Issue link: https://tmcpulse.uberflip.com/i/356141
t m c » p u l s e | a u g u s t 2 0 1 4 24 t m c » p u l s e | a u g u s t 2 0 1 4 Q | What are your thoughts on the vision for the future of the Texas Medical Center? A | Creating synergy within the Texas Medical Center is timely and more important than ever. It's the absolute next bold and necessary giant step. I applaud the leadership and vision that Dr. Robbins has demonstrated with his emphasis on the big picture and potential benefits to all, particularly his vision for major research and laboratory facilities. The medical center itself has evolved into something really unique and special—it is a major complex unlike any of this magnitude, stature and potential. It is a world class complex made up of world class institutions and it is critical that its institutions come together as never before to find more and better ways to work together, to share and collaborate. Harnessing the strength, capabilities, knowledge and experience of all will lead to an unlimited future. And I must mention the $2-3 billion of construc- tion underway now and possibly another $2-3 billion in the foreseeable future. These are staggering invest- ments in the institutions and the medical center and must all be focused on the highest possible goals for state-of-the art health care. Furthermore, an aggressive commitment to research and research facilities is long overdue, and should be augmented by an energized program to encourage entrepreneurship, such as what is being initiated in the imaginative Nabisco facility. With all of this institutional activity, the time is now for the private sector to develop nearby office, residential, hotel and mixed-use projects to serve the ancillary needs of all. Q | It seems more than ever that the way in which land is developed is critical. What are some things on the table today that might not have been considered 20 years ago? A | Number one is designing and including green space, extensive landscaping and trees in our developments as a very important amenity. Successful examples include Midway's CityCentre, Trademark's Market Street in the Woodlands, and Martin Fein's Willow Park residential project under construction. Even developers of high-rises have got- ten creative and are providing green spaces on upper levels of buildings or parking garages. In a reverse situation, look at what an incentive for development of residential and office towers in the eastern part of downtown Discovery Green provided. In all devel- opments, business and residential, green space has become an amenity desired by tenants, employees, residents and visitors alike. In addition to green space, energy and water conservation have also become paramount considerations in the design of new buildings and projects. Q | When building out large spaces, what are your thoughts on people movers? A | The Uptown area is the perfect example of an area in need of a people mover. Originally, the Uptown TIRZ proposed light rail on Post Oak, to connect the planned Bellaire and West Park Transit Center to the Northwest Transit Center on the Katy Freeway. However, since light rail was not an option without the needed federal funding, a bus rapid transit system in dedicated lanes is planned to serve the 60-65 per- cent of the over 100,000 people who work in Uptown, but live in the suburbs and drive their cars to work. This way they can use a park and ride, take the bus to Northwest Transit Center or the new West Park Transit Center, and use the new bus rapid transit to move up and down Post Oak. We have got to do more of this. Q | If you could make one or two changes to the city, what kinds of improvements would you like to see? A | Rail, rail and more rail. Rail is expensive, but we've got to be able to move more people. As the inner city becomes denser with ever increasing numbers of res- idents, it is more important than ever to entice people to get out of their cars, and, for whatever reason, rail is a much more attractive incentive than buses. However, a more efficient workable bus system, together with more park and ride operations, is an important compo- nent of our public transit system. In addition to light rail within the city, commuter rail is also needed to serve Sugarland, Katy, and com- munities out Highway 290 and 45 North. Mobility and connectivity will greatly influence the future. The second necessary change, or I should say improvement, is in our public education system starting with pre-K for all through 12th grade, along with an expanded and improved community college system and our universities commitment to preparing all of our students to fulfill the needs of tomorrow's workforce. Q | What do you hope the city looks like in 10 years? A | With the expansion of the Port of Houston and of the IAH international terminal together with the new international terminal at Hobby, Houston will become one of the nation's most important gateway cities, capitalizing on our location and our economic vitality. We will build on our great advantages of a low cost of living, a no-state income tax economy, and a booming job market—all coming together in the perfect storm for us, which has really driven a lot of the activity. And the energy industry has certainly been paramount in that happening. Trees, green space and lush landscaping will be in high demand. Downtown will flourish with many new residential and hotel projects along with more office towers. Development of the East End will grow and our port and petrochem- ical industries will continue to be major economical engines. And with the estimated population growth, much of which will be outside the city limits, com- muter rail as well as the merger of more city and county services, will be a must. Q | Any closing thoughts? A | Houston's greatest asset has always been its people. They are open and welcoming to all, not only from around the country, but also from around the world—evidenced by Houston becoming the most ethnically and culturally diverse city in the country. They exhibit a can-do attitude and are willing to tackle the most imposing issues and goals. They include visionaries who can foresee the needs and possibilities for the future and power brokers who can make things happen. The many successes of the multitude of our non-profits is due to the thousands of volunteers who so willingly give of their time and effort to serve many worthwhile causes, as best demonstrated by the thou- sands of volunteers who showed up on a moment's notice in the wake of Katrina. It is truly the people who make Houston the great city that it is. houston's greatest asset has always been its people. they are open and welcoming to all, not only from around the country, but also from around the world—evidenced by houston becoming the most ethnically and culturally diverse city in the country.