Photo Courtesy of HBJ
By Chaillie Ralph
About three years ago, I was in San Francisco at a real estate conference. I was trying to hail a taxi and stood in a line for nearly 30 minutes before the hotel doorman finally said, “You should really just Uber a car.” It was the first time I had heard of Uber, but I am now a diehard fan of the app and advocate of 21st century transportation options.
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By Olivia Pulsinelli
Another effort is underway to designate the Astrodome as a historic structure to help prevent it from being altered or demolished.
CultureMap reports that the Texas Antiquities Advisory Board voted unanimously to send an application to make the Astrodome a State Antiquities Landmark on to the Texas Historical Commission.
By Bryan Kirk
Galveston County officials are hoping to make the voting process a little easier this election cycle.
For the first time, voters will not have to look for their polling precinct, but will be able to vote at any location in the county for the May 10 election, with the exception of two school district elections.
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By Jayme Fraser
The Greater Houston Partnership came out in support of Mayor Annise Parker’s proposed equal rights ordinance, giving the measure a boost as it heads to a City Council committee hearing on Wednesday.
Parker plans to put the measure before the full City Council for a vote next week.
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By Lauren McGaughy
Heading into the last week of the special election to replace Houston-area state Sen. Tommy Williams, state Rep. Brandon Creighton has a substantial cash advantage over the other three Republican candidates.
According to campaign reports filed April 10, Creighton had nearly $887,000 cash-on-hand for the May 10 special election, far more than that held by the three other candidates in the race. Still, the cash advantage, Rice political science professor Mark Jones said, won’t ensure an outright win for the Conroe Republican.
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By Mark Yost
If Houston businesses are concerned about the potential unintended consequences of Mayor Annise Parker’s Equal Rights ordinance, they should look to the Americans with Disabilities Act, said Stephen J. Roppolo, a regional managing partner and employment law attorney at Fisher and Phillips.
Portions of Texas 3 and NASA Parkway will be closed on two separate nights next week as Space Center Houston moves its historic Boeing 747 shuttle carrier aircraft to the nonprofit center.
“Our primary concern during the move is for the safety of our community and the workers involved. We also are working diligently to minimize impact on our neighbors,” said Richard Allen Jr., president and CEO of Space Center Houston. “The relocation of the 747 will be a grand sight, but we want to make sure everyone affected is fully prepared for the road closures.”
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By Erin Mulvaney
Passengers with flights at Hobby Airport should plan to arrive a half-hour earlier than normal because of lane closures, officials said Monday as construction began on the roadways necessary for the airport’s new international terminal and parking garage.
The roadwork will require alternating lane closures of the roads surrounding the airport, particularly those northwest of the terminal building and those leading directly into the covered parking garage and passenger pickup zone.
By Erin Mulvaney
Lawyers aren’t the only ones peppering the judge in the Ashby high-rise case with last-minute paperwork.
A former city councilman, a pro-developer interest group and residents who live near the planned tower have all submitted pleas in hope of influencing his decision. One arrived in an email addressing the judge in the case by his first name and closing with, “Sent from my iPad.”
Photo Courtesy of Houston Chronicle
By Katherine Feser
Chicago-based First Industrial Realty Trust has started construction of a 350,820-square-foot distribution center in northwest Houston before landing a tenant.
First Northwest Commerce Center is being built on a 24-acre site at 4800 W. Greens Road near Beltway 8. The building is being marketed to a single tenant or multiple tenants needing 40,000 or more.
By Karen Daniels
The possible rezoning of the Texas Instruments property was placed on the April 16 City Council agenda by Stafford’s City Attorney, Art Pertile. There have been recent conversations with the “potential buyers” about the future of the redevelopment site, and according to Pertile, rezoning will help determine “how they utilize the property (so it) is in the best interest of the city.” He is concerned that of the 192 acres, if T.I. were to only sell the property for development along the front (US 59) and back (Murphy Rd.) portions, and not the middle, this “would not be beneficial to Stafford.” Mayor Scarcella said, “The middle part of the property, or the so-called ‘campus’ is where the chips are made and where the 6 acres of contaminated water is located.” Texas Instruments has said in the past that they are “committed to its clean-up efforts” and there has been “no indication that the sub-surface ground water contamination poses any health risks or concerns to the T.I. employees or the public.”
Photo Courtesy of Houston Chronicle
By Nancy Sarnoff
This new office building under construction in The Woodlands will house construction and engineering firm Kiewit Energy Group, which has leased 70,561 square feet, according to The Woodlands Development Co.
The four-story building at 3831 Technology Forest Drive will have 95,000-square feet. Completion is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.
Photo Courtesy of HBJ
By Mark Yost
Most Houston businesses shouldn’t have trouble complying with Mayor Annise Parker’s proposed Equal Rights Ordinance.
That’s the view of a handful of employment law attorneys who spoke to Houston Business Journal about the proposed ordinance, which is slated to be introduced to the City Council’s Quality of Life Committee on April 30 and come before the full council on May 7. Under terms of the ordinance, state and federal protections against discrimination based on sex, religion and gender would be extended to sexual orientation and gender identity.
By Alex Bentley
When it comes to the most exciting cities in Texas, the big three — Houston, Dallas and Austin — would likely top most people’s lists. But not popular real estate website Movoto, which just put Dallas in fifth place on its new most exciting cities list.
Big D embarrassingly ranks behind not only Houston and Austin but also Galveston, which came in first, and Conroe, which tied for No. 3. Yes, three different Houston area cities beat out Dallas in the rankings.
The month of May brings an active political climate with both local and state level elections. HAR REALTOR® volunteers have been hard at work the past few months interviewing candidates for these elections, and below are REALTOR® recommendations for the Saturday, May 10 Elections.
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To vote in Texas, you must be registered. Simply pick up a voter registration application, fill it out, and mail it at least 30 days before the election date. Get your application here. You are eligible to register to vote if:
Late last week, NAR launched its first ever Twitter Call for Action. We are urging REALTORS® in your state who have a Twitter account to send tweets to your Senator(s) urging them to pass Patent Litigation Reform legislation this Congress. We especially need your help since you have a Senator who sits on the Judiciary Committee.
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