City Council

Agenda Request

Agenda Of:

10-20-09

Agenda Request No:

ix-b

Initiated By:

Regina Morales

Responsible Department:

Economic Development

Presented By:

Regina Morales

Department Head:

Regina Morales, Director of Economic Development

 

 

Additional Department. Head (s):

N/A

Subject / Proceeding:

300 Acres Conceptual Plan Workshop

Exhibits:

None

Clearances

Approval

Legal:

N/A

Executive Director:

n/a

Purchasing:

N/A

Asst. City Manager:

N/A

Budget:

N/A

City Manager:

Allen Bogard   for AB

Budget

Expenditure Required:  $

N/A

Current Budget:  $

N/A

Additional Funding:  $

N/A

Recommended Action

Review and discuss the Conceptual Plan for the 300 acres near US 59 and University Boulevard.

Executive Summary

 

The City of Sugar Land has experienced tremendous growth in the last 25 years and is continually recognized as one of the top communities in the U.S, leading the way in the region for corporate development, tax revenue growth and jobs.  The City has a long history of partnering with the private sector which has led to the successes we have experienced to date, but we must keep a weather-eye on the future to ensure our brightest days remain ahead.  With that mindset, success for the City in the future will hinge not only on new development, but on the continued relevance of our community within the region, particularly as a destination location.

 

The US59 Corridor is an important part of the future success of Sugar Land with the intersection of University Blvd and US59 being the last remaining commercial tract in our community.  The question is not whether or not it will develop, but how it will develop and whether or not there is a role for local government to play in shaping that future.  The City of Sugar Land, through a lengthy public input process, has developed a vision for that property and has recognized that achieving this vision will require significant public investment and support.  The City is therefore proposing to make a significant public investment in this area to create its entertainment district.

 

In advance of that goal, the City began a joint planning effort in January 2009 through a formal Memorandum of Understanding with Newland Communities and Means-Knaus Partners to develop a conceptual plan for the roughly 300 acres surrounding the US59 / University Blvd intersection, including the City’s 95 acre option tract.  Since January, the City and Newland have participated in several planning workshops, each providing input that has led to the creation of the current draft plan.  This draft conceptual plan is based in large part on the visioning document adopted by the City and anticipates the location of the concert venue and hotel/convention center as catalysts for the development of a multi-use environment that promotes attraction of corporate investment and job creation. 

 

The draft conceptual plan that will be reviewed with the City Council has been developed based upon the following objectives for the 300 acre tract:

 

  • Development of Entertainment District components including:

            Indoor Concert Venue

            Hotel / Convention Center

            Additional Supporting Hotel Development

            Reserved site for a Cultural Arts Center

 

  • Coordinated multi-use development

 

  • Substantial corporate site opportunities

 

 

Exhibits

 

None