westchasetoday - Westchase District

WESTCHASETODAY
YEAR 17 | ISSUE 3 | FALL 2015
BUILDING HIGHER VALUE SINCE 1995
Westchase District Celebrates 20 Years
Of Enhancing Area Development
Two Decades of Growth to Be Observed at Gala Lunch Oct. 14
Two Decades of Firsts: Westchase District’s pioneering projects are celebrated in this photo collage (clockwise from top left): first HPD bicycle patrols; first Westchase
District flag placement; Westpark Tollway construction comes to Westchase District; first esplanade landscaping; first Constable patrols; first Corporate Challenge;
first monument sign installation; first farmers market; and first tollway frontage road landscaping.
R
aise your hand if you remember when
what is now Chateau Crystal was a movie
theater, or when Westheimer Social
Ministry (now West Houston Assistance Ministries)
operated its Second Blessing store on Westheimer
at Seagler. Say “amen” if you remember when
First Methodist Houston first moved its Quillian
Recreation Center from Kirkwood and Bellaire to
its current home at Westpark and the West Sam
Houston Tollway, or when the land that is now
BriarLake Plaza was owned by Christ Evangelical
Presbyterian Church, which planned to build a
large church facility there.
Reading through the archives of Westchase
District development is an interesting mix
of projects that paved the way for future
development and projects that were never meant
to be.
But throughout that mix is the growth not
only of an area, but of an organization that
charted the area’s growth and development.
The Westchase District was created in
June, 1995 when then-Governor George W.
Bush signed legislation into law creating the
organization and defining its boundaries. Since
then, the staff of the Westchase District has grown
from three to ten (plus 55 police officers) and the
boundaries of the area have changed three times
due to annexation. But the biggest change is in
the size and complexity of the projects that the
board and staff are bringing to Westchase District.
Growth Brings New Opportunities
Presiding over all twenty years is Westchase
District General Manager Jim Murphy. “It’s fun to
look back at the growth of our area and see how
much it’s changed,” said Murphy. “In 1995, the
Westpark Tollway was merely a good idea. Today it
is major roadway that carries about 30,000 vehicles
daily. In 1995, we didn’t even have a logo, much
less 40 monument signs at intersections throughout
the area bearing the distinctive blue, green and
black logo of Westchase District.
“I am proud of the various partnerships we’ve
developed with the City of Houston, Harris
(Continued on page 8)
INSIDE
2 The Essence of Urban Eating
3 New and Returning Vendors
6 Comet Lands In Westchase
District
4 Break into Westchase District
6 Hop on the Bus, Gus
5 El Tiempo Cantina
7 The Sheepdog with a Shield
5 Church Partnership Expands
Choices
7 Watts Up?
8 Neighborhood News
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WESTCHASETODAY
Westchase TODAY is published quarterly by
Westchase District, a municipal management
district funded by local property owners in
a 4.2 square-mile area centered on the Sam
Houston Tollway between I-10 and US-59
on the west side of Houston, Texas.
We promote economic growth by enhancing
mobility, beautification, public safety,
planning and development of the District.
Some B-Side Hits
O
n two-sided 45 rpm vinyl records, the
A-side of a single included the song the
artist or record company intended to
become a hit on the pop charts. Most of the time,
the B-side was a lesser track or an instrumental. But
occasionally listeners would flip the record over and
discover a real gem, something that was every bit as
good as, or maybe even preferable to, the projected
single. Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin put “The
House that Jack Built” on the A-side but it was “Say
a Little Prayer” on the B-side we all know better.
Elvis Presley had “Don’t be Cruel” on the A-side and
“Hound Dog” on the B-side. Rescued from obscurity
by savvy listeners, these songs blurred the lines
between A’s and B’s and often would join the ranks of
artists’ biggest chart-toppers on best-of compilations.
Westchase District General Manager Jim Murphy and
Board Chair Philip Schneidau
In this edition of Westchase Today, we have a few
of the “B-side hits” – new initiatives in programs
lighting in our roadway underpasses to make them
it’s got a good beat…)
safer and attractive. This has worked well but now
The first of these relates to apartment marketing.
sidewalks, focusing on the pedestrian environment
to be 54) apartment communities in Westchase. The
(Page 7). Well-lit areas both show off our
new COMET program at The Aberdeen apartment
beautification projects and make it clear that we are
community (see page 6) provides after-school
a 24/7 location with an active community.
General Manager
VP, COO
Sherry Fox
Irma Sanchez
VP, Communications
VP, Projects
Mark Hubenak
Jonathan Lowe
Public Safety Director
Assistant
Communications Director
Louis Jullien
Projects Director
Finally, our value building opportunities (Page 4)
great new amenity to parents, encouraging them to
are the B-side hits of Houston’s office hit parade.
re-up when their lease term is over – an extension of
They might not have the fancy work-out facility,
our apartment marketing efforts.
but they are in a business district well known for its
Secondly, we have worked successfully to build
Dave Gilkeson
we have taken this effort to our local streets and
We have an active program to market the 52 (soon
activities to elementary school children and offers a
Jim Murphy
Over the past few years, we have installed extra
whose A-side hits is well known and popular (and if
mobility, safety, amenities and attractiveness. We
a robust transportation system using our area’s
think those who want to be business players, not
highways, major thoroughfares and collector
just record players, would be wise to come check out
streets. Now METRO is rolling out a greatly
what’s over on the B-Side in Westchase District.
revised local bus system that will provide real
These properties and programs are evidence that
service improvements here (Page 6). If METRO’s
Westchase District is no oldies act. Sure, we’ve been
improvements can bring about even a 5 percent
around since the mid-90s, but we’re not about to
reduction in traffic volume, we can cut congestion by
collect any dust.
half. So increasing transit use helps everyone.
