Humble ISD prepares for bond referendum in 2018
Humble ISD has plans for six new schools.[/caption]What we reported
In preparation for rapid population growth in the Lake Houston area, Humble ISD expects to build six new schools, including two middle schools and one high school. HISD has $155 million in authorized bond funds from an election in 2008 to purchase property for the six new campuses, build three schools and have money remaining to use for the construction of a fourth school. The district anticipates a bond election by May 2018 for the remaining funds.
The latest
By January, the district plans to finalize a full-facility study that will assess all HISD schools and facilities from rooftops to floors and determine if it is compatible with district standards, Assistant Superintendent of Support Services Roger Brown said. The $300,000 study is being done by PBK Architects, he said.
What’s next
HISD will use the findings from the facility study in addition to community feedback to determine priorities before calling for the bond election, Brown said. Some older schools could receive makeovers that provide more open space, rooms or areas to send small groups of students for projects and natural lighting. Other schools could be razed and rebuilt entirely, he said.
Development ramps up in Generation Park
Generation Park could bring more jobs to the area.[/caption]What we reported
Generation Park—a 4,000-acre mixed-use project developed by McCord Development—is expected to feature a variety of uses, such as Class A office space, retail, industrial, hospitality and higher education. It will bring several primary jobs to the Lake Houston area after major companies, such as FMC Technologies, relocated their headquarters to the development in 2016.
The latest
The first office building in Generation Park’s lifestyle district Redemption Square is set to be completed in June. Announced tenants include Apache Corp. and McCord Development, McCord Development President Ryan McCord said.
What’s next
More elements of Redemption Square will begin construction early in 2017, including a Courtyard Marriott, a wrap-style 250-unit apartment complex often seen in downtown Houston and four restaurants. Construction in Redemption Square is expected to be completed in two years, he said.
Oil slump continues
What we reported
The Lake Houston area is home to employers from the upstream and downstream industries, causing a split a economic success amid a prolonged oil price slump since 2014. When oil prices are down, downstream oil companies—such as the refineries and petrochemical plants in east Houston—are unaffected while upstream companies suffer, said Bruce McClenny, president and CEO of Apartment Data Services.
What’s Next
The Houston region will continue to have a growing economy as the health care sector grows and the real estate market remains steady, according to the Greater Houston Partnership.
Local retail booms
An H-E-B location opened in Kingwood in October.[/caption]What we reported
Three large-scale retail developments—Westlake Marketplace near Fall Creek, Main Street Kingwood and the Valley Ranch Town Center in New Caney—began construction in 2016.
The latest
The anchor and several ancillary stores opened in the fall at the three developments. Kroger in Westlake Marketplace and Academy Sports + Outdoors in the Valley Ranch Town Center opened in August and September, respectively. Meanwhile, H-E-B, which is located in Main Street Kingwood, opened in October.
What’s next
The additional stores planned in the three developments are projected to open before the spring, according to the developers.
