Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 20 (TIRZ No. 20) was created by Houston City Council on December 15, 1999, by Ordinance No. 1999-1330, in an effort to enhance quality of life and spur private investment in an estimated 2,051 acres in the greater Sharpstown area. Since that time, City Council has amended the boundaries of the reinvestment zone to expand its impact to an area of approximately 6,027 acres that now includes locations such as Riceville School Road, an expanded length of Bellaire Boulevard, and the Willow Waterhole.
Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 20 (TIRZ No. 20) was created by Houston City Council on December 15, 1999, by Ordinance No. 1999-1330, in an effort to enhance quality of life and spur private investment in an estimated 2,051 acres in the greater Sharpstown area. Since that time, City Council has amended the boundaries of the reinvestment zone to expand its impact to an area of approximately 6,027 acres that now includes locations such as Riceville School Road, an expanded length of Bellaire Boulevard, and the Willow Waterhole.
The intent of the reinvestment zone is to impact the surrounding area through infrastructure improvements, utility capacity, stormwater improvement, street network enhancements, pedestrian mobility and overall connectivity improvements, park enhancements and support for redevelopment and new development of key sites including creation of mixed-use, walkable destinations.
TIRZ No. 20 is guided by a Project Plan and Reinvestment Zone Finance Plan that defines the area of the reinvestment zone, the goals and general projects that the zone will undertake, the termination date of the zone, and the revenue anticipated through the life of the zone. Over time the Project Plan and Reinvestment Zone Finance Plan has been amended five times to refine goals and projects, address needs in expanded areas of the zone, and extend the life of the zone.
The area within the boundaries of TIRZ No. 20 continues to evolve as both commercial and residential opportunities improve as a result of projects implemented by the Zone. The extension of Rogerdale Road from Bellaire Boulevard to the Westpark Tollway has created new opportunities for commercial office development. The Harwin Commercial Corridor and “Chinatown” continue to gain strength as regional shopping and dining destinations, bolstered in part by improvements to Bellaire Boulevard. Quality of life and pride in place continue to improve as a result of projects such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Club Creek Basin and Park Lighting and sidewalk improvements have enhanced connectivity and safety in the Social Service Corridor and improvements along Fondren Drive have enhanced access and mobility within the area.
Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 20 overlays the Southwest Management District. In those areas of overlap, the reinvestment zone and management district provide highly complementary services. The TIRZ offers the capacity to finance major capital improvements such as roadway reconstruction, trail and park improvements, and infrastructure enhancements that are typically too expensive to be undertaken by a management district. In return, the management district can add value to those improvements by financing aesthetic enhancements, programming civic spaces, funding security, and/or providing maintenance including upkeep of value-added improvements or added service above those provided by the city.