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OPPORTUNITIES AND INCENTIVES FOR RETAIL DEVELOPMENT IN THE URBAN CORE: A PUBLIC FORUM AND PANEL DISCUSSION PLANNED IN LIGHT OF MAYOR PARKER’S INTENT TO PROVIDE TAX INCENTIVES FOR A SHOPPING CENTER ON YALE STREET AT KOEHLER (HEIGHTS WALMART)
(Houston) – On Monday evening, September 13, 2010, the Washington Avenue-Memorial Park Super Neighborhood (SN 22) will host a public forum and panel discussion titled: Opportunities and Incentives for Retail Development in the Urban Core. This event will be held in lieu of SN 22’s regular monthly meeting from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Council on Alcohol and Drugs – Houston, 303 Jackson Hill, Houston, Texas 77007.
Mayor Parker has recently hosted two public meetings to address the Ainbinder Company’s plans to develop a retail center on Yale Street at Koehler anchored by a 24-hour Walmart Supercenter, and the city’s intent to facilitate the development by providing the Ainbinder Company a “380 Agreement.” The “380 Agreement” would allow the city to use tax revenues generated by the development to reimburse the Ainbinder Company for improvements to public infrastructure. The first public meeting was held on August 25th, and the second public meeting was held on September 1st. Mayor Parker expects to bring the proposed “380 Agreement” to City Council for a vote next week.
The City of Houston has established a website with links to the August 25th presentations: http://www.houstontx.gov/koehler/index.html
Walmart’s plans for the Supercenter and the Ainbinder Company’s plans for infrastructure improvements are also available at a website established by Ainbinder Company: http://www.washingtonheightsdistrict.com.
Community opposition to these plans and to the city’s intent to enter a “380 Agreement” with Ainbinder Company is being organized by a recently created non-profit organization, Responsible Urban Development for Houston (RUD): http://www.stopheightswalmart.org.
The goal of the public forum and panel discussion is to clarify how such developments can be planned and directed to produce positive results for all, including the developers, the retailers, the surrounding communities, and the city. The confirmed participants are:
Moderator: Keiji Asakura, Asakura Robinson Company, LLC
Panelists: Andrew Burleson—Congress for New Urbanism; Robin Holzer—Citizens Transportation Coalition; David Robinson—Neartown/Montrose Super Neighborhood (SN 14); Kevin Shanley and Kinder Baumgardner—SWA Group; Reid Wilson—Wilson, Cribbs & Goren, PC
Recorder: Ellen Morrison, Better Houston
What: Public Forum and Panel Discussion: Opportunities and Incentives for Retail Development in the Urban Core
When: Monday, September 13, 2010 from 6:00-8:00 PM
Where: Council on Alcohol and Drugs – Houston, 303 Jackson Hill, Houston, Texas 77007Where SN 22 is located: SN 22 extends from the western edge of downtown on the east to Loop 610 on the west. Buffalo and White Oak Bayous create the north and south boundaries of the SN 22 group of neighborhoods: Camp Logan, Cottage Grove, Crestwood/Glen Cove, First Ward, Magnolia Grove, Memorial-Heights, Rice Military, Sixth Ward, West End, and Woodcrest.
Be there if you can.