HOUSTON – (Commentary by Ralph Bivins, Editor, Realty News Report) Houston is on the verge of making a serious mistake in choosing the site for its high-speed rail connection to North Texas.
The proposed Texas Central 200 mph rail line between Houston and Dallas has many positive aspects.
The train would improve transit options, boost the regional economy, and help prepare Houston for future growth as the metropolitan area approaches a population of 10 million.
But the planned location for the southern terminal is a major misstep.
Texas Central Partners has contracted to acquire the Northwest Mall site for the southern terminus. While that nearby mall property might suit certain types of redevelopment, it is a poor choice for a major transportation hub.
If you haven’t visited Northwest Mall recently—most people haven’t—it sits near the intersection of Loop 610 and Highway 290.
Northwest Mall is difficult to reach unless you have a helicopter.
The site borders the West Loop, repeatedly identified as one of the busiest freeways in Texas. Highway 290 also regularly experiences severe congestion.
Why direct an additional 10,000 to 20,000 train passengers a day into the Northwest Mall area? Local streets and freeways would be overwhelmed.
Mayor Sylvester Turner has rightly prioritized reducing Houston’s reliance on cars. That strategy is necessary for the city’s future.
However, the train’s southern stop should be downtown, where it can connect to existing transit systems that can be expanded and enhanced. Downtown already employs more than 100,000 people and offers the densest concentration of mass transit in Houston to move riders efficiently.
I don’t understand why Texas Central would plan to end the 240-mile line at Northwest Mall. My suspicion is that they chose this location to reduce costs on a project with an estimated $15 to $18 billion budget.
Downtown is the appropriate place for the station. It may still be possible to secure the old downtown Post Office property, currently owned by Frank Liu. That site sits just a few blocks from Amtrak’s station.
Transit stations often become powerful engines for development. For example, Mark Falcone of Denver’s Continuum Partners redeveloped Denver’s historic train station into a lively hub with retail, restaurants, new office buildings, apartments, and a Kimpton hotel. Eight commuter rail lines converge there. Houston could realize a similar transformation.
Falcone is widely regarded for transit-oriented development; he addressed the ULI Houston District Council last year. Last summer I toured his projects around Denver’s transportation hub, and the integration of uses there is remarkable. Engaging an expert like him for consultation would be worthwhile.
Imagine a world-class downtown train station in Houston: restaurants, shops, hotels, nearby housing, and direct connections to light rail, buses, and commuter rail.
Mayor Turner, who grew up in Northwest Houston, has served well. Still, this decision risks repeating a past leadership error—overlooking existing rail right-of-way along the Katy Freeway and turning that corridor into one of the widest roadways in the world.
Don’t make a monumental mistake. The rail station belongs in Downtown Houston — not at Northwest Mall.
Feb. 6, 2018, Realty News Report Copyright 2018
Commentary by Ralph Bivins, Editor. Realty News Report