October 18, 2004

TOWN CENTER LEADER ELECTED TO INTERNATIONAL POST

The Woodlands, Texas (October 18, 2004) -- Frank W. Robinson, president of the Town Center Improvement District (TCID) in The Woodlands, has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the International Downtown Association (IDA).

Robinson receives this international recognition as tribute to his leadership and record of success in The Woodlands commercial downtown district. The Woodlands, celebrating 30 years in October, is the No. 1 master-planned community in Texas.

As president of one of the largest special purpose districts in the United States, Robinson has established himself as an authority on community economic development and private/public sector management.

“Frank was elected to this position for his leadership and achievements,” said Dave Feehan, president of IDA. “Many members of IDA have been able to see his accomplishments first hand when they visited The Woodlands Town Center in the IDA Spring Conference this year.”

The IDA is a professional organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. that serves as a catalyst for research and collaboration among its 500+ member organizations which are tasked with revitalizing, redeveloping and managing concentrated areas of commerce. Its 40 member board represents the interests of its membership that includes districts in North America, Spain, Sweden, England, Kenya, South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.

“I’m looking forward to this opportunity to help create programs and promote ideas that benefit IDA’s members,” said Robinson. “These are leaders whom I respect from other districts around the world who are tackling many of the same challenges we have here and are looking for solutions.”

Robinson leads aggressive economic development, public safety, beautification, and marketing efforts that have successfully drawn employers such as Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Chevron Phillips Chemical Corporation, CB&I, Hewitt & Associates and other corporate and retail entities in the 1,000+ acre district. In addition to more than 30,000 employees who work in the district, The Woodlands Town Center attracts approximately 20 million visitors a year.

Robinson is credited with leading groups who have achieved many of the area’s major capital improvement goals, including the completion in 2002 of The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, the expansion of The Woodlands Mall this year along with the launch of Market Street, a 496,000 square foot main street-styled, mixed use development in the heart of The Woodlands Town Center.

In addition, Robinson has utilized his previous experience as Chief of Police for West University to create safety programs utilizing the Royal Courtesy Mounted Patrols and the newly instituted Ambassadors Program which have resulted in crime figures that are two times lower than the national average for comparable areas according the CAP Index, Inc.

Robinson will officially begin his 3-year term in early October.

The International Downtown Association is a world leader of and champion for vital and livable urban centers. Through its network of committed individuals, its rich body of knowledge, and its unique capacity to nurture community-building partnerships, IDA is a guiding force in creating health and dynamic centers which anchor the well being of towns, cities and regions of the world.

Town Center Improvement District (TCID) of Montgomery County is a local government agency whose mission is to promote, develop, encourage and maintain economic development for the public benefit of The Woodlands downtown area. TCID was created in 1993 by the Texas Legislature and is now one of the largest special purpose districts in the United States.