent West Houston Association RoundTable, John Blount,  Harris County director of Architecture and Engineering, addressed the issue of wastewater regionalization and summarized the County's responsibilities and plans.  The County is preparing a policy that may be adopted later this year that sets a County review of all new wastewater treatment facilities and more frequent testing of existing facilities.  Those facilities that routinely violate their discharge permits would be compelled to regionalize.  The Association's Water & Wastewater Regionalization Committee chaired by Jack Miller of R.G. Miller Engineers is reviewing and monitoring this proposal.   8th Annual TRI-COUNTY REGION Issues Forum Set for Noon, Monday, November 15th County Judges Ed Emmett, Robert Hebert and Owen Ralston, will address members of the West Houston Association at a luncheon on November 15th.  This is the 8th annual Tri-County forum sponsored by the Association where the Harris, Fort Bend and Waller county judges discuss their achievements and issues for the coming year.   The 2010 Update to the West Houston Plan 2050 & 2050 Land Use Scenario Map Are Available Mid-century Greater West Houston will have population approaching 2.4 million or approximately 22% of the Houston region's forecasted population and employment nearing 1 million.  The 2010 Update focuses on this growth and infrastructure progress and challenges remaining.  In addition, the Association presents its 2050 Land Use Scenario Map- a  peek at how the region may look at mid-century.  The report is being mailed to all member firms and is available to non-members as well.  The 2050 Land Use Map is also available at this link.   This map joins the growing stable of maps currently available from the West Houston Association.  In addition to the 2010 Development Map mailed to every Association member and all public officials serving Greater West Houston, we urge you to take a look at the very unique Specialty Maps with color shaded areas depicting limits and ETJs of area municipalities; county commissioner districts; state representative and senator districts; school districts; and congressional distri

Summer  2010 Edition                                 

Texas Transportation Funding Crisis: A Summary of Presentations to WHA's Issues Forum Panel on Transportation Funding

Transportation funding is in crisis—congestion is on the rise; revenue shortfalls are relegating TxDOT to a highway maintenance organization; and badly needed transportation projects are being eliminated from Houston long range plans.
To help focus the community on possible solutions to this crisis, the West Houston Association hosted a timely Transportation Issues Forum featuring a panel of:

• State Senator Glenn Hegar,
• Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and
• Texas Transportation Commissioner Ned Holmes.

Association Board member Joe B. Allen of Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP acted as moderator.

Senator Hegar said he believed the Texas Legislature would not act to increase the motor fuels tax or other related fees in the next legislative session. He cited the shortfall in the state budget, projected to be as much as $18 billion, and other legislative priorities such as redistricting and public education. On the matter of local option fees it will be a hard sell to members. He mentioned that in previous sessions that addressed local options, legislators have been asked to vote for taxing authority without getting of the benefit because their districts lay outside metropolitan areas.

Overall, the Trans-Texas Corridor project “poisoned the well” among the public and the Legislature. Although attitudes are improving, TxDOT has a long way to go to restore confidence. As a result of the soured attitude, further public-private partnerships, a hallmark of the Trans-Texas Corridor effort, will be allowed only on a “case by case” basis

On TxDOT Sunset, the Senator discussed the current management audit and its recommendations which if implemented would affect many of the items cited by the Sunset Commission in its last evaluation of Transportation Department. Because of this the Senator as chairman of the Sunset Advisory Committee will wait until late 2010 to schedule additional Sunset hearings on TxDOT.

Judge Ed Emmett discussed Harris County’s toll road projects—completing Beltway 8 East and the Hardy Toll Road Connector to the CBD—which are state highway projects over which the county exercised primacy with the intent of completing expansion via toll financing. He also said the county was progressing on design of Grand Parkway Segments F1 & F2. However other projects—SH 288, Hempstead Toll Road—are advancing more slowly. Judge Emmett said that progress on these projects would require a form of public-private partnership.

The Judge said the US 290/Hempstead Tollroad is a very complex project. The Hempstead Tollroad is an extremely costly project and the reduced congestion benefit for the corridor would be more inexpensively achieved by providing relievers to US 290 such as Segment E of the Grand Parkway and the 290 Commuter Rail.  Judge Emmett added that the county was willing to consider giving up primacy on the Hempstead Toll Road (and possibly others) particularly if there is a commitment to use local engineers and contractors.

Transportation Commissioner Ned Holmes acknowledged the problems caused by the Trans-Texas Corridor program. He said that project was devised as a new way of developing transportation projects for the future of Texas. It did have problems and poisoned the relationship between TxDOT, the public and the Legislature. However, he said that program was initiated by the Transportation Commission and that they deserved the blame for its failures, not TxDOT staff.

Commissioner Holmes stated that the current TxDOT funding forecasts and state allocations result in the Houston District scheduled to receive new capacity project funding of only $589 million for 10 years, or about $60 million per year. This contrasts sharply with the recent years when the Houston District had annual funding well over $800 million for ‘03, ‘04 and ‘05 and averaged $653 million from 2001 to 2010.

