September 5, 2003

Representatives from TCID to attend leading-edge development conference

THE WOODLANDS, Texas (September 5, 2003) - Charged with the responsibility of quality development to benefit the general public in The Woodlands Town Center, six board of directors and two staff members of Town Center Improvement District (TCID) will attend a special Urban Land Institute Conference to learn about the latest trends of Town Center developments.

The session, called, "Place Making: Developing Town Centers, Transit Villages and Main Streets," attracts leading developers, public officials, designers and expert consultants sharing their latest ideas and practices for achieving success. The meeting is scheduled in Reston, Virginia later this month. The Urban Land Institute is a community of practice for those engaged in the entrepreneurial and collaborative process of real estate development and land use policy-making. Founded in 1936, ULI now has 18,000 members working in the public and private sectors.
ULI members are the people that plan, develop and redevelop neighborhoods, business districts and communities across the U.S. and around the world-experts from 13 different product sectors and 26 disciplines, working in private enterprise and public service.

"The creation of lively new town centers, such as The Woodlands Town Center, constitutes a challenging and dynamic sector of the real estate market today," said Dean Schwanke, Vice President, Development Trends and Analysis for the Urban Land Institute. "Demographic shifts and lifestyle trends are favoring the development of new town centers, urban and transit villages, and main street developments."

With nearly 1,000 businesses, The Woodlands Town Center is an emerging destination of entertainment, retail shops, restaurants, hotels, corporate headquarters, and residential living. Currently, the area attracts approximately 20 million visitors a year. Several key elements are in the development stages including Market Street, the expansion of The Woodlands Mall, The Woodlands Waterway and Town Green Park.

"This conference will focus on best practices and innovative approaches that are being employed by both the private and public sectors in creating new town centers," said Frank W. Robinson, President of TCID. "TCID is charged with the responsibility of promoting, developing, encouraging and maintaining economic benefit for the public benefit of The Woodlands Town Center. As a catalyst of facilitating economic growth, TCID strives to preserve the quality of life to make this area a premier destination for exciting and memorable experiences. The Directors who will attend this special session will hear the latest trends and gain valuable insight on leading edge developments in Town Centers."

Using case studies and in-depth analysis, this year's conference will spotlight several current issues and topics including:
· The Next Generation of Town Centers: How Will They Be Different?
· Innovative Housing Concepts for Town Centers
· Lifestyle Retailing in Town Centers
· Emerging Transit Villages

ABOUT TCID
Town Center Improvement District is a public entity committed to maintaining The Woodlands Town Center and surrounding area, as the best possible place in which to live, work, shop, and invest.