A presentation on the Cultural Arts Feasibility Study, a 2016 residential survey and a proclamation in support of diversity of The Woodlands were all discussed at Wednesday night's Woodlands Township board of directors meeting.

1.  Cultural Feasibility Study Phase 1

The Woodlands Township board of directors reviewed a report on Phase 1 of the cultural feasibility study approved last October in agreement with Gensler, in association with Webb Management and Sterling Associates. The board will further review and provide feedback on the study at the next board of directors meeting in April.

Between Jan. 24-27, representatives from Webb Management interviewed approximately 70 community leaders and stakeholders to gain their opinions and ideas on cultural arts needs in The Woodlands.

In addition to those interviews, and at the request of the township's Ad Hoc Economic Development Committee, Webb Management developed a public survey that was posted on the township website to gain insight from the community at large. This survey was heavily promoted through township communication channels and was online for 30 days with 1,270 respondents.

"Montgomery County has a population that spends more on the arts then other parts of the country," Webb Management president Duncan Webb said. "However, the actual number of artists and cultural organizations is well below national averages. More than 50 percent of [survey] respondents are supportive of facilities and programs that support the creative process."


Webb said the conclusion for the study is that there is a case to add more facilities since the market is here and there is user demand for various sizes and types of facilities. The challenge would be deciding on the types of facilities that have been brought up. Types of feasible facilities Webb mentioned include nonprofit performance and teaching spaces, a nonprofit exhibition space, a local museum, a science and nature museum, an event or exhibit hall and a digital media center.


Township board Chairman Gordy Bunch said there is a high demand for cultural arts in The Woodlands area and the board of directors will continue to provide feedback on the study in April.


"There is a high demand for cultural arts and the cultural arts arena and I think you’ve touched on a lot of those needs," Bunch said. "We have a followup up to this at a meeting in April to give feedback on prioritization and where to go next. I think this is an excellent study on something we’ve been trying to put together for years. Our board will provide feedback on guidance coming in April."


2. 2016 residential survey


The Woodlands Township conducts a survey of The Woodlands residents every two years to obtain resident opinions of services and programs.


For the 2016 residential survey, 1,553 residents completed the survey, providing an overall response of 25 percent. Seventy-nine percent of the total respondents were over the age of 44.


Some of the main findings from the study presented at Wednesday night's Woodlands Township board meeting showed that the biggest issue for Woodlands residents is traffic, mobility and transportation. Improving signalization, providing safe ways to ride bikes and improving intersection design were top priorities. Twenty percent said too much development and overpopulation was also an important issue.


When asked about incorporation, 44 percent of residents in the study said no to becoming a city in the next five years. When asked about the level of safely in The Woodlands now compared to two years ago, 54 percent of residents in the study they felt about the same level of safety. Thirty-one percent felt there was a need for an increase in law enforcement visibility.


"I think we have some communication to perform in the community to advise folks on what we do and things that they want us to do and how do we get around to influencing those items," Bunch said. 


3. Proclamation in support of diversity in The Woodlands


The board of directors passed a proclamation at Wednesday night's meeting in support of The Woodlands remaining a place for all residents—regardless of race, nationality, religious beliefs, sexual orientation and identity and economic status.


Many residents spoke during the public comment section of the meeting to express concern over lack of acceptance and diversity in the local community.


"Thank you for all who came to speak on the issue," Bunch said. "I think its important to note that the board and your neighbors do hear you. We all have diversity in our own background that might not be self-evident. When we hear these things, it does effect us. We are a nation of immigrants."