1. Art and Diseño

Sugar Land | Missouri City Edition • January 2015
THE JANUARY ISSUE
11
Melenie Yuen
Melenie Yuen
SPECIAL SECTION
Each month, student volunteers help catalog and gather
historic bricks once part of the Imperial Sugar Company.
The 11th annual Texas Dragon Boat Regatta at Brooks
Lake was held Oct. 18–19 and featured more than 50
teams from California, Louisiana and Texas.
Community Impact Newspaper
Community Impact Newspaper
Community Impact Newspaper
Texas Department of Criminal Justice Officer Juan Ramos worked at the Central Unit Prison in Sugar Land for 20 years.
The city of Sugar Land is in negotiations to buy the former prison site for the purposes of redeveloping it.
Missouri City’s Freedom Tree is more than 200 years
old. The historic Live Oak is the focus of Freedom Tree
Park, which was developed to feature open space.
Union Pacific began construction in August on the
double-track expansion of its Glidden Subdivision line,
which runs from Houston to San Antonio.
Houston’s first baptist church
invites you to connect with our
Sienna CAMPUS
SUNDAYS
Life Bible Studies @ 9:30a & 11a
Worship Service @ 9:30a & 11a
4309 Sienna Parkway
Missouri City, TX 77459
Gregg Matte, Pastor
Jeff Rees, Campus Pastor
HoustonsFirstSienna
@HFBCSienna
HoustonsFirst.org/Sienna
12
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
THE JANUARY ISSUE
Sugar Land nearing completion on
first phase of LPR camera program
The Sugar Land Police Department
is wrapping up the testing phase of a
new license plate recognition camera system, which will be installed
throughout the city in an effort to
deter criminal activity.
Eric Robins, assistant police chief for
Sugar Land, said the cameras are being
tested at the Dairy Ashford Road and
West Airport Boulevard intersection.
The testing phase is expected to be
complete in early 2015 with the installation of the cameras as part of a pilot
program following shortly after.
The cameras are designed to capture
and process license plate information
and will provide a forensic tool to help
locate suspects after crimes occur.
“If anyone comes within those areas,
their license plate will be read,” Robins
said. “If a crime occurs, if there’s
an Amber Alert, or if it is a vehicle
attached to a felony crime, that information will be in our computer database and will alert us that the vehicle
has gone through our perimeter.”
The LPR camera program is split into
two phases, Robins said. The first phase
is anticipated to be finished in June
2015 and includes the installation of
cameras throughout District 1—areas
of the city north of Hwy. 90. The program costs approximately $1 million
and will be paid for through the police
department’s $19.2 million budget.
Although the total number of cameras will vary, 33 locations have been
identified for installation, said Doug
Adolph, assistant communications
director for Sugar Land.
Federal Signal Corp., an Illinoisbased development company that
specializes in signaling equipment,
will determine where the cameras are
installed. Federal Signal is testing the
infrastructure of the camera system
and how data is transferred back to
the police department, Robins said.
“Once we are comfortable that the
system is going to work as they are
promising us that it will, then they
will move forward,” he said.
Once the first phase is complete,
Robins said the effectiveness of the
cameras would then be measured. The
collected information will be presented
to City Council for approval to move
forward with Phase 2—installation of
cameras throughout the rest of the city.
How LPR cameras work
No
Database
Camera
Source: Sugar Land Police Department
The cameras record
license plates as
motorists enter and
exit city limits.
Yes
Vehicles tied to
potential crimes alerted
to Sugar Land Police
Department.
!
ALERT!
Review
Actions
Police search the footage
and talk to eyewitnesses
for vehicle information.
Footage is reviewed
and can be kept up
to 30 days.
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Approximately 500 home lots are expected to be ready for development during Phase I.
Sienna Plantation
Ridge Point
High School
LOTS AVAILABLE
Source: Johnson Development Corp.
By Connor Hyde
Sienna South
Spring
Phase I
Sienna Point
2015
Phase IB
521
Miller Rd.
Sienna South developer says first
home lots to be available in spring
By Connor Hyde
The new 3,700-acre extension of
Sienna Plantation in Missouri City—
Sienna South—remains on track to
have its first cluster of homes ready to
sell in spring 2015.
Alvin San Miguel, vice president and
general manager at Johnson Development Corp., said the final months of
2014 were dedicated to site development and infrastructure construction.
He said builders would have access to
the lots by the end of January.
Toll Brothers acquired the 3,700acre tract from Hillwood Communities in 2013, and hired Johnson
Development to develop Sienna
South. Toll Brothers is among the
many builders with contracted lots in
Sienna South. Others include Darling
Homes, Westin Homes, Highland
Homes and Ryland Homes.
“A lot of those builders are builders
we already have in Sienna Plantation, and some of them will be new
builders,” San Miguel said. “We have
about 500 lots that are going to hit the
ground by the end of the first quarter.”
Sienna South is expected to be
complete within the next 10 to 12
years, and will have approximately
6,500 homes, he said.
The Sienna South expansion
includes 140 acres of commercial property that is being marketed for sale.
