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Bay Area Business
News
A publication of Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership
www.bayareahouston.com
Issue 25 – April 15, 2008
In this Edition...
Commercial/Office/Industrial Development
Retail / Hospitality Development
Residential Development
Infrastructure News Plus!
Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) is a member-driven
organization that
provides leadership to stimulate regional economic development and
employment in a
range of industries such as aerospace engineering, biotechnology/bioscience,
specialty
chemical and plastics, and information technology and communications. BAHEP
partners
with13 cities and Galveston and Harris Counties, in southeast Texas, to
foster
regional economic vitality through regional collaboration.
Commercial / Office / Industrial Development
A silver lining for Nassau Bay Town Square! The latest plans for the new
development along NASA Parkway show the office component at 500,000 SF and
all three buildings to be LEED-certified, Silver standard. Courtyard by
Marriott will build a 200-room, 7-story hotel, similar to the one in
downtown Austin. Contract talks are underway for a 24,000 – 30,000 SF
conference center. So far, one old building on the 27-acre site has been
taken down and the other 10 will be gone by June -- this will pave the way
for new construction. The project features 320 multi-family units and 70,000
SF of retail. There’s been strong interest from several restaurants for this
location.
Seabrook approved a two-year tax abatement for a $200 million project at
Endeavour Marina on NASA Parkway. A Westin Hotel will be built along with
the Endeavour Lofts and an office building on a 15-acre site. No details yet
on the number of hotel rooms. Permits have been issued for demolition of
existing structures.
A mixed-use development is planned on 29 acres in Clear Lake Shores. The
area is bound by Hanson Road, Lawrence Road, FM 2094 and CenterPoint Energy
transmission lines – south of Jarboe Bayou. The first phase includes an
apartment complex. More details as they emerge.
Minor league baseball in Pasadena? Maybe! A sports and entertainment company
has approached the city about partnering to build and operate a minor league
baseball stadium. It would also be a multi-events facility for events such
as festivals and concerts. Details as they emerge.
Webster’s Edgewater project is on the way up! The 414-unit villa section is
well underway near the NASA Bypass (expected to open this year). This is
just one type of residential home planned for the huge development. There
will also be 350 single-family homes with prices between $200,000 and $2
million. Total single-family, townhomes and apartments are 1,814 units.
Details include a walking trail that will lead to a 35-acre nature preserve
on the banks of Clear Creek. Retail space is also part of the big picture –
375,000 SF. The property’s boundaries are NASA Parkway, SH 3, Clear Creek
and the Green Acres subdivision.
Did you know, according to the 2008 HealthGrades Hospital Quality Study,
that Webster’s Clear Lake Regional Medical Center ranks among the top five
percent in the nation for coronary interventional procedures?
Good News!
· Congratulations to three commercial projects in Bay Area Houston that won
the Houston Business Journal’s 2008 Landmark Award in their category. ‘Green
Project’ award to 251 Medical Center Boulevard in Webster; ‘Industrial’
award to Arizona Tile at Port Crossing in La Porte; ‘Community Impact’ award
to League City YMCA.
· Two of the region’s attractions were recently named to the state’s 2008
list of top attractions. Kemah Boardwalk is no. 7 (waterfront restaurants,
specialty retail, midway games, amusements) and Space Center Houston is no.
14 (official visitor center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center – a space-science
theme park and part U.S. space travel museum). An independent market
research firm compiles the list based on in and out-of-state survey
respondents. The list is published by the Governor’s Office – Department of
Economic Development and Tourism.
· University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston has received a national
award that recognizes best practices for their telemedicine program. Their
services make up the largest telemedicine program in the world, with more
than 300 locations and more than 60,000 patient encounters yearly.
Beltway 8 at Fairway Plaza office building will be bigger than previously
planned. The owner,
Trammell Crow, plans to build a 60,000 SF structure of concrete and glass;
building could be ready May, 2009. The tract is in Pasadena, northeast
corner of Beltway 8 and Fairway Plaza Drive.
Bay Area Business Park has broken ground on 140 acres, corner of Red Bluff
Rd. and Bay Area Blvd. in Pasadena. The project will accommodate users from
20,000 SF to 1.2 million SF. Further details pending.
Sens Road Distribution Center, a 16-acre business park, is coming up in La
Porte on Sens Rd. and SH 225. Starting within 45 days is a 120,000 SF spec
building on 8 acres at a cost of $5.5 million. Its expected delivery is 4th
quarter 2008. The remainder is available for a build-to-suit project of up
to 200,000 SF.
The second new business park in the Ellington Field area has just been
announced. This one is 30.5 acres on SH 3 and Bay Star. The buyer plans to
immediately begin development on the 7 acres that front SH 3 for a single
tenant – a tilt wall office/industrial building. A new road will be added to
the site and a curb cut has been approved for access off the highway. The
back 24 acres is available for sale or for a build-to-suit project.
