VOL 7 No. 46
Phone: 281-980-6745
email: editor@fbindependent.com
www.fbindependent.com
FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014
P.O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
Sugar Land’s performance venue groundbreaking set for Dec. 9
Sugar Land City Council approved a guaranteed maximum price of $74.3 million to build an indoor performance venue that will be the first of its kind in the region and set a new standard for “the theater of the future.” Construction is expected to begin with a formal groundbreaking event on Dec. 9. The venue -- located on a portion of 38.5 acres of City property southeast of U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard -- is designed to host a wide range of performances, including national music and comedy artists, children’s and family entertainment, theatrically staged productions and cultural and performing arts attractions. With an approximate indoor seating capacity of 6,430, the indoor performance venue was conceived and designed for flexibility, essentially creating several venues in one building. Through the use of innovative moveable walls, Sugar Land’s facility will literally expand and contract to create intimate settings of approximately 3,300 to larger shows of over 6,400. The venue will feature comfortable, spacious theater seating with cup holders; luxury suites; corporate hospitality areas; quality finishes and convenient parking. It will create an iconic landmark visible to motorists on U.S. Highway 59 and anchor a mixed-used development envisioned to include retail, office, commercial and residential surrounding a public plaza and possibly a full-service hotel
and conference center. As one of the most flexible and advanced indoor performance venues in the nation, it’s expected to set a new standard in the touring industry and change the entertainment landscape in the “Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land” metro region. Sugar Land partnered with ACE SL, LLC (ACE) to design and construct the state-of-theart facility. ACE, whose parent company is ACE Theatrical Group, brings an experienced team of locally-based entertainment industry professionals to the project, led by Allen J. Becker, TONY Award-winning founding chairman of PACE Entertainment Corporation. The ACE executive team also includes Brian E. Becker, Gary D. Becker, David M. Anderson, Gary A. Markowitz and Kirk B. Feldmann. Together, they offer more than 175 years of experience and success in local, national and international entertainment ventures, including pioneering the development of new music and theatrical venues, as well as the entertainment to fill them. “This new performance venue will allow residents of Sugar Land and the surrounding area to experience a level of live entertainment that until now has not been available,” said ACE Theatrical Group Chairman Allen Becker. “Bringing a first class cultural entertainment venue to the City of Sugar Land is an exciting opportunity, and ACE
is grateful to be a part of the project from the start.” The economic development strategy for Sugar Land’s indoor performance venue was structured to establish Sugar Land as a destination location for culture and entertainment as well as creating an amenity that is commercially self-sustainable. Additionally, the venue and surrounding plaza will be a major focal point of what is planned to be a vibrant, commercial district – an environment that will certainly be attractive to major corporations, residents and visitors. “A feasibility study conducted in 2012 shows the project will provide an annual benefit to the community of $26.1 million or a return of $572 million over 30 years,” said Mayor James Thompson. “The venue has the potential of attracting more than 260,000 paid attendees in year one, growing to more than 300,000 by year five.” The City’s partner, ACE, made a $10-million equity contribution to the project. A portion of sales tax revenues that may only be used for economic development purposes and a portion of hotel occupancy tax funds that are restricted to tourism initiatives will be dedicated to the project. In addition, substantial rent revenues generated by the facility and paid by ACE will also fund the performance venue. No general fund tax dollars will be spent on the project that is expected to create an iconic venue for the region.
By SESHADRI KUMAR State Rep. Ron Reynolds got a reprieve on Monday as his misdemeanor convictions on Friday were set aside by a Montgomery County judge as he declared a mistrial. Reynolds was convicted Friday on six counts of misdemeanor solicitation of professional employment. Punishment trial began in the court on Monday when one of the jurors, the only African American on the panel, told the judge that she had misgivings about the verdict. She said
she told other jurors that others indicted in the case accepted a plea deal. Reynolds was originally charged with 10 counts of barratry, a third-degree felony, along with seven other defendants in a sting operation by the Montgomery County district attorney. However after a week long trial, the jury chose to find him guilty Friday on the lesser charges of solicitation of professional employment. a Class A misdemeanor that carries a punishment of up to a year in
jail, and a $4,000 fine. A new trial has been scheduled for Jan. 5, 2015. Reynolds said he declined a plea deal once again as the prosecutors wanted him to resign and he declined because he did not commit any crime. Reynolds was charged with barratry in Harris County in 2012. The charge was dropped after it was discovered an investigator with the Harris County district attorney was charged with stealing evidence in another case.
