[dbigtex56]

What a waste of taxpayers' dollars - a road that goes from nowhere to no place, built only to appease developers, contractors, and other big contributors to political campaigns.

[CincoRanch-HoustonResident]

Not true. The Grand Parkway will connect all outlining Houston communties. Just like the Loop connects inner city, while Beltway 8 goes a little further out. The Grand Parkway will connect Katy with the Woodlands, The Woodlands with Baytown, Baytown with Pearland,and Pearland with Sugar Land. This Grand Parkway will be good. If only it wasn't a toll road.

[GovernorAggie]

Well I was finally on the Grand Parkway for the first time ever last weekend, heading from Sugar Land to San Antonio. I must say that it was a good shortcut, but I don't think it is worth the $4B+ that it will cost. Plus, I sincerely hope that the development near I-10 isn't repeated all along it. I liked the rural areas around it.

[h-townrep]

How does it look going over the Channel? I wish some development would go out towards Prairie View though besides the Freeway that only brought a couple of retails.

[CincoRanch-HoustonResident]

290?

[westguy]

What is the point, though, of driving from Sugar Land to the Woodlands? They have all of the same things, and if you work in one of those communities, you are likely to buy one of the cheap houses nearby.

[DJ2025]

westguy, on Monday, August 30th, 2004 @ 8:25pm, said:

What is the point, though, of driving from Sugar Land to the Woodlands? T
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Quicker way to Dallas?

I live in far Northwest........and if Grand Parkway is built, it will cut 20 minutes off my driving time to get from Woodlands to my home.

1960 is not an option, and BWY 8 is too far south and crowded.

[DJ2025]

h-townrep, on Monday, August 30th, 2004 @ 9:35am, said:

How does it look going over the Channel?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It will cross the channel via the Fred Hartman bridge (Hwy 149)

[pineda]

Houston Chronicle

According to this article published last Thursday in the Houston Chronicle, the Woodlands is actively searching for a paid full-time lobbyist, who will have among their various duties, the uneviable task of protecting the Woodlands from the
Grand Parkway. The Woodlands, as you may recall, made a strategic tactical error when all of their business/social clubs and groups gave their unwavering support to the Grand Parkway project, in any alignment chosen. Now that TxDOT has decided to update the Supplemental Study of the DEIS, the Woodlands seems to be getting nervous and beginning to take the efforts of the group known as United to Save Our Spring a little more seriously than before.

[pineda]

[CincoRanch-HoustonResident]

When will they start consturction on this becaouse it is going to happen. They already started making it a frreway south of I-10 through the Katy area. They have the concrete columns up.

[pineda]

What you are seeing is actually part of the Katy Freeway Expansion project.

[GovernorAggie]

Actually pineda, CincoRanch is talking about the columns further south of I-10. These aren't part of the Katy Frwy. project--they are a good deal further south. CincoRanch is talking about the columns for the mainlanes between the feeder routes.

[MaxConcrete]

The Grand Parkway will be a crucial transportation artery in the future. Sections of it are needed today, and just about all of it will be needed in the future as outlying areas become urbanized. The efforts to get it built (assuming success) will be much appreciated in the future. Cities like Atlanta and Washington DC will look to use with envy, since they will sprawl just as much (or more) and they won't be able to get around as easily as we will.

Second, developers donated around 80% of the land for the existing section West Houston, and around 60% of the land for the section in Baytown under construction. It looks like all remaining sections will be tolled. So future sections will use minimal taxpayer funds.

I expect TxDOT to try to toll the existing free section near Cinco Ranch. Rick Perry and his henchmen on the transportation commission are trying to turn Texas into the toll road capital of the world, and the west section is an ideal candidate for conversion.

[pineda]

When asked why he is not inviting affected homeowners "to the table" when discussing the Grand Parkway project, Senator Jon Lindsay remarked, "Sometimes you just have to run people over to get things done. The developers are the only ones that matter in this case." But, considering that Montgomery County just got approval to do "pass-through" tolls, it's probably just a very short matter of time before Montgomery County forms their OWN mobility authority and takes the Grand Parkway project out of Harris County hands, and I think Lindsay is feeling the pressure to circumvent the supplemental studies and get the project started. The traffic studies done for the Spring area and the Montgomery County area will clearly show that the need for the parkway is much more pressing and vital to Montgomery County than in Harris County. Harris County Toll Road Authority may say that they have no desire to contribute any more money at all to the supplemental studies (they've already contributed $1.5 million, and it's likely to cost the same for supplementals), but TxDOT is pressing ahead with the supplementals anyway and looking at corridors to the north. Senator Jon Lindsay knows this and is running scared. What a collosal ass!

