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Bay Area Business
News
A publication of Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership
www.bayareahouston.com
Issue 23 – Nov 26, 2007
In this Edition...
Commercial/Office/Industrial
Development
Retail / Hospitality Development
Residential Development
Infrastructure News Plus!
Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership represents two counties, 13 cities and
more than 260 businesses. We are a member-driven organization, working
behind the scenes for you, united by a shared vision for future prosperity.
BAHEP’s leadership is vital to the success of regional economic development
— continuing to attract, retain and expand industries.
Commercial / Office /
Industrial
If you haven’t already heard …… The board of directors of the Bay Area
Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) announced Bob Mitchell has been elected
to succeed Jim Reinhartsen as president, effective Jan. 1, 2008. Reinhartsen,
who served as BAHEP president for 15 years, will become the organization’s
vice president. Also, Dan Seal has been named executive director of
technology programs for BAHEP. Seal comes to BAHEP from the Greater Houston
Partnership (GHP) where he served as vice president of economic development
in the business development division.
Ground has broken for Fort Worth-based Bimbo Bakeries USA -- a 14,950 SF
distribution center to be constructed at 3351 Hughes Lane in Dickinson. The
Dickinson location was chosen because it provides good access to the various
freeways and is a centralized location for the region. This represents a
$750,000 construction investment; they anticipate hiring 5-10 employees.
Bimbo Bakeries owns the Mrs. Baird’s, Oroweat, and Tia Rosa brands.
The Ellington Trade Center will be built on 54 acres of land across from
Ellington Field on SH 3; total build-out is 841,000 SF. The buildings will
feature tilt wall construction, 24’ – 32’ clear height, ESFR Fire Protection
System, full-size truck courts and office to suit. Phase one will be on 34+
acres – 513,800 SF. Construction start date is not known at this time.
Fairmont Industrial Park will be built on 49 acres in La Porte on Fairmont
Parkway, between Bay Park and Underwood roads. Sites are for sale and can be
subdivided and/or built-to-suit.
A new build-to-suit office warehouse is pre-leasing on South Second Street
in La Porte, just off Fairmont Parkway. Minimum is 2,000 SF in the 10,000 SF
building.
A $4 million renovation was recently completed at the Breast Diagnostic
Center, 200 Medical Center Blvd. in Webster. They offer full-field digital
mammography and integrated computer assisted diagnosis.
Phase one of Barras Office Park on FM 528 in Friendswood is now under
construction. The project totals 43,400 SF and includes two 14,553 SF,
single-story Class A office buildings. Exterior is brick and stone with a
standing seam metal roof. Future plans include additional buildings,
approximately 4,760 SF each.
The 38,000 SF YMCA has opened at 1700 League City Parkway West. The 17-acre
site includes an aquatics center with a heated swimming pool, a
family-splash pool and water-spray park.
As demolition nears for the soon-to-be-vacant office buildings along NASA
Parkway and Space Park Dr. (Griffin Partners project), Nassau Bay is also
working to redevelop the waterfront areas near Howard Ward Park. It’s
expected that this project will be another mixed-use development with
multi-family, residential, hospitality, retail and public spaces …. and
possibly more office product.
Sold!
A 35-acre tract has been purchased by a Philadelphia-based logistics
solutions company with plans to build a robotic warehouse and distribution
center in Seabrook on Old Hwy. 146 near Red Bluff Road. The land is within
the Bayport Industrial District. A project such as this would support the
Port of Houston in their reach to attract global clients in the
dry/refrigerated/frozen fruit and vegetable industry. BAHEP worked with the
company owner in site selection for this project. David Lee/Transwestern
brokered the land sale.
StarCon International purchased 14.8 acres in the Bayport North Industrial
Park in La Porte. They plan to build speculative or built-to-suit
flex/warehouse space.
New Leases!
