Westchase Newsletter 3rd Qtr 2016_8-16.indd
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WESTCHASETODAY YEAR 18 | ISSUE 3 | FALL 2016 BUILDING HIGHER VALUE SINCE 1995 Hotels Positioning for Upturn Renovations signal enthusiasm for attracting and accommodating visitors to Westchase District Major Makeover: The lobby at the Houston Marriott Westchase recently underwent a complete transformation as part of a $20 million renovation of the hotel. S ince 2014, Westchase District’s hotel market has grown by nine percent, adding 303 new rooms, mostly limited service/ extended stay brands. That construction boom has slowed, but as the industry rides out a dip before the 2017 Super Bowl comes to town, managers at older properties are staying competitive by renovating their rooms and meeting spaces. The upgrades position Westchase District as an attractive place for travelers staying for business or pleasure. Timing Transformations Houston’s hotel market was down by about nine percent in the first quarter of 2016, according to industry tracker Source Strategies, Inc. In the hospitality world, the best time to renovate is when things are slow. “That way when the market bounces back, you’re on top with fresh-looking product,” said hotel development consultant David Parker. “The challenge is that profits are down, so hotels must have good cash management to time it just right.” Harry Greenblatt, general manager of the Houston Marriott Westchase, agreed. The Marriott, built in 1980, is in the middle of a $20 million renovation, a project that began this April and will finish in October. “It’s been about 11 years since the hotel underwent a full-blown remodel of all guest rooms and public spaces,” he said. “Now is the perfect time for us to do this.” Full Service Refurbishes Greenblatt said the Marriott is gutting every one of its rooms down to studs and concrete and replacing everything with Marriott’s latest room package, featuring brand new furnishings, fixtures, beds and bathrooms. Sixty rooms will have walk-in showers. Each floor takes about four weeks to complete, with crews working from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. All guest rooms will be remodeled completely by the end of September. Conference rooms, hallways, elevator interiors, pool decking and even the buffet area will be redone, as well as the rebranding of the concierge lounge (Continued on Page 8) INSIDE 2 Meet New Board Member Greg Cardwell 2 Farmers Market Turns Three 4 Portico at West 8 Now Leasing 6 Revisiting Rio Ranch 7 New Ad Campaign Launched 7 Officer Profile: Jose Demeterio 5 Glesby Marks Offers Fleet Service 8 Neighborhood News Address Service Requested www.westchasedistrict.com 10370 Richmond Suite 1350 Houston, Texas 77042 PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO 542 HOUSTON TX WESTCHASETODAY Scoreboard Says… Westchase TODAY is published quarterly by Westchase District, a municipal management district funded by local property owners in a 4.2 square-mile area centered on the Sam Houston Tollway between I-10 and US-59 on the west side of Houston, Texas. We promote economic growth by enhancing mobility, beautification, public safety, planning and development of the District. S Jim Murphy Dave Gilkeson General Manager VP, COO Sherry Fox Irma Sanchez VP, Communications VP, Projects Mark Hubenak Jonathan Lowe Public Safety Director Assistant Communications Director Louis Jullien Projects Director John Carey ports are everywhere right now. As we write this article, the Olympics are wrapping up, baseball is in its home stretch and the NFL has started a new season. Stories about the athletes and teams often describe in detail specific training regimes they undertake, innovations in techniques and new equipment they employ. These are each manifestations of the “How” in sports. The “What” is the scoreboard (or stopwatch, or height, etc.) that measures the individual’s or team’s achievement. In the business world, we know it as the bottom line, and the answer to “what is measured is managed.” What is our bottom line at Westchase District and how do we go about achieving the best possible results? Is there a WD scoreboard at Westheimer and Beltway 8? In a very real sense, there is a scoreboard – one of several we follow – one visible from that intersection and it is the newly-opened world headquarters of Phillips 66. This 1.1 million square-foot development is now home to thousands of P66 employees and boosting our local economy. Increasing employment and office occupancy rates are two measures we track but a headquarters facility has an oversized benefit to our hotel market and the