Oak Ridge North was featured on the cover of the January, 2015 issue of Community Impact Newspaper–The Woodlands Edition. To read the article, click HERE.
EDC Board Meeting Date Change
EDC Board of Directors meet monthly on the third Monday of each month. In both January and February, 2015 the third Monday is a designated city holiday, MLK Day in January and Presidents’ Day in February. Therefore, the EDC will meet on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Oak Ridge North City Hall, 27424 Robinson Road, Oak Ridge North, 77385. Board business for both January and February will be covered in this meeting.
Cornerstone CNC Machine Shop Leasing in ORN
Hanna Business Park, Section I LP is happy to announce that Cornerstone CNC Machine Shop has leased 2,000 square feet of warehouse space in Hanna Business Park Section I, 26797 Hanna Road, City of Oak Ridge North, Texas 77386. Cornerstone CNC Machine Shop is a brand new company that specializes in high-tech manufacturing of parts for the oil and gas industry. This lease will join four other oil related tenants in the first section of Hanna I: SVM Energy, Enteq Upstream, Inc., DrillMaster, Inc, and James Walker Oil and Gas.
John Tatum, Managing Partner of Hanna Business Park, Section I, LP stated. “We are thrilled to have Cornerstone CNC Machine Shop move into the space in Hanna Section I. Not only does the company complement our other tenants, but also allows Hanna Section I to be 100% leased.”
About Hanna Business Park
Started in 2006 by the Hanna Investment Group, a limited partnership of professionals and executives, the original complex includes 4 multi-tenant and 2 single-tenant buildings. The additional 5.6 acres is contiguous to this development.
Hanna Business Park has been developed to meet the growing business demands of The Woodlands/South Montgomery County. It is located conveniently near the Hardy Toll Road and Interstate 45 within 2 miles of the The Woodlands Mall and the Exxon complex which is to be completed in 2015.
Section I retail space is occupied by a restaurant, barber shop and health studio. The spaces behind the retail section are occupied by typical warehouse operations as well as children’s sports, adult exercise and Olympic volleyball. Mixed in are residential design and oil and gas related businesses. Convenient access for 18 wheelers is also provided. Architectural features and attractive landscaping throughout the complex will be similar in Section I and Section II. For more information, visit www.hannabusinesspark.com.
John Tatum, Greater Houston Commercial Real Estate
713-367-5549, [email protected]
Ovi Cotrau, Owner
Cornerstone CNC Machine Shop
832-316-1413, [email protected]
Oak Ridge North EDC in Impact News
The Oak Ridge North Economic Development Corporation was featured in the August 14, 2014 edition of the Community Impact Newspaper-The Woodlands. Link HERE to read the article.
ORN Police Chief’s Plan for Supporting Border Patrol
Oak Ridge North’s Chief of Police Andy Walters has a plan for providing additional officers to support the over-stretched resources of the Border Patrol and local law enforcement in Texas’ border cities and counties and the plan is getting statewide attention.
Walters, who grew up in El Paso and is familiar with border issues, has for several years sent officers from the Oak Ridge North Police Department to work with local jurisdictions near the Texas-Mexico border. The benefit to these jurisdictions is “more boots on the ground” to deal with the crime that crosses the border in the form of drug cartels and gangs. The benefit to the Oak Ridge North PD is better trained officers, because drugs and gangs are not isolated problems.
For more information, watch the report from Click2 Houston News.
ORN Continues Trend of Tax Rate Cuts
The city of Oak Ridge North has proposed another property tax cut for residents, which would take effect on Oct. 1 if approved.
The cut would lower the city’s property tax rate from $.5244 per $100 property valuation in 2013, to $.4822 per $100 for 2014, according to Oak Ridge North.
The proposal continues a trend of Oak Ridge North property tax cuts going back to 2009, when taxes were $.6389 per $100, Rudy said.
“That represents a little over a [4-cent] reduction in tax rate,” city manager Vicky Rudy said. “We have had a very good record of reducing [property] taxes since 2009. It is a product of many things: first of all growth, paying off debt and good planning.”
While the city uses taxpayer funds to pay for basic services and invest in infrastructure upgrades, it is able to cut property taxes because of strong financial performance in recent years, Rudy said.
The city has experienced a 22 percent increase in sales tax revenue compared to 2013, seen growth in property values, new businesses, construction and annexation of new tracts of land, Rudy said.
“We want to have enough money to pay for basic services, to put money ahead for future improvements and maintain our infrastructure, but we also want our residents and property owners to get a break on taxes when times are good like they are right now for the city of Oak Ridge North,” Rudy said.
http://impactnews.com/houston-metro/the-woodlands/city-of-oak-ridge-north-proposes-property-tax-cut/
CenterPoint Energy to Upgrade ORN Transmission Systems
CenterPoint Energy is beginning work in Oak Ridge North that will lay the groundwork for conversion of the City’s 12KV lines to a 35KV, fully looped system. This conversion, with preliminary work beginning in August 2014, will address problems with an aging system and provide a more reliable system for today’s community. Residents and businesses in CenterPoint’s service area (south of Robinson Road) need to be aware that this construction work will impact the poles and lines on their property.
