Tim Welbes

Co-president, The Woodlands Development Company

What have been the biggest challenges in developing The Woodlands?

To have a great land plan for a parcel as large as The Woodlands land mass, we have to forecast demand and to procure the financing for the development. Financing is an integral part of any successful development. And there's much more to talk about challenges of developing The Woodlands: road and transportation construction, coordination with the school districts and the governmental agencies that have control over the development. It is very comprehensive. The number of entities that get involved in development are large and they all have to work together to be successful.

What project are you most proud of?

For me, the pride kicks in equally for seeing a large crowd of people have a great time at the Pavilion, along with the urbanity we have seen in the Town Center—the mall and Market Street. The same amount of pride applies if you drive out to neighborhood parks, and I see a child and a parent interact, having a great time, having some moment in life that is made better by what we have caused to be built here.

What lies ahead for The Woodlands?

To complete the building of the master plan, and the revitalization that is happening, or will happen, as we move forward. Examples of revitalization include our remodeling of The Woodlands Conference Center, and we are preparing to do another rebuild of the Conference Center. The mall's response to Market Street was to do an expansion. All of these shops from Barnes and Nobles to Anthropologie, that was all a revitalization.

Where do you see growth opportunities, as far as development, in The Woodlands?

We are going to continue to grow the residential homes, parks, pathways, churches and schools in the suburban part of The Woodlands, whereas in the Town Center and the East Shore area, there is a larger variety of development opportunities.

Alex Sutton

Co-president, The Woodlands Development Company

What have been the biggest challenges in developing The Woodlands?

I would say the biggest challenges in developing The Woodlands have been anticipating and managing the business in response to the market. And I am using market in a very broad sense here. The market is who buys our products, whether it is commercial land, or a residential lot, or a home, or a building, and also the construction market. One time we had an issue with concrete shortage due to market conditions. The challenge is anticipating and managing changes in the market. The market for our goods and services, as well the market for the goods and services we use, to produce the products that we sell.

What project are you most proud of?

I am proud of the projects that we have developed that have resulted in a lot of people being able to live in The Woodlands lifestyle. You can live in a great single family home; you can live and work in the Town Center. It is always exciting on the weekend to see people enjoying the parks and lakes. It is also exciting for me to see people enjoying the outdoor cafes and restaurants we have alongside the Waterway.

What lies ahead for The Woodlands?

I hope we are going to continue to develop, consistent with our plans and vision, and consistent with the vision that has been around for a long time. I think probably there are more jobs to be developed here, more commercial office buildings and businesses.

Where do you see growth opportunities, as far as development, in The Woodlands?

We are going to see more people that can live and work in The Woodlands. There are an estimated 50,000 jobs in The Woodlands and about 40 percent are held by people who live in The Woodlands. I would like to see that number go higher. As businesses relocate here, their employees are going to live in The Woodlands. As our job opportunities increase, people will have the opportunity to live and work in The Woodlands.