[pineda]

(statement being released to the media today)

Office of State Representative Debbie Riddle
District 150
281-537-5252

"I am aware that the voices of my constituents are being circumvented and ignored by those who propose to go through Commissioners Court to have the Toll Road Authority build the Grand Parkway directly through our neighborhoods, with total disregard to environmental or other studies.

I believe that we need to continue, and persist in finding a solution for the location of the Grand Parkway and increased mobility without continued disregard for those who would be negatively affected. It is imperative to make Commissioners Court aware of the true feelings of the majority of our community.

Again, I am not opposed to the Grand Parkway, but I am opposed to the location that is proposed and I am vehemently opposed to building the Grand Parkway and ignore the necessity of continued environmental studies. The health, welfare, and well being of my constituents, including the elderly and children are my highest priorities. I encourage everyone to become involved and knowledgeable regarding this issue. I look forward to working with my constituents and I would certainly hope that all of our elected officials will work together for a good solution."

[pineda]

[pineda]

Quote

"We brought the developers together to make sure everyone was on the same page," Lindsay said. "There was some discussion about different routes and how they would affect developments, but everyone there agreed we need to do the project."

Senator Jon Lindsay will be asked on Monday, October 4th, 2004 by the Houston Chronicle to state a retraction to his untruthful statement made here. Everyone at the meeting did NOT agree that we need to do the project.

[adagio]

pineda, on Saturday, October 2nd, 2004 @ 3:26pm, said:

Senator Jon Lindsay will be asked on Monday, October 4th, 2004 by the Houston Chronicle to state a retraction to his untruthful statement made here. Everyone at the meeting did NOT agree that we need to do the project.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

United to Save Our Spring would have opposed the Grand Parkway project. Who else at the meeting voiced their opposition to the project? I'm curious to see who is going on record with their opposition to the project.

[pineda]

Bridgestone MUD opposed the project, while the ones who will be the most seriously impacted, (Northampton MUD), remained silent on all counts. They, (Northampton MUD), continues to fall for the old lie by Lindsay, "If it's noisy, we'll be sure to check into getting you all some sound walls, maybe..."

[pineda]

Community raises concerns over new developments in Grand Parkway

By Amanda Waters , Managing Editor, 1960 Sun, 10/06/2004

The battle against the Grand Parkway in Spring has come up against a new obstacle after Senator Jon Lindsay and others introduced the idea of turning over the project to the Harris County Toll Road Authority in order to expedite the construction of segment F2 of the Grand Parkway which will run between Highway 249 and Interstate 45.

According to Lindsay, if the Commissioners Court gave approval to the Toll Road Authority to move ahead on the project they would then simply need to issue bonds, purchase right of way, identify a route and begin work on building the road. He also noted that Art Storey, executive director of the Toll Road Authority, has indicated that he will recommend that the Commissioners Court approve the project.

This recent development has many Spring residents nervous, and concerned that their fight to move the Grand Parkway north of Spring will be all for nothing.

"If the Toll Road Authority takes over we [the residents] have no representation," said Skip Warren, a member of United to Save our Spring and a board member for the Bridgestone MUD.

Lindsay presented this possibility at a recent meeting he put together of individuals with a vested interest in the Grand Parkway, including representatives from Bridgestone and Northampton MUDS, developers in the area and the North Houston Association.

"I wanted to find out if these people with a vested interest were for the Grand Parkway," Lindsay said.

Ron Schkade with the Bridgestone MUD attended the meeting and said that it basically amounted to everyone talking about why they didn't want certain proposed routes for segment F2.

"[The meeting] was a waste of time, and it upsets me that [Lindsay] feels that something did come out of that meeting," Schkade said.

Warren said that members of United to Save our Spring are currently in the process of organizing a meeting between all of the officials involved - Grand Parkway Association, TxDOT, the Harris County Toll Road Authority and community members and MUD representatives - to see if a solution can be reached that is beneficial to everyone in the community.

