Branding Katy: Initiative Aimed at Creating a Unified Identity For the Greater Katy Area

Author: Your Houston News – Kevin Koloian

The Katy-Area Economic Development Council began a study in May aimed at establishing a recognizable ‘brand’ for the Katy area. Called the Placemaker Initiative, the stated goal is to “create an engaging gateway to a unique identity for the greater Katy Area.”

With as much community participation as possible, the council hopes to understand how Katy residents view themselves. “It will be more than just a slogan, but also who we are and what we stand for, all the distinguishing characteristics about Katy and what separates us from other communities,” said Lance LaCour, president and CEO of the Katy-Area Economic Development Council.

The Nashville based marketing firm ChandlerThinks was hired to lead the project. It previously worked with 45 other cities across the United States on similar projects.  “Through some of the work the committee did, they realized that we needed to establish a more unified brand that included the city of Katy and the three county area,” LaCour said. “Part of the reason for that is due to the fact that people in Katy live in different political jurisdictions like Cinco Ranch and the city of Katy.”

The branding will be evident through signs welcoming people to Katy at key entrance points and expand the theme to major intersections. “The branding process will give businesses a stronger identity to market to the Katy area,” LaCour said. “It will also build a stronger sense of place for Katy.”

Currently the survey is asking greater Houston residents via email their perception of Katy, LaCour said. The project should be finished in October. The marketing plan will then be developed and the br

via Katy Real Estate and Events Blog.

Grand Parkway Project Moving Along as Planned | Katy EDC

Author: The Katy Times – Benjamin Newland & Tracy Dang

The Texas Department of Transportation said construction of direct connectors between Interstate 10 and Grand Parkway is on schedule and should be complete by the end of this year. One connector would take travelers on the Interstate 10 westbound lanes to the Grand Parkway southbound lanes. The other would take travelers on the Grand Parkway northbound lanes to the Interstate 10 eastbound lanes.

Public information officer Danny Perez said the connectors will cost roughly $29 million, but the investment may prove worth it for area drivers who face the traffic at the intersection. “The addition of these ramps will significantly help the flow of traffic, by reducing the traffic volumes at the current SH 99/IH 10 frontage road signalized intersections,” Perez said.

“Many motorists who currently go through the signalized intersections will now have an uninterrupted flow from the current SH 99 corridor to and from IH 10 east of SH 99,” he said.

Although the intersection was closed for three consecutive weekends in July, it remained opened last weekend. Closures will be posted at http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/construction/construction_report.aspx.

Section E

In addition, TxDOT is constructing main lane decks to connect Grand Parkway South to the northern section of the road as a part of Section E, which will extend Grand Parkway to Highway 290.

“Excluding the two direct connectors that will be complete by the end of this year, all additions to the current SH 99 corridor will be tolled,” Perez said.

However, he emphasized that none of the existing portions of Grand Parkway will have a toll.

via Grand Parkway Project Moving Along as Planned | Katy EDC.

Drought brings water conservation to Cinco Southwest MUDs

Drought conditions in the area have forced some municipal utility districts in Cinco Ranch to implement water conservation measures.

“While some homeowners have been asked to comply with voluntary water conservation measures, other MUDs are under mandatory conservation measures, punishable for violations. Residents should take careful note of which MUD their property falls under, so as to avoid confusion.

Cinco Southwest districts are under mandatory restrictions; residents and business owners should have received a direct notice via mail from Severn Trent Services shortly after June 2. Properties in the Cinco Ranch master district #MUDs Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 14#, however, are only asked to voluntarily restrict water usage, as urged by public signs posted throughout the area.”

Continue:    via Katy Real Estate and Events Blog.

Fourth of July festivities set for Katy, sans fireworks – Your Houston News:

Fourth of July festivities set for Katy, sans fireworks By REBECCA BENNETT Houston Community Newspapers

Even though you’re prohibited from setting off fireworks due to recent drought conditions, there’s plenty of chances to check them out elsewhere for July 4.

The Katy Heritage Society will be having an Independence Day Children’s Bike and Trike Parade for children ages 3 to 8 at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Katy Heritage Park as part of an old-fashioned celebration.

via Fourth of July festivities set for Katy, sans fireworks – Your Houston News:.

A Louisiana Man is Sentenced after Stalking a Katy Resident for Over 4 Years

Thanks to our Harris and Ft. Bend County law enforcement agencies, a man has been sentenced in the stalking case of a Katy woman. We can only hope that he does not get out soon with ‘good behavior’ for time already served…

Man charged in stalking case   By Tracy Dang, Times Managing Editor Katy Times

A Louisiana man is going to jail after stalking a Katy resident for more than four years. A Fort Bend County jury convicted Douglas Lee McGowan, 34, of Baton Rouge of the third-degree charge on June 15 and sentenced him to four years in prison on June 17.

According to the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office, the case dated back to April 2005 in Louisiana when the victim was approached by a co-worker who said, “If you play your cards right, I will let you take me to lunch.”

Continue:   via Katy and Houston Area News and Events.

KATY – WEST HOUSTON: No Time to Cook? Homemade To-Go

No Time to Cook? No worries. We’ll do it for you ! Homemade To-Go is an affordable catering service specializing in gourmet meals for your family dinners and casual entertaining….and offering a selection of popular appetizers and entrees that will vary monthly. The goal of this service is to allow you to enjoy the convenience of your favorite foods served in the comfort of your home… eliminate the time-consuming grocery shopping and food preparation…and free up valuable time for your higher priority family and business activities. Relax and enjoy.After a long day at work, imagine coming home and having a healthy, home-cooked dinner ready for you

Homemade To-Go

KATY TX – Summer Camp: Katy Summer Fun

KATY TX – Summer Camp: Katy Summer Fun

6/9 – 6/10    VFW Hall    6202 George Bush Dr.

The City of Katy will offer a variety of summer camps including: Lego Logo, Lego Mania, Fashion Designer, Camp Barbie, and Kindergarten Jumpstart. Each camp session is $89. Times and ages vary per camp. For more information visit cityofkaty.com or call 281-391-4840.

CHECK OUT MORE CAMPS via Katy and Houston Area News and Events.

Houston Area Figures & Facts by AEDO

Houston Area Figures & Facts by AEDO

“Economic Facts & Figures for Houston – AEDO  / Economic Development / Facts & Figures

The Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown Metropolitan Statistical Area (Houston MSA) consists of 10 counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto and Waller. The Houston metro area:

1. Ranks sixth among U.S. metropolitan statistical areas with a population of 5,867,489 as of mid-2009.
   Covers more than 10,000 square miles.
2.  Has a gross product of $403.8 billion, according to The Perryman Group.
3. Recorded 2.54 million payroll jobs in November 2010, more than the job counts of 31U.S. states, including Arizona, Colorado and Alabama.See Demographics, Business Climate and more:
   Economic Facts & Figures for Houston – AEDO“

Katy TX – Farmers Market News

Find homemade treats and handmade treasures every Saturday from
8 a.m. – noon at the Farmers Market at LaCenterra. This week’s market is conveniently located in Heritage Square.

via Katy and Houston Area News and Events: Katy TX – Farmers Market News.

Housing Market Predictions 2011: Home Prices May Still Be Too High

Housing Market Predictions 2011: Home Prices May Still Be Too High “by Ilyce R. Glink

What’s the forecast for the housing market for the rest of 2011? My prediction is that the market will continue to suffer for the balance of this year and well into next year. Why aren’t home buyers buying? Maybe they’ve heard the recent spate of bad housing news:”