Updates on ………
· The Jim West Mansion. Forty acres and the mansion are still available. The
owners are looking for a developer with creative mixed-use ideas and real
deep pockets. Site is in Pasadena across from Nassau Bay.
· The former Clarion / Sheraton Kings Inn on NASA Parkway (Houston). Word is
that construction will commence on a Walgreen’s any day and that an
apartment developer has land under contract in the back portion of this 10
acre tract. The balance of the property – fronting NASA Parkway -- will be
available.
What about the report that there could be as many as 2,300 local jobs
impacted when the space shuttle retires in 2010?
A few facts ….. What NASA reported is simply a snapshot of today’s current
work associated with the shuttle and only the current Constellation contract
awards. It does not factor in any allowance for future Constellation
contracts still to be awarded. The report also does not allow for any future
jobs that will be created locally stemming from COTS and the commercial
space efforts we are beginning to see flourish in this area. There are eight
companies involved in the commercialization of space that now call Bay Area
Houston home. The NASA budget is fully funded; Johnson Space Center is the
program office for the entire Constellation Program and all awards will flow
through JSC.
There’s bipartisan support for the space program and many people are helping
spread the word on the importance of space exploration.
Transactions ……
· Pasadena’s East Belt Business Park Phase 1 is now 100% leased. Wrist USA
has expanded there by 12,800 SF. New leases for Phase II are 25,567 SF to
Jotun Paints, 20,800 SF to PetroChem Services and 12,316 SF to Northern
Safety Company, Inc. (Jeremy Garner, Patrick Rollins, Joseph Smith /
Trammell Crow Co.)
· 15,000 SF - Carboline Company leased space on Hwy. 225 in La Porte. They
are a leading supplier of corrosion resistant products specializing in high
performance coatings, linings, and fireproofing. (Ryan Wasaff / GSL Welcome)
· 7,300 SF - Veolia, a European environmental company, leased space at
Marina One in League City. (Dena Wren / CBRE)
NOTE: Please feel free to pass this e-newsletter along to others that would
enjoy it and, whenever possible, remember to credit Bay Area Houston
Economic Partnership for this information.
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 .
As an example ….. Texas Calibration, a woman-owned small Houston business,
needed assistance making their airline containers for transporting oxygen
bottles heat resistant in order to meet impending Federal Aviation
Administration rules for transporting potentially volatile oxygen bottles.
Project Engineer Nick Gardner paired Texas Calibration with SPACEHAB, a
SATOP Alliance Partner, to help select suitable materials. After passing
pre-production thermal/flame/impact testing, several airlines have expressed
interest in purchasing the AirWard Container. To view other SATOP success
stories, please go to www.spacetechsolutions.com .
Groundbreaking!
Webster – ICON Bank at SH 3 and No. Texas Ave.
Retail / Hospitality Development
City of Dickinson has new development coming -- Gulf Freeway and FM 517. No
details yet but the interested parties are restaurants, retail/office and
hotel users. In preparation for the International Council of Shopping
Centers tradeshow in May, the City has created a packet of site
opportunities within the City.
Food for thought ….
· Vegas is coming to Webster! The Vegas Grill, that is. Their menu reads
made-from-scratch Mexican, Italian, American and Asian dishes. Location is
at the Webster Town Center in front of Cinemark.
· Armandos has opened on NASA Parkway in Seabrook. (remember the original
restaurant on Shepherd Drive?) Also in this community, Bailey’s has added a
new banquet facility that will seat up to 185 guests plus a Wine Room that
seats 26 guests.
· Red Sushi, same as the one in Las Vegas, has opened at the Kemah
Boardwalk.
League City Crossing, southeast corner of SH3 and Galveston Street has
broken ground. No word yet on the tenants.
Ross Dress for Less has taken 31,000 SF on Southmore Ave. and Pasadena Blvd.
They expect to open early spring. Formerly Mervyn’s, the site is in the
heart of Pasadena, near City Hall, the police station, Town Square Mall and
the library. Same location, Steve and Barry’s leased 40,051 SF and opened in
December.
Coming Soon!
Baybrook Mall – Finish Line (athletic store specializing in footwear) opens
May 1st
League City – Berryhill Baja Grill in the Lighthouse Plaza on Marina Bay
Drive; Chick-fil-A at League City Towne Plaza
Webster – Dimassi’s Mediterranean Buffet at Baybrook Gateway; Chipolte
Mexican Grill, Firehouse Subs and Mooyah Burgers at the new Shops at the Bay
in the 300 block of Bay Area Blvd.
Friendswood – 528 Asian Bistro at 709 W. Parkwood Ave.
Now open!