Only 40 to 45 acres have direct access
to the neighborhood while the remaining acreage is located off FM 521.
“We still have a lot of commercial
retail [property] near Sienna Parkway,”
San Miguel said. “Some things could
happen here in the next few years, but
as of right now, [the retail acreage] has
just been on the market this year.”
As Fort Bend ISD nears finalizing
the district’s new feeder patterns
and attendance boundaries, Johnson
Development has continued to monitor projected growth trends in Sienna
South to present to the district.
“We’ve met with representatives
of Fort Bend ISD and showed them
the long-range plans and the more
immediate phasing plans of the
number of lots that are going to the
ground,” San Miguel said.
Sugar Land | Missouri City Edition • January 2015
THE JANUARY ISSUE
13
Compiled by Connor Hyde
State of the City
Jan. 23 • 7:30–9:30 a.m. • $25 (individual),
$450 (corporate table for eight), $600
(corporate table for 10)
The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce
hosts the annual state of the city
presentation featuring Sugar Land Mayor
James A. Thompson and City Manager
Allen Bogard to discuss the future plans of
the city and recap recent accomplishments.
Reservations are available and can be
accessed at the chamber’s website.
Sugar Land Marriott Town Square
16090 City Walk
Sugar Land • 281-491-0800
www.fortbendchamber.com
Sugar Land Home and Garden Show
Jan. 24–25 • 9 a.m.–7 p.m. (Jan. 24), 10
a.m.–6 p.m. (Jan. 25) • $9 (adults), $8
(seniors), free (children 12 and under)
The fifth annual event features more
than 200 vendors showcasing interior
and exterior products and decor. Guest
speakers include KTRH News Radio 740
GardenLive host Randy Lemmon.
Stafford Centre
10505 Cash Road
Stafford • 713-962-5070
www.sugarlandhomeandgarden.com
Reading Between the Wines
Feb. 6 • 6:30–11 p.m. • $100 (tickets),
$500 (minimum sponsorship fees)
The Literacy Council of Fort Bend
County presents its third annual Reading
between the Wines event featuring
New York Times best-selling and local
authors Linda Castillo, Julie Kibler,
Lynda Rutledge, Janice Scheve and Dr.
Rebecca Duerlein. Safari Texas Ranch
provides wine and food.
Safari Texas Ranch
11627 FM 1464
Richmond • 281-240-8181
www.ftbendliteracy.org
Sugar Land Chautauqua Series
Feb. 17 • 6:30 p.m. • Free
Sugar Land’s history is in the spotlight
as the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation
joins hands with the Sugar Land Cultural
Arts Foundation to present a series
highlighting the city’s history. Jane
Goodsill, commissioner of the Fort Bend
Historical Commission, is the guest
speaker of the night.
Sugar Land Auditorium
226 Lakeview Drive
Sugar Land • 281-494-0261
www.slheritage.org
Cultural Kite Festival
March 7 • 10 a.m.–3 p.m. • Free
The city of Sugar Land hosts its sixth
annual kite festival featuring various
Sugar Land Memorial Park
15300 University Blvd.
Sugar Land • 281-275-2825
www.sugarlandtx.gov
EGGstravaganza
March 28 • noon–3 p.m. • Free
The city of Sugar Land hosts its 31st
annual Easter egg hunt and festival. The
family-friendly event features arts and
crafts, water activities, pictures with the
Easter Bunny and carnival-style games.
Eldridge Park
2511 Eldridge Road
Sugar Land • 281-275-2885
www.sugarlandtx.gov
Courtesy city of Sugar Land
From festivals to fun runs, the
area hosts a variety of events
throughout the year.
activities, including kite making, kite flying
lessons and a slate of performances.
Characters such as Benjamin Franklin will
be portrayed and cirque-style actors are
scheduled to entertain.
The city of Sugar Land hosts its Star Spangled Spectacular event every year on July 4.
Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair
April 8–12 • $5 (shuttle), $50 (bistro
brunch), $65 (Sip and Stroll), $150 (grand
tasting), $225 (VIP admission to all events)
More than 10,000 food and wine lovers
attend the annual event hosted by the
Sugar Land Chamber of Commerce and
the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel
and Restaurant Management. Chefs
showcase their best culinary dishes while
participants are invited to taste a wide
selection of wines and spirits. Locations,
times and costs vary.
281-491-0800
www.sugarlandwineandfoodaffair.com
Spring Garden Tour
May 2 • 9 a.m.–3 p.m. • $15
The Sugar Land Garden Club presents its
16th annual tour. The event showcases
distinctive lawns and gardens picked from
certain areas in New Territory.
Venetian Estates
Sugar Land • 281-242-1773
www.sugarlandgardenclub.org
Memorial Day ceremony
May 25 • 10 a.m.–1 p.m. • Free
The seventh annual city event kicks
off with patriotic music followed by the
presentation of colors and recognition of
distinguished members of the community.
A variety of educational activities are
available during the event.
Sugar Land Memorial Park
15300 University Blvd.
Sugar Land • 281-275-2885
www.sugarlandtx.gov
Retro baseball game
June 12 • Prices vary
In conjunction with the Sugar Land
Heritage Foundation, the Sugar Land
Skeeters travel back in time for an old
time baseball match against the York
Revolution. An auction follows the game for
fans to bid on jerseys worn by the players
and to take a picture with the team.
