LJA Engineering continues as civil engineer on Shadow Creek Ranch a 3,300-acre master planned community located in the City of Pearland between U.S. Highway 288 and FM 521.
The property will include 12,000 multi-priced homes, as well as commercial, light industrial and recreational facilities and community resources such as seven new schools, police and fire stations, a library, churches and a senior assisted living center.
A centerpiece of the community is a network of 300 acres of inter-connected lakes and detention basins, and more than 22 miles of hike-and-bike trails. In addition to 670 lakefront homesites, approximately three miles of shoreline are open to the community, providing views of the lakes for all residents.
Since May 1998, LJA has provided conceptual land planning and infrastructure planning, surveying and platting, design of the master drainage and water distribution system plan, and engineering for all infrastructure improvements.
"This has been a very exciting project for us from its very inception. It's gratifying to see it all come together into a major community for the City of Pearland and by its proximity, the City of Houston," says LJA senior project manager, David Tinney, P.E.
In addition to the traditional engineering services for the project, LJA provided planning, engineering and coordination activities for the creation of the TIRZ (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone) for the development. Through the TIRZ financing plan, developers are reimbursed for certain community projects using tax proceeds derived from the assessed value added in the zone. An overlapping MUD (municipal Utility District), covering approximately 1600 acres, was also created to aid development financing.
 |
Land Use Map Prepared by Kerry R. Gilbert & Associates, Inc. |
To date, LJA has completed design and construction services for 46.4 acres of lakes, 1.5 miles of Kirby Drive and 1.5 miles of collector streets, 533 lots and an interim wastewater treatment plant for Shadow Creek Ranch.
The next phase of construction involves over 600 lots, extensions of both Kirby Drive and several collector streets and an additional 78 acres of lakes. Currently under design are 537 lots, 53.7 acres of lakes and 1.5 miles of thoroughfare and collector streets.
Shadow Creek Ranch is among the largest housing communities in the Houston area, and upon completion in 15 years, is expected to double the population of the City of Pearland.
