Transportation
Development
BY EMILY LINCKE
BY WESLEY GARDNER
Convention center marks milestone
Ongoing projects
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59
45 1 FM 1485 rehabilitation Project: A roughly 7-mile segment of FM 1485 is being rehabilitated between Old Houston and Kidd Cemetery roads. Alabama-based contractor Vulcan Materials Asphalt and Construction will work to repair the road base, as well as add new asphalt overlay and restripe. Update: Work is 83% complete as of a Nov. 10 report from TxDOT. • Timeline: second quarter 2025-second quarter 2026 • Cost: $8.83 million • Funding sources: 80% federal, 20% state 2 Hwy. 242 drainage Project: Detention ponds are being constructed along Hwy. 242 between Needham Road and Hwy. 59. The contractor is Texas-based R Construction Civil LLC, and the project aims to improve drainage along the corridor. Update: Work is 72% complete as of a Nov. 10 report from TxDOT. • Timeline: August 2024-second quarter 2027 • Cost: $8.2 million
NEEDHAM RD.
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East Montgomery County Improvement District o cials held a “topping out” ceremony on Nov. 20 to celebrate the milestone for the district’s upcom- ing 210,000-square-foot convention center, o cials announced in a Dec. 1 news release. The details A “topping out” ceremony is a tradition in the construction industry that occurs when the nal structural beam is raised into place, completing the building’s frame, per the release. Members of EMCID’s board of directors joined o cials from Texas-based construction company SpawGlass as well as subcontractors, engineers and architects in signing their names on a beam that was placed in the building. “The signi cance of the ‘topping out’ ceremony is that structurally, we’re complete, and now we move on to other things, like completing the roof, nishing the walls, and installing the windows,” EMCID President and CEO Frank McCrady said in
an emailed statement. McCrady noted the project remains on track to open in late 2026. Some context In November 2024, EMCID’s board of directors approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of $159 million in sales tax revenue bonds to cover the cost of the convention center as well as an 813-space attached parking garage, according to previous reporting by Community Impact. Construction on the convention center began in March. The project will be located in Valley Ranch’s Entertainment District. The impact EMCID o cials estimate the convention center will generate nearly $1.73 billion in new spending over 30 years, including $35.1 million in sales, hotel and venue taxes, and 500 direct and indirect full-time equivalent jobs.
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VALLEY RANCH BEND DR.
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MCQUEEN RD.
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242
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E N E C A M P B E L L R D .
VALLEY RANCH PKWY.
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Construction on the East Montgomery County Improvement District’s convention center began in March.
Road. The contractor is R Construction Civil LLC. Update: Work is 54% complete as of a Nov. 10 report from TxDOT. • Timeline: irst quarter 2025-fourth quarter 2028 • Cost: $31.36 million • Funding sources: 80% federal, 20% state
o cials with developer The Signorelli Co. announced in a Dec. 15 news release. The road, which connects with an existing portion of Valley Ranch Bend, serves to connect residential neighborhoods with Valley Ranch Town Center, a spokesperson for the development company said via email Dec. 18. Update: The roadway opened to the public on Dec. 10, according to the release. • Timeline: March 15, 2022-Dec. 10 • Cost: $3.9 million • Funding sources: The Signorelli Co., an unnamed municipal utility district
COURTESY EAST MONTGOMERY COUNTY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
EMCID’s upcoming 210,000-square-foot convention center, which is expected to open in late 2026, will: • Cost up to $159 million • Create 500 direct and indirect full-time equivalent jobs • Generate around $1.73 billion in new spending over 30 years • Generate roughly $35 million in sales, hotel and venue taxes over 30 years
Completed projects
• Funding source: 100% state 3 FM 1314 rehabilitation
4 Valley Ranch Bend Drive Project: A new roadway has opened in Valley Ranch,
Project: A roughly 2-mile segment of FM 1314 is being rehabilitated between Hwy. 242 and north of McQueen
SOURCE: EAST MONTGOMERY COUNTY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY IMPACT
PORTER 23611 Hwy 59 (281) 354-0733
HUMBLE 19322 US-59 (281) 540-7202
KINGWOOD 1420 Kingwood Dr (281) 359-7115
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