24,300 SF – Bay Area Blvd. and SH 3 in Webster – was leased to Ad Astra
Rocket Company. The rocket propulsion company is developing a plasma rocket
(Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket) and will test it in a
24-ton space simulation chamber they have housed in this new building. BAHEP
worked with the company representatives in finding space for this project.
10,000 SF – Texas Citizen’s Bank has leased space at 4949 Fairmont Parkway
in Pasadena. Another lease is in the works for a major medical provider;
they’re looking to lease 9,000 SF. Total building size is 51,000 SF.+
6,109 SF -- Cat Tech LLC leased space at 15200 Middlebrook Dr. in Houston.
They provide catalyst changeout to major petroleum and chemical companies
throughout the world.
4,126 SF -- Universal Weather and Aviation leased space at 12301 Kurland.
(Houston). Transwestern represented the building owner.
Incentives + Groundbreaking!
Friendswood’s new $4.9 million Medical Wellness Center broke ground at 1505
E. Winding Way. The 28,940 SF, 1.6 acre facility will house a large medical
practice plus the Memorial Hermann Imaging Center. Council approved this
project for the City’s first economic incentive grant; it will reimburse the
business up to $50,000 for fees paid relating to the construction and
development of this project.
Friendswood also approved a second economic incentive grant for the Home
Town Center, a 60,789 SF mixed-use development. The $9 million project will
be located on 2.8 acres of land at 502 So. Friendswood Drive, across from
the historic Friendswood Friends Church. The 3-story building will feature
office space and retail on the first and second floors, as well as high-end
lofts on the 3rd floor. The grant reimburses the business up to $100,000 for
fees paid relating to the construction and development of the project.
Groundbreaking is set for late 2007/early 2008.
NEED FREE TECHNOLOGY TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS?? Space Alliance Technology
Outreach Program (SATOP) has an available team of NASA engineers and
scientists from more than 20 aerospace companies, colleges and universities
throughout the state that utilize their aerospace expertise to solve
technical / engineering challenges for businesses. In 2006, SATOP assisted
125 Texas companies. To learn more about this free program, visit
www.spacetechsolutions.com .
An example …. Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) contacted the SATOP office,
administered through Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, to ask for help
in smoothing the ride for low-birth weight infants being transported to its
facility for special treatment. “The first phase of research will measure
and analyze vibration and noise during transport,” said Nick Gardner,
project engineer for the Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program. “The
transport incubator has been outfitted with accelerometers that are used by
NASA to detect vibration on the space shuttle.” Gardner said. Currently, the
second phase of research is being conducted by Texas A&M College Station.
They will compile the data and make recommendations to TCH on how to
incorporate changes to the incubator that will minimize the vibrations and
aid in a safer transport.
Tootin’ our own horn! Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership will receive the
Economic Development Ally award from the Greater Houston Partnership this
month. This prestigious award is presented each year to an organization that
excels in the fields of economic development, marketing and research,
community outreach and workforce training.
Retail / Hospitality
Development
Tuscan Villaggio, a 30,000 SF retail center will be built on the League City
Parkway. The first phase will open in February; space for 15 tenants is
available. There are plans to build 1,850 homes and 750 multi-family units
in the Tuscan Lakes community – 240 homes have been built, so far.
A 10,000 SF retail center will be built at Clear Lake Crossing, SH 3 / Clear
Lake City Boulevard in Houston. Starbuck’s has signed up and a restaurant
tenant is in the works. The new center will front SH 3.
Baba’s Mediterranean Grill and Thai Lemon Grass restaurants have leased
3,375 SF and 2,000 SF respectively, at Shops at The Bay in Webster. This
retail venue on Bay Area Boulevard near Highway 3 is a two-building project
- 9,100 SF and 11,250 SF – that will front the new full-service Holiday Inn.
The 5-story, 100-room project will break ground first quarter, 2008.