Constellation Field
One Stadium Drive
Sugar Land • 281-494-0261
www.slheritage.org
Juneteenth Celebration
June 15–20
The Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration
Foundation presents its 11th annual event
to honor Juneteenth 2015. The celebration
features events, such as a golf tournament
and a movie in the park. The event wraps
up with a battle of the bands following the
One Mile Smiles parade. Locations, time
and prices vary with each event.
281-816-6441
www.mcjcf.com
Star Spangled Spectacular
July 4 • 7–10 p.m. • Free
Presented by the city of Sugar Land in
conjunction with the Sugar Land Skeeters
at Constellation Field, the Star Spangled
Spectacular features games, activities,
entertainment and a fireworks show to
wrap up the celebration.
Constellation Field
One Stadium Drive
Sugar Land • 281-275-2885
www.sugarlandtx.gov
National Night Out
Oct. 6 • 6–9 p.m. • Free
More than 16,000 communities in the
United States, including Sugar Land and
Missouri City, register to be a part of
National Night Out. Those who register
participate in a meet and greet with city
officials, including city council members
and first responders.
281-275-2580 (Sugar Land)
281-403-8705 (Missouri City)
www.natw.org
Halloween Town
Oct. 25 • 4–8 p.m. • Free
The city of Sugar Land hosts more than
13,000 guests for its annual Halloween
celebration. Each year participants show
off costumes in the costume contest and
winners go home with different prizes.
The event also features family activities
and candy cannons.
Sugar Land Town Square
2700 Town Center Blvd.
Sugar Land • 281-275-2885
www.sugarlandtx.gov
A Country Affair
Nov. 14 • 10 a.m.–4 p.m. • Free
First United Methodist Church in
Missouri City hosts its 21st annual
fall festival. The family-friendly event
showcases carnival activities with indoor
and outdoor games. Participants can
take part in a silent auction and craft
vendors are on-site as well. All proceeds
from the event benefit the church and its
outreach ministries.
First United Methodist Church
3900 Lexington Blvd.
Missouri City • 281-499-3502
www.fumcmc.org
Tree Lighting
Dec. 3 • 5–8 p.m. • Free
The city of Sugar Land hosts its 13th
annual tree lighting ceremony to kick off the
holiday season. The event includes various
family-friendly activities ranging from
musical performances to crafts and games.
Sugar Land Town Square
2700 Town Center Blvd.
Sugar Land • 281-275-2885
www.sugarlandtownsquare.com
Snowfest Festival
Dec. 4 • 5:30–9 p.m. • Free
The city of Missouri City hosts its 32nd
annual festival to usher in the holiday
season. The event features a Christmas
tree lighting ceremony by city officials.
Other festivities include a snow hill,
bounce house and rock wall.
Civic Center Complex
1522 Texas Parkway
Missouri City • 281-403-8637
www.missouricitytx.gov
Candle lighting ceremony
Dec. 13 • 6:30–8:30 p.m. • Free
The Sugar Land chapter of
Compassionate Friends hosts an annual
Worldwide Candle Lighting ceremony
in honor of children who have died. The
international event includes a candle
lighting at 7 p.m. and also features music
and the reading of various poems.
First Presbyterian Church
502 Eldridge Road
Sugar Land • 281-240-3195
www.sugarlandtcf.org
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
THE JANUARY ISSUE
Last year these businesses
opened, were coming soon or
relocated. Here are updates on
how they are doing now.
Society Cycle Works
d’Marcos Pizzeria
West Air
po
rt Blvd.
11102 Hwy. 6, Ste. 106
Sugar Land • 281-575-6100
www.dmarcospizzeria.com
Hours: Tue. 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Wed.–Sat.
11 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. noon–7 p.m.
ve
.
6
McKaskle Rd.
University Blvd.
Old Richmon
d Rd.
Owner Demarco Jenkins has received
praise from the community for his deepdish pizza.
Connor Hyde
Chicago native Demarco Jenkins
opened d’Marcos Pizzeria in mid-June in
Sugar Land and said he has seen his first
business grow tremendously each week.
“I think for a starting, growing business we do well,” Jenkins said. “No two
days are the same.”
D’Marcos Pizzeria opened with a
small menu that only offered thin-crust
pizza options. Jenkins said with every
six- to eight-week period he added
other items to the menu. The menu now
offers salads, pastas, sandwiches, desserts, beer and wine. Jenkins recently
added delivery service as well.
Jenkins said the pizzeria thrives off
word of mouth and the success of its
deep-dish pizza.
“People really give good reviews for
the deep-dish,” he said.
As word of mouth continues to spread
about d’Marcos Pizzeria, Jenkins said he
is considering future expansion.
“I really don’t have a timeline, but
once the opportunity presents itself,
then we’ll probably take advantage of
it,” he said.