Beginning in August, CenterPoint will be in Oak Ridge North trimming trees to accommodate this upgrade. This process is likely to be extensive and impact each property in CenterPoint’s easement at some time during this phase of the project. The first construction phase will connect the lines in Oak Ridge North to CenterPoint’s system on the west side of the I-45 corridor. The west side tie-in is already constructed and ready for connection to Oak Ridge North. This aerial connection over I-45 will be located near the southern city limits on the northbound I-45 feeder at Spring Pines. CenterPoint will then replace all of its north bound line segment behind the businesses on I-45 to Robinson Road, and replace the east/west line segment behind the residences on Robinson Road to Maplewood. This power line upgrade, in 2014, will be a conversion of small wire to a larger wire, and will include replacement of all poles. Like the tree trimming, the replacement of poles and wires will impact all CenterPoint customers in Oak Ridge North at some point during the project. The first phase, tree trimming, line upgrade, pole replacement, and aerial connection over I-45, is expected to last from August 2014 to Spring 2015.
The second phase of the project, slated for spring 2015, is the upgrade to 35KV. This phase includes energizing the new lines with 35KV and creating four new tie-ins to other parts of the CenterPoint system. This will provide additional “loops” to the Oak Ridge North system from adjacent CenterPoint service areas and remove the dead end status that Oak Ridge North has experienced for several years. That means outages can be resolved more efficiently by isolating trouble areas without taking out the entire CenterPoint system in Oak Ridge North. These additional loops will also provide CenterPoint with the ability to resolve power issues remotely without the need of a repair unit on site, enhancing response time to issues such as power outages.
The conversion project has long been sought after by the City, but will come with inconveniences to CenterPoint customers as CenterPoint improves its service to our community. The City will work closely with CenterPoint to keep you informed of progress on the upgrade to the system.
Healthy Enough Foods Coming to Oak Ridge North
July 2014, Oak Ridge North, Texas – Hanna Business Park, Section II LP is pleased to announce that Healthy Enough Foods, a catering and healthy food provider has leased 2,250 square feet of warehouse space in Hanna Business Park Section II, 26803 Hanna Road, City of Oak Ridge North, Texas 77386. This is the second lease to be signed for the new 104,000 sf development that is under construction. The first 24,000 sf building and a 9,000 square foot building are completing landscaping and starting build-out on the newest leases. Healthy Enough Foods will open their doors at their new location on September 1, 2014.
Healthy Enough Foods is a catering company that specializes in corporate catering and individual or family pre-packaged foods that are high protein and low fat. Healthy Enough Foods currently caters to several Doctors’ offices in The Woodlands, Conroe and Cypress area, and exclusively to several homes in The Woodlands for family dinners, lunches and desserts.
John Tatum, Managing Partner of Hanna Business Park, Section II, LP stated. “We are very pleased to have Healthy Enough Foods as a new tenant at Hanna Business Park, Section II. One of the main reasons that Healthy Enough Foods selected the park was the fact that it is a brand warehouse space in a fast-growing location.”
Shannon Jacobs the owner and chef at Healthy Enough Foods expressed her excitement about the move, “We are excited to finally give the community an opportunity to visit our kitchen and pick up orders instead of just relying on delivery. After many requests, and much searching for the perfect location, we are really pleased with our choice in Hanna Business Park and the opportunity it provides us. We look forward to working and growing in the Oak Ridge community, and having a new, first rate location for our established clientele in The Woodlands and Conroe.”
Hanna Business Park, Section II is located on a 5.6-acre tract near the corner of Robinson Road and Hanna Road in an office/ warehouse complex. It is an exceptionally flexible facility featuring metallic buildings that provide a total of 104,000 sf of enclosed retail/office/warehouse space. The final development will consist of four 24,000 sf buildings and one 9,000 sf building. The new phase is currently leasing their available spaces.
Healthy Enough Foods was created when Devon and Shannon Jacobs, previous owners of the Smoothie Factory in The Woodlands, decided to fill a need for their customers; healthy food that tastes good. The name, Healthy Enough, was a perfect description as the food is not super lean like some other pre-packaged foods, but healthier than any fast food, and some restaurant, options. The foods are high protein, low fat with an emphasis on moderation and good decisions. Specialty items like the Tuna Pasta or Greek Pasta are made with Shannon’s homemade specialty dressings, and there is a list of wraps, sandwiches, soups, green salads and entrée items. Family Style Meals include a salad, entrée and dessert and are usually themed like Italian or Mexican, and average about $60-$80 for six to eight people.
What started out as a customer service quickly grew into a separate thriving entity; Healthy Enough Foods. For more information or to see menu items, please visit www.healthyenoughfoods.com.
