Terri Norman - The Vista Companies

Lothar Freund of Kraton Polymers LLC (“Kraton”), Kevin White of KGW Real Estate, and Lance LaCour, CEO of the Katy Area Economic Development Council (the “Katy EDC”) have announced the relocation of Kraton’s Research and Development facility...

HOUSTON – Gov. Rick Perry today spoke at the ribbon-cutting for the Katy Freeway Reconstruction Project, emphasizing the economic importance of developing the state’s transportation infrastructure and reiterating the need to find a long-term transportation funding solution in the upcoming legislative session.

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.

The City of Katy is taking a step forward in trying to preserve its past.

The council is proposing an ordinance that would create a historic district and extend the boundaries of the area known as Historic Katy.

“Right now, there’s a funny little square that is designated as Historic Katy,” councilwoman Carol Adams said. “But that little square does not include many of our oldest homes that could be redone for commercial or residential use.”

Homes in Historic Katy are exempted from certain codes and ordinances, but old homes outside that area do not have the same protection.

The Katy Independent School Districts Miller Career & Technology Center has broken ground on a $17.9 million expansion, according to information presented at the recently Katy Economic Development Council meeting.

Despite tougher standards, the Katy Independent School District improved its accountability rating from "acceptable" to "recognized" the second highest state rating.

The good news came Friday when the Texas Education Agency released its 2008 Academic Accountability ratings.

According to the TEA, more schools statewide are rated exemplary and recognized this year. Exemplary ratings went to 43 school districts and 996 schools this year compared to 27 districts and 643 schools in 2007, the release said.

A long-awaited street extension near the Grand Parkway is complete and already providing Katy-area motorists with increased mobility.
The extension of Kingsland Boulevard between the Grand Parkway and Katy-Fort Bend Road was opened to traffic Oct. 31, said Randy Schilhab, manager of engineering for Harris County Precinct 3, which coordinated construction.
After a year of construction, the completed road extension is expected to help improve traffic flow near a heavily-congested area of the Grand Parkway.

Opus West Corp. has inked a deal with KBC Advanced Technologies to be the first tenant in its Energy Crossing I development.

The firm will occupy nearly 30,000 square feet on the top floor of the six-story building at Interstate 10 and Texas 6 in the Energy Corridor. The building will be completed in January.

KBC provides consulting and technology services to refining, petrochemical and other processing industries worldwide.

The office will initially house 55 employees and increase that number to 82.

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.

LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch has seen the addition of nine new office tenants during the first half of 2008. Center management reports approximately 25,000 square feet of class “A” office space was leased between January 1 and June 30.