Connor Hyde
By Connor Hyde
plan to work alongside Sugar Land
regional triathlon and MS 150 athletes by providing bike maintenance
service at the events during the spring
and summer. Wise said he wants to
help corporate MS 150 teams prepare
for the 180–mile journey during the
BP MS 150 from Houston to Austin
April 18 through 19.
Society Cycle Works opened in
the middle of biking season, which
From left: Service Manager Johnny Woehst
allowed the shop to begin on an
assists owners Jason Wise and Jennie
upward climb, Wise said. However,
Leverett manage operations at the store.
the holiday shopping season has
shown a slight decrease in business.
By Connor Hyde
Wise said he attributes the decline in
After four months in business,
part to being a new business.
Society Cycle Works owners Jennie
“Not a lot of people have recognized
Leverett and Jason Wise said they are
we are here,” Wise said.
looking for ways to reach out to the
Society Cycle Works hosts commuSugar Land community in 2015.
Wise and Leverett opened the full- nal 25-mile and 53-mile rides every
Saturday and has plans to schedule
service bike shop—which includes
rides every Tuesday, Wednesday and
retail and maintenance services—
Thursday in the future.
Aug. 30 in Sugar Land and are
exploring different avenues to build
upon their success.
Branford Pl.
To continue building name recognition, Society Cycle Works is offering a
A
tt
number of programs in 2015 to educo
s
t
Wes
cate residents on the health benefits
of cycling. Leverett said she wants her
business to be a resource for residents
13425 University Blvd., Ste. 100
Sugar Land • 281-201-2091
as the business hosts outdoor events
www.societycycleworks.com
and community bike rides.
Hours: Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–7 p.m.,
Wise and Leverett said they also
Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
14
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14019 SOUTHWEST FREEWAY STE 101 SUGAR LAND, TX 77478
Sugar Land | Missouri City Edition • January 2015
THE JANUARY ISSUE
Ula’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina
By David Pollan
The Glazery Art
and Fun
Owner Ulises Gonzalez opened his first
restaurant Sept. 2 in Missouri City.
Sienna
tu s
Chris
9009 Sienna Christus Drive
Missouri City • 281-778-9345
www.texmexicanfood.com
Hours: Sun.–Thu. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.,
Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Owner Marc Linsey reopened The Glazery
Art and Fun after being shut down for
nearly a year. The shop features more than
500 ceramic shapes to paint.
Dulles Ave.
Cartwright Rd.
6
Murphy Rd.
Dr
.
6
The Glazery Art and Fun reopened
Nov. 15—nearly a year after it
closed—and owner Marc Linsey said
he has a new motivation to keep his
Missouri City business running.
“Honestly, it’s about the kids,” Linsey said. “[The Glazery Art and Fun]
has helped make so many memories
and so many people happy. It sounds
strange, but it’s supposed to be here.”
The Glazery Art and Fun features
more than 500 different ceramics
for customers to paint. Linsey
maintains three kilns and is one of
a few ceramic studios with Disneycertified products.
Linsey said he has a new business
mantra since reopening. To continue
growing a customer base, he said he
wants to expand his involvement with
the community through different
sponsorships and charity events.
“In the last 10 years [The Glazery
Art and Fun] has exceeded anything
I could have even ever imagined
doing in reaching out to people,” he
said. “My goal is to get all of my old
friends to come in and paint. My
customers are my friends, and I want
to make new ones.”
Connor Hyde
Courtesy Ula’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina
By Connor Hyde
.
Sienna Pkwy
After 20 years working for others in the restaurant business, Ulises
Gonzalez said he decided to follow his
dreams and open his own restaurant.
“Working in the restaurant business
for so many years, I decided it was
time to follow my dream and do my
own thing,” Gonzalez said. “I had to
do it. I either follow my dreams or I let
them haunt me for the rest of my life,
and I did not want to be haunted.”
Gonzalez’s dream came to fruition
Sept. 2 when he opened Ula’s Mexican
Restaurant and Cantina in Missouri
City. Gonzalez said he spent months
creating the menu through trial and
error and experimentation. Gonzalez
said he put his own signature twist on
all dishes on the menu, which boasts
traditional Tex-Mex and Mexican
fare. The restaurant also offers catering, delivery and to-go services.
Since opening Gonzalez said business has been great and the restaurant
continues to gain customers every day.
“I cannot believe the big welcoming
and the way the whole entire community has accepted us,” he said. “We
have a lot of regular people that come
and know us, and there are a lot of
people who come and we know who
they are. It’s been great.”
15
5211 Hwy. 6
Missouri City • 281-452-9379
www.theglazery.com
Hours: Tue.–Thu. noon–7 p.m., Fri.–Sat.
10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. noon–6 p.m.
16
THE JANUARY ISSUE
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
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11/26/14 4:43 PM
Sugar Land | Missouri City Edition • January 2015
THE JANUARY ISSUE
17
Compiled by David Pollan
SUGAR LAND CITY COUNCIL
Courtesy city of Sugar Land
Sugar Land City Hall
2700 Town Center Blvd.
Sugar Land • 281-275-2730
www.sugarlandtx.gov
Mayor and council serve
two-year terms and cannot
be elected more than four
times in nine years. Council
members receive $712
per month and the mayor
receives $1,424 per month.
