July 30, 2003

TCID, additional entities launch aggressive beautification program

THE WOODLANDS, Texas (July 30, 2003) - The answer to a six-word question - "How can we dress this up?" - has evolved into a precedent-setting effort by a coalition of several public and private entities in South Montgomery County to beautify rights-of-way and other property adjacent to the expanded I-45 freeway.

Now in its third year, the program of planting native vegetation is designed to restore and augment the area's natural forest look as trees and shrubs mature along one of the state's busiest highway.
"Those of us involved from the beginning can already see a substantial difference," said Paul Mendes, city administrator for Oak Ridge North and "action officer" for the project.

The program's genesis can be traced to the question some two years ago by Frank W. Robinson, president of the Town Center Improvement District (TCID), the project's originator. As he surveyed progress on the I-45 expansion of 14 lanes, he asked, "How can we dress this up?"

The answers that emerged have involved participationby no fewer than eight organizations, installation of approximately 11,800 plants and an extensive irrigation system. Due to the program's immense success, TCID has published a comprehensive guide for other cities and towns, called, "Highway Beautification: A Step by Step Guide." Several cities and town have expressed interest and have visited the area to see the project.

"Our area is known for its naturally-forested beauty," Robinson said. "As the freeway expansion neared completion, we wanted to take steps to restore natural vegetation in the I-45 right-of-way plus other public and private property adjacent to the freeway. Most of all, we wanted visitors and local residents to experience the difference such an effort can make. This program is a reflection of the 'look' and 'feel' of our area."

The goal is a coordinated landscape beautification plan over a four-mile area. State law allowed the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to take part in beautification efforts, but required involvement of a municipality through which state funding could be channeled.

The City of Oak Ridge North stepped forward to become the local sponsor. In addition to Town Center Improvement District, Oak Ridge North and TxDOT, the list of participants has grown to include The Woodlands Operating Company, L.P., the City of Shenandoah, South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce, United States Congressman Kevin Brady's Office, Montgomery County Precincts 2 and 3, The Woodlands Community Association, and the South Montgomery County Municipal Utility District.

At the suggestion of Dana Coté, TxDOT's Houston District landscape architect, Texas A&M University's landscape design expertise was brought into the process, and their work included design of a template for use at multiple locations.
"Many of the spaces we enhance are long and narrow," Mendes said, "and the template is used to plant clusters of trees and dwarf wax myrtle hedges. Use of clusters provides visual interest and allows us to maintain lines of sight to retail centers and individual businesses.

"Such visibility is essential to retailers," Mendes said. "By planting clusters, we achieve beautification without building visual barriers to these businesses."

Mendes points to an important environmental benefit.
"All of the planting soil and mulch was at one time green waste collected in The Woodlands and Oak Ridge North, thus diverted from the landfill. The green waste went to the recycle yard, was composted into mulch, and used in the beautification project, a perfect example of recycling."

For the first time, TxDOT has allowed plantings between the access roads and the freeway's main lanes, subject to the agency's review of plans.
"TxDOT's participation in beautification programs such as this is good news for taxpayers," Robinson said. "TxDOT furnishes plants, which account for approximately half of the cost. The other half is spent in ground preparation, planting and installation of irrigation.
"Once an area is planted, its maintenance becomes our responsibility," Robinson said, "relieving the state of the cost of mowing and picking up trash. This saves tax money over the long haul. It's a classic win-win situation."
Mendes' pride in the project is apparent as he shows off the areas where plants and other materials are stored at an Oak Ridge North facility, and as he tours regenerated areas.

"The difference is amazing, both in the newly planted areas, and where plants have been in the ground for a couple of years," he said. "People are taking note. I average a call per month from elected officials and business leaders in other locales, and they invariably ask, 'How'd you do this?'

"They want to know how we got so many different groups to cooperate, and also want to know about the mechanics of funding," Mendes said. "We're happy to share what we've learned, because we're developing a model that can be applied anywhere in Texas."

Robinson emphasized that despite the amount of work done so far, the program, is in its early phases. "What we've accomplished is unparalleled cooperation among several different entities," Robinson said, "and we want to nurture that all-important relationship. "The plantings are immature, and even though they already make a difference, their aesthetic contribution will multiply in the coming years. And we may well discover other ways in which the public and private sectors can work together to achieve more benefits for the public."

About Town Center Improvement District
Town Center Improvement District was created in 1993 by the Texas Legislature and its purpose is to promote, develop, encourage, and maintain employment, commerce, economic development, and the public welfare in The Woodlands area.

For more information, contact: Nick Wolda
Town Center Improvement District
281-363-2447
nick@tcid.com