The Commissioner added that to overcome this crisis will require a new funding formula and new, stable sources of revenue. We will overcome the challenge but “when” is the question? We are in real trouble and the business community will need to help give the Legislature “political cover” to step up and make the votes needed to overcome the funding problems.

June 2010 In This Edition

• Caldwell Companies Joins West Houston Association

• CityCentre Best of Breed and a "Must Experience" Project

• Coming to Greater West Houston: Texas Medical Center West Campus

• Newland Communities' Cinco Ranch is Number 1 in USA

• Houston Number 2 in Population Growth in 2009; Regional & Greater West Houston Population Forecasts for 2020

• 2010 West Houston Maps Now Available

Caldwell Companies Joins West Houston Association

Caldwell Companies, a real estate services and development firm has become the latest major developer to join the West Houston Association. Caldwell Companies, headquartered in Greater West Houston, is a fully-integrated real estate company providing commercial and residential development, office, industrial, retail and land brokerage, and property management. The firm is committed to the practice of doing business with a true sense of purpose and has a well demonstrated tract record of helping to build our community.

Caldwell Companies has provided office, industrial, retail, land brokerage and property management facilities and services since its inception in 1990. The company has been included in the Houston Business Journal's "Best Places to Work". Major Greater West Houston projects include, Towne Lake a 2,400 acre mixed-use master planned community south of US 290 on Barker Cypress Road; various office properties totaling 2 million square feet; multi-family; and retail properties.

Caldwell Companies focuses on creating communities that foster a lifestyle that is active and integrated with nature and neighbors. Every Caldwell Companies community offers more than a list of amenities, they believe it's the spirit of the people in our neighborhoods that brings our communities to life. Most visibly, this concept translates into a higher degree of service, both in dealing with builder partners in the sale and construction of homes and in working to promote the development and maintenance of the neighborhood infrastructure long after closing.

CityCentre Winner of Best Mixed-Use, Best Retail, Best New Project Makes it a "Must Experience" for Houstonians and Visitors

CityCentre, the one year old $500 million mixed use district, swept top honors at the Houston Business Journal 2010 Landmark Awards.  CityCentre won as Best Mixed-Use Project with its 1.8 million square feet of retail, entertainment and Class A office space, various residential living options nearing 700 units, and the  Sorella Hotel.  CityCentre occupies 37 acres at the intersection of I-10 West and Sam Houston Parkway in the middle of Greater West Houston's Urban Core.

CityCentre also accepted the honor of SIOR Landmark of the Year, a best-in show award from numerous categories highlighting new and redevelopment properties.  CityCentre was singled out for its overall quality, impact on the community and the diversity of uses and services available to residents, visitors and people from surrounding businesses and neighborhoods. 

CityCentre's Sorella Hotel with its 244-rooms was a finalist in the hospitality project category.  The Sorella is the flagship for a new brand of hotels from Houston-based  Valencia Group.

Start your CityCentre visit at their website http://www.citycentrehouston.com/

Coming to Greater West Houston:

Texas Medical Center West Campus

With two new major hospital facilities under construction in the Energy Corridor, the Texas Medical Center announced its first ever extension of its icon brand to the rapidly growing Greater West Houston area. The Texas Medical Center West Campus, located at I-10 and Barker Cypress Road, is home to the first phase 479,000 square-foot Methodist West Houston Hospital and the 515,000 square foot Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus. Signage in the Texas Medical Center West Campus will be identical to the Center’s home campus.

David Wolff, quoted in the Houston Business Journal, says the addition of Medical Center institutions shows the area has grown to the point where it can support its own major health care facilities. Wolff Companies has been working with the institutions to establish the uniform signage plan for the campus. Wolff sold Texas Children’s 45 acres and donated 10 acres to help establish the new medical center, and still has 23.2 acres in the campus.

Both Methodist West Houston and Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus are members of the West Houston Association.
 

Newland Communities’ Cinco Ranch # 1 in USA

Greater West Houston’s Cinco Ranch topped the national best-selling charts in 2009. Newland Communities, developer of Cinco Ranch and Quality Growth Partner of the West Houston Association, sold more new homes in 2009 in Cinco than any other master planned community in the United States.

According to the annual RCLCO study, Cinco Ranch new home sales hit 887 in 2009 up 14% from 2008 when Cinco Ranch was number two in the country.

Ted Nelson, Central Region President of Newland Communities, notes “that in the past few months, Houston has ranked very high in studies ranging from the nation’s healthiest housing markets to cities where the recession is easing. Overall, the Houston communities on the top 10 list represented 2250 hew-homes sales, more than double those of the second ranked metro, Las Vegas.”

Another Newland Communities MPC in Greater West Houston, Telfair, ranked fourth in new-home sales with 450, a 9% increase from 2008. The Woodlands ranked second with 633 new-home sales and Sienna Plantation ranked 10 with 280 new-home sales.