impact from allied firms, vendors and suppliers coming to the area adds more “points” to our scoreboard. You can learn more about Phillips 66 and meet our new P66 Board member, Greg Cardwell, in this issue (see Page 2). This is a huge accomplishment and we are justifiably proud. We are also working in several areas to build on this momentum with two of these efforts profiled in this issue. While not as challenging as weightlifting or as spectacular as underwater filming of our backstroke technique, these are good examples of how we will continue our success and add to our point total. So does the Little Free Library (see Page 4) make companies move here? Probably not by itself but these have been added to our amenities/activities package along with our Hike and Bike Trail network. They enrich the experience for the trail user, promote and encourage literacy and serve to build a community. Plus, the facts that many of these Westchase District Board Chair Philip Schneidau and General Manager Jim Murphy. Little Free Libraries have been sponsored by area firms, and stocked 100% with donated books, shows both leveraging and active support for the objective. They tie into the artwork now being provided by us across the District on large-scale public infrastructure projects (murals), traffic signal boxes (muralitos), and soon-to-be-installed bus shelter wraps. Public art helps distinguish our area and, as a dynamic business community that also has lots of visitors and residents, it shows we promote a vision of being far more than a 9-to-5 location. You will also read how we have completed (and you might already have seen) a new commercial for Westchase District (see Page 7). Our broadcast and digital ad campaigns follow months of research, focus groups and planning that started last year. By promoting our entire area, we can complement what individual owners do in their marketing and promote some broad messages into the advertising world. Its beneficial impact will be measured on the scoreboards of our individual owners but this exercise will produce some tremendous results. And the game continues. We will keep finding ways to improve our benefits for our owners, residents and companies. Stay tuned. Farmers Market Manager Lauren Cullins Projects Manager Kathy Kaufman Administrative Assistant Monica Garcia Operations Assistant Receive The Wire, our e-newsletter, twice monthly. Three quick and easy ways to subscribe: 1. Visit www.westchasedistrict.com/signups, 2. Text WESTCHASE to 22828, or 3. Use your mobile device to scan the code below. New Board Member Is On the Move Greg Cardwell joins Board of Directors amidst relocation to new Phillips 66 HQ M oving can be stressful, presenting various challenges. What to keep? What to purge? How to disconnect and reconnect services? How to do it all within a short window of time and into a never-before occupied facility? It’s enough to rattle the coolest of characters. Fortunately, Phillips 66 has Greg Cardwell and a real estate team that knows how to keep calm in the midst of change. Cardwell is one of three new members to join Westchase District’s Board of Directors this year. Movin’ On Up 713-780-9434 www.westchasedistrict.com Copyright © Westchase District. All Rights Reserved. 2 This summer, Phillips 66 moved about 2,000 employees from four different offices (three of them located in Westchase District) into its brand new, 1.1 million square foot world headquarters, located along the West Sam Houston Tollway, just north of Westheimer. As real estate services manager for Phillips 66, Cardwell leads a group of 52 employees. Cardwell and his team handle transactional real estate for the multinational energy company that ranks as the highest Houston-based company on the Fortune 500 list. “Our group played a key role in choosing the Westchase District location. We presented land options to the executive team and facilitated the transaction of permits and approvals along the way before turning things over to the projects team,” Cardwell said. “Both the prominence along Beltway 8 and the accessibility of the site to West Houston made Westchase District the best choice for our new headquarters. This summer we Spray More. Swat Less. Smell Good. Market vendor combats mosquitoes and other critters with vanilla and research Along the bayous of Houston lurk animals that kill more humans each year than any others. Forget about gators and snakes, more than 750,000 people die each year worldwide because of mosquitoes. And with the deadly mosquito-borne Zika virus on the rise, the need to protect oneself has never been greater. But DEET-based pesticide