John Carey
Farmers Market Manager
Monica Garcia
Operations Assistant
Kathy Kaufman
Administrative Assistant
The Essence of Urban Eating
District Gets Hip to Street Food with Food Truck Fridays
Sponsored by First Methodist Houston
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S
ince July, hundreds of hungry customers have
braved the summertime heat to feast on an
eclectic assortment of street food vendors who
gather weekly in Westchase District. Dubbed Food
Truck Friday and sponsored by First Methodist
Houston Westchase, the event collects between five and
10 of Houston’s most popular and unique food trucks
from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of First
Methodist, 10570 Westpark Drive.
Culinary Congregation
Copyright © Westchase District. All Rights Reserved.
2
“Part of our church’s mission is to offer hospitality
and build a sense of community in the area we serve,”
said Joe Flores, communications director at First
Methodist. “We’ve been thrilled with the public’s
support of the vendors and are glad to provide a
location where people can eat together.”
Flores said while the church is not evangelizing to
customers, he feels that merely hosting the food trucks
creates a unique congregation of its own. “I think the
popularity of upscale food trucks has to do with the
personal connections among the people preparing the
food and the patrons,” he said. “And we’re all about
nurturing personal relationships.”
Earlier this year, Flores struck up a relationship with
Tirzo Ponce, owner of Houston Food Park. Since 2013,
the organization has established several food truck
parks throughout the city and continually works with
the City of Houston to improve ordinances regulating
mobile food units. “Right when Joe reached out to
New, Returning Vendors Keep Market Fresh
October 22 marks second anniversary of the market
Albane Cannaferina and
her Apollo Farms is one of the
newest vendors at the Westchase
District Farmers Market. In
fact, she’s a relatively new
farmer. With a background
in restaurant management,
Canneferina knew more about
the “table” end of the “farm to table” movement
when she moved to Texas less than a year ago to begin
farming.
Today, she’s a successful organic farmer, presiding
over 73 acres of agriculture property in Livingston,
TX. There she has a two and a half acre garden, plus
greenhouses that allow her a year-round growing
season. She also raises chickens, ducks, goats and pigs.
“I know everything that goes into my animals and
onto my crops,” says
Cannaferina.
She came to the
Westchase District
Farmers Market less
than two months
ago and has already
developed a loyal
group of returning
customers. Her
produce offerings
will change with
the seasons. She’s
currently bringing
to the market several
varieties of tomatoes,
eggplant, cucumbers, Farm to Table:
tomatillos,
Albane Cannaferina brings
watermelon, lettuce, a variety of seasonal, organic
produce to the Farmers
green onions,
Market. Her newest product
bell peppers and
is farm fresh eggs.
radishes. Her form
of micro-agriculture
allows her to optimize the vegetable beds by planting
smaller quantities and rotating the beds.
“Albane is a great addition to our market,” said
market manager John Carey. “Bringing in new
vendors keeps our market changing every week.
That’s important as we approach the market’s second
anniversary.”
New vendor Gwen Gistarb is bringing her
one-of-a-kind Creole St. Spicy Crackers to the market
to build her customer base. She says the crackers go well
with boudin, gumbo and other Cajun specialties. Right
now the only place you can buy them is the Westchase
District Farmers Market.
Veterans Welcome Rookies
Long-time vendor Steve Maloof welcomes all the
new vendors to the market. “New vendors are the
lifeblood of the market,” says Maloof. “They change the
dynamics of the market, keep it fresh and bring in new
customers.”
Maloof
creates specialty
jams, nut
butters and
chutneys under
the “Just Pure
Flavors” label.
He sells at three
Just Pure Flavors: Steve Maloof
markets each
is one of the inaugural vendors
week and spends at the Westchase District Farmers
the rest of the
Market. He offers samples of his
week creating
exotic and unique jams and nut
and making new butters to customers each week at
the market.
product. New
vendors – even
competing vendors – keep him on his toes.
“Competition among vendors is healthy. I work
hard to keep my product consistent, while also refining
it and making new product. We want everyone to bring
their best product to the market,” Maloof said.
Vendors are all small businesses
Some vendors are forced to pull out of the market
for a period of time while they tweak their product or
their business plan, or even for personal reasons.
Alan Barrera with Grass on the Go took some
time off to adjust the production and packaging of
his individual wheat grass servings. “I couldn’t keep
up with demand,” he said. But he’s now back at the
market every other week. “The market is a great way to
introduce customers to wheat grass. Some of them buy
Hankering for tamales: They’re available all year
long, thanks to Charlie Bauman and Diamond B
Farm.
immediately. Others want to research wheat grass and
return later to buy it.” He’ll even give you a free shot to
try it out.