Houston # 2 in Population Growth in 2009

Metropolitan Houston added 140,784 residents from July 2008 to July 2009, ranking it second in the country behind Texas neighbor, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington. Fort Bend County, a portion of which constitutes Greater West Houston ranked one of the 30 fastest growing counties in the US in 2009.

In related news, Barton Smith of the University of Houston Institute for Regional Forecasting forecasts Houston area 2020 population will reach 7.4 million, a 2.3 million increase over the estimated 2010 population of 5.1 million.  Using these figures, the West Houston Association calculates the 2020 population in Greater West Houston will reach 1.63 million in 2020 from an estimated 1.1 million in 2010.

According to Dr. Smith, employment  for the Houston region will reach 3.2 million in 2020 from 2.5 million in 2010.  Similarly,  we calculate Greater West Houston employment will reach 656,000 in 2020, up from 512,000 in 2010.

2010 West Houston Development Map Now Available

Grand Parkway Segment E Teed Up by Harris County Commissioners Court for Design & Early Construction.

Commissioner Radack and Judge Emmett Show Leadership--Commissioners Approve Agreement with TxDOT

Harris County has authorized commencement of work on Segment E from US 290 to I-10.  The Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club has filed to stop the project on the grounds of "arbitrary and capricious actions by a group of government agencies".  Read the filing at this link as well as the WHA response.  The West Houston Association, a longtime supporter of the development of the Grand Parkway Segment E, is gratified to see that once again Harris County Commissioner Steve Radack and Judge Ed Emmett have broken the log jam on Segment E and championed its design and construction as a Harris County initiative to add greater mobility for citizens in northwest and western Harris County.

The Commissioners approved on February 24, 2009 an advance funding agreement with TxDOT that would hold Harris County whole an buy them out if another entity is chosen to undertake the entire 185 mile Grand Parkway loop around Houston.

On February 26, 2009 the Texas Transportation Commission approved the agreement as well.  In addition, it has been announced that Segment E would receive $196 million through TxDOT as part of the recently passed Stimulus package.  These funds would be blended with toll revenue funds to build this project for Greater West Houston.

Harris County will vote to initiate design activities at their March 10, 2009 meeting.  Construction could start this year or early 2010.

After years of environmental and design studies, this initiative of Harris County will kick start the Grand Parkway between Interstate 10 and US 290, a distance of approximately 15 miles.

Segment E will provide motorists traveling to and from major employment centers on Interstate 10 a greatly improved alternative to existing congested major thoroughfares and the highly congested US 290.

In addition, the Grand Parkway will be an urban planning instrument for Greater West Houston, providing quality access to major new residential and commercial developments designed to accommodate the significant growth expected in this area between now and 2035 and beyond.

Forecasts by the West Houston Association indicate that by 2050, Greater West Houston will experience a population growth of 1 million and an employment growth of 500,000.

Much of this new growth will center in the area around the new segment of the Grand Parkway, making the current initiative even more important to assure future sustainable quality development in Greater West Houston. 

Current and future mobility solutions are critical for access to I-10's Energy Corridor with a current employment base of 73,000 expected to grow to 90,000 by 2025.

Alternatives such as State Highway 6 are currently congested and have no capacity improvements scheduled.

David Hightower Elected Chairman of the Board of Directors

Officers and New Board Members Elected

The West Houston Association Board of Directors announces the election to chairman of the board, Wolff Companies Executive Vice President, David Hightower.  He succeeds Mark Kilkenny who served as chairman since 2006.  Mr. Hightower has served as Vice Chairman.  Joining him as officers of the Board are:

• Karl Willmann, Vice Chairman.  Betz Companies Brokerage

• Steve Moskowitz, Treasurer. ConocoPhillips

• Joel Marshall, Secretary.  Trendmaker Development Company

• Mark Kilkenny, Executive Committee At-Large & Past Chairman of the Board. Mischer Investments Inc.

• Ted Nelson, Executive Committee At-Large & Past Chairman of the Board.  Newland Communities.

• Roger Hord, President & CEO, West Houston Association

Newly elected to positions on the Board of Directors are:

• David Anthony, Superintendent, Cy-Fair Independent School District

• Peter Houghton, Bridgeland

• Troy Maxwell, Woodcreek Development Company

They join the following elected to a new two year Board of Directors term:

• Chuck Cervas, BP America

• Richard Phillips, University of Houston System Sugar Land and Cinco Ranch

Board members serving two year terms ending December 2009 are:

• Joe B. Allen, ABHR LLP

• Deborah Johnson, Shell Oil

• Patricia Maddox, Maddox Investments

• Bradley Freels, Midway Companies

• Ed Knight, Harrison Interests

• Jeff Ross, Pate Engineers

Ex Officio Members of the Board of Directors serving as Committee Chairs are:

• Bob Jones, Jones & Carter Engineers

• Kerry Gilbert, Kerry Gilbert Associates

• Ronnie Mullinax, Brown & Gay Engineers

• Jack Miller, R.G. Miller Engineers