HOUSTON, April 24, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- A 234-acre master-planned development in Southwest Houston marked two milestones today: construction started on Phase One of the 450,000-square-foot Kingdom Builders' Community Center (KBCC); and Texas Children's Pediatric Associates (TCPA), a subsidiary of Texas Children's Hospital, announced their newest pediatrics practice will be built in the development.
Mayor Bill White celebrated with business and community leaders as dirt began flying on a parcel of land that has lain undeveloped throughout Houston's recorded history. "Houston has become a great city of opportunity because its business leaders were also philanthropists," said Mayor White. "Today, we celebrate the rebirth of a community because visionary leaders care about their neighbors and understand that investing in Houston families is investing in our future."
"This is an exciting day for the people of Houston," said Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell, board member of KBC LLC, the Houston-based project developer team. "An extraordinary coalition is partnering together in a history-making event to bring economic revitalization to an under served area of our city. Early estimates show more than 3,000 contract jobs and 1,000 full-time jobs are being created in this community."
Today's event marks the official start of Phase One of the KBCC -- the Family Life Center (FLC) -- a 183,000-square-foot multi-use facility created in response to the assessed needs of the surrounding neighborhood. The FLC will be open to the community on a daily basis and will feature amenities from gymnasiums and a book store to educational and child care facilities.
The TCPA community pediatrics practice is the latest component in a growing network of local and national organizations joining the development. "We are committed to creating access for families and their children," says TCPA President Ayse McCracken. "We build long-lasting relationships between families and their pediatricians, providing proactive well-child checkups, and we do not base treatment on economics. Our comprehensive, accessible, family-centered practices ensure that there are no disparities in health care." TCPA is the nation's largest group of general pediatricians, with more than 1,000 employees -- of which 150 are general pediatricians -- and one million patient visits a year. The new community practice, estimated at 6,000-sq-ft, is scheduled to open at the end of this year.
Pastor Caldwell says new jobs, new households, economic output and business taxes will have a substantial ripple effect on the economic well-being of the surrounding community. "This unique development will literally transform the social landscape of Southwest Houston," said Caldwell. A HISD elementary school has been open since fall of 2005, a YMCA is starting construction mid-May, Walgreen's and CVS pharmacies are open for business, and additional companies are in negotiations with the developer.
Randy Walker, Houston Chairman for the Bank of Texas, leads a consortium of banks providing construction financing for the project. "Community investment and collaboration is a priority for our bank," said Walker. "The KBCC is a premier example of the kind of local project that excites us. The rewards aren't just financial -- the rewards are seeing a healthy, revitalized community."
"We believe in the benefit of creating places that help to create community," said Caldwell. "The KBCC will be a safe and nurturing environment that will offer help, health and hope for the citizens of our neighborhoods."
The KBCC follows the success of The Power Center, also conceived and constructed by Caldwell's group. The Power Center, which serves more than 15,000 families each month, has revitalized a once vacant strip center at S. Main and S. Post Oak.
Phase One of the KBCC is scheduled to open in Summer 2007.
An accompanying fact sheet contains more information about the master development.
The KBCC and the surrounding 234-acre master-planned community are being developed by KBC LLC. For press information about the 234-acre project and the development of the KBCC, and to schedule interviews with Pastor Caldwell, contact Robin Paoli at 713.523.7900.
The Kingdom Builders' Community Center logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2558
Project Data Sheet for the 234-acre Vision Project
Master-planned Development at W. Orem and South Post Oak
-- 234-acre master-planned development
-- Corinthian Pointe Residential -- the largest affordable
housing neighborhood developed by a non-profit in the
United States
-- Kingdom Builders' Community Center (specs at right)
-- HISD Hines-Caldwell Elementary School
-- YMCA
-- Texas Children's Pediatrics Practice
-- Assisted Living Center
-- CVS Pharmacy
-- Walgreen's Pharmacy
-- Retail Centers
-- Commercial Park
-- Restaurants
-- Hotel
-- Zina Garrison Tennis Center
-- Catfish Pond
-- Detention Development for water management and environmental
stewardship
-- Ampitheatre
-- Community Park
Project Data Sheet for the Kingdom Builders' Community Center
Part of the 234-acre Vision Project
-- 42 acres
-- Three football fields in length
-- 183,000-sq-ft Family Life Center
-- Worship Center
-- Recording Studio
-- Prayer Institute
-- "Hang Time" Youth Center
-- Business Center
-- Book Shop
-- Coffee Shop
-- Aquarium
-- Aviary
-- Children's Play Area
-- Gymnasium
-- Flower Shop
-- Conference spaces
-- Non-profit and community meeting rooms
-- Other retail spaces