1. Pinehurst
Magnolia
EXPANDED TO 4-LANES
2-LANES
NicholsSawmillRd./
MagnoliaWallerRd.
Lost Creek Blvd.
urstehurPineh
EXPANDED TO 4-LANES
EXPAND
2-LANES
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MagnoliaWallerRd
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Lost Creek Blvd.1488
149
249
1774
2.40 miles FM 1774 expansion
1774
RAILROAD
Upon funding approval from the Texas Department of Transportation,
2.4 miles of FM 1774 will be expanded to a 4-lane highway.
Expand to 4-lanes starting west
of Magnolia Parkway/FM 1488 to
Lost Creek Blvd
What’s News
Largestdistributednewspaper
inNorthwestHouston.
www.impactnews.com
NOV.5–DEC.2,2010
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
GenuWine Tasting Room,
Magnolia’s first retail wine and gift
shop, will hold its grand opening on
Nov. 13. | 7
H-E-B will be opening a store in
Magnolia in 2011 once construction
is completed to extend Kuykendahl
Road to FM 1488. | 7
The City of Tomball takes a
conservative approach to its recently
approved 2010-11 budget. | 11
What’s Inside
Tomball ISD will no longer be a one-
high-school district when Tomball
Memorial High School opens for the
2011-12 school year. | 19
Carla and Bob Jones own Spring
Creek Growers, one of two Christmas
tree farms in Magnolia where families
can cut their own tree. | 10
JasonCulpepper
SAVINGS GUIDE
Community Impact Newspaper
Valuable coupons and offers from
local businesses starting on Page 21
Tomball officials look
to revitalize downtown
By Emily Roberts
The Tomball City Council and
the Tomball Chamber of Com-
merce are looking for ways to
bring more people and dollars
downtown and create a new iden-
tity for the area. As the national
economy remains in a slump, the
economic development corpora-
tion is offering resources to new
and existing businesses to help
them succeed.
“Right now you’re seeing an
evolution of Old Town Tom-
ball,” Chamber president Bruce
Hillegeist said. “We had a lot of
businesses die and then along
came antique shops. Now we’re in
a little bit of a quandary because
there’s not as many antique
shops. I’d like to see more diver-
sity in the downtown area, as well
as some nightlife.”
Tomball Mayor Gretchen
Fagan wants to see more retail
shops and restaurants moving
downtown.
“If we had more restaurants,
it would start naturally bringing
people to the area instead of driv-
ing them to one of the chains,”
Fagan said. “If people thought to
come eat downtown, that in itself
would spur business.”
Helping businesses thrive
While long-time down-
town businesses, such as Joe’s
Barbershop and Coats Jewelers,
are surviving despite tough eco-
nomic times, new businesses are
struggling and vacancies can be
seen along Main Street.
“This is an ever-present prob-
lem. It happens in all down-
towns—businesses come and
go,” said Betty Reinbeck, execu-
tive director of the economic
development corporation. “The
By Layla Amber Elizondo
Plans to expand FM 1774 to a four-lane
highway continue to develop. Construction is
expected to begin within the next year pend-
ing funding approval from the Texas Depart-
ment of Transportation. The project was
brought to the forefront following a recent
report from a consulting firm hired to pro-
mote business growth in the Magnolia area.
Planning for the project is approximately
95 percent finished and should be completed
by December, according to Magnolia City
Administrator Paul Mendes. The expansion
has been a priority for city officials, Mayor
Todd Kana said, but construction has been
delayed due to lack of funding.
“This project has been on the books in one
form or another for years,” Kana said.
TxDOT expects to have a decision on fund-
ing in April of 2011 according to Montgomery
County Assistant Engineer Tesfaye Mesfin.
The project is currently competing with other
projects within the Houston District.
FM 1774 to expand
pending funding
TxDOT expected to make a final
decision on fundinginApril2011
CONTINUED ON | 16
CONTINUED ON | 14
Story Highlights
FredWilson
EmilyRobertsCourtesyTomballISD
economy doesn’t help because
most are specialty shops and we
don’t have the nighttime popula-
tion to support specialty shops.”
One resource Reinbeck would
like to see more businesses use
is Lone Star College’s business
development center, which offers
free assistance with business and
Tomball City Council has ear-
marked funds for aVisitor Bureau
Economic development corpora-
tion offers matching grants for
businesses
Source: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
Old Town Tomball is a mix of retail, businesses, restaurants, municipal build-
ings and residential homes. Both the city and chamber would like to see
diversity in retail stores, along with more dining destinations. There are 24
retail stores, 15 service businesses, 6 art-related businesses and 5 restaurants.
Downtown map on page
Planning for the project is 95% complete.
Tomball city council unanimously
votes to set up a Hotel Occupancy
Tax board and creates guidelines for
the board. more.impactnews/10284
The City of Magnolia decides on
funding amount the city will provide
for the Annual Hometown Christmas
event. more.impactnews/10285
What’s Online
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