Saturday, September 6, 2014 • 1B
Uber, changing perspective on the paid ride industry
Photo by Christina Martinez Mario Villarreal has been driving for Uber since their launch in February and says getting people safely to their destination is important to him.
For the past year and a half, the City battled with the paid ride industry on changing paid ride rules and regulations. On Aug. 6, city officials approved new paid ride rules, altering the chapter that covers regulations on taxis, limos and even airport shuttles. With support from Mayor Parker and city council, transportation services like Uber, can now drive you to and from your destination with the touch of a button. The local transportation service, Uber, launched in San Francisco, California five years ago. Since opening, in California, the company has expanded across the country and is now celebrating entering 100 cities – offering free rides through this past Labor Day weekend. With the rise of transportation services like Uber, we’re entering a world where people can get from point A to point B and not have to drive. But for Uber, getting from point A wasn’t so easy. Uber battled with the City for over a year, and taxi companies opposed much of the proposal to amend Houston paid rules. In the end, most of the de-
bate came down to insurance – when should the vehicle be covered by commercial rather than personal insurance? Many disagreed, noting that these transportation companies should and must have insurance that kicks in the moment the driver engages in business. In the end, Uber and the paid ride industry movement made it to point B and can take you to your destination at a flat and affordable rate – the catch being you aren’t covered by insurance along your ride and the company isn’t liable in the event of an injury. As long as you agree to the terms and conditions, where to? What is different about the paid ride industry is its accessibility. The Uber app can be downloaded on to your phone through the apple store or Google Play, and after standard sign-up procedures, a car can be to you within minutes. Through the app., you designate a pick-up location and can see on your phone screen how far an Uber drive is from your exact location. After setting a location, you enter a drop-off location See Uber, P. 2B
The Leader has mapped three destinations from our office at 3500 E. T C Jester Blvd –
The Heights General Store, Big Yoga and Petrol Station – above shows pricing to each.
Stewart Tubular brings 200 jobs into Greater Inwood By Jonathan Garris & Christina Martinez Jgarris@theleadernews.com Christina@theleadernews.com
Contributed rendering A rendering of the new Stewart Tubular Products facility located near Antoine and Tidwell – move in is scheduled for late this year.
Photo by Jonathan Garris LA Crawfish recently opened on West 43rd Street.
Foodies looking for an eclectic mix of east-meets-west flavors might find all they want and more at the recently opened LA Crawfish on West 43rd Street. The chain opened its newest location at 6439 West 43rd Street, inside suite 290, about seven weeks ago and owner John Thai said more and more customers are coming out to try their selection of fish, shrimp, chicken and more. The restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, See Crawfish, P. 2B
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A Houston-based oil and gas parts manufacturer will be expanding its operations “in dramatic fashion,” according to its president, with the opening of a new manufacturing facility and offices in the Greater Inwood area. Stewart Tubular Products is currently constructing a new facility consisting of thousands of square feet of manufacturing and office space, located at the intersection of N. Houston Rosslyn Road and Deihl Road. The company manufactures parts for oil & gas fields around the world, and the company currently employs 180 people at its current location, and the new facility will likely double the company’s production capacity. “We’re looking to keep on about 100 to 120 and also create about 100 new jobs,” President Steve Samuel said. “I think the local businesses and restaurants will definitely benefit. All of our guys are going to eat lunch somewhere, of course.” Among some of the open positions include machinists, inspectors and other warehouse jobs and various other skilled labor positions, Samuel said. “These are all good paying jobs,” Samuel said. “We don’t have any minimum wage-type positions.” The new facility represents not only growth
for Steward Tubular and the surrounding area, but also a change in the approach to the company’s manufacturing, Samuel said. “Oil machines of the past were dingy and not safe places to work,” Samuel said. “We’re trying to change that and upgrade the environment.” Samuel said the current targeted completion date is mid-December or January. Wayne Norden, president of the Near Northwest District, said its “very encouraging” see jobs moving back into an area that had previously seen stagnant levels of development. “Last year we had $88 million in renovations and redevelopment of warehouses in this area,” Norden said. “Commercial property values jumped nine percent last year. The year before it was a six percent increase and prior to that it was pretty much flat.” Welcoming businesses like Stewart Tubular sends good signals to other businesses and residents about the area becoming a destination for economic redevelopment, Norden said. Not only is the area’s location and increasing attention from restaurants and retail establishments a driving force for economic development, the area still has plenty of space. “People are starting to recognize this area as they’re sick of the commute into the city and we still have plenty of land available,” Norden said. “In a way, this community is being rediscovered by man developers and homeowners.”
Business Spotlight: LA Crawfish
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By Christina Martinez Christina@theleadernews.com