‘Northpark Needs You’ From the cover
The impact
The overview
Ray Hernandez, Partnership Lake Houston presi- dent and CEO, cited traffic delays among the biggest concerns business owners have voiced. “One of the most significant issues is the disruption of normal traffic flow,” Hernandez said. “The delays and detours are making it difficult for their clients or customers to access their favorite businesses, especially during peak hours.” While Skero said traffic conditions have improved since construction began in April 2023, the lane closures are still impacting the amount of time his drivers spend transporting products between his store and a nearby distribution center. “We have a distribution center right by us, [and our drivers used to be able to make the drive] in less than two minutes,” Skero said. “[Now,] it takes my employees 20-25 minutes to get to my other center. We do that somewhere around 30 times a day.” Megaton Brewery co-owner Chris Sarvadi said the brewery has seen a roughly 30% drop in business since construction began. “It’s not really sustainable,” Sarvadi said, noting the brewery is in the process of creating online options for its customers to help offset the decline. Grayson Gerloff, general manager of Kenneth’s Car Care, said while he believes the road improve- ments are necessary, the reduction in business has forced the company to reduce its workforce. “We’re seeing a pretty significant drop in busi- ness,” Gerloff said. Still, Gerloff said he believes a lot of the reports of heavy traffic have been overstated. “There’s traffic, but during the day it’s pretty clear,” Gerloff said. Skero expressed similar optimism, noting traffic along Northpark Drive has already improved. “Even from a few months ago, it’s gotten much better,” Skero said. Since construction on the Northpark Drive overpass project begin in April 2023: $750,000 is how much Skero’s Furniture & Mattress was required to borrow to stay operational after losing more than $1 million in sales. $700,000 is how much Kenneth’s Car Care lost as they reported business has dropped by approximately 30% . 30% is roughly how much revenue has dropped for Megaton Brewery.
& Mattress, said construction has made it di cult for customers to access his store. “When construction started, nobody wanted to get on Northpark [Drive],” Skero said. “It’s gotten better, but it’s still rough.” Construction on the roughly $149.6 million two-phase project along Northpark Drive began in April 2023 and is expected to be substantially completed in 2030, said Ralph De Leon, Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 10 administrator. De Leon said the project aims to alleviate congestion, enhance accessibility and increase safety in the Kingwood area. He added that the overpass will provide an additional evacuation route in the case of future ooding.
Businesses along Northpark Drive have been struggling to maintain in-store tra c as a major construction project along the road- way continues. To help raise awareness and drive business toward the area, local chambers of commerce Partnership Lake Houston and the Greater East Montgomery County Chamber banded together to launch the “Northpark Needs You” campaign in late July, which local business owners have said is already having a positive impact. While conceding the roadway improvements and the addition of the overpass are needed, several business owners on Northpark Drive have reported declining revenue in the two years since the project began. Daron Skero, owner of Skero’s Furniture
Project overview
1 Northpark Drive overpass project Project: A new overpass will be constructed over the Union Pacific Corp. railroad tracks and Loop 494 as well as west- and eastbound frontage roads beside the overpass. Northpark Drive will also be widened between Hwy. 59 and the overpass. • Timeline: April 2023-fourth quarter of 2026
2 Northpark Drive reconstruction project
Project: Northpark Drive will be widened from four to six lanes between Woodland Hills Drive and Russell Palmer Road. Both bridges at the Kingwood Diversion Ditch and the crossing at Ben’s Branch will be replaced, and drainage infrastructure will be installed along the roadway. • Timeline: October 2028-2030
Cost: $149.6 million
Funding sources: city of Houston, TIRZ 10/LHRA
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UNION PACIFIC CORP. RAILROAD
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Business owners along Northpark Drive in Kingwood have said traffic as a result of construction is largely dependent upon the time of day motorists travel along the roadway.
COURTESY BOB REHAK/REDUCEFLOODING.COM
SOURCES: SKERO’S FURNITURE & MATTRESS, KENNETH’S CAR CARE, MEGATON BREWERY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCES: LAKE HOUSTON REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, TAX INCREMENT REINVESTMENT ZONE NO. 10 COMMUNITY IMPACT
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