Charlie and Lil Bauman from Diamond B Farm
have known market manager John Carey for years and
welcomed the opportunity to bring their tamales and
heat-and-serve meals to the Westchase market. “We
offer homemade tamales year-round,” said Charlie,
“and our heat-and-serve meals are perfect for busy
professionals who want easy and delicious food to warm
up when they get home from the office.” Westchase is
their only Houston market.
Consistency is Key
Just as Steve Maloof strives for consistency in
his homemade jams and chutneys. so the Westchase
District Farmers Market has achieved consistency in
offering fresh farm products and food choices to busy
families every Thursday rain or shine. If you haven’t
been to the market lately, come check it out. Old
friends and new favorites will be there to greet you.
Westchase District Farmers Market
Year-round, rain or shine, Thursdays @ 3 p.m.
St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church
10503 Westheimer Road
(at Rogerdale Road, one block west of Beltway 8)
www.westchasedistrictfarmersmarket.com
me, I was looking to set up an experimental project in West
Houston,” he said. “We agreed to dedicate one day a week to
showcase food trucks at a prominent location in Westchase
District. Call it divine intervention.”
Appetizing Artistry
Part of the worldwide appeal of street food is the direct
connection between vendors and customers. “The people who
hand me my food are the people who make it, who also are
likely the owners, and I can give them feedback on the spot,”
Party of Three: New Friends set up in the
said Terry Kiesling, a regular customer who works for Granite
shade to enjoy outdoor delights on Food
Properties. She said she’s noticed people bringing chairs and
Truck Friday at First Methodist Houston.
groups of office workers hanging out with their friends. “I’ve
started seeing some of the same people and we compare entrees,
“Wh t makes
k
“What
which gives me the confidence to try new things,” she said.
Seafood, Eat Food: Customers line up for lobster quesadillas
food good is
and traditional whoopie pies at Cousins Maine Lobster food
There’s no shortage of new and unique kinds of cuisine found each week,
not where it’s
truck.
including: Kalua pulled pork sliders; Korean barbecue; lobster quesadillas; and
prepared or the
bacon-wrapped venison and cream cheese stuffed jalapeños. Ponce said mobile
equipment that’s used, it’s the quality of the ingredients and the degree of attention
food units appeal to many chefs/owners because they can remain independent and
that’s given to inventing and executing the cuisine,” Ponce said. “The food becomes a
innovative without the hassle – and financial risk – of running a full-scale restaurant.
reflection of the chef ’s artistic drive.” In Westchase District, that drive is only minutes
“They’re charging similar prices to what they’d charge in a bricks-and-mortar place,
away every Friday.
but with much less overhead and fewer hours,” he said.
Stripped of the buildings, bathrooms and kitchens stocked to prepare a huge menu, Food Truck Fridays 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. foodtruckfridayhouston.com
First Methodist Houston Westchase, 10570 Westpark Drive
it comes down to specialty chefs who know what they’re doing with particular dishes.
3
Break into Westchase District without Breaking the Bank
Value Buildings in District offer big-business amenities for small-business budgets
W
ith three million square feet of new Class-A office space either under
construction or recently completed, several new buildings in Westchase
District are ideal for large, growing companies. But even small businesses
can enjoy all the amenities and market presence of a Westchase District address in
more mature and affordable multi-tenant office buildings. Some have whole-floor
opportunities and several have been recently updated, offering great benefits at
affordable prices.
Running Partners: Richmond Park Westchase I at 10800 Richmond (above)
will receive a new fitness facility, conference center and food service that will be
shared with the tenants of the companion building at 10850 Richmond (below).
Finished and Future Fix-ups
Many older buildings are upgrading common spaces such as lobbies, restrooms and
corridors, said Michael Sieger, leasing agent with PM Realty Group. Sieger and his
colleague Marci Phillips lease about a half dozen office properties in Westchase District
owned by Zenith Real Estate. Earlier this year, their buildings at 10550 and 10850
Richmond Avenue received such improvements and plans are in the design phase to add
a shared fitness facility, conference center and food service between 10800 and 10850
Richmond.
“These finish and amenity upgrades are close to the same standards as those in Class
A buildings,” Sieger said. “Marble or granite flooring, refinished elevator cabs, updated
seating areas – it all keeps buildings from looking dated.”
Sieger and Phillips recently leased the entire 50,000 square-foot building at 10555
Richmond Avenue to Ignite Restaurant Group. The company, which owns the Joe’s
Crab Shack and Brick House Tavern + Tap chains, plans to build a 2,750 square-foot
test kitchen on the building’s ground floor, Phillips said. The kitchen will allow executive
chefs to experiment with menu offerings then assemble restaurant managers from
around the country to evaluate their new creations.
“I have no doubt that having control over the entire building, combined with a
location that’s easy to reach, were factors in their choosing the property,” Phillips said.
“It looks like they’ll be be able to conduct more efficient corporate meetings as well.”
I Can’t Believe It’s A Class B!
