By Tracy Dang
Times Managing Editor
Published:
Monday, January 19, 2009 9:23 AM CST
Even though the Houston area has seen a slowdown in recent commercial and residential growth, the greater Katy area is continuing to see growth,” said Dr. Pat Guseman, a demographer with Population and Survey Analysts.

Guseman presented the most recent study of growth and projections of the Katy Independent School District area during the Greater Katy Chamber of Commerce luncheon Wednesday.

“Katy ISD is one of the fastest growing large districts,” Guseman said. “It remains in to the top 20 statewide and is fourth in Houston.”

While Cy-Fair ISD has become a leader in percent-change enrollment during the last five years, Katy ISD follows closely behind. (more…)

will be open for business beginning Wednesday, February 4th!

Schedule: The bistro will be open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:30-1:30 as district testing and activity schedules allow. Dates of closure will be posted on the MCTC website updated weekly.

Reservations: Recommended, but not required. Please call 281-237-7580 to make a reservation. The current menu is attached for your convenience.

Terms: The Old Town Bistro accepts CASH only (no credit cards, debit cards or checks).

Parking: Park on the east side of Miller. Use the Old Town Bistro entrance beneath the awning. 1734 Katyland Drive (west of Rhodes Stadium).

Catering: Available for special events and meetings. Contact Patty Kenjura at 281-237-7580 to discuss possibilities.

We look forward to seeing you at the Old Town Bistro!

Some development is delayed because of the economy
By HELEN ERIKSEN CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT
Dec. 10, 2008, 8:14AM

Earlier this year, WoodCreek Development purchased 85 acres near Katy Mills mall to build a retail and office development dubbed Katy Main Street.

Given that the economic slump has affected other projects, developers say they are moving forward cautiously with plans to build the mixed-use center on the southwest corner of Interstate 10 at Pin Oak Road.

“I’d be remiss in saying the economic downturn didn’t affect the entire country,” said Robert Anthony, the firm’s director of land acquisitions, speaking to members of the Katy Area Economic Development Council during a Dec. 9 general assembly meeting.

“But as a partnership and as a company, we are as well-positioned as possible to move forward,” he said. (more…)

By KIMBERLY PIÑA CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT
Nov. 30, 2008, 3:59PM

As Katy grows with more commercial and residential development, two City Council members are working to preserve the small town’s heritage and protect historic landmarks through a new ordinance.

City Council members Carol Adams and Fabol Hughes are proposing a new historic landmark and historic district ordinance that would help protect historic buildings, promote economic development and preserve Katy’s history. (more…)

Economy has impacted timing, says developer
By HELEN ERIKSEN CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT

The LaCenterra retail center development in the heart of Cinco Ranch, is preparing to expand despite the sluggish economy, developers say.

The 34-acre mixed-use project, which opened its first phase in spring 2007, is being built in three phases over several years, developer Woody Mann Jr. of Vista Equities Group said. Facilities include upscale retail, office and medical leasing space. The planned expansion will include about 250 one-and two bedroom residential units.

“We’ll definitely proceed with the second phase of the development, but the timing has certainly been impacted by the state of the economy, as has the status of most development in the planning stage,” Mann said. (more…)

The city of Katy will present its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Katy Heritage Park, 5990 George Bush Drive, on Nov. 20, beginning at 5 p.m.

The event will include photos with and letters to Santa, children’s activities, family entertainment, holiday treats and “a chilly surprise for all the kids.”

The event is coordinated through Katy’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Plans were unveiled at the Katy Area EDC General Assembly meeting on Tuesday August 12 by Clay Development & Construction for the development of two new business parks and construction of a 148,000 sq. ft. industrial spec building west of the Katy city limits. Clay Development has acquired the Stonegate Business Park (Stonegate) located east of Pederson Road between I-10 and US 90 and a 175 acre rail-served tract located north of US 90.

Clay Business Development Manager Charlie Christ made the presentation at the meeting. “We are developing Stonegate with a focus on distribution space from 17,500 sq. ft. to 148,000 sq. ft. on parcels from three to 25 acres and a total of 40 acres are available,” noted Christ. (more…)

July 27, 2008, 10:59PM
2008 Houston Chronicle

The Houston-Galveston Area Council will hold five public meetings in August to explain the four new “managed lanes” that will open in October in the middle of the Katy Freeway.

The lanes will be open to high-occupancy vehicles and buses for free during rush hours and to toll-paying drivers at any time. In other places, the arrangement is called High Occupancy Toll, or HOT, lanes.

The meetings start at 6 p.m.:

•Aug. 14: Kendall Branch Library, 14330 Memorial, Houston
•Aug. 19: Katy Elementary School cafeteria, 5726 George Bush, Katy
•Aug. 21: Memorial Church of Christ, 900 Echo, Houston
•Aug. 26: Cinco Ranch Library, 2620 Commercial Center, Katy
•Aug. 28: Heights Branch Library, 1302 Heights Blvd., Houston

Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Katy residents looking to help save the environment by recycling their soda cans and milk jugs have a new location to drop off their materials.

The city has placed a large green-and-yellow container from Abitibi Bowater for aluminum and plastic recycling at the back corner of the Social Services building, 905 Ave. C. Two other containers for paper recycling are also available at the same location.

The city of Katy does not offer curbside recycling, said Jamie Wolman, community specialist for the city’s parks department.

“We are hoping this effort will be an indication of how interested our citizens are in recycling,” said Wolman, adding that the recycling effort is a pilot program.

In addition, residents can now recycle outdated phone books through a partnership between Abitibi, Consolidated Communications, Wal-Mart and Keep Katy Beautiful.

A paper recycler has been placed on the northeast corner of the Katy Mills Wal-Mart parking lot and will be available until Sept. 1.

For information, call 281-391-4726.

July 16, 2008, 6:18PM

A new upscale outdoor mall featuring national and local retailers is headed to the Katy area. Simon Property Group, the owners of Katy Mills Mall, is planning to build a 1.1-million-square-foot mall on the north side of the Katy Freeway near the Grand Parkway and Mason Road.

According to plans on the company’s Web site, www.simon.com, the first phase of the mall development will feature an open-air, town center-type of shopping center.

Scheduled to open in 2012, the outdoor mall will include traditional and fashion department stores, big-box stores, specialty retailers and restaurants.

Officials have not said when construction will begin.