Enabling legislation for a new improvement district proposed by the Rayford Road Civic Association is being written and will be presented to the state House of Representatives in March.
Grand Oaks Improvement District is being proposed as a result of the population growth, increasing traffic flow and the continuous construction projects in the area, according to RRCA officials. They are hoping proposed district gains House approval this month.
Paul Alli, vice-president of the RRCA, said the proposed district's boundaries are being finalized. Alli said there has been no determination as to how the district would receive funding. The bill would need to go through the state legislature to receive approval for the district first since it is considered an entity that requires approval from the state, much like a municipal utility district.
"Once the legislature is approved through the house and senate, the district will be approved and an interim board will be formed for the new district," Alli said.
He said a new board would not be comprised of current members of the RRCA board, but new members through a nomination process.
"Then later on there will be an election where board members will be elected for a certain term for the new district," Alli said.
The board would be able to enact policies for the district and residents would be able to vote on funding and taxing mechanisms, he said.
Rep. Mark Keough, R- District 15, said he is supportive of the new improvement district and is working on the legislation of the bill, which is expected to be complete and brought to the house floor in the next 10-12 days.
"Right now the progress of the improvement district legislation is moving along well," Keough said. "The best thing about this district is that it gives people autonomy for determining the future, especially with transportation and a lot of growth."
With a $350 million road bond being voted on May 9, $68 million of that bond would go towards funding a range of projects east of I-45. Those proposals include the widening of Rayford Road from four to six lanes and realigning and widening Robinson Road to four lanes, according to the RRCA. While these projects are expected to improve traffic flow and ease congestion in the Rayford Road Corridor area, the RRCA has been planning to install Grand Oaks to bring a sense of community, beautification and mobility to the area, Alli said.
Alli said there is a need for infrastructure improvements along the Rayford Road Corridor and that could be accomplished by adding an improvement district similar to The Woodlands Road Utility District No. 1. The RUD is a taxing entity located primarily in The Woodlands Town Center that places a property tax on businesses. The money the RUD earns helps pay for Woodlands road improvement projects.
"With the recent increase in population growth, we want to do whatever we can to keep the area intact," Alli said. "When you look at The Woodlands and see their improvement district, that's what makes them successful."
The district is also meant to be a brand name to its residents and add amenities such as a community center and a possible YMCA facility to the area.
"We want Grand Oaks to have a sense of community for its residents and provide safety and security," he said. "This is going to give homeowners and business owners benefits that they wouldn't receive with just having the bond."
Alli said the RRCA believes that there are many things that can be done to better the Rayford Corridor area and the organization is hoping that the proposed improvement district will increase property value, maintain population growth and provide more benefits to residents.
"We're glad that the road bond was proposed—we need all the help we can get," Alli said. "But we feel like there are more improvements that can be done besides the improvements enacted by the bond."