products, though approved by the Centers for Disease Control, can cause skin irritation and the Environmental Protection Agency says you should wash it off your skin when you return indoors. What to do? The Power of Vanilla The good news is that there are natural alternatives that can keep mosquitoes away while keeping you safe – and some are sold at the Westchase District Farmers Market. BYE-YOU BUG is a new vendor that makes all-natural, vanilla-based mosquito, tick and flea deterrents, in both sprays ($10) and lotions ($14). In 2013, owners Ryan and Sarah McDonner became curious about why mosquitoes bite. “We decided we wanted to make a safe, pleasant-smelling, non-greasy and biodegradable alternative to traditional repellants,” said Sarah. “We realized that the best way to ensure our products were effective was to conduct research.” Enter Laura Plunkett, PhD, Sarah’s mother and a board-certified toxicologist. Plunkett was able to help the couple perform scientific testing, which has shown the BYE-YOU BUG formulas to be able to repel mosquitoes and ticks. “Strangely enough, we’ve even gone as far as breeding our own mosquitoes in our home,” Sarah said. “Sometimes we bring them out to farmers markets much like a beekeeper displays bees.” Explosion of Business The McDonners were using a packing facility in Spring Branch until it exploded last May. “The entire building went up in flames – it made the news,” Sarah said. “We had been considering investing in our own equipment and the disaster made the decision for us.” The McDonners found space at a storage unit in Westchase District within walking distance from the farmers market and now mix, bottle, cap and label their products themselves. “There’s even the possibility of us to package for other businesses,” she said. “It’s ended up working out great for us in Westchase District.” Testing and Education Now fully operational again, the McDonners continue to research and refine their vanilla extract formulas with the guidance and advice from Harris County Mosquito Control and other agencies. “One of the components of our business that makes us different is that we try to educate customers about how they can avoid raising mosquitoes in their yards and help prevent the spread of mosquito borne diseases,” Sarah said. “Another is our goal to provide enough data to register our product with the EPA as a biopesticide.” To learn more, visit www.byeyoubug.com. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! As Westchase District Farmers Market celebrates its third anniversary on October 22, the McDonners establishing business space in the District is one of many indicators pointing to the success of the market. As of this summer, more than 45,000 customers have visited the market since its opening, generating nearly $700,000 in gross sales for our vendors. The market has incubated several business to the point where they have “outgrown” the market, moving on to distribute to local grocers and chains. Through it all, old friends and new favorites are there each week to greet you with fresh local items and friendly faces. Here’s to another successful year! Westchase District Farmers Market Year-round, rain or shine, Thursdays @ 3 p.m. St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church 10503 Westheimer Road (at Rogerdale Road, one block west of Beltway 8) www.westchasedistrictfarmersmarket.com Sarah McDonner with BYE-YOU BUG. moved about 500 employees a week for four weeks to the new offices. The move went smoothly – employees left on Friday afternoons and were operational in their new locations by the following Monday mornings.” Cardwell added that he’s excited about the new headquarters and its amenities. “There are bridges on levels 4 through 13 that will be collaboration spaces, plus a soccer field and jogging track on top of the parking garage,” he said. “I think the new location will really increase collaboration among our various departments, plus it improves our sense of identity, our branding and is a great recruiting tool for attracting new talent.” Variety and Engagement In the energy industry for 31 years, Cardwell has worked for such industry giants as BP, DuPont and Conoco on motor fuel tax returns, right of way easements, consulting on international assets and managing tax liability. “What I like best about my current role is that every day there is a variety of opportunities to engage our customers and stakeholders,” he said. “I believe we are part of the team that contributes to the success of Phillips 66 and its various business units.” Joining the Westchase District Board of Directors in February, Cardwell has seen