HOUSTON – The Memorial-Heights Redevelopment Authority and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number Five (TIRZ No. 5), City of Houston, Texas are pleased to announce that the redevelopment and revitalization of Spotts Park has been awarded the 2005 Effective Citizen Partnership Award by the Houston Section of the American Planning Association (APA).

“On behalf of the Memorial-Heights Redevelopment Authority, TIRZ No. 5 and the entire development team, I am honored to accept this award.  I’m gratified to see that the Houston Section of the APA recognizes the efforts of so many people that have resulted in the enhancement of a real community asset.” said Charles Leyendecker, Chairman of Boards of Directors of the Memorial-Heights Redevelopment Authority and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number Five.

In 1996, the project developer Archstone-Smith, then known as Security Capital Pacific Trust, petitioned the City to create a 120-acre Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone bounded by Memorial Drive, Waugh Drive, Washington Avenue and Washington Cemetery, which includes Spotts Park.  In creating TIRZ No. 5, the City of Houston partnered with Harris County and the Houston Independent School District to provide tax increment revenue financing for various public improvements, including the improvements to Spotts Park.

TIRZ No. 5/Memorial-Heights is one of the most successful mixed use redevelopment projects in the City, having created more than 1,550 new residential dwelling units, 150 of which are in home ownership.  In 1996, the taxable value of property with the Zone boundaries was $25,951,340.  Today, the taxable value of that same land is estimated to be $224,143,578.

Mr. Leyendecker added that, “Archstone-Smith and Clark Condon Associates, the landscape architectural firm responsible for the design of Spotts Park, did an outstanding job of responding to the wishes of area residents, as well as those of two different City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department Directors.  I’d also like to recognize the efforts of the rest of the redevelopment team: Knudson & Associates, Brown & Gay Engineers, and Kerry R. Gilbert & Associates, whose hard work and dedication and professionalism made this project a reality.”

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