What we reported In August, Katy City Council entered negotiations with KB Development to create a hotel and conference center that will be a focal point of the Katy Boardwalk District. The Boardwalk District will be south of Katy Mills and centered around a large lake with a boardwalk and nature trails. Preliminary plans for the project also include two loft-living apartment complexes, retail and dining locations and a residential neighborhood.

The latest The city hired the hotel conference center developer.

“We are moving forward on the design and kind of finalizing the design in the footprint for the hotel conference center,” said Kayce Reina, the city’s director of tourism, marketing and public relations.

The Katy Development Authority has also awarded the bid for the first phase of the site’s feeder roads.

What’s next Reina said road construction will start in the next month, and crews will also be working on land clearing and preparation in the area. The city is contractually obligated to complete the first phase of the lake and boardwalk improvements by Dec. 31.

“We’re really excited to see dirt moving and the project to be kicked off from a construction standpoint,” Reina said.

Once completed, the boardwalk is estimated to have $500 million in equity put into the district.

This story is one update from The January Issue. View the full list of 10 things to look for in 2017 here.