"Kind of like a summit," Warren said.

Schkade also noted that Harris County Toll Road Authority officials have said that they could get started on the project three to four months after getting approval.

[pineda]

[pineda]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Controversy over the Grand Parkway continues!


By KATHY PARKS , Managing Editor, Observer, 10/07/2004


The controversy over the proposed F2 segment of the Grand Parkway continues as area residents question 'private meetings' called by project supporters and the focus of the controversy shifts from concerns over where it will be built to who will build the F2 segment.

The United to Save Spring Web site claims, "Even though the traffic studies have not been finalized or released, apparently Harris County Toll Road Authority is interested in building. Even though the traffic counts from all segments except Segment F-2 are small, they want to build the entire 53 mile stretch."

The Grand Parkway Association held two public hearings, one in March and the other in June of 2004. The purpose of the hearings was to discuss its impact of the parkway on the community.

Attendance was high at both meetings and the tempers of residents flared over the various proposed placements of the road. The proposed alignment of the parkway is to be somewhere in the northern border of Spring running between I-45 and State Highway 249.

In the previous public meetings, residents asked for updated maps of the area that reflect the recent, rapid growth. They also asked for environmental impact statements that address traffic congestion, noise, and polution. Citizens wanted to update the number of homes and businesses that would be effected by the project based on the various placements.

The original controversy over where the Grand Parkway will be built is now being upstaged by a concern over who will manage the project.

"If federal funds are used to build the road," said Jerry Thomas, president of 'Save Our Spring,' the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is responsible for updating the environmental studies which document the effects of flooding, pollution, congestion, noise and other damaging consequences of the project.

"With this approach, supporters must answer to the public as it moves forward with the project. If the project is taken over by Harris County Toll Road Authority, we understand that the county may condemn and seize property in the path without regard to public opinion," said Thomas.

"I heard rumors after the meeting two weeks ago in The Woodlands that everyone present agreed to an alignment. That rumor simply is not true," said Thomas.

"Senator Jon Lindsay, president of the North Houston Association, called a meeting at Jones and Carter in The Woodlands and invited representatives from Bridgestone and Northampton Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) to discuss possible alignments with local developers," said Skip Warren, who is a board member of the Bridgestone MUD.

"If they expedite the project, they will sell bonds to pay to build the road, then charge tolls to pay back the bonds. They won't complete the updated studies and preliminary studies, using old data, show the road crossing open land.

"The area has grown so much. If they use updated studies and new aerial photographs, they would see exactly how many new neighborhoods, businesses and schools would be effected," said Warren.

"If the Harris County Toll Road Authority takes it over, not only will the requirement for environmental studies go away, so will the requirement to listen to public comments. I can't believe, that in this county, a governmental authority has that kind of power," said Warren.

"I agree with former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier's statement, 'What we need is more spokes coming out the city, not more wheels, or circles around the city,' added Warren.

"The circles for 249, Beltway 8 and the 610 Loop have been started, but none of them have been completed. Now they want to begin a fourth circle by building the proposed Grand Parkway," complained Warren. "What the area needs is to widen Ella Boulevard, T.C. Jester, Kuykendahl and Gosling."

"If government officials don't work with the public, if they seize our land, this is unbelievable. It's the kind of thing Hitler did. What else do you call it?"

"They are forcing good people to leave their homes, some homes have been in their families for generations. These politicians have forgotten where they come from and who they serve," said Warren. "This is a scary time and if the toll road takes the project, I'm afraid we've lost."

"I am aware that the voices of my constituents are being circumvented and ignored by those who propose to go through Commissioners Court to have the Toll Road Authority build the Grand Parkway directly through our neighborhoods, with total disregard to environmental or other studies," said state Representative Debbie Riddle who represents District 150.

"Again, I am not opposed to the Grand Parkway, but I am opposed to the location that is proposed and I am vehemently opposed to building the Grand Parkway without continued environmental studies," continued Riddle. "The health, welfare, and well-being of my constituents, including the elderly and children are my highest priorities."

The deputy director of The Texas Department of Transportation-Houston, Dennis Delvin, said, "I think this project is moving forward slowly. I understand securing updated studies will take another year or two. During that time, there will be additional public hearings."