Saving on rent doesn’t have to mean leaving Westchase District. Crum & Forster/
Fairmont, a specialty lines commercial insurance company, has been located in the
Westchase area since 1988. “We were first at One Westchase Center over by Target on
Westheimer, then at Towers at Westchase II on Richmond and we recently took over
one and a half floors at Westchase Park Plaza on Westheimer,” said John Binder, site
manager for the firm’s Houston office. “Over the years, the Westchase location has really
worked well for our employees, so we were glad we could remain and not disrupt their
commutes,” he said.
Binder added that one new perk that he and his colleagues are enjoying is the variety
of restaurants within walking distance to them now. “We have more than a dozen
choices for lunch that we can walk to and make it back inside our lunch hour,” he said.
“We didn’t foresee it, but it’s been a really nice fringe benefit.”
Mealtimes aside, Binder said he’s impressed with everything about his company’s
new location. “Everything from the interior to the parking garage is top-notch,” he said.
“The building doesn’t give the impression that it’s a Class B that’s been here since the
early 80s. It’s one of the nicest older properties I’ve ever been in and if I didn’t know
better, I’d say it was a Class A space.”
Workers Swarming to B’s
Despite slumping crude oil prices, rental rates citywide continue to rise and a
shortage of office inventory is pushing more owners and tenants to invest in Class B
properties. According to CBRE Research, Class A rental rates in Westchase averaged
$41.09 per square foot last quarter, while the average for Class B office space in the
District is $21.65 per square foot.
“Class-B buildings compete for a wide range of users with rents in the average range
for the area,” said Mark Taylor, managing director with CBRE. “It’s a great time in the
market to take advantage of these lower rental rates and there are certainly great options
in Westchase District.”
Walk This Way: Crum & Forster/Fairmont’s John Binder (right) and his
colleagues enjoy easy access to appetizing eateries, all within walking distance
from their Westchase District office.
Convenience without Congestion
Totally Floored: Westchase Park Plaza at 11490 Westheimer Road has whole
floor options available for lease.
4
Therein lies the appeal of many Class B office buildings in Westchase District: they
offer up-to-date appearances and nearby amenities without the traffic that plagues other
parts of town. “Tenants want to enjoy comfortable office space without the pain of
heavy traffic,” said Sherry Fox, Westchase District’s vice president of communications.
“To me, the only thing worse that being stuck in traffic is being stuck in a small office.
Several of our value buildings offer a way out of both with competitive lease rates and
quick access to major roads.”
For further details about vacancies among all Westchase District office properties,
visit westchasedistrict.com, select “For Business,” then “Available Sites/Space” and follow
the link to our Office Space Update report, updated quarterly.
Como Vuela El Tiempo Cuando Te Estas Divertiendo
(How Time Flies When You’re Having Fun)
El Tiempo Cantina in Woodlake Square celebrates its first year in the District
In August 2014, El Tiempo
Cantina, one of Houston’s hottest
Food & Mexican restaurants, moved into
Drink a free-standing building in the
Woodlake Square Shopping Center
at 2605 South Gessner Road. The
site, which previously was home to an Amazon Grill
and a Tortuga Mexican Kitchen, was reimagined
and remodeled to reflect the owner’s vision for an
experience worthy of first-class business lunches and
memorable nights out for dinner. As the restaurant
celebrates its first anniversary, the jefe of this hot
hangout shares his recipe for success...but not for his
Tex-Mex.
Developing a Dining Dynasty
The chain is famous for its fajitas as well as its
family pedigree. Executive Chef Domenic Laurenzo is
the grandson of “Mama” Ninfa Laurenzo, matriarch
of the legendary Ninfa’s Mexican Restaurants chain.
While the Laurenzo family sold the chain in 1998,
Domenic has led an expansion mode of the El Tiempo
brand since 2013. The Westchase District location is
the sixth of its kind in Houston.
“I felt the District was an underserved market for
our kind of experience,” Laurenzo said. “The location
is at a great intersection, is a free-standing building and
it offers plenty of parking. At 7,000 square feet, it’s
one of our larger locations. We’ve used the extra space
Party on the Patio: Domenic Laurenzo
imports much of the furniture, decorations and
accoutrements for his restaurants from Mexico to
capture an authentic look and feel.
to expand the kitchen, which makes for more efficient
service.”
Authentic Ambience
Drawing on decades of experience in the restaurant
business, Laurenzo said he’s always been a student
of his competitors, studying what does and doesn’t
work among successful establishments. “I believe that
the atmosphere of a restaurant is as important as the
quality of the menu and service,” he said. “My goal
is always to make a meal at El Tiempo a fantastic
experience where the surroundings feel as authentic as
the food.”
And the food on Laurezo’s menu gets fantastic raves,
especially from one recent Yelp online reviewer: “The
beef filet fajitas with lobster are outstanding and cannot
be beat. El Tiempo’s margaritas are also out of this
world and you have gotta love the atmosphere in this
place. Houston is known for its great Tex-Mex cuisine
and while there are many Mexican restaurants in the
city, El Tiempo is the crème de la crème.”
Laurenzo carefully curates that acclaimed
atmosphere at each El Tiempo location. He’s personally
overseen construction and remodeling of every one
of his restaurants, including the Westchase District
address. He imports from Mexico such items as
wrought iron gates, ceiling fans, chandeliers and
sconces, wooden tables and chairs and Saltillo tile.
“Details like the sombreros, figurines and trinkets
should be authentic so that at some level customers can
be transported to a Mexican cantina no matter where
they are in Houston.”