A site development plan that includes 23,118 square feet of
commercial/retail space has been submitted for Phase 2 of Dickinson Crossing
shopping center, corner of FM 517 and FM 646 in Dickinson. It is anticipated
that a restaurant, daycare facility, and additional retail space will be
included in this phase. The City is also completing a retail trade area
analysis; a summary of the retail trade area information may be found on the
City’s website at www.ci.dickinson.tx.us.
DaniVens, a new steak and seafood restaurant, has opened in space formerly
occupied by a Mexican food restaurant – 4940 Fairmont Parkway in Pasadena.
Half Priced Books has leased 8,400 SF at Village Real, corner of El Camino
Real and NASA Parkway in Webster. The center’s owner is currently renovating
with completion expected near year’s end.
Staybridge Suites ($10 million project including 112 suites with
kitchenettes, pool, putting green and a large fitness center) and Hilton
Garden Inn have both broke ground on North Texas Avenue in Webster.
Now that new owners have purchased the former HEB-based shopping center on
FM 518 and SH 3 in League City, things will be changing. The entire center
will be remodeled and Palais Royal will move into the former grocery
location.
No word yet on the hotel brand for the Endeavour Seabrook project but we do
know that the hotel’s managing partners are known to work with Starwood’s
Luxury Class Collection. A total of 61 condominiums will rest above the
hotel; those residents will enjoy amenities such as room service and front
door access to the 2-story spa – over 8,400 SF of relaxation!
Coming Soon!
Baybrook Mall – Rooms to Go opens March, 2008.
League City – Bushi Ban Martial Arts on FM 518; Ashley Furniture at Victory
Lakes Town Center; Super Target opens March, 2008; LA Fitness opens in
January
La Porte – Candlewood Suites on 13th St.
Now open!
Webster – Circuit City at Baybrook Gateway; Eternity Salon & Day Spa in
Webster Plaza; ICHIBON Japanese Seafood and Steak House at 18206 Egret Bay
Blvd; T and J Pharmacy at 561 Medical Center Blvd; Frozen in Thyme at 16750
Hwy. 3
League City – Best Buy and Home Depot
Friendswood – Bushi Ban Martial Arts and Nature’s Garden Market Café on West
Parkwood.
Residential Development
Taylor Lake Village high rise! -- Plans have been revealed for a new
mixed-use project on a former boat store site just east of NASA Parkway and
Kirby Boulevard. The City has received a proposal for development that would
include two 19-story high-rise structures with 300 residential units. The
first phase, 149 units, would be built along with a 41,000 SF grocery store
and restaurant over a period of two years. The second phase would feature
the remaining 151 units and 16,000 SF of retail. The luxury residential
units -- 1,150 SF to over 3,000 SF-- would run $350 to $450 per square foot.
The proposed development will require a change to the City's zoning
ordinance and approval from the council.
Word is that things are moving along for 23-story twin towers on Jennings
Island in Seabrook. More details as we hear them!
Broadstone Walker Commons, a 352-unit complex, started construction on 17
acres on the League City Parkway near I-45 and Calder Road. Project specs:
3-story, garden-style, one, two and three-bedroom units ranging from 650 to
1,300 SF.
Dickinson -- Section 2 of Bayou Lakes Subdivision, located on the south side
of FM 517 West adjacent to the City limits, will encompass 154 lots. The
development’s third phase will include more homes plus an additional 9 acres
of commercial property on FM 517 West.
No word yet on what Verandah Companies plans to do with the 26 prime,
waterfront acres they bought near Enterprise Avenue in League City.
Infrastructure News
Texas General Land Office Commissioner Jerry Patterson and Senator Mike
Jackson (Dist. 1) announced a historic project to restore at least 3 miles
of eroded Galveston beaches west of the Seawall. The $13.5 million project
will create a 200-foot side beach from the end of the Galveston Seawall to
Spanish Grant subdivision. This project is the biggest in Texas history.