"If you are looking for a valid update on the Grand Parkway," said Robin Sterry, assistant executive directory for the Grand Parkway Association, "you have to come to the Grand Parkway Association for information. As the project stands, we are in charge of developing the updated studies.

"I can tell you that when we meet again with the public, and a date has not been set to do so," said Sterry. "We will have new aerial photographs and a new environmental impact study. The comments made by citizens at the previous public hearings are being addressed in our documentation.

"I am working to expedite this project," said Senator Jon Lindsay. "I did meet with developers regarding the F-2 segment of the Parkway. Our goal remains to find an acceptable alignment for the parkway. We continue to discuss a path that will have the least negative impact on citizens and property.

"Although we have a consensus on the need for the parkway, we have not as yet reached agreement on the parkway's path," said Lindsay.

"There are no public meetings that I know of scheduled at this time. There is no plan for a future meeting such as the one held in The Woodlands, although, we may continue our discussions individually," said Lindsay.

"Those who truly understand the project know the Grand Parkway will protect our area if there is a downturn in the economy," said Lindsay. "For example, there was such an economic downturn in 1985 and the first MUD's affected were those in neighborhoods that were hard to reach.

According to Lindsay, when the MUDs struggle with taxes, MUD taxes go up.

"The Grand Parkway will provide accessibility and will help to stabilize the area," said Lindsay.

"This project has been in the works for so long. My goal is to see this thing done so I will be able to drive on it in my lifetime," said Lindsay.

Updates can also be checked at www.grandpky.com and www.unitedtosaveourspring.com

State Representative Debbie Riddle can be reached at 281-537-5252 and State Senator Jon Lindsay can be reached at 281-583-1011.

[pineda]

Someone forwarded me something today that I found just hilarious!
Some Grand Parkway proponent was actually telling people that the United to Save Our Spring group just recently "came back to life" after being dormant for however long. The group known as UTSOS has been diligently fighting the Grand Parkway proposal for over FIVE YEARS now! Our website has been up for at least that long and we are constantly in the papers, but somehow the pro-Grand Parkway morons missed that information. At this writing, the Grand Parkway Association has been commanded (their choice of words, not mine) to find better alignments and routes through the northwest Houston area, including going into Montgomery County. They will conduct another public hearing next spring, with updates to the outdated DEIS, and new routes. Personally, I think UTSOS has done a fantastic job considering it is a grassroots effort taking on TxDOT!

[fewellman]

I dont understand how any one could be opposed to the Grand Parkway. Traffic in the Houston area is horrible and any new freeway would be a help. Especially since the population of the Houston area is going to double in the next 20 years. The Grand Parkway needs to be built as quickly as possible before there are 10 million people in Houston and there are no outer loops. If there is no Grand Parkway then everybody that lives in the suburbs are going to have to sit in traffic and wait for traffic lights every five seconds. I dont know if any of you have been on highway six or 1960 but it sucks. and that is the future without the grand parkway. and all you tree huggers need to get over it. the land is going to be developed weather yall like it or not. the city will keep spreading out and all the land is going to be developed and turned into strip centers and subdivisions. so stop whinning and build the Grand Parkway.

[adagio]

Fewellman,

I do not think that anyone is disagreeing with you about the increase of traffic over the next twenty years. The issue with the Grand Parkway is that Northwest Houston (Segment F2 area) has developed and subdivisions and businesses have been built where the Grand Parkway was originally designed to go nearly forty years ago. Since the original plan other alignments have been added to the Grand Parkway plans. The current alignments have the highway going through neighborhoods and businesses (if not through -- then right next to residences/businesses and schools). Furthermore the Grand Parkway Association has not really indicated what it plans on building- is it a four lane scenic highway or is it a highway like Interstate 69. Not many people in the F-2 Segment want to have a highway such as Interstate 45 going through their backyards or past their children's schools.

The most feasible approach to the Grand Parkway is what is currently being done by TXDot, which is updating the information and looking at current alternatives as well as additional alternatives to alignments up north where there is less development.

When addressing the population of people who are opposed to the current plans for the Grand Parkway, please remember that we are property owners (perhaps like yourself), many who had done our homework and researched where the Grand Parkway was planned to be built before buying our properties (using the outdated information available at the time we were buying our properties). We are aware of and are dealing with the development that you mention in your correspondence. However, we are also trying to maintain resale values on our homes by preserving the quality of life in our neighborhoods and schools that we will not have if we have the Grand Parkway in our backyards.

