HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDA 1999-11-17 Minutes
NORTH RICH lAND HillS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
November 17, 1999
MINUTES
Board Members Present:
Alan Young, Owner, Alan Young Buick-GMC Trucks
Paula Grohman, Owner, Sir Speedy Printing
Terry Willey, Manager, North Hills Mall
Randy Moresi, CEO, North Hills Hospital
Jim Makens, Owner, The Makens Company
Bob Driscoll, President, Paragon Furniture
Board Members Absent:
Richard Bates, Ranchview Investments, Inc
Janet Golightly, Owner, Golightly's Gallery
Dick Dansereau, Operations Manager, Kimberly-Clark
Don Waters, President, Summit Northeast Bank
Kathleen Williams, Regional Manager, LaQuinta Inns
Staff/Guests Present:
Steve Norwood, Assistant City Manager, City of NRH
Marty Wieder, Director of Economic Development, City of NRH
Mike Curtis, Assistant Public Works Director, City of NRH
Ashley Stathatos, Marketing and Research Coordinator, City of NRH
Phyl Baloga, Administrative Secretary to Economic Development, City of NRH
The City of North Richland Hills convened the fourth meeting of the Economic
Development Advisory Committee in the Pre-Council Room at 12:00 p.m.
Discussion regarding the creation of the Town Center TIF District was first on the
agenda. The pro-business attitude of City administration and City Council was
obvious in light of the unanimous vote initiating a TIF District. By establishing the
tax increment reinvestment zone, property values are protected. Steve Norwood
referred to the article, "City gets the ball rolling on tax district", where it states that
the State legislation passed a law that makes it difficult for school districts to
participate in the reinvestment zone. However, Tarrant County College is very
supportive regarding the Town Center.
Marty Wieder then referred to the article "Town Center developers aim for cool".
Arcadia hired an urban microclimatologist to help design the Town Center and
create ways to reduce heat through waterways, street design and building
design. The groundbreaking for the Town Center will be held on Tuesday,
November 24 at 4:00 p.m. The final plat has been approved for Phase 2, 3 and
7, which is single family. These homes will be located on both sides of
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Smithfield, east of Davis and will be ready for move in approximately one year
from this date.
With regards to the article, "Burk Collins offers to buy North Hills Mall", Marty
Wieder noted that Burk Collins is partnering with the Kest Trust, a family out of
California. Since negotiations are still in the process he was not able to share
more info. Terry Willey did mention that he was very happy and that the new
owners will share with the mall tenants within a week of the sale what they are
planning. A vacant mall space showing the future plans (fountains, restaurants
and new stores) will also be available for media and public viewing in the near
future.
The article featuring The Crossing states Starbucks, Papagallo clothing shop,
Rockfish seafood restaurant and Red, Hot & Blue barbecue have signed on as
tenants.
Richland Plaza now Richland Business Centre and Richland Pointe Mall now
Richland Pointe Business Center, were once thriving shopping centers. New
owners for both locations have decided to redirect the former mall space into
office or call center space. Approximately half a million square feet will be
available which means a substantial increase in daytime population and in turn
will fuel restaurant and retail sales.
Mike Curtis, Assistant Director of Public Works was next on the agenda to
discuss transportation issues.
o Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the IH 820/SH 121/ SH 26/ FM 1938
I nterchange is complete
o Phase 3 is scheduled for completion in September 2001
o Phase 4 is scheduled for completion in May of 2002
1. These dates show completion before original schedule. Mike Curtis
went on to say that the City of North Richland Hills has no
jurisdiction over the final say so over state projects however the
City does stay involved by attending meetings and offers
suggestions.
2. Additional signage is needed for Phase 4 but TxDOT's hands are
currently tied due to attorney's telling them what they can and can
not do. Mike is in contact with them every week regarding signage
and lane closure but TxDOT assures Mike lane closure is
necessary.
3. The Loop 820 widening project is scheduled to let in 2003/2004.
Next year TxDOT will have a public meeting to officially discuss and
review maps regarding this project.
4. Realistically the Loop 820/Rufe Snow Bridge project will probably
let in 2001 with the bridge being completed before widening of Loop
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820. Approximately one-half of the needed funding is currently
available and any additional amount will be requested from the
State of Texas and the Federal government. Mike said they should
know something in the summer of 2000 and this project will
probably let in 2003/2004.
5. Terry Willey, Alan Young, and Randy Moresi stressed the
importance of signage to Grapevine Highway and Loop 820. Mike
Curtis told them that this signage was part of Phase 3 but he will
investigate for them.
6. Mike passed out a preliminary design schematic map of Rufe Snow
Drive. Project 1 will start at Loop 820 and go up to Buenos Aires.
Project 2 will be from Trinidad to just north of Mid-Cities and Project
3 will continue north from there. The City of North Richland Hills is
working on a partnership with TxDOT and Watauga for part of this
widening project.
7. Because of the obvious congestion in and around our City, adding
two additional lanes on Davis might be feasible since this area is
getting quite a bit more traffic. Randy Moresi suggested light
sequencing. Jim Makens thinks a signal is going to be needed at
Cardinal and Grapevine. Mike believes this will happen when
Blueline gets going strong.
Marty mentioned inviting businesses along Rufe Snow to a Roundtable Meeting
to discuss specifics pertaining to the widening of Rufe Snow.
Ashley Stathatos, our Marketing and Research Coordinator, has been working
diligently along with the City's Purchasing Department in creating a manual on
How to do Business with NRH. The City is trying to encourage local businesses
to bid on City jobs as well as local businesses doing business with other local
businesses. A seminar is scheduled for January 13 at 9:00 a.m.
Another project that Ashley is working on is the Economic Development's
quarterly newsletter. This newsletter would be entirely different from the City's
newsletter in that it would contain more detailed information along with
demographics. Jim Makens had some suggestions (re: traffic figures) for what
demographic information is needed. He stated that he would be glad to review
the Bluebook.
Alan Young wanted to know if there were any plans for a hotel at North Hills Mall.
According to Marty Wieder there is nothing concrete.
Marty Wieder then wrapped up the meeting with brochures on Imagisphere, the
North Hills Hospital and the Blueline Hockey complex.
Without further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1 :00 p.m.
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