September 20, 2004

Town Center Improvement District (TCID) marks 10 years of public service

THE WOODLANDS, Texas ( September 20, 2004 ) – In the early 1990’s, community visionaries in The Woodlands were preparing to build a “downtown in the forest.”

They needed a mechanism to establish a strong public safety program and ultimately economic development initiatives to succeed.

The answer was an improvement district that has now become a model for many developing downtowns and shopping districts in the country. The result was the creation of Town Center Improvement District (TCID), and today, it celebrates 10 years of public service to The Woodlands and South Montgomery County.

Created in 1993 by an act of the 73 rd Session of the Texas Legislature, TCID has established monumental results in a relatively short period of time. The area now attracts more than 20 million visits a year.

“It’s amazing to look back and see how far we have come in just a few short years,” said Robert C. (Bob) Kinnear, chairman of the board. “The national recognition of this district and the quality of services for our local area are unsurpassed.”

As a Texas state legislator, U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (8 th District, Texas) successfully passed the law creating the Town Center Improvement District. “Our vision in creating the District was to enhance public safety and mobility in The Woodlands Town Center, and it has surpassed all our expectations. The District has created a dynamic, upscale business, shopping and entertainment center our entire region is proud of.”

Over the past 10 years, TCID has established a solid economic development plan – one that has helped attract strong, growing companies like Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, Hewitt & Association, and CB&I while supporting established businesses in the District as well. Since 1994, the area has generated over $5.1 billion in retail sales since its creation.

TCID also has worked closely with community groups, including developers, governmental agencies, the South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce, and the South Montgomery County Economic Development Partnership to encourage economic development throughout the district and surrounding areas. TCID funds public safety, capital improvements, economic development, marketing, public events, and transportation.

Tommy Williams, Texas State Senator, District 4 says, “TCID has assumed a leadership role in helping shape the future of The Woodlands Town Center and beyond – everything from encouraging and assisting Fortune 500 companies relocate in Town Center, to building Public Safety alliances, to showcasing the community with spectacular events.”

Recent examples of TCID’s impact on the community include:

• Funding for a convention center called The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center. The TCID Board of Directors approved the sale of $51.2 million in bonds for the development that opened in late 2002.
• The development of Market Street, a nearly 500,000 square-foot, mixed-use development, aided by the creation of Economic Development Zone #2.
• The Woodlands Mall expansion into a new outdoor lifestyle shopping and dining area, supported by Economic Development Zone #3.
• National recognition for an ongoing natural landscape I-45 Beautification Project.
• Funding for Town Green Park, a spectacular new six-acre “central” park under construction on The Woodlands Waterway.
• Assistance in opening The Woodlands Waterway, a 1.5 mile drainage ditch turned “riverwalk” featuring water taxis and land trolleys.

Brad McCreedy , Director of Marketing at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center and veteran Marriott associate, credits TCID with “helping smooth the process of planning, building, and promoting the new Marriott property - the ‘jewel’ of The Woodlands Waterway.”

Assuring a safe and friendly atmosphere has always been one of TCID’s highest priorities. More than 20 million people visited Town Center last year, while it achieved one of the lowest crime rates in the nation - less than half the national average. TCID launched the Royal Courtesy Mounted Patrol where troopers ride horseback throughout the area and are on the same radio frequency with local law enforcement.

TCID has consistently assisted local law enforcement agencies with supplemental funding to acquire equipment such as radar units, police bicycles, and traffic control equipment. Additionally, The Woodlands Fire Department recently received TCID funding support for the purchase of high-rise and swift-water rescue equipment.

Referring to TCID’s impressive record of accomplishments, Rob Eissler, Texas State Representative, District 15 noted, “The positive impact TCID has had on Town Center and all of the surrounding area is remarkable. It is hard to remember when there was not a dynamic and exciting ‘Center of Everything’ located in The Woodlands.”

TCID has also produced and promoted several annual special events and festivals to entertain residents and attract visitors. These events, combined with first-class publications, printed guides, a dynamic website, and aggressive public relations and advertising programs have helped position The Woodlands Town Center as the preferred destination to shop, dine, stay and play in the Greater Houston area.

Significant events produced annually, include the Red, Hot & Blue Festival, an international award winning 4 th of July event; The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center, the largest outdoor seasonal ice rink in the southwest; Lighting of the Doves, a now-traditional opening of the Holiday Season, and The Woodlands Winter Wonderland, a holiday lighting program.

TCID has also played a vital support role in several community events including the annual Thanksgiving morning Run Thru The Woods, The Children’s Festival, Taste of the Town, among a few.

Asked for his perspective on the ten year milestone, Frank W. Robinson, TCID president and first employee, said, “In 1993, TCID set a course for The Woodlands Town Center that combined imagination with innovation, commitment with dedication, and dreams with reality. It is really exciting to see our new downtown rapidly becoming that vision outlined over a decade ago – the preferred living, shopping, dining, working, and entertainment destination.”

For more information, contact Nick Wolda, Vice President of Marketing & Public Affairs at 281-466-8525 or nick@tcid.com.