MSNBC is running a Houston Business Journal article on a study being conducted to determine if Houston needs an “intermodal transit center”:
The Houston Downtown Management District is taking the lead in an inter-governmental agency project to study the feasibility of an intermodal center, which is also referred to as a multimodal center. The 32-member steering committee that will analyze the resulting data is co-chaired by Mark Cover of Hines, Bill Franks of Spire Realty Group and Houston City Councilmember Adrian Garcia.
[snip]
The downtown district is spearheading the intermodal center study with several sponsoring entities: The Main Street Coalition, Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) and the Midtown Management District/Midtown Redevelopment Authority.
A total of $430,000 has been raised to pay for the feasibility study, but officials say not all of that may be spent on the process.
The Texas Department of Transportation is contributing $200,000 in grant money earmarked for intercity bus service; the Houston City Council voted this week to allocate $150,000 in federal funds that are designated for Main Street work; the downtown district is paying $40,000; Metro is throwing in $20,000; and the Midtown district and Main Street Coalition are each putting up $10,000.
The consultants will help determine whether Houston needs one large intermodal transit center or whether the area might be better served by several smaller sites throughout the city.
[snip]
As the consultants begin their work, they will likely look to the success of Mockingbird Station in Dallas. The 10-acre, pedestrian-friendly development adjoins the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Mockingbird Station. Commercial development includes more than 90 shops and restaurants, office space, parking, 216 loft apartments and an eight-screen Angelika Film Center and Cafe.
Consultant John Stainback, Stainback’s managing partner, says a transit-oriented development that typically includes housing and retail is funded in such a way that does not require voter approval.