Another feature unique to Laurenzo’s Westchase
District location is an area designed for semi-private
parties of up to 100 people. “It’s a great setting for
hosting work parties, family get-togethers and special
events,” he said. “Of course, I’d like to think that every
visit to an El Tiempo is a special event.”
El Tiempo Cantina
2605 South Gessner Road
713-785-1220 www.eltiempocantina.com
Church Partnership Expands Choices for
Westchase-area Worshippers
Covenant Glen UMC joins First Methodist Houston in unique space-sharing collaboration
S
unday morning greeters on the campus of First
Methodist Houston have their work cut out for
them these days. They’re welcoming members
and guests to four different congregations using the
sprawling campus of First Methodist Houston.
The latest (and biggest) congregation singing their
praises in Westchase District is Covenant Glen United
Methodist Church, which relocated from Missouri
City and now celebrates its weekly services in the
beautiful worship center of First Methodist Houston’s
Westchase campus.
Located on the northeast corner of Westpark
and Beltway 8, First Methodist Houston (and its
accompanying Quillian Center and Wesley Academy)
has been a part of the Westchase community since
the church opened in 1999. FMH continues to meet
in the worship center for their 9 a.m. traditional
worship service. But they relocated the contemporary
worship services to the church’s Stansbury Building to
accommodate the congregation from Missouri City.
“The Vine” grows at First Methodist
Church leaders at First Methodist believed that
the church’s 10:30 a.m. contemporary worship would
enjoy more growth opportunities if it moved out of
the 2,200-seat worship center to a more intimate
environment better suited for the contemporary
worship style. The contemporary worship service,
now known as “The Vine,” has surpassed attendance
expectations and a second contemporary service has
been added.
Meanwhile, Covenant Glen has consolidated its two
Covenant Glen’s major ministry focus is on
marriage and families. “We want to keep families
together, keep marriages together. That’s our focus and
our mission statement,” Childress said.
Working Together for the Kingdom
Bishop Blessing: Bishop Janice Riggle Huie (left)
of the Texas Annual Conference joins Pastor Leo
Tyler in prayer during the inaugural worship of
The Vine.
worship services into one 10:30 a.m. service that Senior
Pastor Robert Childress describes as neither traditional
nor contemporary, but rather “winsome and exciting,
where all people can come and get something out of
it. You ought to feel better, be better after experiencing
our worship,” he said.
Both congregations offer services in Spanish and
First Methodist hosts two congregations of African
and Indonesian worshippers. “No matter what kind of
worship service you’re looking for, you can find it here
on the campus of First Methodist Houston,” says First
Methodist Westchase’s Campus Pastor Leo Tyler.
Members of First Methodist participate in a number
of community-based mission programs at Alief ISD’s
Bush Elementary School and at nearby apartment
communities.
Tyler and Childress are long-time friends who
welcome the opportunity to grow God’s kingdom in
Westchase District. “We’re in uncharted waters,” said
Childress. “This has never been done before, but we’re
working on a model about what can happen when two
churches come together for God.”
“You can’t go wrong with a partnership like that,”
added Tyler.
For worship times and more information, visit
fmhouston.com and covenantglen.org.
The Flock Follows: Pastor Robert Childress leads
the 10:30 a.m. worship service of Covenant Glen
UMC.
5
COMET Lands In Westchase District
Program Aims To Build Stronger Family And Community Ties
I
nstead of a long bus ride home after a day at
Alief ISD’s Sneed Elementary School, a few
lucky children living at The Aberdeen apartment
community take a short walk home to be greeted with a
smile and an after-school snack from Tiffany Joseph.
Joseph is coordinator of the COMET
(Community Outreach Missions Education Team)
program at The Aberdeen. COMET is a collaborative
project of the Alief Independent School District, Alief
Family YMCA and 5Works, a local organization that
brings together faith-based organizations to provide
help in resource-challenged urban communities.
There are currently four apartment communities
in AISD offering COMET, but this is the first in
Westchase District. Community Manager Tracy Sosa
says she’s happy to offer COMET as another amenity
for parents. “Our owners want us to be engaged in
the community and COMET is a great program. The
parents and the kids like the fact that Tiffany lives at
The Aberdeen so she can really get to know the kids
and their families.”
District Manager Richard Wall added, “It helps
kids get to know other kids outside of their grade level
here at home, so then they know them at school as
well.”
The Aberdeen. The program is free – parents must
commit to work five hours a month volunteering with
the program or at the school.
After-school and off the streets
Church engagement welcomed
Joseph has enrolled eight kids between the ages
of 5 and 9 to participate in the COMET program at
The COMET program was created by 5Works.
Executive Director Oralia Rios-Williams describes the
A typical day at COMET includes a healthy
snack provided by Be A Champion, Inc., followed
by homework time. Joseph and parent volunteers
are available to assist with homework or to help the
younger kids read. After that they enjoy a rotating
schedule of activities that could include arts and
crafts, literacy projects, STEM (science, technology,
engineering and math) activities or board games,
followed by supervised fun on the playground. On
Fridays, the kids are transported to the Alief YMCA
where they participate in sports and learn about
healthy eating habits.
after-school program as “very safe, very structured.”