[pineda]

Thanks so much, adagio! I couldn't have said it better myself! Thursday, a contingent of folks from the northwest Harris county area will be in Austin to hear the presentation of the year-end summary report by David Gornet, Executive Director of the Grand Parkway. State Rep. Debbie Riddle (Dist. 150) will be in attendance as well, and will most likely voice an opinion that will be contrary to whatever Mr. Gornet has come up with. It should be interesting, to say the least! As soon as we get a transcript together, we will post the details of the meeting.

[Subdude]

Even given large increases in development in the far suburbs, I'm not sure the Grand Parkway will do much to alleviate traffic. The ring-pattern just seems designed to foster development and then funnel the resulting traffic into the existing "spokes" of the freeway system (e.g. I-10, 290), and making those traffic problems worse. The whole ring-and-spoke design seems a lot less efficient for traffic management than more of a grid system, which can create more traffic flow alternatives. Of course, someone drew it on a map 40 years ago, so we have to live with it now.

[HOUCAJUN]

so when will they start construction on this thing? date.time.hour,what?

[pineda]

'so when will they start construction on this thing? date.time.hour,what?'

Yesterday, in Austin, David Gornet, Exec. Director of the Grand Parkway, said that he believes that the Grand Parkway will be as fully operational as it will become in the year 2017. You must realize by now, that some segments will never be built and are only going through the motions just to make this thing appear to be one big circle. The Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for Segment F-2 should be available for a Public Hearing next Spring. It will have updated aerial maps, land use maps, and more alternative alignments including those in Montgomery County that they are currently studying.
On a side note, thank God for State Rep. Debbie Riddle (District 150)! She cleared her schedule of all appointments yesterday just so she could go and hear Mr. Gornet's presentation to TxDOT's TTC and so she could voice the concerns of her constituents and ask questions of the boardmembers and of Mr. Gornet. There really are not any other politicians that I would hold in such regard for actually standing up for the beliefs of those that they represent, not just their own personal beliefs. Eckels, Eversole and Lindsay are loathe to even meet with, discuss over the phone with, or even answer e-mails from their constituents on this topic. They have pushed their own agendas and those of TxDOT and to hell with the will of the people. Thank You, Debbie Riddle for not being like them! (jumps off soapbox now)

[pineda]

Nov. 18, 2004, 11:35PM

Lawmaker denounces route of 'super loop'
She says the path of Grand Parkway would decimate property values

By LUCAS WALL, Houston Chronicle

AUSTIN - A state lawmaker voiced her objection Thursday to a proposed segment of the Grand Parkway in northwest Harris County, the latest obstacle in the path of an association formed two decades ago to develop the 182-mile super loop around Houston.

Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Houston, used the Grand Parkway Association's 20th annual report to the Texas Transportation Commission to state concerns the proposed route between Texas 249 and Interstate 45 "would just decimate the property values" in the Spring area and "import traffic into my district."

She pointed out several subdivisions and a Catholic school the highway would wipe out.

"There is tremendous concern over what this would do to Spring," she said. "Because of the tremendous growth in our area, so many lives are going to be disrupted."

After two hearings produced overwhelming public opposition to the proposed 12-mile segment, the Texas Department of Transportation declined in July to proceed on final environmental reviews. It directed the association to conduct a supplemental study re-evaluating other routes. That review is due by spring.

"Any of the alternatives, all the ones we are looking at, including one farther north, all have disruptions associated with them," said David Gornet, executive director of the Grand Parkway Association. "We have attempted to minimize those disruptions, and we felt the route we proposed did minimize those."

Other proposed segments also face strong opposition from neighborhoods and anti-sprawl advocates.

One 19-mile section of the parkway is open in northern Fort Bend County. Another 14-mile stretch is under construction in Chambers County and will open in 2006, likely as a toll road.

[UrbanLandscape]

I saw signs south of Sugarland that said "Grand Parkway" on them. Anyone else seen this?

[Subdude]

Yes, those are just directional signs for the segment of the "parkway" that is built between the Southwest Freeway and I-10.

[rps324]

Maybe this was discussed earlier & I missed it.

But has anyone seen the maps with the proposed toll road running through Memorial Park? Right alongside the railroad track. Another proposal has a freeway running North from about 610 & 290, right through the Oak Forest area.

