MetroPark Square Phase 2, transportation projects and wine and beer permits were a few topics of discussion at Shenandoah City Council’s Nov. 14 meeting. Council members Charlie Bradt, Ted Fletcher and Ron Raymaker were in attendance. Mayor Ritch Wheeler and council members Mike McLeod and Byron Bevers were absent. Bradt served as mayor pro-tem. To view the Nov. 14 agenda, click here.
1. The council approved the proposed Phase 2 site plan for MetroPark Square. MetroPark Square’s Phase 2 includes a proposed five-story, 148-key Hyatt House hotel. According to the MetroPark Square website, the proposed extended-stay hotel model will feature studios, one- and two-bedroom kitchen suites and den guestrooms. Additionally, the hotel will feature indoor and outdoor social space, a lounge, H BAR and Social Sectional. A projected opening date for the Hyatt House has not been announced as of press time. MetroPark Square is a 69-acre mixed use development by the Sam Moon Group under construction southeast of I-45 and Hwy. 242.
2. Shenandoah submitted the David Memorial Drive extension project to the Houston-Galveston Area Council Transportation Improvement Program. The David Memorial Drive extension project will extend David Memorial Drive from Shenandoah Park Drive to Hwy. 242. Phase 1 of the project was completed in May 2017, while the remainder of the project has been on hold. Public Works Director Joseph Peart said the application was submitted to the H-GAC TIP on Oct. 30, for funding consideration. “They’ve received all of the application information and stated that… we should hear from them in January with an update on acceptance of the application and then some more information on the timeline of their process,” Peart said.
3. The council approved a wine and beer retailer’s permit for Urban Air Adventure Park. Urban Air Adventure Park is an indoor trampoline park set to open in the Sam Moon Center, located at 17943 I-45 S., Shenandoah. The venue can host a variety of activities and special events, including fitness classes, birthday parties, corporate events and youth group activities. In addition to wall-to-wall trampolines the park will also feature indoor skydiving, a roller coaster, climbing walls, ropes and warrior courses, a battle beam, foam pits, a slam-dunk track, a dodge ball area, and a children’s area for age 7 and younger. The adventure park is expected to open in December, according to an Urban Air Adventure Park spokesperson.
4. Staff updated council on the U-turn design at I-45 and Research Forest Drive. According to Kenny Eickelberg, Shenandoah director of capital projects and infrastructure, Bleyl Engineering completed design work for a dedicated U-turn at I-45 and Research Forest Drive and has sent the design work to the Texas Department of Transportation for review. Eickelberg said once the design is approved, the project will go out for bid and will be awarded. “Once the weather dries out and the temperature meets the requirements for painting, it will get done,” Eickelberg said. “[TxDOT] said sometime next year is the soonest it’s going to get done.” Eickelberg said TxDOT will fund the construction of the project, while the city will be responsible for maintaining the project.