TIRZ disproportionately benefit affluent areas

[hbg.50]

According to a recent Baker Institute study… no surprises here…

Controversial Houston development zones benefit mostly the rich, Baker Institute study finds
 

Houston’s controversial network of development zones has disproportionately benefited affluent areas while also shifting the burden of funding basic services onto lower-income neighborhoods, researchers at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy report in a new study.

The report echoes the findings of a 2022 Houston Chronicle investigation, which found that the agencies often trap funds in prosperous communities while needier areas stagnate – and that Houston runs the largest development zone program in the state and has expanded its zones and extended their lifespans more aggressively than peer cities.

The Baker Institute study comes as Mayor John Whitmire’s administration launches an audit of the zones’ spending after a former official at one of the agencies was charged with four felonies in June. 
 

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/article/houston-tirz-benefit-rich-baker-institute-19907360.php

[trymahjong]

I only have experience with one TIRZ— Montrose.

yup, I was part of coalition to get it brought forth and have attended probably 90% of it’s meetings over the last 10 years. That’s what happens when a community feels it is treated poorly by City government and rarely if ever granted any money—- read that to mean…rarely granted any CIP monies. No matter how much those CIP would have benefitted the community. There an hugely active a super neighbor Organization within Montrose. If enough members of that (tax paying individuals and business owners )feel like they are being treated like @#$! By their City——- things start to change- then community organizing happens. In Montrose—- it was the impending threat of being annexed by Midtown TIRZ ( Montrose generated tax dollars would go to Midtown)that p@#$&$d every one off enough to get a movement started to have a TIRZ for Montrose. Everyone  can get behind the idea that tax monies raised in Montrose, should stay in Montrose. The board members chosen by COH, were first rate! I was lucky enough to know most of the board members.

I wasn’t the only person, who closely watched this TIRZ and advocated for accountability— There must be over dozen or so Montrose community residents, who attended as I did—- this cadre, didn’t hesitate to question projects and spending.

So my supposition is this: when all the Mayors smoke clears at this latest “ slash and burn” approach to public boards settles….. I am betting what ever malfeasance is uncovered will be from Those TIRZ that were not “watch-dogged” by community members.

 

Oh and that study concerning who benefits from TIRZ in their committee…….? Look closely at locations of TIRZ- A committee has to begin the difficult task of establishing a TIRZ- then jump through a myriad of hoops to actually get it up and running- THEN get enough community members to watch over it at each and every meeting. Obviously, there is no romance in that journey. Also no respect nor recognition . ALL of that effort by community members ……all of that is exhausting! In today’s reality, it’s hard to get —not to mention retain —- that community involvement.

 

 

[BeerNut]

Midtown TIRZ definitely needed more oversight.