[pineda]

Conservative News Service

And now a word from the other side of the coin!

[pineda]

TxDOT transcript from 11/18/04

Especially interesting are the questions raised by State Rep. (150) Debbie Riddle and the comments made by the Executive Director of the Grand Parkway Ass. David Gornet. Good stuff to read and learn about if you've got a few minutes!

[MaxConcrete]

pineda, on Thursday, December 9th, 2004 @ 12:39pm, said:

TxDOT transcript from 11/18/04

Especially interesting are the questions raised by State Rep. (150) Debbie Riddle and the comments made by the Executive Director of the Grand Parkway Ass. David Gornet. Good stuff to read and learn about if you've got a few minutes!
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No real surprises. My observations are

1. The toll road mania and fanaticism is strengthening on the commission. Just when you thought it couldn't become stronger, it does.
2. Rep. Riddle clearly wants the Grand Parkway on or near FM 1488, which would be a major shift in alignment.
3. Commission Andrade is taking a more active interest in the proceedings. My first impression is that she's not destined to become a henchman/henchwoman like the other commissioners
4. My impression is that the commission is aware of the substantial opposition and is not dismissing it.
5. A lot is riding on the supplemental EIS. Eckels, Lindsay, and TxDOT hope it will appease the opposition so they don't have to ram the project through. If the SEIS does not satisfy the Spring opposition, look for the alignment to be shifted to near 1488 - just like what was done on SH 130 east of Austin.

[20sGirl]

pineda, on Tuesday, November 30th, 2004 @ 10:22am, said:

Conservative News Service

And now a word from the other side of the coin!
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the article pineda. Just a few thoughts:
This article implies that all of America's cities will be "urbanized" but won't there still be tons of rural property all over the country? Smart growth is only proposed for cities, correct? So, if people don't want to live in an urban environment, they could move away from the city to small towns and rural areas, right?
I think it's funny how the EPA is intorduced in that evil, conspiratorial tone. "Instead, they are part of a coordinated campaign supported by the (cue evil music) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)!" Nooo, not the EPA! God forbid we have clean air initiatives!
They talk about reduced stress in the suburbs. Suburbia has stresses of its own just as living in an urban environment does. Sitting in traffic, lack of exercise (nowhere to walk), lack of human interaction, boredom, homogenization, etc.
They talk about developing bike lanes as if its a bad thing.
Another quote "Cars pollute most when accelerating and at slow speeds. So most pollution comes from congestion and stop-and-go traffic." If we had an effective public transportation system, that would not be as big of an issue. Besides, in suburbia, even the closest stores, etc. need to be driven to. I'm sure people in the suburbs aren't cruising at 60 mph to go to the Home Depot. Rural highways are probably the only exception here.
"According to the EPA's own estimates, air pollution is worst in the nation's densest cities--the kind of cities smart-growth advocates want everywhere. Moreover, the most polluted portions of those cities are in the places with the most congestion" Is it all due to auto emissions?? If so, maybe we need less cars and more trains. Or, more enforcement of clean air standards for corporations. Or a cleaner burning fuel. (I know, I'm pegging myself as a liberal tree hugger.)I'd be curious to research this further.
I really wish you the best of luck in your fight pineda. I'm pulling for "smart growth" because I've seen the result of uncontrolled sprawl and boy, it's ugly.

[pineda]

The EPA is nothing for anyone to be worried about. With their budgets and enforcement manpower slashed repeatedly till it's basically a shadow of their former selves, there is nothing to fear from the EPA, ever.

There is unfortunately another new version of the Grand Parkway floating around out here in northwest Harris County and Montgomery County. (yes, Senator Lindsay, you're not the only one with "contacts" ...) I will post it when I get a good copy. But, one good note, they're still looking for the money to build it....

[Houston19514]

pineda, on Friday, December 10th, 2004 @ 3:03pm, said:

The EPA is nothing for anyone to be worried about. With their budgets and enforcement manpower slashed repeatedly till it's basically a shadow of their former selves, there is nothing to fear from the EPA, ever.

This made me curious, so I went to the EPA website and looked at their Annual Reports. Their fiscal year 2004 spending was $1 BILLION higher than their Fiscal Year 2000 spending (14.24% increase). I wish my personal budget could have been "slashed" by a similar percentage in that time period...

