How Mayor Sylvester Turner Created 100,000 Jobs While Rebuilding After a Hurricane: Q&A
Mayor Sylvester Turner
HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – More than a year after Hurricane Harvey struck Houston, how is the city recovering? Is Houston better prepared for another major storm, and what more can be done? To answer these questions, Realty News Report spoke with Mayor Sylvester Turner, the city’s chief executive. Elected in December 2015, Mayor Turner is serving his first four-year term as Houston’s 62nd mayor. Since taking office, he led historic pension reforms that reduced the city’s liability by $3.5 billion and guided the city’s recovery after Hurricane Harvey. Houston has added more than 100,000 new jobs since the storm.
Realty News Report: How is Houston progressing in its recovery from Harvey?
Mayor Sylvester Turner: We reopened for business soon after the floodwaters receded. None of the dozen national conventions scheduled to take place in Houston after the storm canceled. Our economy is strong and the real estate market continues to set new records. The NCAA plans to bring the men’s Final Four back, and people from across the country and around the world continue to move to Houston. Still, many families, seniors, children and people with disabilities remain in need because they can’t fully repair their homes. Through our Neighborhood Restoration Centers created after Harvey and other efforts, we continue to reach out and help. Experiencing Harvey changed us; it strengthened our sense of community and motivated us to make the city more resilient. Progress is being made—through ordinances, federal funding mechanisms, bayou widenings and home elevations—one step at a time.
Realty News Report: How are Houstonians coping emotionally and recovering their community spirit after the grief and loss?
Mayor Sylvester Turner: I won’t minimize the grief: 36 people died in Harris County and many families lost their homes. Yet Harvey also revealed a silver lining in our community spirit. Houstonians are known for being friendly and charitable, and the storm tested those values. Residents responded with extraordinary acts of aid, generosity and volunteerism. The outpouring of support—from neighbors, volunteers and donors—was inspiring and recognized by national and international media.
Realty News Report: Can Houston be considered a resilient city?
Mayor Sylvester Turner: Resiliency is part of Houston’s DNA. The city has recovered from oil busts, economic shocks, hurricanes and floods before. Historically the city seal even shows a train and a plow, symbols of past industries. Houston has adapted as its economy evolved. The critical question is whether the city will be less flood-prone when the next major storm arrives. I believe the answer is yes, because we are taking concrete steps to reduce flood risk.
Realty News Report: Why do older neighborhoods, like Meyerland—attractive for decades—now flood more frequently?
Mayor Sylvester Turner: Two major factors are at play: continued development upstream, which increases runoff into our drainage and bayou systems, and the intensifying effects of climate change, which make storms heavier. Our resiliency plan addresses those challenges through bayou widenings, upstream detention basin acquisitions and other mitigation projects. I’m encouraged that homeowners and businesses are investing in neighborhoods like Meyerland, showing confidence in the improvements and rebuilding efforts.
Realty News Report: What should Houston prioritize now?
Mayor Sylvester Turner: We must go beyond simply replacing what was lost. We should “build forward,” making better decisions about where and how we build. Harvey was a wake-up call to abandon the status quo and plan for a safer, more resilient future.
Realty News Report: Is Houston ready for another hurricane or a major rainfall event?
Mayor Sylvester Turner: We’ve learned important lessons from Harvey and have improved our response capabilities—we’ve acquired more rescue boats, for example. Hurricanes and heavy rains will continue to arrive, and these heavy precipitation events seem more frequent. While we work on long-term solutions to reduce human-driven climate change, we must also improve near-term adaptation and preparedness.
Realty News Report: Is building a third reservoir alongside Barker and Addicks a good idea?
Mayor Sylvester Turner: Absolutely. I’m glad the required studies are underway. This time the Army Corps of Engineers needs to keep studies active and move them forward rather than shelve them. I am confident the Corps and Congress will take action to build a third reservoir.
Realty News Report: Some critics argue that downtown Houston is weakening—citing shifts in the energy sector, relocations by major oil companies, and limited commuter rail—as evidence that the city could decline like Detroit. How do you respond?
Mayor Sylvester Turner: The energy sector is recovering and growing again, but Houston’s strength goes beyond energy. Our economy is diversifying, with growth in biotech and digital innovation, and Houston continues to attract talent from around the world. Our cultural and linguistic diversity positions the city for long-term vitality. That combination of economic diversification, innovation and openness sets Houston on a path to sustained success.
Realty News Report: What do you envision for Houston in 10, 20 or 50 years?
Mayor Sylvester Turner: Houston will keep transforming, adapting faster than many competitors and growing into its role as the nation’s third most populous city. Market forces and government will work together to strengthen resilience. People will continue to move here, bringing new languages and cultures and contributing to a vibrant, welcoming city. They will seek safe neighborhoods and opportunities to thrive—and Houston will provide them.
