Mayor of Friendswood Mike Foreman addressed the city’s residents at the annual State of the City luncheon that was held March 1. One development for the city is the upcoming planning of a boutique hotel, a first for the city.
The exact address has not yet been specified, but acres of land located around the areas of 306 S. Friendswood Drive and 308 S. Friendswood Drive recently went through a zoning classification for the building of the hotel. The project is operating under the name of 161 Hotel, according to the city’s website.
The project is still in the design process and will hopefully start construction toward the end of 2022, according to Foreman.
Upcoming developments
The city will also be getting two new projects through Tannos Development, as previously reported by Community Impact Newspaper. The two projects are both expected to break ground in different quarters of 2022.
The city continues to work on the Texas Department of Transportation-funded sidewalk improvements as well as the improvements to downtown.
“The sidewalk project is the result of a $3.5 million grant that we got from TXDOT. We’re very proud of the fact that we got that money,” Foreman said.
City accomplishments
One of the highlights for Friendswood this year is having a significantly low tax rate, as well as a low crime rate.
The current tax rate is approximately $0.48 and is one of the lowest in recent years, Foreman said. The crime rate is currently 6.51%.
“That is the lowest crime rate we’ve ever had,” Foreman said in his speech.
An election year
Finally, Foreman reminded the city that Friendswood City Council will have two seats up for election this year, Positions 4 and 6, with election day May 7. Council Members Robert Griffon and Brent Erenwert currently hold the positions, respectively.
