Township sets new Town Center park projects

The Woodlands Township has approved a request from The Woodlands Development Co. to change its park projects in Town Center for 2010.
The Woodlands Development Co. requested $2.1 million for new parks and pathways in Town Center and along The Woodlands Waterway. It found an alternate source of funding for a new park and new plans for The Millennium complex, so it asked the township to advance other projects planned over the next five years. The cost of the program will remain the same.
The project amount doesn't change, said Don Norrell, president and general manager of the township. Some projects are deferred, and there is acceleration of some projects."
The township is expected to save nearly $1 million on the construction of Millennium Park, a new park and pathway connecting apartments on Timberloch Place to The Woodlands Waterway. The Town Center Owners Association, a group of property owner that pay fees in Town Center area, will finance those facilities, said Alex Sutton, a township board member and co-president of The Woodlands Development Co.
In addition to the Millennium Park and mew funds, The Woodlands Development Co. also deferred some pathway projects in Town Center.
In its place, The Woodlands Development Co. requested improvement to the south end of Waterway Square Place, including curbs, sidewalk, lighting and trees, near the site of a proposed hotel. It also added new sidewalk, lighting and landscaping projects in Town Center.
Board Member Peggy Hausman asked if the $1 million in savings could be used for other park improvements that were deferred in the village areas.
Is this the best us of all the money for all the parks in The Woodlands?" asked Hausman. Would it better serve in capital reserve?"
John Powers, assistant general manager of the township, said it was up to the board to distribute the funds. He did point out that The Woodlands Community Association also accelerated its five year park plan by using surplus funds before the merger.
The revised park plan passed by a vote of six to three, with Hausman, Tom Campbell and Claude Hunter opposing.
Last month, the township board approved an overall list of park project for 2010 in The Woodlands. It included$4.8 million mainly for new parks and pathways in Creekside Park and May Valley in Sterling Ridge; $2.1 million for parks and pathways in Town Center and along The Woodlands Waterway, and $1.2 million in upgrades to existing parks.
Some of the projects will be paid from bond funds, which are expected to be sold in March, and some will come from general operating expenses.
Under an existing agreement between The Woodlands Development Co. and the Community Associations of The Woodlands, the township will split the cost of new parks in newer villages with the developer and all new public improvements made in Town Center are paid by the township.
New Projects for Town Center
The Woodlands Township approved a change in projects for Town Center for 2010. Following are the new projects, estimated to cost $1.5 million, under the proposed $2.1 million plan for Town Center.
Waterway Square Place, sidewalks, lighting and landscaping, $120,000
Waterway Avenue, sidewalks, lighting and landscaping, $282,000
Woodloch Forest Drive, lighting and trees, $396,000
Six Pines Drive, lighting and trees, $134,000
Timberloch West, sidewalks, lighting and landscaping, $84,000
Lake Robbins, sidewalk and landscaping, $80,000
Timberloch East, sidewalks, landscaping, lighting, $398,000
Source: The Woodlands Township