Rios-Williams is working to build partnerships with
area churches to adopt specific apartment community
sites and provide outreach to the COMET families.
“We want the churches to come in and do what they
do best – offer worship and Bible studies.”
“It’s all about building stronger families,” said
Joseph. “Stronger families make stronger kids.”
For The Aberdeen, which provides rent-free space
for COMET to meet, plus an apartment home for
Joseph, it may well lead to more happy residents. And
happy residents renew their leases.
“Without our program, many of these kids would
go home to an empty apartment with no one to help
them read or do homework,” said Joseph.
The program also has a parent education
component. “Many of these parents work more than
one job, so they’re tired when they get home. We
work with them to help them understand that play
time with their children is so important to a healthy
home life.”
Homework Help: Tiffany Joseph (center) reads
to a kindergarten student, while helping another
young student with his homework.
Hop on the Bus, Gus:
You Don’t Have to Now Fuss Much
District benefits from METRO’s improved service, new routes
I
n its first comprehensive review of Houston’s
public transit system since the 1970s, METRO
has redesigned its local bus service to create a
system of routes that better meets the mobility needs
of the city’s commuters. As part of the New Bus
Network which began in mid-August there are three
routes that have stops within Westchase District.
The routes are designated as frequent service routes,
meaning the local buses serving them will run every
15 minutes or
better, at least 15
hours a day, seven
days a week:
■ 25 Richmond: This eastbound/westbound
route stops near Wilcrest Drive at Meadowglen
Lane and at Richmond and Beltway 8. Also,
it connects with bus routes 46 Gessner and
82 Westheimer. METRO’s improvement to the
route shaves five minutes off the previous travel
time.
■ 46 Gessner: This northbound/southbound
route stops along South Gessner Road at
Westheimer Road and South Gessner and
Westpark Drive. It also connects with bus routes
25 Richmond and 82 Westheimer.
■ 82 Westheimer: This eastbound/westbound
route stops along Westheimer Road at Wilcrest
Drive and at Westheimer and South Gessner
6
Road about every eight to 10 minutes. It also
connects with bus route 46 Gessner.
Next Bus Arrival Texting
Part of METRO’s customer education involves
teaching riders how to use their smartphones and
A Fare-minded, Community Approach
other mobile devices to get real-time estimated arrival
Other routes have been eliminated or changed
information with its new Next Bus Text service.
in response to customer feedback. Before METRO
arrived at its redesigned New
Users find the bus stop
Bus Network, it spent two
number located at the lower
years soliciting input from
left-hand corner of the bus stop
communities, asking citizens
signage, text the bus number to
what stops they wanted added or
METRO’s hotline and receive
taken away and what new routes
the next bus arrivals scheduled
they would like. “We compiled
at that location along with
the results and then announced
real-time estimates. For details
our master plan in February,”
on how this service works, visit
said Kurt Luhrsen, vice president
www.ridemetro.org/Pages/
of planning for METRO. “Now
NextBusArrivalTexting.aspx.
about 99.96 percent of existing
“We’ve supported these
riders will have local bus service
proposed changes from the
within a half mile.”
beginning and it’s great to see
Luhrsen added that these
them materialize,” said Irma
updated routes and schedules will
Sanchez, Westchase District’s
provide frequent service to more
vice president of projects. “These
riders and stressed that there is
simpler, easier to understand
no change in the local bus fares.
routes will give us faster and
Cutting Edge of Transportation:
“Since February, we spent about
more efficient connectivity
The new 25 Richmond bus line,
$7.5 million to change more
between the District and other
which stops along Meadowglen Lane,
than 10,000 bus stop signs, revise
major activity centers throughout
shaves off about five minutes of
every bus schedule and prepare a
Houston.”
travel time from the former route.
massive educational campaign.”
The Sheepdog with a Shield
Westchase District Patrol Officer Jeff Sneed Lives to Protect
A popular metaphor in military
and police circles likens law
enforcers to sheepdogs, vigilant
protectors of the flock who
confront predators. Jeff Sneed
agrees with the comparison.
“I don’t mean anything
negative by calling citizens sheep, it’s just that most
people are unaware – even in denial – of the wolves in
our society until they become victims,” he said. “It’s
my job to circle the perimeter and defend against the
criminals who intend to prey on the innocent.”
Though not wearing wolf ’s clothing, Sneed, a
member of the Houston Police Department’s Gang
Division Crime Reduction Unit, often operates
undercover in unmarked vehicles and dressed in
plain clothes. “I’m not one of the officers making the
drug buys in a sting operation,” he said. “My role
is backing up those guys when we arrest and hold
suspects.”
From Soldering to Safeguarding
Holding things together is a skill for which Sneed
is well-qualified. The Pearland native earned a welding
degree from San Jacinto College, but decided that
instead of joining metals he’d rather join the ranks of
HPD. When he graduated from the police academy
in 2006, he joined a family tradition: Sneed’s mother
as a member of HPD’s CRU. The unit’s mission is to
address crime problems in specific areas experiencing
high rates of narcotics activity, violent crimes and
gang activity. “I work with investigators from other
divisions within the department to seek out and arrest
career criminals,” he said. “While I’m based out of
Central, my duties take me all over the city. I like that
I get to be proactive in my job and make cases, rather
than reactively responding to calls for service.”