his colleagues in action for a few meetings. “I’m impressed by the significant buy-in and engagement my fellow board members have in improving the District,” he said. “There’s a level of detail in their involvement that has me looking forward to participating in some of the various board committees.” Golf and Grandkids In addition to his duties with Phillips 66 and Westchase District, Cardwell is a committee vice chairman for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, he sits on the board of the nearby Royal Oaks Country Club, is an avid golfer and a grandfather of five. “I look forward to opportunities to spoil the grandkids any chance I get,” he said. Pumped to Be Here: Greg Cardwell with Phillips 66 stands next to an antique gas pump. Cardwell is one of three new Board members to Westchase District. 3 Twice as Nice: Apartments Open Phase 2 Portico at West 8 leasing 296 new luxury units along Seagler Road T In Italy, the word “portico” simply means “porch” – but in Westchase District, the word is associated with luxury multifamily living. Since 2008, Portico at West 8, located at 3003 Seagler Road, has treated its residents to an eclectic mix of Spanish-Mediterranean-Texan architecture and Class A amenities. Recently the community more than doubled in size, adding 296 units to its existing 230. The expansion of the four-story, mid-rise community is the fruition of a master plan years in the making. and ceramic tile backsplashes,” Calderon said. “The two-bedroom units now have garden tubs in both bathrooms, the one-bedroom studies are more spacious and we’ve redesigned the washers and dryers to be in the bathrooms rather than in the hallways.” Amenities for residents and guests A new community room – available for parties and meetings – complements the leasing office lounge, where the staff hosts monthly brunches, movie nights, and arts and Extended drumroll crafts sessions. Residents also have access to Starbucks coffee and a juice bar all day long. The community’s owner, Richfield Real Estate Corporation, always intended for there to be two phases to the project, even building a shared parking lot with 2,300 spaces. Following the financial crisis of 2009, the second phase of Portico temporarily was put on hold. “For a while, we had what was arguably the most spacious parking garage in Houston,” said Daniel Calderon, community manager. In 2013, Richfield broke ground on Portico’s second phase, adding an additional 296 units to its existing 230 at an unhurried pace. “For the staff, it felt like an extended drumroll as we anticipated the Phase 2 opening,” Calderon said. “Now that we’re finally here, we’re excited to fill up the new units.” “Also, we offer a limited number of guest suites for short-term stays,” Calderon said. “We manage it like a hotel. It’s a great amenity for residents’ relatives and friends who are in town for holidays or a brief visit.” Calderon and his staff are currently leasing one- and two-bedroom floor plans between 870 to 1,300 square feet. For more information, call 713-781-9628 or visit porticoatwest8.com. A twist of the old and new Portico at West 8 features such architectural elements as articulated roof lines, wrought iron railings and arched entryways. “Each building is constructed in curved street patterns to reinforce a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere,” said Calderon. “It’s all meant to feel more like an old world neighborhood.” That old-world charm is balanced by modern touches in Phase 2’s design. “There’s LED lighting, granite countertops, wood flooring, two-tone paint schemes Old World Style, New World Luxury: Clockwise from top left: Portico at West 8 features a mix of Spanish, Mediterranean and Texan architecture; one-bedroom study units are spacious and modern; the new community room offers residents a place to lounge; a swimming pool is at the center of this enclosed courtyard with barrel tile roofs and stucco siding. Recreational Reading as Walking Trail Attraction Little Free Libraries along Library Loop Trail encourage reading exchanges P erhaps you’ve heard of the Little Free Library movement? The concept is simple: quirky mailbox-like structures filled with books supplied by readers that are free for all to enjoy. Borrow a book or leave one to share with the world - it’s a grass roots way to promote reading and randomly discover new books. Westchase District got on board with literacy love by installing its first Little Free Library this summer at the west entrance to the Library Loop Trail, next to the Robinson Westchase Library, 3223 Wilcrest Drive. Among the initial titles found in the enclosed, two-story, birdhouse-looking bookshelf: • Tuesdays with Morrie • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo • The Great Gatsby (complete with handwritten notes!) 