The Woodlands Township voted 6-0 to approve $250,000 to be taken from the Hotel Occupancy Tax reserve to fund a study to determine the feasibility of a mobility hub in Town Center, according to agenda documents.
A mobility hub is a multifaceted transit center including different types of transportation such as rideshare, micromobility and public transit all in one location surrounding a parking garage, according to Director of Transportation Ruthanne Haut.
Why it matters
The hub could also serve as an anchor for development such as offices, retail art centers and apartments, Haut said. The estimated total cost for the study is $215,000, but additional funds will cover contingencies, officials said. Currently, there’s no funding in the fiscal year 2026 budget to address the infrastructure in Town Center. The goal is to help:
- Alleviate traffic congestion within the Town Center area
- Provide parking and reduce commute times for residents and visitors
- Improve park and ride facilities and rideshare management
The development would further address township goals that include accessibility, support for the arts and improvements to community services, according to the board agenda.
The Goodman Corp. is under contract as a transit consultant for the project and did the township's 2024 transit plan, Haut said.
What they’re saying
Board Chair Brad Bailey said that parking is outdated in Town Center, with limited spaces available. He said responding to the issue will help spur economic development and access to restaurants and shopping in the area.
“We’ve got to start looking at that and having more and more people come here, and having a place where their cars are not getting towed because they parked in the wrong spot is critically important,” Bailey said.
Board member Shelley Sekula-Gibbs said she supports the idea and hopes the study will help enhance the experience residents and visitors have when they visit Town Center, as well as improve connectivity and mobility.
“I am very excited to support this, and I think connectivity and pleasurable experience and world-class amenities all will go together to make us that exceptional community,” Sekula-Gibbs said.
Before you go
Haut said the goal is also to identify optimal or potential sites around Town Center and to conduct an environmental screening.
The plan could be used to:
- Identify public-private partnership models
- Develop a plan to shop around for federal grants
The plan is to have a draft ready for staff by the end of this year, Haut said.
