In 1989, the State legislature enacted Chapter 380 of the Local Government Code (“Chapter 380”) to create a mechanism that allows municipalities to grant or loan public funds for economic development purposes by creating one or more programs to promote economic development and stimulate business and commercial development. Subsequently, by Ordinance No. 99-674, the City established the City of Houston Chapter 380 loan/grant program.
On October 16, 2013, the City Council approved Ordinance No. 2013-945 to establish the Westchase 380 Program (the “Program”). The Program was created to construct certain projects and improvements listed in the Westchase District Long Range Plan (the “LRP”) that are critical to enhancing the economic vitality of the area. The LRP addresses aging infrastructure and the lack of parks, green space, and community venues. The Program encourages and provides for the implementation of the LRP.
The District prioritized construction of certain LRP-related capital improvements into three 10-year segments (the “CIP”). The projects included in the first 10-year segment of the CIP was approved as part of the creation of the Westchase 380 Program. The second and third 10-year segments of the CIP are subject to City Council approval under the criteria set forth by the Program.
Since the implementation of the Program, the District has constructed or financed approximately $60M in infrastructure and improvements to date. The major projects completed include the reconstruction of Walnut Bend, Westheimer Streetscapes, Brays Bayou Connector Trail, and Woodchase Park which was a partnership with the Parks and Recreational Department. The District successfully secured more than $27M in “non-city” federal grant funds and $4.6M from Houston Public Works to leverage the 380 funding. Additionally, there are several projects under construction valued at approximately $62M. Those projects include the complete reconstruction of Meadowglen, Camden Park (formerly Wilcrest Park), the Promenade improvements and monument signage. The District now requests the approval of the second 10-year segment of the CIP to continue implementing the Westchase District Long Range Plan and will pursue additional grant funding towards the project costs.
The Administration recognizes the positive economic impact of the CIP and recommends approving the projects in the second 10-year segment which will provide a public benefit to the City by extending or improving existing rights-of-way, public streets and public infrastructure, result in improved mobility and improvement of blighted conditions, and stimulate business and commercial activity within the Westchase Economic Impact Area.
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Andy F. Icken, Chief Development Officer