4 Take a book, leave a book: The new, Little Free Library along the Library Loop Trail is now open for all to enjoy. “It creates another cool amenity for our trail users and they help foster a literacy-friendly community,” said Louis Jullien, Westchase District’s project director. “I hope people will find new reading favorites and that they will share their favorite books with others.” Jullien said that he’s had to restock the library several times since its debut. “I think that’s a good sign that the concept is wildly popular,” he said. The installation is only the first of several Little Free Libraries to be located along the trail. Another one, sponsored by Zachry Group, will appear soon at the eastern trailhead on Rogerdale Road and a third is planned near the trail’s Walnut Bend crossing. If you or your company would like to sponsor a Little Free Library in Westchase District, contact Louis Jullien, 713-780-9434. Going the Extra Miles for Its Customers Westchase District-based Glesby Marks celebrates 40 years in fleet leasing business and Louisiana. With the collapse of the oil market in the 1980s, the company learned to diversify to a wider customer base. “Our geographical diversity has allowed us to withstand regional downturns,” Meyer said. “We provide a lot of work trucks to clients in the construction industry as well, so we’re not reliant on only a few major accounts.” The company moved to its current location at 10200 Richmond Avenue in 1997, a building currently shared with its landlord, Fuller Theological Seminary. “Our location allows us great access to our customers via Beltway 8. Plus, we have employees from Galveston to Sealy, so it’s a central location for them as well. “ With only 17 people handling a multi-thousand vehicle fleet, Emily Stoller, vice president of operations, said it’s the responsiveness of the staff that sets the company apart from its competition. “Though we have larger fleets, we excel at managing fleets from 15 to 75 vehicles. Our truck experts are well-connected to outfit work trucks with special beds, toolboxes, ladders – whatever the customer wants. We’ve even converted trucks to run on natural gas.” Trick out My Ride: Upfitting trucks with specialized equipment like this one is the forte of Glesby Marks. I f you choose to lease a car, most likely you’ll head to your nearest car dealership. But what if you need to lease specialty vehicles for your company, such as buses, refrigerated trucks or compressed natural gas vehicles? What if you want to lease a lot of them and you don’t want to deal with several different companies? Well, that’s when you head to Westchase District to do business with Glesby Marks. Relationships and Reduced Expenses 40 Years and Rolling After 39 years at the helm of Glesby Marks, Meyer will retire at the end of the year. “While the fundamentals of the company won’t change, it’s time for a new generation to take things to the next level,” he said. Stoller said she believes that integrity and technology are the keys to moving forward. “Right now we collect a lot of information on our vehicles regarding fuel and maintenance. In the future, there’s a lot more we will do with providing those facts back to our clients in a useful manner to help them manage their fleets even further,” she said. “Selling service is one thing, proving the benefits of it with solid data is even better.” With locations in Houston, Denver, Phoenix, Portland and Seattle, Glesby Marks specializes in customized vehicle fleet leasing and management for companies’ transportation operations. “Our full line of services is designed to reduce upfront costs while delivering the best solutions for our customers’ needs, said Charles Meyer, president of Glesby Marks. Meyer said some of those solutions include no down payments, fixed rate payments, management of licensing and title registration, GPS tracking and assistance in setting up driver safety programs for clients. “These all lead to reduced overhead expenses for our customers as well as maximum cost effectiveness.” “We’re about establishing ongoing relationships with our customers, which allows them to enjoy access to the best options in the fleet leasing industry, such as longer lease terms, regular maintenance services and upfitting of auxiliary equipment to meet client specs,” Meyer said. “We are the shock absorbers for our customers. Most companies don’t want to be in the trucking business. It’s up to us to absorb our customers’ aggravation and make it as seamless as possible.” Diversity Defending Downturns Formed in Houston in 1976 by Morris Glesby and auto dealer Jay Marks, the company originally focused on the rapidly expanding oil and gas industry in Texas Downshifting onto Retirement Road: President Charles Meyer (on left, with Emily Stoller, vice president of operations) will retire at the end of the year, marking a 39-year career with Glesby Marks. 