Now that I drive up the I-45 corridor every day, I see the growth that mushrooms up at intersections and rapidly gobbles up the adjoining land, former rice fields or pastures ”magically” (and quickly) transformed to big box retailers and new housing developments. I’m not going to comment on the merits or need for two or three Targets or Walmarts or Home Depots on one ride home, but they’re there, and when they’re built, people come (It’s like “Field of Dreams” with shopping carts and bad traffic).
I was happy to see UTMB seal a deal recently associated with the property we own in the middle of the north county building boom, not far from where my nightly commute ends. As part of the university’s clinical strategic plan and commitment to investing in our future, UTMB purchased 29 additional acres of land adjacent to the property we already own in League City. This property, right on I-45, will open up our options in the future, at a time when well-placed large parcels are likely to be in short supply at any price. In the short term, there’s word that the extra acreage may possibly provide a needed park and ride lot for many of our employees who live off of the island but work in Galveston. And construction on the specialty care center planned for the site should begin very soon.
Galveston County’s Biz Buzz gal Laura Elder had a story in the paper about the purchase this morning.