Meetings are televised live
on SLTV16 on Comcast
Cable Channel 16 for
subscribers within the
corporate city limits of
Sugar Land. Meetings can
also be viewed online on
the city’s website.
Top issues for 2015
• Economic development
City Council approved the future
construction of a new business park,
expanded its current business park
locations, began discussions regarding
the relocation of HCC–Missouri City and
started the process to create an economic development incentive program.
• Partnership expansion
City Council plans to expand its existing
private and public partnerships through
programs, such as its leadership luncheon series and its Citizen’s University.
• Bond passage
Voters approved a $40 million bond referendum on May 10, which will be used
for drainage projects, public facilities,
transportation projects and the construction of a new fire station.
• Small business assistance
The council established a small-business
policy designed to assist Missouri City
businesses and business owners who
wish to collaborate with the city. The city
also lowered its property tax rate to 56
cents per $100 of valuation.
• Improvements to public safety
The council created a new five-member
motorcycle unit for the Missouri City
Police Department and hired an additional firefighter for the fire department.
• Corridor revitalization
The council expects to implement policies and ordinances designed to revitalize areas of the city, such as the Texas
Parkway business corridor and other
major corridors, through the addition
of retail, commercial and industrial
developments.
• Economic development
The city will continue to promote and
implement additional economic development strategies that are expected to
continue and manage the growth of the
city as it nears build-out.
• Marketing Missouri City
The council will explore options to further expand the branding, marketing and
promotion of Missouri City amenities,
such as Quail Valley Golf Course, City
Centre at Quail Valley and the Recreation
and Tennis Center.
• Future business park
The city is conducting a feasibility
study on the former Central Unit Prison
property to determine if it will be a good
site for a future business park. The city
expects to acquire the land from the
state in 2015.
• Water planning
The council updated the city’s water master plan and approved a water supply contract as well as a water reuse agreement
with Municipal Utility District No. 128.
TV coverage
Big decisions made in 2014
• Performance arts venue
City Council completed the design
process, implemented a funding strategy
and awarded the construction contracts
for an $84 million performance arts
venue to be built in the city.
• Addition of new primary jobs
The council was actively involved in the
incentive and development approval for
the relocation of Texas Instruments, the
expansion and new headquarters for
Nalco Champion and the opening of
Applied Optoelectronics in Sugar Land.
• Crime prevention program
The first phase of the city’s license plate
recognition camera program is expected
to be implemented in 2015. LPR cameras
will be installed in areas of the city north
of Hwy. 90 and a pilot program will be
initiated to determine the effectiveness
of the cameras in the city’s effort to deter
criminal activity.
• Future land use plan
City Council expects to finalize its future
land use plan, which is designed to guide
the future commercial, retail and housing
development decisions made by the city.
• Pedestrian and bike master plan
The city anticipates it will begin the integration of pedestrian and bicycle amenities into a number of road reconstruction
projects planned for 2015.
MISSOURI CITY CITY COUNCIL
Courtesy city of Missouri City
The council meets at
5:30 p.m. the first, third
and fourth Tuesday of
the month.
Terms and
compensation
Top issues for 2015
• EMS transport service
The council took the steps necessary
to create an emergency medical service
for the city, which began service Jan. 1
through the fire department. The council
approved the hiring and training of paramedics, the acquisition of ambulances
and a new dispatch system.
The 2013–14 Sugar Land City Council was made up of (from left, back row) Himesh
Gandhi, Amy Mitchell, Joe Zimmerman, Harish Jajoo, Steve Porter, (from left, seated)
Mayor James Thompson and Bridget Yeung.
Meetings
Big decisions made in 2014
The 2013–14 Missouri City City Council was made up of (from left, back row) Don
Smith, Yolanda Ford, Jerry Wyatt, Chris Preston, (from left, front row) Floyd Emery,
Mayor Allen Owen and Mayor Pro Tem Robin Elackatt.
Meetings
The council meets at 7 p.m.
the first and third Monday
of the month.
Missouri City City Hall
1522 Texas Parkway
Missouri City • 281-403-8500
www.missouricitytx.gov
Terms and
compensation
The mayor and council
serve two-year terms with
no term limits. The mayor
is compensated $1,000
per month and the mayor
pro tem receives $750 per
month. Council members
are paid $500 per month.
TV coverage
Meetings are replayed
on Missouri City TV on
Comcast Cable Channel 16
and AT&T U-Verse Channel
99. Meetings can also be
viewed online within 72
hours of the meeting on the
city’s website.
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
THE JANUARY ISSUE
Gosling Rd.
F-2
Holzwarth Rd.
$1.28
Springwoods
Village Pkwy.
$0.41
$0.42
Mossy Oaks Rd.
$1.13
Kuykendahl Rd.
249
$0.41
Northcrest Dr.
Hildebrandt Rd.
Kuykendahl Rd.
FM 2920
Max Conrad (future)
Gleannloch Forest Dr.
Champions Forest Dr.
$1.04
$0.90
99
Schiel Rd.
Boudreaux Rd.
Old Boudreaux Rd.
