HEB is one step closer, gets ordinance repealed and receives land for free.
With the full council present, the previous ordinance passed agreeing to sell the easements needed to rebuild the HEB on cedar, was repealed and a new ordinance was passed 6-1 with Gus Pappas voting no,.to give the land to the owner of the shopping center the land for free. This free land was offered for sale for $175,000.00 at 75% of the appraised value. HEB said no and a special closed session was convened to discuss the reversal of the ordinance and creation of the ordinance giving the land for free.
Roman Reed made a point to mention that this was Bellaire’s attempt at proving Bellaire wants to work with businesses and spur economic growth. I would agree with that if the location was vacant and we actually brought new business to the city. Bellaire is a flagship and HEB gains having a location in our city as much as we gain from being able to shop in a new, modern store.
Coming into this election there are many events and actions already in motion. The rebuilding of HEB is one of these things. I am missing many facts and can only speak to what I have read so far. The traffic generated from this store will push Bissonnet to its limits and the surrounding area will feel the effect of the extra traffic. I do feel the increased traffic will help Spruce and Cedar as the constant flow of traffic will allow new businesses to move in. I hope we extend the same courtesies of economic development to all the new businesses.
I wonder if we still have the Elm speed bump distributor on speed dial for when Locust complains people are cutting through? Don’t forget to go vote in the Bellaire General Election on November 3rd. Vote For Kevin Newman for Bellaire City Council