1. Tomball, Magnolia grapple with oil economy
What we reported Greater Houston area employers cut 1 in 7 jobs across oil-related industries after the price of oil dropped from $105 per barrel in June 2014 to $35-$40 per barrel in December 2015, according to the Greater Houston Partnership. The oil industry slump caused a decline in sales tax revenue for the cities of Tomball and Magnolia in October 2015. However, energy industry experts expect the oil industry to stabilize in early 2017.
What’s next Despite continued losses in construction and oil field services, GHP projects a net gain of 29,700 new jobs to be created in 2017 in markets, such as health care, hospitality and education. Tomball and Magnolia officials predict growth will be slow in 2017.
2. Magnolia chambers of commerce unify
What we reported Members of the Greater Magnolia and Magnolia Parkway chambers of commerce voted in late October to merge the chambers.
The latest The chambers began operating as the newly formed Greater Magnolia Parkway Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 1. A 16-member board of directors leads the unified chamber in its first year with Kendrick Skipper, owner of the Magnolia Chick-fil-A location, as chairman. The chamber will operate out of the former GMCC office at 18935 FM 1488, Magnolia.
What’s next In early 2017, the GMPCC will develop a new logo and website, select committee leaders and teams, and finalize the 2017 calendar of events.
3. Development takes shape on Market Street
What we reported The Hutson Group was expected to break ground in spring 2016 on a six-building row of retail and food establishments along Market Street in Tomball. Fire Ant Brewing Company and Old Town Coffee Parlor were confirmed tenants for the new buildings.
The latest Fire Ant Brewing broke ground June 9 on the city’s first craft brewpub. Old Town Coffee Parlor withdrew from the development. However, the development will feature a total of four retail sites and three restaurants, according to Bryan Hutson, attorney and owner of The Hutson Group.
What’s next Fire Ant Brewing will begin putting up the metal structure in early January with plans to open the brewpub in June, assuming no construction delays. Additional tenants will be announced in 2017, Hutson said.
4. Grand Parkway Town Center Confirms Tenants
What we reported NewQuest Properties announced plans to construct the Grand Parkway Town Center, a 63-acre site located at the southwest corner of the Grand Parkway and Hwy. 249 in Tomball. The site plan includes more than 370,000 square feet of retail space and 15 pad sites.
The latest Confirmed tenants for the shopping center include a First Choice Emergency Room, Akashi Asian Fusion, Pediatric Dentist, Great Clips and Venus Nails Spa. Negotiations have not yet been finalized with Sam’s Club and Kroger Marketplace. Additional tenants will be confirmed in 2017 as construction on the center continues. The center is slated to open in the first quarter of 2018, NewQuest Properties representatives said.
5. Fire departments adding new stations in Tomball, Magnolia
What we reported The Tomball Fire Department was slated to open Station No. 5 in February near Telge Road. The Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department planned to open stations 187, 188 and 189 in fall 2016.
The latest Since the opening of Station No. 5 in March, TFD has decreased its emergency response time by two minutes for calls on the west side of city limits, Chief Randy Parr said. The MVFD moved into stations 188 and 189 in early January—each equipped with an engine and water tanker—and will hold an open house for the stations in the near future.
What’s next MVFD Chief Gary Vincent said construction on a third station should be finished in February. In Tomball, the TFD has acquired the land to build Station No. 3—located near Hufsmith and Stanolind roads—which will break ground once utilities are available in that area.
6. Montgomery County Commissioners Face Trial
What we reported Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal, Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley and Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Clark were indicted in June on Texas Open Meetings Act violation charges related to negotiations regarding the county’s road bond election in November 2015.
The latest After a brief suspension, Doyal was reinstated into office Aug. 2, following a hearing with the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
What’s next The trial date has been reset for March 27. If convicted, the officials could face up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $500 or both, according to the Office of the Attorney General’s website. Additionally, conviction could result in the officials losing their jobs.
7. Harris County, partners continue work on new county campus near Tomball
What we reported In the first quarter of 2016, Harris County announced plans to build a county campus, featuring a county annex and administration buildings—which will house the constable’s office and justice of the peace—on 600 acres near Tomball. The land, located west of Hwy. 249, is in Harris County Improvement District No. 17. An oil and gas training center for Lone Star College-Tomball was also proposed for the site.
The latest The cities of Tomball and Houston are working out annexation details for HCID 17 to determine which city will provide services to the area, as HCID 17 lies within the extraterritorial jurisdictions of both cities. Also, Lone Star College System’s plans for an oil and gas training facility have been delayed.
What’s next The project to construct the Harris County Precinct 4 administration building will be sent out for bid in early 2017, Precinct 4 Communications Director Mark Seegers said. He said the administration expects to move into the new building in 2018.
8. Montgomery County responds to spring floods
What we reported Montgomery County received historic rainfalls in April and May, causing flood damage throughout the county.
The latest In October, the county received a $460,000 grant from the Texas Water Development Board to help fund a countywide flood mitigation study. The grant will fund half of Phase 1 of the study, which covers the Lake Conroe watershed and upper West Fork of the San Jacinto River. Future phases of the study will cover additional watersheds in the county.
What’s next Work on the countywide flood mitigation study will begin no later than Jan. 25 and must be completed by June 30, 2018, according to grant requirements. Montgomery County is also considering the creation of a flood control district.