$0.41
Shaw Rd. (future)
Telge Rd.
Cypress
Rosehill Rd.
F-1
Mueschke Rd.
$0.41
Cumberland Ridge Dr.
$0.41
290
Cypresswood Dr. (future)
GRAND PARKWAY
By Brian Walzel
By the end of 2015, Houston area
drivers will be able to travel the Grand
Parkway from Hwy. 59 south of
Houston, north and east to the same
highway near Kingwood, a distance of
more than 70 miles.
With the expected opening of Segments
F-1, F-2 and G by the end of the year,
more than half of Houston’s 185-mile
third outer loop will be complete. The
three northernmost segments currently
under construction will connect
Hwy. 290 in Cypress with Hwy. 59 in
Kingwood, a 37-mile stretch.
David Gornet, president of the Grand
Parkway Association, said the Texas
Department of Transportation has
approved a design-build function
for Segments H and I-1, similar to
that of Segments F-1–G in which
Zachry Odebrecht Parkway Builders
was approved two years ago as the
contractor. He said a contractor
for Segments H and I-1 could be
determined in 2015.
The $320 million, 15.2-mile Segment E
opened in 2014, allowing drivers to travel
from I-10 in Katy to Hwy. 290 in Cypress.
Like all segments of the Grand Parkway,
Segment E will experience a 2 percent
increase in tolls in 2015, Gornet said.
Segments F-1, F-2 and G
Gornet said major interchange
construction at Hwy. 290, Hwy. 249
and I-45 is mostly complete, and
should not require additional major
closures at any of the highways. As
part of the agreement with Zachry
HARDY TOLL ROAD
Odebrecht, some access lanes along
sections of the Grand Parkway located
in Springwoods Village just south of
The Woodlands could open before the
main lanes.
The Harris County Toll Authority has
established toll rates for the highway.
Like those on Segment E, rates for
Segments F-1–G will increase in 2015.
Drivers will pay $2.25 to drive F-1, $2.26
to travel F-2 and $2.60 to drive G.
The 37-mile trip from Hwy. 290 to Hwy.
59 will cost drivers $7.11.
HWY. 36A
By Ariel Carmona Jr.
By Jim Levesque
The Harris County Toll Road Authority continues to work on improving mobility along the
Hardy Toll Road from FM 1960 to the Grand Parkway because of the increased traffic volume
in the area.
The process of planning for what
could one day become Hwy.
36A—a 107-mile corridor from
the Gulf Coast to northwest of
Houston that would connect
Freeport to Hwy. 6 near
Hempstead—is still in the early
stages, but progress has been
made, officials said.
HCTRA plans to provide a partial interchange for the toll road with the Grand Parkway as well
as widen the Hardy Toll Road from FM 1960 to the Grand Parkway, adding a third lane in each
direction, HCTRA spokeswoman Mary Benton said.
Construction was expected to begin on both projects in mid-January with an estimated
completion date by mid 2016, Benton said. Meanwhile, construction on Segments F1, F2 and
G of the Grand Parkway—being constructed by the Texas Department of Transportation—is
expected to be completed by
December.
Both the widening of the Hardy
Toll Road and the interchange
with the Grand Parkway—
expected to cost $95 million—will
be funded through toll fees,
Benton said, as HCTRA does
not receive any tax revenue for
construction projects.
HCTRA is also in the process of
reviewing bids for construction
of new signing, structures and
pavement markings along the toll
road between IH-610 and IH-45.
99
TOLL
Rd.
Hardy
Benton said the agency is adding
extra road capacity to keep up
with the increased demands
exacerbated by the construction
of the nearby ExxonMobil
campus in Spring as well as the
overall influx of new employees
and residents in the region.
od
wo
ess
r
p
Cy
45
1960
HAHORUDSYTON
SAM
Lane expansion
Hardy Toll Road North
Connectors
Hardy Toll Road/Grand Parkway
Future Grand Parkway
Source: Grand Parkway Association
18
8
Source: Harris County Toll Road Authority
The Highway 36A Coalition—a
group of businesses, individuals,
cities and counties working
with the Texas Department of
Transportation, the HoustonGalveston Area Council, the
Gulf Coast Rail District and
other regional authorities—is
spearheading the push for the
route. The coalition said the
roadway is needed, in part,
because of the expected rise in
traffic at the Port of Freeport as
improvements are made there
to accommodate the increase
of imports and exports after the
$5.3 billion expansion of the
Panama Canal is completed in
early 2016.
Fort Bend County Precinct 3
Commissioner Andy Meyers,
who became chairman of the
Highway 36A Coalition on Jan.
1, said adding a rail line from
Freeport to Rosenberg would
be a key part of the project. A
concept study completed in 2014
shows the highway coupled with
the railway makes the project
much more feasible than it has
ever been.
Meyers said he hopes this year
TxDOT and other entities will
help secure the first $2 million
6
290
99
TOLL
6
10
6
59
35
HIGHWAY
36a
35
Map not to scale
for an about $10 million study to
determine the exact route of
Hwy. 36A.
The highway also would be used
as another hurricane evacuation
route for Houston and coastal
communities, Meyers said.