20 Years of Conference Planning, One Meeting at a Time Westchase District mainstay Norris Conference Centers keeps pace with the latest trends E Norris said while he often receives compliments ven in today’s world of virtual meetings and about the technical expertise of his staff, his goal is to working from remote locations, there’s still prevent scrambles in the first place. “It’s great when something to be said for getting up from someone thinks we helped bail them out of an A/V your desk and interacting with people face-to-face. near-disaster, but I want us to be able to anticipate Well-planned, well-run meetings are a timeless challenges and handle them before they require necessity for most businesses. Hotels often specialize last-minute rescues. That level of service is what keeps in meeting space, but what if most of your meeting folks coming back. Well, that and the coffee,” he added, attendees don’t need sleeping rooms? For 20 years, laughing. “Seriously, after our exceptional service, one of Westchase District’s best answers to that our food and our coffee are what receive the most question has been Norris Conference Centers. compliments.” A fixture of the Westchase District business world Douwe Drop In since 1996, Norris Conference Centers, located at Meet and Greet: Norris Conference Centers’ sales Through the center’s sister location in CityCentre, 9990 Richmond Avenue, has specialized in hosting a managers Lillie Reap and Lana O’Neil are ready to Norris said the Westchase location offers in-house range of corporate events, offering clients an alternative book your next gathering in Westchase District. catering, from cocktails and hors d’ouveres to buffets to traditional hotel meeting space. One of the District’s and plated dinners. “We didn’t start out in the catering business, but over the years, premier meeting facilities (Westchase District hosted a recent meeting of its Board we’ve learned how to please the appetites of all kinds of groups and it has really of Directors at Norris), the center has grown from the offshoot of an Austin earned us high marks from our customers,” Norris said. And the coffee? “We use location started in 1990 into one of West Houston’s most reliable gathering spaces. Douwe Egberts coffee imported from Holland. When you attend enough meetings, A/V is A-OK Teresa Sims, regional general manager, oversees a staff of three full-time employees, who manage 16,000 square feet of conference space. Full-service audio-visual capabilities at the location include screen projectors, microphones, speaker systems, teleconferencing and video conferencing. “We’ve upgraded our video projection units three times in the past five years in order to stay competitive with the latest high-resolution technology,” said founder David Norris. “Some of our clients use sophisticated graphics software and they want to present images to their audiences as clearly as possible. It’s interesting that for all the talk about video conferencing though, we haven’t seen the demand for it we expected. Unless companies are spread out globally, most people still want to interact in person.” details like that are highly noticeable.” Want a sip of that coffee yourself? Sales manager Lana O’Neil hosts frequent free open houses to the facility to educate potential customers about the services offered. “We just hosted a Christmas in July open house and in October we’ll host a Girls Night Out event for breast cancer awareness,” she said. “We’re always happy to give site tours, but these themed events allow us to show all the rooms set up nicely to showcase what’s possible here.” While the center is available 24/7 for round-the-clock, cross-time zone conferencing, you can’t crash at Norris. “However, we partner with area hotels to offer special room rates and shuttle service to and from the center,” O’Neil said. “Our motto is ‘Sleep at a Hotel – Meet at Norris.’” Norris Conference Centers 9990 Richmond Avenue, Suite 102 • 713-780-9300 • norriscenters.com Hungry? Meet Me at the Ranch...in Westchase District Rio Ranch Steakhouse keeps it authentic for hungry herders seeking cowboy cuisine Don’t call it a comeback: Rio Ranch Steakhouse, located at 9999 