Streetsblog on Ned Holmes and SH99

Gave the project new life

Jay Blazek Crossley, Nov 15, 11.

Continuing its series on developers, land speculators, and decisions of the Texas Transportation Commission, Streetsblog DC looks at the role of Texas Transportation Commissioner Ned Holmes - who “donated $192,000 to Rick Perry before the governor appointed him to TxDOT’s powerful Texas Transportation Commission in 2007” - in bringing the proposed SH99 180-mile toll road back to life:

This spring, leaders in Harris County had thrown up their hands. The county simply could not afford to finance the Grand Parkway. It looked like sprawl interests in Houston had their limits after all.

Then came an interesting chain of events:

TxDOT agreed to assume responsibility for the project (the whole 180-mile project, not just the 15 miles known as Segment E that are next in line to be built) despite its dire financial straits.

ExxonMobil announced its intention to move its North American headquarters to 1,800 acres bordering the proposed Segment E, from its current location 10 miles closer to the city.

Ned Holmes scoured TxDOT’s books for any available money. With construction costs down during the recession, he was able to scrounge up some $350 million in savings that could be diverted to the Grand Parkway.
Shortly after the decision was handed down, West Houston Association, a suburban development group, applauded Holmes’ “leadership.”

Meanwhile, your average Houston-area resident might see it differently. According to the 2011 Houston Area Survey by Rice University, a “high proportion of Harris County residents are seeking a more urban lifestyle.” A plurality, or 45 percent, of all Harris County residents said “they would prefer instead to live in an area with a mix of developments, including homes, shops and restaurants.”

Jay Crossley of the smart growth advocacy group Houston Tomorrow said he is not aware of a single public statement made in support of Segment E outside of suburban developers and their political allies. He believes public opinion about transportation is evolving and that eventually Texas leadership will be forced to follow suit.

Just last year, TxDOT underwent an independent audit. The report identified a “trust issue” between members of the public and TxDOT leadership. “Over recent years, TxDOT has been subject to increasing criticism from the public, from the Legislature, from community leaders and others,” the report stated. The Texas Legislature, however, failed to pass comprehensive TxDOT reform.

“I’m optimistic that the better voices will prevail eventually,” said Crossley. “The people of Houston are beyond this, the elected officials are still invested. How much do they have to destroy before the elected officials catch up, is sorta the sad part.”