Each month leading up to The Woodlands 50th Anniversary celebration, content is created to honor the past, present and future of our community. During July, The Woodlands Town Center and Public/Private Partnerships will be highlighted.
By Lorrie Parise, Director, Public Relations & Community Relations for Howard Hughes, & Nick Wolda, President of Visit The Woodlands
What is a public-private partnership? A public-private partnership is a collaboration between government entities and private-sector companies, working together on a project, often involving community development, public services, or infrastructure. Public-private partnerships have been essential to the development of The Woodlands, fostering growth through innovation and shared resources.
Howard Hughes, formerly The Woodlands Corporation, has worked together with government entities for community enhancement projects, public transportation, and roadway improvements.
“Part of the success of The Woodlands is due to strategic development of public-private partnerships,” said Jim Carman, President, Houston Region for Howard Hughes. “These collaborations have not only facilitated the growth and sustainability of the community but have also fostered innovative solutions and efficient resource management, ensuring a thriving environment for residents and businesses alike.”
The partnership between public and private sectors is crucial in elevating The Woodlands, one of the most highly acclaimed master planned communities in the nation. These alliances help ensure the evolution of visionary achievements, laying the groundwork for a high quality of life experience now and for generations to come.
Community Enhancement Projects
The Woodlands prioritizes sustainability and wellness, allocating an unprecedented 35% of its acreage to green space. Howard Hughes included in the master plan, designed and constructed over 220 miles of hike-and-bike trails, 151 parks, and 14 community pools, which were then donated to The Woodlands Township. In addition, thousands of acres of forest preserves and open green space have also been donated by Howard Hughes to The Woodlands Township with the goal for them to be permanently preserved for that use. The Woodlands Township ensures continual maintenance to enhance sustainability and provide ongoing enjoyment for current and future residents.
Community improvement initiatives also encompass bridges, streetscapes (including sidewalks and lighting), benches, signage, fountains, bike racks, wetlands, and landscaping enhancements.
The Riva Row Boat House, located along The Woodlands Waterway and established in 2009, was a collaborative effort between the Town Center Owners Association and Howard Hughes. The Lakes Edge Boat House, situated in Hughes Landing and opened in 2016, was constructed by Howard Hughes. Both the Riva Row Boat House and the Lakes Edge Boat House were then donated to The Woodlands Township, which now maintains and operates the recreational facilities for the enjoyment of residents and visitors both now and in the future.
In The Woodlands, shared parking lots are a collaborative effort among parks, churches, and schools, each utilizing these spaces at different times throughout the day. The Research Forest Park & Ride also shares a parking lot with adjacent Gosling Sports Field. Originally conceived by the developer, this innovative approach aims to lower building costs for these entities while promoting efficient land use and fostering community integration by providing flexible and shared amenities.
The Woodlands Town Center
The Woodlands has become an economic juggernaut in the Greater Southeast Texas area and one of the key reasons is the development of The Woodlands Town Center. Public-private partnerships played a key role in the development of the Town Center through the Town Center Improvement District (TCID). Created in 1993 by the Texas Legislature, one of TCID’s founding enabling legislative mandates was economic development.
Economic development is key within The Woodlands as nearly 60% of The Woodlands Township’s budget is derived from sales tax and hotel occupancy taxes. This allows for The Woodlands Township to have one of the lowest property taxes for The Woodlands residents of any local jurisdictions in the state of Texas. Public-private partnerships contributed mightily to the development of the Town Center.
One of its first major public-private partnerships was the development of the convention center known as The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center. A public-private partnership between The Woodlands Development Company (now Howard Hughes Holdings) and TCID (now The Woodlands Township), the hotel convention center attracts tens of thousands of guests each year for leisure, convention and business travel. The Woodlands Marriott Hotel & Convention Center has been named Marriott’s #1 hotel convention center in North America in 2014 and 2022.
Following this development, in the early 2000s, TCID/The Woodlands Township and The Woodlands Development Company/Howard Hughes developed Waterway Square which is now home to the fountains, the plaza areas, retail, restaurants and premier office space. Today, Waterway Square is a favorite gathering spot along The Woodlands Waterway.
Other key public-private partnerships by TCID/The Woodlands Township include the expansion of The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion from a capacity of 10,000 to 13,000 in the early 2000s and then the expansion from 13,000 to 16,500 after Hurricane Ike in 2008. Today, The Cynthia Woodlands Mitchell Pavilion is consistently ranked in the Top 5 in the world for ticket sales for outdoor amphitheaters.
TCID/The Woodlands Township additionally played a key role with Economic Development Zones to create Market Street, the outdoor expansion of The Woodlands Mall, and Fire Station #6 in conjunction of the Emergency Training Center in the Village of College Park.
“Public-private partnerships have been instrumental in shaping The Woodlands’ remarkable achievements. By fostering collaboration between government entities and private enterprises, these partnerships have helped sustain the success of The Woodlands,” said Robert Heineman, former Vice President of Planning for Howard Hughes. “Innovative infrastructure development, efficient resource management, and community-focused initiatives have helped transform The Woodlands into a perfect example of effective urban planning and development.”
Public Transportation: The Woodlands Waterway and Park & Rides
The award-winning The Woodlands Waterway spans 1.8 miles, serving as a central water feature that defines the Town Center as a lively entertainment and cultural district. The Woodlands Waterway is a successful multi-decade, public-private partnership between Howard Hughes and several public entities.
The concept for The Woodlands Waterway was initially sketched by Robert Heineman in 1972, when he worked with the founder of The Woodlands, George Mitchell. Construction on The Woodlands Waterway began in 1999 after deliberate planning. The completion and celebration of The Woodlands Waterway occurred in 2018. In 2023, Howard Hughes gifted The Woodlands Waterway to The Woodlands Township for the residents, underscoring Howard Hughes commitment to stewardship and providing nature-inspired amenities for the enjoyment of residents, visitors, and future generations.
The Woodlands highlights two federally funded transportation programs. First, The Woodlands Express Park & Ride began in 1984 at the Sawdust Road Park & Ride lot and expanded to include additional facilities at Research Forest and Sterling Ridge, enhancing regional transportation options.
Service started for The Woodlands Town Center Trolleys in 2007 and continues to provide complimentary service in the Town Center for residents and visitors.
Partners
Howard Hughes continues to develop and maintain public-private partnerships and is grateful to the partnership with public entities and the dedication and support of our community. The collaboration has helped establish the quality-of-life residents and businesses alike enjoy and will continue to appreciate for generations.
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Many thanks to The Woodlands 50th Anniversary Sponsors:
FOUNDING – Howard Hughes
PRODUCER – The Woodlands Township
LEGACY – Woodforest National Bank
HERITAGE – Waste Connections Inc.
GOLD – Entergy Texas, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital
SILVER – SVN/JBeard Real Estate, The John Cooper School