The idea that a commuter rail line could run alongside Hwy. 290 garnered support for a future transit-oriented development in Jersey Village, but there has been a challenge in drawing developer interest.
"Lenders are not as free with their money as they might have been five or seven years ago," said Mike Castro, city manager. "Someone who might have come in here and developed the property is having a hard time finding cash, and that's beyond the city's control. We're in a position where we have a plan, but we have to be patient."
The idea for Jersey Village Crossing originated about four years ago when Castro attended a presentation on the feasibility of commuter rail lines in Houston. Several routes were studied, but the Hwy. 290 corridor out to Hempstead was one of the final choices.
"Looking at 290, it made sense to me that there was a possibility for something other than your typical Northwest Houston strip center or business center," Castro said. "We had a lot going on in Jersey Village at the time, and all those issues and possibilities came together right there at Jones and 290."