The City of La Porte also received a renourishment grant for Sylvan Beach;
this will pay for $1.4 million of the project’s $2.5 million total cost. Not
only will the project alleviate erosion and replace rip-rap from Houston
Ship Channel traffic but it will be a plus for the proposed hotel
development in that area. An RFP will be going out in the not-too-distant
future for the Sylvan Beach hotel project. La Porte was recognized this year
as one of 59 National Main Street cities in Texas by the Texas Historical
Commission and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
A former bank building on League City’s Main Sreet is being rehabbed for the
city’s planning, building, engineering, and park planning departments
------- a one-stop-shop!
In the works --- Dickinson’s economic development corporation has under
construction a new website that will have information geared for commercial
brokers, retailers and restaurants; roll out is expected in the next few
months. They are also creating an available lease space inventory for the
site; this should be ready about the same time. Currently, by request, is a
land map showing available sites.
In an effort to provide a vehicle for flexible land development, Dickinson
has created a new Planned Development Zoning district. This district will
provide flexibility in defining zoning regulations for the development of a
specific piece of property and is a tool used for more creative development.
Regulations for this district can be found in the City’s ordinances on its
website at www.ci.dickinson.tx.us
.
All aboard! The recently-completed Galveston-Houston Commuter Rail Study
shows that both air pollution and traffic congestion could ease with a rail
line connecting Galveston to downtown Houston. Even better, it would be
economical and would provide an evacuation route if a hurricane threatens.
Revival of the Galveston-Houston and Henderson rail corridor that parallels
Interstate 45 could become a reality by 2012, according to the report, and
the rail line could add 21,000 jobs to the area.
The report suggests stations for La Marque, Dickinson, Nassau Bay, Ellington
Field, the South Houston area and two in Galveston. Each station would be
served by a bus shuttle system to transfer passengers to nearby retail,
commercial and residential areas. Development would flourish along the rail
line, increasing property and sales tax values by an estimated $131 million
within 1,500 feet of transit stations, the report says. The commuter trains,
six with six cars each, would travel on the GH&H rail lines owned by Union
Pacific. The project would upgrade the existing lines to increase the speed
at which both passenger and freight trains could travel.
The next phase is to gather information to persuade the federal government
to contribute 50% of the cost – this will take about eight months to
complete.
Academic News!
San Jacinto College and the University of Houston College of Technology have
signed an agreement that allows San Jac students who complete an Associate
of Applied Science degree in one of the approved programs to transfer the
specific course credits toward a Bachelor of Science in Technology
Leadership and Supervision at UH. The purpose is to create a smooth
transition from San Jac to UH without loss of credits or duplication of
coursework. This opens a pathway in areas such as auto technology, welding,
EMT, fire protection and nursing.
An introduction to computer mainframes course will be offered at San Jacinto
College to help prepare students for a field that offers high-paying jobs.
The course was discontinued in the early 1990’s, but will be offered again
due to a resurgence in mainframe use by many medium and large-sized
businesses. As many trained people are retiring, there is a critical need
for others to step in and learn about mainframe. This system runs multiple
operating systems, including Linux and is used by the majority of Fortune
500 companies. The course begins in February, 2008 at San Jacinto College’s
North and Central campuses.
A new Barber Middle School is currently under construction on the north side
of FM 517 East just east of Dickinson High School. Opening is scheduled for
the 2008-2009 academic year. In September, the new Sam Vitanza Stadium
opened just north of the high school.
Bond results!
Passed! The Port of Houston Authority will be able to continue ‘delivering
the goods’ – and then some - at the Bayport Container and Cruise Terminal
with the passing of a $250 million bond proposal.
Passed! $107.5 million bond package in Dickinson will fund construction of
an elementary school, renovations to the high school, an agricultural
facility, automotive program, and improvements to the district’s athletic
facilities including additional seating to the football stadium and
renovation to the tennis facility.
Passed! Seabrook’s residents voted to acquire the large residential property
adjoining the Pine Gully Park on Galveston Bay off Todville Road, thus
expanding the city’s flagship park by more than eight acres. Big trees, an
established garden, bay and bayou frontage, a hacienda-style main house,
small cottage and garden are amenities will offer a potential venue for
weddings and reunions, maybe exhibitions.
