Economic Development Director Scott Livingston spoke during a League City Regional Chamber of Commerce breakfast Aug. 11 about projects in the city. Among the list of projects the city is working on is Alamo Drafthouse, Auto Museum, Children’s Lighthouse, Blue Wave Car Wash, Salon Naturale and more.
From an economic development standpoint, League City has done better in general during and after the initial COVID-19 wave than before, Livingston said.
“We haven’t slowed down—not much,” he said.
There are residential developments in the works as well.
Highbridge at Egret Bay will be a four-story development with 254 residences valued at $28.5 million. Aura at Beacon Island is another major residential development in Clear Lake that will include homes, a marina, parks and more. Riverbend at Clear Creek Point will be similar, located along Clear Creek near I-45.
Additionally, League City City Council has invested $10 million into improving downtown, including updating League Park and improving Main Street and Park Avenue, Livingston said.
League City is near four major ports and four petrochemical sites. About 85% of League City residents commute out of the city for work. The goal is to create sustainable, family-supporting jobs so more League City residents work where they live, Livingston said.
One example is the Amazon delivery station opening in League City early next year. It will create dozens, if not hundreds, of jobs, Livingston aid.
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“We want to bring more local quality jobs to League City,” he said. “Instead of going out, we want them to come in.”
Most of League City’s southwest section is undeveloped. There is a land-use plan that includes residential and commercial development in the area, Livingston said.
League City permits about 800 houses a year on average. It was lower the past couple years, but it will be exceeded in the next few, he said.
Unemployment in the city is about 5%. Before the pandemic it was 3%, but Livingston is confident the city will return to that level.
League City has some empty buildings, such as along Main Street, but the city is working to fill them.
“Some people call that an eyesore,” Livingston said. “Other people call it an opportunity.”
The city is working to secure $200,000 a year for the next three years as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. The money would be used by the League City chamber to help businesses, do digital marketing, coach business owners and more, Livingston said.
Livingston acknowledged getting things done from an economic development standpoint takes many people working together, from the chamber to council members to residents to other city staff.
“It takes a team,” he said.