[Lowbrow]

The EPA did have its budget cut this year, just not as much as Bush had requested. I think he asked for $600mil in cuts and they gave him $350mil or something like that.

[pineda]

History on Jon Lindsay and Jerry Eversole

Jerry Eversole

[SpringTX]

Alright, I'm in the mood for getting some explosive hatred sent my way. My point of this post will be: The Grand Parkway might not be quite so horrible. (Now I duck as the knives start flying through the air at me.)

First of all, I used to live in Katy back in 2002. Everytime I would drive by one particular section of freeway, I read signs saying "Grand Parkway". A very auspicious name. I would drive on this patch of road and see nothing but miles of grassy fields in all directions. Not a single commercial or office building along it. Hardly anybody drove on it. It was kind of a joke.

One day, I ended up taking it toward Sugar Land. I must drove for miles and miles through swampy fields. Once again, there was not a single building in sight along it. And hardly another car on the road. It was a joke.

You're probably familiar with an upscale, fast-rising planned community called Cinco Ranch in Katy. It's one of "top dog" new communities in the Houston area. The Grand Parkway happens to CUT RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE of that subdivision. When it went in, it literally split that community in half.

What has been the result of this "abomination"? Absolutely nothing. It hasn't affected property values in Cinco Ranch. Property values are doing great there. It hasn't brought in traffic or congestion. It hasn't brought in more noise. It apparently hasn't had much of any noticeable impact at all.

Now, the planned route for the section of the Grand Parkway in "Spring" (which technically isn't in Spring ISD, and isn't really near Old Town Spring) pretty much dodges the existing established major subdivisions like Northamption and Bridge-something (Bridgestone?), as far as I can tell from maps. In reading an article against the Grand Parkway, it was cited that it would effect 3 commercial establishments. That's it? Just 3? It looks like it will cut alongside maybe a few of the smaller, cheaper subdivisions? Will it even split in half a subdivision like it did in Katy?

I used to live in the Washington, DC area near a heavily-utilized greenway. It was beautiful to drive along. Most of it overlooked miles of woods and grassy fields, with a few scattered farmhouses. A greenway/parkway isn't always a bad thing. This greenway didn't resemble Houston's I-45 in the slightest. Some opponents of the Grand Parkway have said that it might wind up resembling I-45. Why are we so sure of that?

Now let's put aside the whole argument that the Grand Parkway won't actually help anyone get anywhere. Let's assume that it IS a big waste and serves no useful purpose from a traffic perspective. Then why the fuss about property values? Why the fuss about noise and traffic?

Even if it does become used, why the dark premonitions of clusters of ugly office buildings and retail outlets all along it?

I've heard it argued by Save Our Spring group that the rural character of that part of that area is disappearing. What about the new subdivisions springing up all over the place? I drove through there several weeks ago and saw several more lots where clear-cutting had occurred. And what about the overnight explosion of retail up there? I see dozens grocery stores, video game stores, and restaurants where there had been nothing but grass only months ago. Does anyone seriously think the rural character of that area stands a chance, even if the Grand Parkway were to fail? It seems to me that the rural character there is rapidly disappearing and there's nothing anyone can do about it, including stopping the Grand Parkway.

Finally, can you imagine what the east-west routes through that part of that area would be like once there are stoplights, driveways, and crosswalks every few yards? Those roads are all going to look like 1960 or Louetta in a few years. Wouldn't a parkway cutting through that area be the BEST thing to help commuters get to I-45 quickly for their downtown commute? Do the residents in places like Northampton want to watch their commutes get longer and longer as more development comes in? Wouldn't longer commutes hurt property values?

Let me summarize. The Grand Parkway might not be so bad. I'm sure an angry mob will now want to hunt me down and lynch me. There are certainly pro's and con's to any issue. But I just don't see the doom-and-gloom that is being portrayed. At least not from what I've seen so far. Maybe I'm missing something here. I hope I am wrong. If I'm missing something here, please tell me what it is and I'll GLADLY jump on the anti-Grand-Parkway bandwagon. But, for the life of me, I can't see what the fuss is all about. I can't imagine it hurting property values or altering the rural character of that area any more. Why is this section of the Grand Parkway being billed as the end of the world?

Ok, now let the firestorm commence...