Source: Hwy. 36A Coalition
Sugar Land | Missouri City Edition • January 2015
99
Main lane
toll plazas
59
$0.94
$1.64
Valley Ranch
Pkwy.
Future Rd.
FM 1314
Rayford Rd.
G
H
F2
F1
Exit/
entrance
ramp toll
plazas
45
249
290
E
610
10
10
The Grand Parkway Association has helped move construction of the Grand Parkway
forward since the 1980s by working with county officials, developers, community
members and Texas Department of Transportation. For more information, updates or
detailed maps of the Grand Parkway, visit the GPA’s website at www.grandpkwy.com.
Map not to scale
I2
D
146
59
45
288
HWY. 290
es
G
.
id
290
E
y.
.
Rd
529
inbound main lanes and is 30 percent
complete.
C-1 Mason to Mueschke roads
The contractor has begun work on
frontage roads, but a utility conflict is
hindering efforts to move forward. The
project is about 18 percent complete.
D Mueschke to Telge roads
Work is ongoing on frontage roads and
E Telge Road to N. Eldridge
Parkway
Work is ongoing on westbound frontage
roads. Traffic is expected to be shifted
to new frontage road pavement between
North Eldridge Parkway and Hwy. 6,
but the timeframe for the shift is unclear
dw
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34
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By Shawn Arrajj
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B
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Hollister St.
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1960
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HOUSTON
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8
due to right-of-way issues. A Hwy. 6
overpass is planned to be constructed
over Hwy. 290 by 2017.
F North Eldridge Parkway to
FM 529
Construction is ongoing on westbound
main lanes. Traffic has been shifted,
creating narrow lanes and reduced
shoulders for commuters in the area.
Map not to scale
290
G FM 529 to West Little York
Road
Work at the Hwy. 290 intersection with
Beltway 8 is at 53 percent completion.
Workers are building lanes on each side
of Hwy. 290 to assist drivers entering
and exiting the highway. New Beltway 8
frontage roads over Hempstead Road
at Hwy. 290 opened in late December.
Completion of Project G is set for 2016.
Source: TxDOT
$0.41
G
Riverwalk Dr.
$0.41
$0.61
Imperial
Promenade Dr.
45
Birnham
Woods Dr.
8
19
THE JANUARY ISSUE
2015 Chairman’s Gala
eyes wide open
a masquerade ball
Presented by:
Contact:
Juliette Bloomer
for information.
sponsorships available.
[email protected]
281.566.2161
Ball Location:
Safari Texas Ranch
11627 FM 1464
Richmond
6:30pm
Complimentary Libations
No Auction Guarantee
Dinner and Dancing
Black Tie Optional
Masks are Encouraged
Live Musical Entertainment by:
January 30, 2015
The Slags
20
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
THE JANUARY ISSUE
EmbroidMe Sugar Land
Owner focuses on growing customer base
Gwen Jones has owned and operated EmbroidMe Sugar Land for more than a decade.
.
d.
y Blv
rs W
a
3527 Hwy. 6, Ste. 140
Sugar Land • 281-242-4700
www.embroidme-sugarland.com
Hours: Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–5 p.m., open
other times by appointment only
Lexington Blvd
Sett
le
ace Blvd.
space and a different environment to
continue to build our base.”
EmbroidMe Sugar Land offers directto-garment embroidery services for
polos, T-shirts, uniforms and some non
clothing items. The business also offers
screen printing and promotional products that range from pens and mugs to
banners. A majority of the embroidery
and printing is done on-site with the
help of three employees, she said.
Looking forward, Jones said she has
a few goals she seeks to accomplish.
“I would like to see us increase sales
by about 30 percent and add one to two
more employees,” she said. “I would also
like to get more involved in community
events through sponsoring local sports
teams and things of that nature.”
Williams Tr
F
or more than a decade Missouri City resident Gwen Jones
has owned and operated an
EmbroidMe franchise location in
Sugar Land.
Originally located at 3300 Hwy. 6,
Sugar Land, Jones said she relocated
in June 2013 to 3527 Hwy. 6, Ste. 140,
Sugar Land, due to an increase in business and production. The new location
provided an additional 600 square feet
and allowed Jones to focus more on the
business-to-business customer base.
“Primarily our business structure is
set up to deal with small-to-medium
size businesses and their needs from
promotional items to apparel,” she said.
“After 10 years in the previous location,
we moved because we needed more
David Pollan
By David Pollan
6
Leonetti Graphics
Business to relocate production to Stafford
By Connor Hyde
Connor Hyde
F
Jennifer Leonetti assumed sole ownership of Leonetti Graphics in July.
Glenn
3635 Glenn Lakes Lane
Missouri City • 281-499-4959
www.leonettigraphics.com
Hours: Mon.–Fri. 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.,
Sat. by appointment only
G E N E R AT O R S
Lak
es L
an e
ke Olymp
La
ia
Pk
wy.
or Missouri City-based Leonetti
Graphics, 2015 marks a new
era of growth as it continues to
expand its 20-year-old custom printing business by moving its production
operations to a new site in Stafford.
