FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EMAILS SHOW CITY IS ON DEVELOPER’S SIDE
Responsible Urban Development for Houston (RUDH), a 501c4 Volunteer organization of taxpayers and homeowners, releases statement responding to city officials’ emails

HOUSTON, Texas – (October, 15, 2010) – Emails released by the city under the Texas Open Records Act have brought to light apparent bias on the part of the city regarding a controversial Walmart-anchored retail development to be built in a residential West End neighborhood at the foot of the historic Houston Heights..

Buried in a public records release, numerous emails show the City’s Chief Development officer, Andy Icken, talking about concerned Heights residents with obvious contempt and disdain, calling the concerned citizens “effete” and commenting that “[i]n [the Heights] I assume there are some who feel they have access to unique info that makes those folks uniquely qualified to decide what is good for everyone else. … Walmart deals with folks like this everywhere.”

In an October 14, 2010 article by the Houston Chronicle, Mayor Parker and Mr. Icken responded to the allegations of bias by touting the two public hearings held for the community. While hosted by the City, the first public forum featured a presentation by Ainbinder, Walmart and the City with little opportunity for public comment. In the second public forum, Mayor Parker excused herself, leaving Mr. Icken, who sat back in his chair, arms crossed, legs outstretched and crossed while residents voiced their concerns.

It appears from the released inter-office emails that the City’s economic development office crossed over from being public servants to being the developer’s lobbyist.  In response to an email from Tim Douglas, Deputy Director of Economic Development, stating that “the public seemed to get no support from the council table.”  Mr. Icken further noted “we worked very hard to do that-behind the scenes.”  In an email to Mr. Icken, Tim Douglas, Deputy Director of Economic Development went so far as to call Councilmember Ed Gonzalez “squishy” and in need of “handholding” because Councilmember Gonzalez was responsive to the concerns of his constituents and not willing to jump on the developer’s bandwagon.

Most disturbingly, the recently released emails refute the City’s claim that the 380 Agreement with the developer was a way the City could have “leverage” over the development.  At the request of the City, RUDH canvassed the community and met with design/development professionals to generate a comprehensive package of recommendations for the proposed 380 Agreement that addressed public concerns and promoted positive urban development.  However, with the exception of two amendments by Councilmember Clutterbuck, (one amendment wisely removed the ability of Mr. Icken to allow the developer to go over budget without consultation of City Council), none of the suggestions were incorporated into the final agreement.  In fact, the emails show that the 380 Agreement had all but been finalized in July of 2010, but was held back from the public until the last possible second.

RUDH’s vice president Eileen Creed noted that “it looks like the 380 Agreement was set in stone by the time we had a chance to review it and provide recommendations from the community.  In light of the emails, the public meetings just look like lip service at this point.  The City listened, but did nothing else.”

Mayor Parker insisted that many concerns not addressed in the 380 Agreement would be addressed in an operating agreement with Walmart.  Yet, the operating agreement is a non-binding and unenforceable agreement unless the City gives Walmart some sort of consideration for the agreement.  And, once again, the public has been virtually shut out of the process.

RUDH is concerned that the City’s bias toward the developer and Walmart will only continue as the development heads to the planning and permitting phase.  Many unanswered questions remain about traffic, drainage and public safety.  RUDH urges the City of Houston to take appropriate action to ensure that the City fairly represents the concerns of its citizens.

For more information and to view the city’s emails please visit www.stopheightswalmart.org.

About Responsible Urban Development for Houston, RUDH

We are a community organization devoted to preserving the character, traditions, and appearance of the Heights and West End neighborhoods in Houston. It is our goal to represent our neighbors before local government and to educate the community about the potential impacts of real estate development on our infrastructure, environment, taxpayer-funded public services, and quality of life. We are a non-profit, grassroots organization. For more information, visit www.rudh.org.

Contact: Colton Candler
Phone: 979-220-0934
Email: info@stopheightswalmart.org