Houston – Cullen’s Upscale American Grille at Clearpoint Crossing
Webster – Linens ‘n Things & World Market at Baybrook Gateway; Suffi Persian
Grill at Village Real shopping center
League City – The Jazz House Restaurant at 601 E. Main; Jack’s Garage Café &
Pub at FM 518 & Perkins Ave.; Jade Garden at SH 96 and South Shore Blvd.;
Kohl’s on I-45 at FM 646
Houston – Coffee Haven at Clearpoint Crossing
Kemah – Big Bowl Pan Asian Cuisine at 1415 SH 146
Friendswood – Charisma Antiques at 203 N. Friendswood Drive
Residential Development
· The Clearpointe Residences will be under construction by May 1st on Space
Center Blvd. at Genoa-Red Bluff Rd. (Houston). The project is 288 units of
class A, garden-style apartments with amenities such as a resort-style
swimming pool and spa, garages, covered parking, 3-acre lake with
landscaping and water fountains, wood floors in living areas, 9 ft.
ceilings, crown molding, gourmet kitchens (black on black appliances and
wine rack), and a built-in home office.
Infrastructure News
The Goodman Corporation has completed the feasibility study for a commuter
rail system along the G H & H rail line that connects Galveston and Houston.
The study revealed that this commuter corridor is #1 in the Houston area --
the only one with a 7-day/week bi-directional demand. The corridor would
link major residential and employment centers (Downtown Houston, NASA/Clear
Lake, Galveston) resulting in an estimated 11,500 passenger trips per day by
2030, not to mention new jobs and economic benefits from the rail stations
that would be built. The study showed approximately 10,000 to 12,000 trips
are made each day from Galveston to Clear Lake/Bay Area Houston; the rail
system would be bi-directional, 7-days/week. It will also provide a critical
emergency evacuation route for both people and freight.
The next step is the Alternatives Analysis (refines details such as
employment, population, environmental impacts, transit-oriented development
opportunities, vehicle technology) which will take 12 to 18 months. The
first passenger rail service could be up and running by 2012 for the Clear
Lake-Galveston area.
La Porte plans a town square in the area known as Five Points. Once
renderings are approved, the city will go through the process of public
meetings and planning and zoning discussions. A local developer has plans
for an office building in the same area.
North Pasadena business owners can give their property a facelift with help
from the city’s Façade Improvement Grant program. Matching grants are
awarded with a maximum city participation of $7,500 on any project and no
more than $15,000 for work on one property. The money can be used to fund a
wide variety of projects like landscaping, signs, repairs to the building or
driveways … things that help the business become more aesthetically
pleasing.
A helping hand! To encourage businesses to locate or expand in Friendswood,
the City’s municipal grant program specifically provides a unique
opportunity for businesses to receive fee reimbursement. A business may be
considered for the grant program if the funds will be used for new
facilities, or the expansion or modernization of existing facilities that
add new taxable values to the ad valorem tax rolls. Grants may range from
$5,000 and can exceed $120,000, which can be used for relocation assistance,
land and/or building acquisition costs, building improvements, utility line
extensions and connections, water and sewer impact fees, extension of public
roads and drainage improvements.
Remington College has opened in Webster. Programs are offered for medical
and dental assistants, medical billing and cosmetology.
The City of Seabrook is unveiling their new 41-acre park on April 22nd. The
Port of Houston Authority transferred the land to Seabrook to serve as an
ecological buffer between the activity of the Port and the natural beauty
that appeals to their residents.
City of Dickinson has awarded a bid for Construction Manager at Risk for its
new City Hall and Library Complex. The project will be put out for bid in
the coming weeks.
El Lago plans a new $1.2 million community center on 2+ acres at 419
Tallowood Drive. The facility will include 1,800 SF for private parties and
1,500 SF for a fitness center.
Did you know Nassau Bay’s new 365-foot long boardwalk will be finished in
May? It’s being constructed
between the tennis courts and pavilion of Lake Nassau Park, running parallel
to the shoreline.
Road News ………
---Galveston County
· The new causeway is 90% complete and should wrap up by the end of the
year.
· FM 646 – from I-45 to FM 517. A 4-lane divided highway is planned. The
project will let in June; could start in August. This is a $19.7 million, 14
month project.
---Seabrook
· The Repsdorph Road project got the go-ahead from the City. The road will
widen from two to four lanes -- $16 million project.
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 2008 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
If this newsletter was forwarded to you, and you would like to subscribe,
please email info@bayareahouston.com .
Questions or Comments? info@bayareahouston.com
If you would like to discontinue your subscription to Business Development
News, please email info@bayareahouston.com .
Barbara Cutsinger
Marketing Manager
Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership
2525 Bay Area Blvd. #640
Houston, TX 77058
281.486.5535
www.bayareahouston.com
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