Owner Jennifer Leonetti said the first
part of the year will be dedicated to
moving production from the warehouse
along FM 1092 to the new site on Avenue
E in Stafford. The new location will
house four printers—which are currently
in use—as well as a new large printer.
Both production sites will remain in
operation until the printers are relocated to the new Stafford building. Once
the move to the new production site is
complete, Leonetti said she will redirect
her focus to expanding the business
website and utilizing social media.
“I think a lot of people don’t realize
we are still here,” she said. “So I want
people to know we are still going to keep
the company open and we want to keep
doing their shirts.”
Jennifer assumed sole ownership of
Leonetti Graphics in mid-July after her
husband, Donald Leonetti, was shot and
killed. Jennifer said the transition has
been difficult, however, she said Donald
left behind a number of great employees.
“[Leonetti Graphics] kind of runs on its
own,” she said. “There are a lot of people
who are counting on me going forward.”
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Sugar Land | Missouri City Edition • January 2015
THE JANUARY ISSUE
Preview Modern Seafood Cuisine
Old Hickory Inn
By Connor Hyde
By David Pollan
Restaurant strives for new standard in Sugar Land
Restaurant set to undergo kitchen expansion
6
4645 Hwy. 6, Ste. C
Sugar Land • 832-939-8968
www.previewmodernseafood.com
Hours: Tue.–Thu. 5–10 p.m., Fri.–Sat.
5–11 p.m., Sun. 5–10 p.m.
Owners continue to expand, evolve menu
By David Pollan
David Pollan
W
The restaurant offers a full-service bar.
hen Missouri City residents Miles and Leslie
Wade took ownership of
Bravos Mexican Restaurant—a longstanding restaurant in Sugar Land—
they renamed it Casa de Bravos and
revamped the menu.
“When we opened in mid-2012, we
started with a really small menu and
have been adding to it as we felt comfortable we were able to do more,” Miles
.
Hampton Rd
3344 FM 1092
Missouri City • 281-499-8904
www.oldhickoryinn.com
Sun.–Thu. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.,
Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
barbecue location maybe this year
or next,” Karnezis said. “There is
no rush or set plan yet, we are just
looking at this point. We have all
the time in the world, or at least I
like to think we do.”
.
Casa de Bravos
6
said. “We look to do as much as we can
but still do it well. We don’t want such a
large menu that it is overwhelming.”
Since opening, Miles—who also serves
as executive chef—said he is always
looking for ways to improve and evolve
the menu. In summer 2014, he said he
updated and grew the menu from four
pages to six. The updated menu features
more salad and seafood options as well as
other traditional Tex-Mex and Mexican
dishes. He has plans to offer more menu
items in the coming months as well.
sA
ve
Cartwrig
ht Rd.
1092
lle
The sliced beef sandwich at Old Hickory
Inn is a customer favorite. ($6.25)
Du
Dulle
s Av
e.
Owner Jason Liao began his restaurant
career as an apprentice in Austin.
o further accommodate the
growth in volume, co-owner
Ted Karnezis said he will
begin an expansion and remodeling of
the kitchen in January at the Missouri
City location.
“We definitely need more room
to make it easier on the guys in the
kitchen and to increase production,”
Karnezis said. “It is very much needed
as our catering operations have steadily
increased as well as our volume.”
The restaurant leased an open space
next door, which will be used to house
the restaurant’s refrigeration. The
change will free up space to better meet
cooking and production needs, he said.
In addition, Karnezis said he is looking to add another barbecue restaurant
location in the next year or so. There
are a total of three Old Hickory Inn
restaurants in the Greater Houston
area. The original location opened in
Meyerland in 1963, followed by the
Missouri City restaurant in 1988 and a
Mission Bend location in 2001.
“We are looking to open another
David Pollan
T
Connor Hyde
W
hen Jason Liao opened
Preview Modern Seafood
Cuisine on May 10, he said
he wanted to set a new food standard
in Sugar Land.
“We are that one restaurant in
Sugar Land that is critically acclaimed
throughout Houston,” Liao said. “It
is a standard that Sugar Land has not
seen before.”
Liao—who is also the executive
chef—said he expected his first year to
be slow but has built a steady group of
customers during his first eight months.
Nevertheless, Preview Modern Seafood Cuisine has reeled in praise from
across the Houston food scene. Liao
said he wants to attract more repeat
customers as he strives for more visibility in the Sugar Land community.
“Sugar Land is one of those spots
that is growing and expanding, and it
is a good start for my first restaurant,”
Liao said. “People who have come
through here have said Sugar Land
needs a spot like this, and they are
happy we are out here.”
21
6
4514 Hwy. 6
Sugar Land • 281-242-2272
www.casadebravos.com
Hours: Tue.–Thu. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.,
Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.,
Sun.–Mon. 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
“We are always trying to determine
what we can do better,” Miles said.
“Every day we try to be better than we
were the day before. We always think
we can improve.”
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281.342.2900 | PrimroseWatersideEstates.com
1315 Soldiers Field Dr | Sugar Land, TX 77479
281.277.8585 | PrimroseSugarLand.com
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