on May 13, 2015

Growth in the Southwest Provides Opportunities to Rethink Development in Texas

 

As America charts its recovery from the Great Recession, certain regions throughout the country are experiencing astounding waves of growth. In Texas, home to seven of the 15 fastest growing cities in America, this positive trend is increasingly evident as cities and towns prepare to accommodate the influx of new residents and jobs with infrastructure improvements; increased housing and commercial real estate options; and attractive public amenities that add community and cultural benefits.

 

This week, HR&A staff will travel across Texas to contribute to an important dialogue on the state’s future; drawing on our experience within the region and expertise in real estate development and economic development advisory.

• On Thursday, May 14th, Chairman John Alschuler and Director Elissa Hoagland Izmailyan will speak at the Dallas Confab Conference hosted by the Dallas Parks Foundation and North Central Texas Council of Governments. As Keynote, Elissa will discuss the economic value of the Dallas Park System, and John Alschuler will discuss the High Line’s transformation as a template for City Building with lessons for Dallas.
• On Friday, May 15th, HR&A Principal Kaye Matheny will participate on panel at the San Antonio Housing Policy Conference. She will discuss the city’s emphasis on public realm investments and policies to spur residential growth in Downtown San Antonio.
• On May 13th and 14th HR&A Partners Eric Rothman and Cary Hirschstein will be attending the ULI Spring Conference in Houston, where they will each participate on respective Product Councils including the Public-Private-Partnership Council and the Redevelopment & Reuse Council Council.

This surge of activity presents a number of opportunities to reimagine active, engaging places for people that embed real economic benefits for communities in Texas. HR&A has worked with cities, municipalities, and organizations throughout the state to help create vibrant spaces that produce sustainable economic activity including but not limited to:

• In San Antonio, HR&A created the Strategic Framework Plan to revitalize Center City and served as a financial and implementation advisor for the redevelopment of HemisFair Park. Additionally, HR&A is currently crafting strategies to support economic development in San Antonio’s East Side Promise Zone.
• In Houston, HR&A is advising on the Menil Collection’s plan to execute a comprehensive neighborhood restoration and revitalization plan to “provide a neighborhood of art” in Central Houston.
• HR&A has also worked in Austin, where the staff contributed to the creation and implementation of the Downtown Austin Plan, which includes a plan for affordable housing development and the transformation of Downtown’s parks.
• In the Dallas-Fort Worth Region, HR&A supported the City of Grapevine’s development of a land use vision for an entertainment and hospitality anchored mixed-use district, and is currently conducting an analysis of the economic value of the City’s park system.

HR&A is delighted to have the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects throughout the state, and we look forward to continuing to support clients throughout Texas and the southwest.