The SH 249 Corridor Coalition held its first interim board meeting Jan. 17 in Magnolia, to determine the general purpose of the partnership, develop an official name and select a chairman, vice-chairman and secretary.

The purpose of the coalition is to get regional support and effort for the proposed SH 249 section under construction, from Spring-Cypress just south of Tomball to Navasota. The goal of the coalition is to promote a local and state partnership to complete the expansion of SH 249 and support any infrastructure issues along the route.

Community leaders from Navasota, Tomball and Magnolia were in attendance.

Pictured (from left) are MISD School Board President Cecil Bell Jr., GTACC Chair-Elect Lamar Casparis, 249 Partnership Chairman John Fishero, Navasota City Councilmember Grant Holt, Navasota Mayor Bert Miller, Montgomery County Pct. 2 Commissioner Craig Doyal and 249 Partnership Vice-Chairman Paul Mendes.

John Fishero, Chairman of the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce’s (GTACC) Mobility and Transportation Committee explained that the GTACC had originally taken the lead in the interim to help facilitate the development of the SH 249 Corridor Coalition.

He said in order for the project to begin taking off, those on the board and the organization as a whole, need to be organized and have a regional level of thinking for the project.

Fishero gave a brief overview of Senate Bill 1420 and how it relates to the future development of SH 249. Senate Bill 1420 relates to the continuation and functions of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

He also pointed out that the project has necessary right of way and environmental clearance, pending updates, since the environmental clearance was established five years ago.

Additionally, Fishero informed the board that another step to be taken in order for the project to begin, is for it to be reinstated with Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) Transportation Improvement Program and that matter was currently being pursued. The primacy, or superiority, issue between Harris County, Montgomery County and TxDOT must also be resolved.

Montgomery County Pct. 2 Commissioner Doyal gave the board an update on several meetings that have taken place over the past several months. He said discussions with TxDOT Commissioner Ned Molmes, Harris County Commisssioner Cagle, TxDOT and H-GAC have gone well and he feels that support is growing for the development of the corridor. Doyal also reported that on Jan. 23 the Montgomery County Commissioners Court agenda will include an item to allow Montgomery County Toll Authority the ability to begin negotiations with Harris County for primacy issues.

Doyal expressed that the SH 249 project is important to the development in the area. He said he was committed to seeing SH 249 completed.

The interim board then chose a board to be inclusive of the three cities. Fishero was appointed as Chairman, Magnolia City Administrator Paul Mendes was appointed to Vice-Chairman and Navasota City Manager Brad Stafford was appointed to Secretary.

Discussion then centered on choosing a name that would be inclusive of the region.  The “249 Partnership” was selected as the official name.

The board said it aims to establish some type of governance, develop membership criteria, develop a vision and mission statement and establish by-laws.

Fishero asked each board member to go back to their respective communities and begin developing a list of interested parties that could become a member of the 249 Partnership. He also asked each member to begin discussing strategic issues with their respective communities, so a mission and vision statement could be established.

The next meeting will be Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Magnolia City Hall, 18111 Buddy Riley Blvd.

Photo by Cheryl Smith

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