Passed! $99.5 million bond package in Friendswood will fund a new junior
high, renovations at other campuses and athletic facility upgrades.
Breakdown is $91.1M for instructional area improvements, $6.5M for a
natatorium and $1.8M for stadium upgrades.
Did you know Houston’s Intercontinental Airport ranked in the top five U.S.
airports with the best on-time
arrivals for this year? National average is 73.2%; IAH is 78.3% !
The number of passengers at Bush Intercontinental Airport is expected to
soar by 10 million to 55 million in 2015.
Good News ………
MONEY magazine recently named Friendswood as one of the country’s 100 “Best
Places to Live”. The city, ranked No. 51, was one of only six Texas cities
to make the list.
City of Pasadena received another award for Sunrise Meadows, a community
near Beltway 8 and Red Bluff Road. The special achievement was to recognize
the city’s effort in not only producing affordable housing but creating
funding mechanisms and training programs for the future first-time owners.
University of Houston-Clear Lake’s School of Education has achieved
continuing national accreditation, making it one of only 12 such educator
preparation programs in Texas. The designation verifies that UH-Clear lake
continues to meet rigorous standards while providing the highest quality
education to prepare future teachers.
Clear Creek ISD is now the largest school district in Texas to receive the
Recognized rating from the Texas education Agency. Additionally, a record 15
CCISD schools were rated Exemplary. Also, Stewart Elementary was recently
named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U. S. Department of Education.
Students in CCISD had some of the highest scores in the state on the SAT
college entrance exam. They were 40 points higher than the state average and
20 to 30 points above the national average on reading, math and writing.
A grant from the Texas Workforce Commission, worth over $1.452 million, has
been awarded to the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership through the
“Meeting Industries’ Critical Workforce Needs – Aerospace” program. The
funds will be used by several educational partners in the Houston area under
the guidance of the San Jacinto College Aerospace & Biotechnology Academy
and will assist the transitioning aerospace industry.
Road News ………
---Harris County
El Dorado Blvd. will be extended west from Beamer Road to Friendswood-Link
Rd. as a 4-lane divided road. Construction is starting summer, 2008.
Beamer Road extension planned from FM 2351 to NASA Parkway is in final
design. Harris County and TxDOT are working together on this multi-phased
project.
---League City
Public hearings for the Galveston County portion of the Grand Parkway should
begin in January. Construction is set to begin before 2012.
The Highway 96/Calder Road/Interstate 45 project will start in January. The
roadwork should be finished by the end of 2009. A new freeway exit will
connect motorists directly to Highway 96 (League City Parkway) and the
Brittany Bay Blvd. bridge will be torn down.
---Webster
The ramps off I-45 at NASA Parkway are 82% complete and expected to be open
by the first of the year.
---Big Stuff
The $135 million Galveston causeway project is scheduled to be finished by
the end of 2008. TxDOT says the project was 81% complete in 61% of the
allotted time. Where the old causeway spans were 40 feet wide, the new ones
will be 75 feet wide – wide enough for 3 travel lanes, an auxiliary lane and
2 shoulders in each direction.
Economic development doesn’t happen by itself? If you would like to know
more about how you can support our economic development initiatives and have
the opportunity to work with the region’s business leaders, please contact
our Membership Services Representative, Harriet Lukee, at 281.486.5535 or
Harriet@bayareahouston.com .
Participating Cities:
Clear Lake Shores • Dickinson • El Lago • Friendswood • Houston • Kemah • La
Porte
League City • Nassau Bay • Pasadena • Seabrook • Taylor Lake Village •
Webster
Copyright 2007 Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership
2525 Bay Area Blvd., Suite 640 • Bay Area Houston,Texas 77058
(281)486-5535 • (281)486-5068 fax
Contact Us
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