Devon and Shannon Jacobs, Owners of Healthy Enough Foods
www.healthyenoughfoods.com
Toll Free: 855-443-3663
email: [email protected]
For Leasing Information:
John Tatum, Greater Houston Commercial Real Estate
713-367-5549, [email protected]
www.ghrs.com
TADA comes to ORN
Hanna Business Park, Section II LP is proud to announce that Texas Academy of Dance Arts, known as TADA will be leasing the front 9,000 square feet of space in Hanna Business Park Section II. This is the first lease to be signed for the new 104,000 sf development that is under construction. The first 24,000 sf building and a 9,000 square foot building will be completed on June 1. Texas Academy of Dance Arts is accepting enrollment now and Fall classes will begin on Tuesday, Sept 2nd 2014.
TADA will offer dance classes for all ages and levels, beginners through advanced, in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip hop, drill, Mommy n’ Me, and more. Classes for adults will also be available, as well as yoga, Pilates, and Zumba. From the “TADA Tinies” and beginner program through the advanced Master Class Series, each class will be taught by only the most positive and well-qualified instructors. TADA also will be holding auditions for its competitive dance company, Star Team, and Hip Hop Crew in July. TADA’s state-of-the-art facility will boast a large gallery with dancewear boutique, five beautiful dance rooms, and the latest in training equipment, video observation, healthy snacks, and more!
John Tatum, Managing Partner of Hanna Business Park, Section II LP spoke about the new tenant. “We are thrilled to have Texas Academy of Dance Arts in Hanna Business Park, Section II. This new business venture is a great anchor tenant to the new section. It is compatible with many of the existing tenants and will be an exciting and successful new business in the City of Oak Ridge North.”
Kristan Ballard, Owner and Studio Director TADA, is very excited about the opening, “Our TADA dance program is the result of years of careful planning and design, and we are looking forward to opening our doors in Oak Ridge this Fall!”
Hanna Business Park, Section II is located on a 5.6-acre tract near the corner of Robinson Road and Hanna Road in an office/ warehouse complex. Tatum said it will be an exceptionally flexible facility featuring metallic buildings that provide a total 104,000 sf of enclosed retail/office/warehouse space. This will consist of four 24,000 sf buildings and one 9,000 sf building. The new phase is currently pre-leasing. The other buildings will follow in phases.
John Tatum, Greater Houston Commercial Real Estate
713-367-5549, [email protected], www.hannabusinesspark.com
Kristan Ballard, Owner and Studio Director TADA
832-444-3192, www.dancetada.com, [email protected]
Oak Ridge North Water Line Project
The San Jacinto River Authority water line project is making its way into the Oak Ridge North area after more than a year of winding its way south from Lake Conroe through The Woodlands.
The project is a part of strategic partnerships formed between several Montgomery County entities and the SJRA to meet a 30 percent groundwater use reduction requirement from the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District.
Pipeline construction leading to road closures in The Woodlands along Grogan’s Mill Road between Research Forest Drive and South Millbend Drive has been completed, with a few exceptions, SJRA officials said.
Over the June 7 weekend, SJRA closed portions of Research Forrest Drive and Grogan’s Mill Road located near The Woodlands High School, Hailey Elementary School, Knox Junior High School, and Wilkerson Intermediate School. Groundwater Reduction Plan administrator Mark Smith estimated pipeline construction in The Woodlands should be complete by late August.
Unlike in The Woodlands, though, construction in Oak Ridge North will not lead to road closures, Smith said.
“In the Oak Ridge area, we are going to be [installing pipeline in] existing utility easements or along drainage ditches, so we are not going to close the roads,” Smith said. “Our impact is going to be much less [than in The Woodlands], and that’s a good thing.”
He said construction in Oak Ridge North should progress quicker because crews will not have to re-install pavement as they have in areas of The Woodlands.
Oak Ridge North construction has begun along utility easements and will continue until the expected completion date of March 2015, Smith said.
While the pipeline is scheduled to be installed underground, the project may affect Oak Ridge North residents as construction crews assemble the pipeline above ground, ORN Director of Public Works Joe Sherwin said.
“When they lay out even 1,000 feet of water line, they have to piece the pipe together before it goes in the hole, so they have to lay all that line out,” Sherwin said. “So if it goes over a driveway, how does that person get out? It’s a temporary thing until [workers] get the pipe pushed down in there, but some of the driveways may get blocked.”
Oak Ridge North officials said they will host a series of town hall meetings to inform residents about the construction project as it reaches their neighborhoods.
“It’s going to be in the front yard of a good number of our citizens on Maplewood Drive and again on Robinson Road,” City Manager Vicky Rudy said. “We want to keep them as informed as possible. Personally, I feel their pain in advance. It’s emotional to have that stuff in front of your house if you take pride in your home like they do in Oak Ridge North.”
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