Shady Behavior
Not a sheepish grin: HPD Officer Jeff Sneed is
doggedly determined to defend the District.
is a former HPD dispatcher and his father is a 36-year
veteran of the force. “They both told me not do it,
to become a fireman,” he said. “But welding was hot
enough for me, and I knew I didn’t want to do it for
the rest of my life.”
Assigned to the Southeast Patrol Division for his
first two years, Sneed transferred to Central Division
Sneed said that in contrast to the intensity of
his 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift, his patrols for Westchase
District are relatively low-key. “The District is not a
meeting place for gang activity, so gangs aren’t trying
to establish a claim to the area,” he said. “That’s
partly because residents and business owners here
are not afraid to call police when they see something
suspicious. In other parts of town, I see people too
afraid to report crimes, which unfortunately makes
criminals bolder.”
When not on duty, Sneed enjoys time at home
with his wife, his two young children and Tank, their
dog. “Just the other day, Tank ate my sunglasses,”
Sneed said, squinting in the sunlight. “I was really
mad at him – they were Ray Bans and they weren’t
cheap.” Sometimes even sheepdogs have to watch out
for their own.
Watts Up? An Age of Enlightenment in
Westchase District
Brighter streetlights and strategic landscaping fills in gaps where the sun doesn’t shine
H
ow many Westchase District staffers does
it take to change a light bulb? None. They
prefer LEDs. Nevertheless, during the past
year Mark Hubenak and Irma Sanchez have worked
with the City of Houston to improve the quality of
outdoor street lighting that illuminates the District’s
streets.
A Bright Idea
“For years, whenever we’ve surveyed property
owners, workers and residents about what makes them
feel most uncomfortable, the answer is always the
same: the dark,” said Hubenak, Westchase District’s
public safety director. “So last year I drove around
the District for several evenings making notes about
where outdoor lighting appeared to be deficient.”
Hubenak identified 72 locations then approached
officials with the City’s street lighting program about
upgrading existing conditions.
Initially, program administrators ruled that the
existing 100 watt high-pressure sodium (HPS) lights
were sufficient. However, 250 watt HPS lights are
warranted for so-called collector streets, which provide
access to residential properties and often feature
signalized intersections. Sanchez, Westchase District’s
vice president of projects, convinced the City that due
to traffic counts, both Meadowglen Lane and Walnut
Bend Lane qualify as collector streets. This resulted in
installation of higher watt light bulbs at 71 locations.
Also, Hubenak’s work resulted in installation of seven
new lights installed on existing poles along Cityplace
Drive, Valley Forge Drive and Walnut Bend Drive.
Exposing Shady Surroundings
Not all recent lighting improvements in the
District required upgraded bulbs. In several cases,
light output was determined adequate, but shade
canopies from about 18 trees on private properties
were blocking brightness emitted by streetlights.
“During the daytime, tree canopies cool pedestrian
areas and improve air quality,” Hubenak said.
“Unfortunately, they can conflict with street lighting.
We asked the City to prune those trees to allow more
light through to public sidewalks
and roadways.”
Drive and Wilcrest Drive,” Sanchez said. “Also,
we recently partnered with the Harris County Toll
Road Authority to install LEDs beneath the West
Sam Houston Tollway at Westheimer Road, so we’re
enthusiastic advocates of this approach.”
“We wholeheartedly support this switch to a
greener, smarter technology,” said Jim Murphy,
Westchase District’s general manager. “Not only is it
cost effective for the City, it will improve the quality
of life for the District’s residents, workforce and
visitors.”
Leading “Current” Trends
As part of the nation’s
largest streetlight retrofit, the
City announced last year that
it will replace all 165,000 of
its yellowish HPS streetlights
with more efficient bluish
light-emitting diodes (LEDs) by
2019. The LEDs are projected
to cut the City’s power usage
by more than half and reduce
its municipal greenhouse gas
emissions by five percent. That’s
good news for a District charged
with generating positive progress.
“We’ve mounted LEDs for
the underpass lighting beneath
Westpark Tollway at Briarpark
De-light-ful Development: Nighttime visibility along Cityplace Drive is
brighter thanks to additional streetlights courtesy of the City of Houston.
7
(Continued from page 1)
County, Harris County Toll Road Authority, Harris
County Flood Control District and the Texas
Department of Transportation,” Murphy added.
“These organizations have worked with us to make
improvements on Westheimer and Beltway 8, to build
our trail network and to develop numerous mobility
and landscaping improvements that make Westchase
District what it is today.”
Board Brings Experienced Leadership
While a number of board members have served
Westchase District over its twenty year history,
only three individuals have claimed the gavel of
the chairmanship of the Westchase District Board
of Directors: Camden’s Mike Biggs, CBRE’s Mark
Taylor and Philip Schneidau, president of BMS
Management.
Biggs served on the board of the Westchase
Business Council representing Camden Propety Trust
where he was the senior vice president. He helped lead
the charge for the Westchase District and served as its
first chairman.
