02/17/04
Radack outlines improvements in West, Northwest Harris County
Speaking at the February general membership luncheon of the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 17, Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Steve Radack outlined a wide array of projects, ranging from roadways to the region’s first soapbox derby park, designed to enhance the quality of life for area residents.
Radack noted a number of toll roads, including the Westpark toll road, are now under construction, and more are planned including a U.S. 290 toll road that would run along the existing Hempstead Road corridor and tie into either Loop 610 or Interstate 10, help commuters reach such destinations as downtown or The Galleria.
“More toll roads are being planned,” he said. “If you have an idea for a toll road, give us a call. If it will make money, we’ll probably build it.”
Radack said the county would begin construction this year on a four-lane extension of Fry Road that will stretch from FM 529 to U.S. 290, providing a major north-south corridor. The county will pay just $8 million of the $28 million project, with developers picking up the rest of the bill, he said.
He said that a 9,000-acre residential community would be built along the road that will stretch from Katy-Hockley to Barker-Cypress. The development will include several large lakes and will attract thousands of new residents.
“Will that create traffic? Absolutely,” Radack said. “Will it create tax revenue? Absolutely. We need developments like that to keep people from moving out of Harris County.”
Precinct 3 has created partnerships with area community colleges to build and operate libraries. Such sharing of facilities sets a prudent precedent, Radack said.
“We need to learn to share government buildings, and therefore provide a much higher quality of service to constituents,” Radack said. “If we don’t spend our money wisely, if we don’t share in some of the challenges ahead, the only answer is to raise taxes, and that is not the right answer.”
Radack noted that Precinct 3 built the region’s first dog park, the Millie Bush Bark Park, at George Bush Park, and is now planning construction of the region’s first Soapbox Derby park. The county will gain revenue from naming rights, and the venue will bring tens of thousands of visitors to the area, he said.
He closed by outlining some of the county’s legislative agenda for the 2005 session. On the county’s wish list is legislation that will enable continued growth of the toll road system and condemnation authority extended to district courts, which would save the county money in purchasing right-of-way for road projects, Radack said.
Chamber general membership luncheons are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at alternating locations. For locations and reservations, call 281-955-1100.
02/05/04
Cy-Fair Chamber pushes for Commuter Rail
Commuter rail along the U.S. 290 corridor and a railroad overpass and extension of West Greens Road near Willowbrook Mall were hot discussion topics at the February meeting of the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee.
The committee set the February meeting to discuss transportation issues that they’d like to see the Chamber to work on during 2004 and beyond.
Committee Chairman Bill Rowden has long advocated the importance of a railroad overpass on West Greens to provide emergency vehicles with access to both sides of the tracks and to relieve traffic on FM 1960, and he said he would make the project a priority this year.
“Rumor has it that we are very close to having the overpass configured,” he said. “That project ties in with the redevelopment of the Hollister corridor and has potential of joining Hollister with Duncan Road to provide a direct link from Texas 249 to FM 1960. That would eliminate a lot of traffic that now has to go to the Willowbrook intersection.”
Several committee members mentioned their preference for commuter rail along U.S. 290. Chamber President Darcy Mingoia said the Chamber has already been pushing for commuter rail.
“Our Board of Directors is very strongly advocating that project with Precinct 3 Commissioner Steve Radack’s office,” she said. “In fact, we are constantly sending the commissioner information and have had several meetings with him about commuter rail. If we need to take more of a public front on that issue, we will.”
Mingoia said one of the possibilities the Chamber is looking into is obtaining federal funding for a rail line that would stretch from Houston to College Station, where passengers could visit the Bush Library.
Committee members suggest improvements along FM 1960, Texas 6 and FM 529 near Barker-Cypress, where heavy traffic is causing delays for emergency vehicles leaving a Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department station.
The Chamber’s Transportation Committee meets on the first Thursday of each month at 8 a.m. at the Chamber offices, 11050 FM 1960 West, Suite 100. For information, call 281-955-1100 or visit the Chamber’s Web site at www.cyfairchamber.com.