FBISD administration has given recommendations for Academic Programs and Career Pathway Planning which include: •Strengthening and expanding course offerings throughout the District. This would be done in an equitable manner so that all students would have
access to a pathway within an endorsement. •Phasing out the Digital Media, Engineering, Global Studies, International Business and Marketing, and Math and Science Academies over the next three years. All currently enrolled students could continue in their assigned program and
campus throughout graduation from high school. These Academies are providing pathways that are currently offered at each campus or are projected to begin as part of the plan. •Continuing the Gifted and Talented Academy at Quail Valley Middle School for the See ACADEMY, Page 3
Incumbents triumphant in 2014 elections
By SESHADRI KUMAR In the Nov. 4 general election in Fort Bend County races, all incumbents won. As in the rest of the state, Republicans outnumbered Democrats 58 percent to 41 percent. Among those re-elected are County Judge Bob Hebert, District Attorney John Healey, State Rep. Rick Miller, District Clerk Annie Rebecca Elliott, County Treasurer Jeff Council, Justice of the Peace Mary Ward and Ken Cannata, all Republicans. Newly elected officials in open races include County Court-at-Law Judge Chris Morales, County Clerk Laura Richard and JP, Pct. 4 Justin Joyce, all Republicans. Pct. 4 Commissioner James Patterson was re-elected unopposed. All Republican judges were re-elected as well. Among Democrats, Pct. 2 Commissioner Grady Prestage, Pct. 2 JP Joel Clouser and State Rep. Dist 27, Ron Reynolds were re-elected. In the County Judge race, Hebert got 76,315 votes (58.76%) and Democrat James F. Pirtle got 53,553 votes. (41.24%).
In the DA race, John Healey got 75,683 votes (58.35%), while his opponent, Wilvin J. Carter (Dem) got 54,027 votes (41.65%). In CCL Judge Chris Morales (Rep) received 76,556 (59.11%), while his rival Tameika Carter (Dem) got 52,957 votes (40.89%). In the Dist. 26 State Rep race, D.F. ‘Rick’ Miller (Rep) 25,451 votes (69.68%) and his opponent Amber C. Paaso (Dem) got 11,074 votes (30.32%).
In Dist. 27 State Rep race, incumbent Ron Reynolds (Dem) with votes 24,319 (66.98%) won re-election, defeating David Hamilton (Rep) with 11,989 votes (33.02%). Incumbent U.S. House of Representatives Pete Olson (R) and Al Green (D) have been re-elected. In Fort Bend County, 97,337 people voted straight ticket of which 56,554 (58.10%) were Republicans and 40,072 (41.17%) were Democrats.
Fort Bend ISD voters approved a $484 million bond package Tuesday to fund significant investments to address the District’s growth, improve safety and security in schools, and upgrade the District’s technology infrastructure. According to the unofficial results, 73.6 percent of Fort Bend ISD voters supported the bond proposal. In a message posted on www.fortbendisd.com Wednesday, FBISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre thanked the community for their support and the trust they have demonstrated by voting for the bond proposal. “With a successful bond election behind us, we are poised to begin planning and construction of the new schools and building additions along with the timely execution of other bond proj-
ects,” wrote Dr. Dupre. “As this work begins, I am aware that the FBISD community will hold us accountable for delivering on our commitments. We will not disappoint you.” The FBISD Board of Trustees called for the Nov. 4 bond election at their Aug. 18 Board Meeting. The bond package includes: •$365.4 million for new construction and classroom additions to support increasing student enrollment, and major maintenance and renovation items identified through a comprehensive facilities assessment •$26.9 million for safety and security improvements •$15.9 million for new school buses, bus cameras, and global positioning systems on all buses •$39.4 million for technology infrastructure
•$36.5 million for land purchases and other needs Notable projects in the package include four new elementary schools and funding for improving career and technical education. “Over the past two years, we have successfully collaborated with the community to develop an intentional and quality plan for the District’s future,” said FBISD Board of Trustees President Grayle James. “The passage of the bond is affirming of our teamwork as a District and a community. I look forward with excitement as we implement this plan.” A newly-established Bond Oversight Committee will meet quarterly to review and provide feedback on the District’s management of the bond program and delivery of bond projects.
Fort Bend County Election Precincts
Red — Republicans Blue — Democrats
Voters approve Fort Bend ISD’s $484 million bond proposal
State Rep. Reynolds gets a reprieve
Fort Bend ISD plans to scrap Academy programs
QUAIL VALLEY’S YARD OF THE MONTH. Transitioning the garden is always a November challenge that Shirley and Deryl Knox have achieved in their garden at 2719 Bermuda Dunes. The mums have already bloomed but are followed by pansies, ornamental peppers, Crotons along with begonias, vinca, yellow lantana as well as a clever Thanksgiving display that frames the entry. Receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from the Quail Valley Garden Club and a plant from Flowers by Adela, the Knox’s have ensured color in their manicured garden to move into the holidays. The Quail Valley Garden Club will be selecting 3 examples of holiday lighted displays the evenings of Dec. 12-15 so “turn on the cheer.” Go to http://traction.typepad.com/QVGC for more information.