Taylor came to Westchase District when BMC
Software built its new headquarters in Westchase
District, relocating from Sugar Land. At the time,
Taylor was Vice President of Real Estate for BMC
Software. “I enjoyed working with Jim and all
the Westchase District staff and board on various
projects. During my tenure as board chairman, we
accomplished some of our first landscaping projects,
we created the Westchase District Patrol and installed
hundreds of branded street signs throughout the area.”
Schneidau’s company owns and manages seven
office buildings in Westchase District, including the
newly-constructed Millennium Tower II. Under
his leadership, the board is moving ahead with a
full-range of projects that will be funded by the
District’s recently enacted 380 Area Agreement with
the City of Houston. “The streetscape improvements
that are being planned for Westheimer Road,
Meadowglen Lane and Walnut Bend Lane will
completely change the motorist and pedestrian
experience here in Westchase District. It will position
us well for continued redevelopment investments and
success,” said Schneidau.
What’s Next?
Meanwhile Westchase District staff is proceeding
with plans to build the next phase of the Westchase
District trail system, develop a community park,
create a Gold Shield hotel program modeled after the
apartment industry’s Blue Star program and add video
programming to the Westchase District website.
“Our staff is always proactively seeking ways
to improve our area and offer new projects and
programs to benefit stakeholders – all to keep our area
competitive and a desirable location for business and
investment,” said Murphy.
20th Anniversary Gala Planned
The District’s 20-year anniversary will be
celebrated at a gala lunch on Wednesday, October 14
at the Houston Marriott Westchase. Twenty businesses
that have contributed to the success of the area will
be recognized as part of our “20 for 20” program and
the keynote address will be delivered by Jim “Mattress
Mack” McIngvale who, along with his wife Linda,
owns the Westside Tennis & Fitness Center located on
Wilcrest just outside the District’s boundaries.
“All business professionals can learn a lot from Jim
McIngvale,” said Murphy. “His entrepreneurial spirit,
his generosity and his integrity make him a great role
model. He’s enjoyed great success in business by
working hard. We’re excited to have him join us at this
celebration.”
Go to westchasedistrict.com for ticket information.
Neighborhood News
W
hether it’s the most recent hires at the office or fresh transplants
to one of our apartment communities,
newcomers to Westchase District have lots
of questions. How to get around? What is there to do?
Where are the worst chuckholes to avoid?
While we can’t predict every pothole in the pavement,
Westchase District does have a new welcome guide
designed for those needing study notes for Westchase 101.
This handy publication includes everything you need to
start getting familiar with the area, including community
resources and a map of important locations.
It’s the perfect tool for newbies to the District. Just
don’t read it while driving or you might steer your car into
one of those concrete craters. To request a free copy, visit westchasedistrict.com/
welcome.
C
raig Eichhorn and Kim Peck were recently appointed to the Westchase
District Community Fund Board of Directors.
A longtime resident of Westchase District, Eichhorn
is a public relations specialist with the Alief Independent
School District.
As senior property manager
with BMS Management, Peck
manages two office buildings
located in the District and at one
time managed as many as eight
Craig Eichhorn
buildings in the District.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the
WDCF financially supports local projects, programs or
Kim Peck
events which positively impact the quality of life in the
District.
B
ehind every big court case is a lawyer seeking justice and behind every great
lawyer is a paralegal. If you’re interested in law but don’t want to endure the
long process of becoming a lawyer, the Center for Advanced Legal Studies,
located at 800 West Sam Houston Parkway
South, may have your answer.
While the center only recently moved to the
District in June, it has specialized exclusively in the education of paralegals since
1987. Accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, the center offers
certificate and degree programs, and tuition assistance is available.
For more information, call 713-529-2778 or visit paralegal.edu.
T
he pool’s still under construction, but if you’re curious about Westchase
District’s newest luxury apartment community, The Heights at Westchase,
now is a good time to dive in and inquire. Located at 3505 West Sam Houston
8
Parkway South, the 265-unit community will
offer one- and two-bedroom floor plans and will
feature three exterior courtyards in addition to
the internal courtyard with a pool and fountain.
Community Director Nicki Trinidad said she’s
already started preleasing units and the first
move-ins are scheduled for mid-October. For
leasing information, call 281-854-2135.
T
he portion of Beltway 8 that runs through
Westchase District saw a lot of beautification
upgrades this past summer. Workers with Texas
Landscape Group put the finishing touches on five
median strips west of Beltway 8 along Briar Forest Opening Soon:
The Heights at Westchase
Drive. The strips are landscaped with Mexican
sycamores, Drift ground cover roses, flax lily and
dry creek beds.
Also, workers landscaped the greenspace along southbound Beltway 8, just
north of Briar Forest Drive. Attractive ground coverings, dry creek beds and
Knockout roses will keep this
greenspace looking great while
preventing soil erosion from rain
runoff.
Finally, at the intersection
of Beltway 8 and Westheimer
Road, contractors for the Texas
Department of Transportation
have begun the task of burying
the electrical work needed to
replace the span wire traffic
signals hanging across the
intersection with galvanized
steel mast arms.
The mast arms are easier
to maintain and require fewer
service calls since they don’t
have to be re-tightened like span wire signals. Once TxDOT installs the mast
arms, Westchase District plans to further enhance the intersection with aesthetic
treatments such as special paving and planters to better match other District
intersections.