[tigereye]

SpringTX, on Saturday, July 16th, 2005 @ 1:00am, said:

Ok, now let the firestorm commence...
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Its too late for a firestorm, I'm going to sleep. Maybe in the morning....

BTW, I like the GP.....as an alternative Interstate 69 route. Commercial traffic traveling through the city of Houston needs a new way to bypass this city instead of crowding up our freeways with there massive rigs with massive saftey violations, just to get 610 to go around the city. The loop did a good job of doing this back in the day. Now, its too far into the city.

[VicMan]

"ow, the planned route for the section of the Grand Parkway in "Spring" (which technically isn't in Spring ISD, and isn't really near Old Town Spring) pretty much dodges the existing established major subdivisions like Northamption and Bridge-something (Bridgestone?), as far as I can tell from maps"

Is it in Klein ISD?

I'm surprising people still think they can save any rural character whatsoever... look what happened to Alief. It went from a rural area to a ghetto in something like 50 years.

[RedScare]

I will never be one that 'supports' a new tollway, since, frankly, these things get enough support from developers. However, some statements are always thrown out by opponents of these projects, and sometimes it is done with no study, organized or otherwise, to back it up.

'Property values' is one of those buzzwords. It is thrown out, not because it is necessarily true, but to alert the troops to oppose the project. Oftentimes, the exact opposite is the case. If the Parkway were to really negatively impact proerty values, the developers would not want it. The fact is, by increasing access to the area, the GP will probably increase values.

However, that can be a problem, in and of itself. Inreased access equates to increased congestion. This is what the opponents really fear. They like the area the way it is and don't want it to become a paved over Katy Prairie. Therein lies the problem. To argue that the GP will increase access, thereby spurring development, and increasing density and congestion, they play into the argument of the developers and their pawns, the political leaders. So, they must mask the argument by arguing the exact opposite, saying the one thing that people may listen to, that it hurts property values.

Freeways or tollroads generally are only obnoxious for a short distance. Once you are a quarter mile away or so, they actually become a benefit. Everyone notes the freeway access to their home when they are trying to sell it. But, if it runs through your yard, that is a different story.

I applaud pineda and others who are contesting the GP, not because I believe they will 'win' in the general sense. The GP will go through Spring. I applaud them, because, by opposing the moneid interests supporting this road, they will force a less intrusive route, and gain other amenities, such as sound walls or additional landscaping, that will reduce its impact on the area.

[SpringTX]

VicMan, on Saturday, July 16th, 2005 @ 3:02am, said:

"ow, the planned route for the section of the Grand Parkway in "Spring" (which technically isn't in Spring ISD, and isn't really near Old Town Spring) pretty much dodges the existing established major subdivisions like Northamption and Bridge-something (Bridgestone?), as far as I can tell from maps"

Is it in Klein ISD?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, this section goes exclusively through Klein ISD subdivisions.

Although, technically the subdivisions in the area list their address as "Spring, TX" instead of "Houston, TX".

There should be a subforum for Spring/Klein, like there is for The Woodlands and Katy and so on. If anyone wants to email the administrator and request this, I would personally appreciate it. If it requires a little graft, let me know.

[SpringTX]

RedScare, on Saturday, July 16th, 2005 @ 7:56am, said:

I will never be one that 'supports' a new tollway, since, frankly, these things get enough support from developers.
...
I applaud pineda and others who are contesting the GP, not because I believe they will 'win' in the general sense.  The GP will go through Spring.  I applaud them, because, by opposing the monied interests supporting this road, they will force a less intrusive route, and gain other amenities, such as sound walls or additional landscaping, that will reduce its impact on the area.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Now I have a better sense. That helps me understand it. And it appears that what you are saying is already happening: they've had to re-draw the route several times to make it less intrusive.

[RedScare]

The reason all of these areas have a "Spring" address is that they are all served by the Spring post office near or on FM 2920. Many residents use the area that they live in as their hometown (Woodlands, Spring, Klein), but this is not the "official" city. As long as you use the ZIP code, you don't even need to list a city or state.

[texas911]

I don't mind the idea of the granparkway, but the way it was built and funded is what irks me. Bob Lanier was head of the highway commision when the grandparkway was approved, by him, to go through tracts of land that he owned. What a crock. I hated mayor Bob, he was a money grabbing scumbag.