Westheimer Road, has been here for years. But Judy Orlando, the new general manager of the Hilton Houston Westchase, wants customers to know that as the restaurant approaches a quarter century of serving cowboy cuisine, management is upping the ante on its rustic roots, emphasizing its campfire ambiance and signature mesquite grill. “We’ve always been here, but now we’re highlighting the original concept of our unique southwestern Hill Country menu,” Orlando said. “We’re tweaking the décor and the menu slightly to play up the eating-around-the-campfire feel.” Food & Drink Together yet separate While technically attached to the Hilton, Rio Ranch is more of a freestanding location with its own prominent entrance and parking. “We don’t want to be thought of merely as a ‘hotel restaurant’ because we’re more unique than that,” said Orlando. “We conform to the high standard of the Hilton brand while at the same time we’re like nothing else Hilton offers.” Orlando added that Rio Ranch has always been positioned as a big networking restaurant, a place where people can have a casual gathering to discuss business or meet friends. “Most of 6 our customers aren’t guests at the hotel – and that’s fine with us,” she said. “We’re a neighborhood restaurant that’s a destination unto itself.” Wood-fired, not fou fou Since 1993, self-taught executive chef San Hemwattikit has presided over the menu at Rio Ranch. A native of Thailand but Texan by taste, he features unique lunch specials such as smoked chile wings and pulled pork sliders, as well as dinner offerings like chuck wagon chili and a 16 oz. ribeye steak grilled over mesquite wood. “I use certified black angus beef, I don’t use gas grills and, of course, I have my secret seasonings,” An Appetite for the Authentic: Judy Orlando, he said. “You can really taste the difference in our steaks general manager at the Hilton Houston Westchase stands among the Texicana accessories of Rio and in our campfire mesquite savory chicken.” Ranch Steakhouse. Weekday lunches feature the daily “Meat & Three” specials with a specially picked protein and a trio of side dishes. Hemwattikit’s expansive Sunday hot brunch is arguably the best in Westchase District. From made-to-order omelets and a flapjack griddle with lots of “country fixin’s” to smoked salmon and sun-dried tomato pasta salad, Sundays at Rio Ranch offer something for everyone. “Over the years, I’ve simplified the menu and gone back to the basics,” Hemwattikit said. “Our market out here is different from inside the loop. We don’t Kick Up Your Boots: The Rio Saloon is a full-service bar complete with hickory go for anything too fou fou at Rio Ranch. and rawhide barstools, a 22 foot long solid mesquite wood bar and a wood ceiling I’ve been here for 23 years, so we must be made from a Civil War-era barn. doing something right.” Heart of a Champion, Mind of a Crimefighter From jiu jitsu to nightshift patrol, Jose Demeterio is one hard-hitting officer A t 5’5”, HPD officer Jose Demeterio is not the biggest police officer ever to wear the badge, but he just might be one of the baddest. “I practice jiu jitsu regularly, which has given me the mental training and confidence to deal with people much larger than myself. Not too much gives me pause,” he said with characteristic understatement. As a lifelong athlete and a member of the Westchase District Patrol, he hasn’t paused much so far. In perpetual motion Born in Lansing, Michigan, Demeterio moved with his chemist dad and schoolteacher mom in 1975 to Piti, Guam. He swam competitively for 18 years, competing in the 1987 South Pacific Games in New Caledonia and becoming an Olympic hopeful in 1988. “As a swimmer, I traveled the world,” he said. When not swimming, he enjoyed surfing typhoon-created waves and nighttime spearfishing scuba dives. Moving back to the states as a teenager, he graduated high school in Columbus, Ohio and earned a B.A. in history from State University of New York at Geneseo. At age 23, having never played in high school, Demeterio returned to Guam to play semi-pro football as a receiver and defensive back. “My father would never let me play as a teenager, so once I was old enough I decided to give it a try,” he said. When his parents retired in Houston, he relocated again and coached for the Lone Star Swim Team in northwest Houston for several years before deciding he needed a career with more excitement. At age 38, Demeterio attended the Houston Police Academy. “Sure, I was on the older end of my class, but there were cadets older than me,” he said. “As you might notice, I’m just a little bit competitive, so I enjoyed the challenge.” Upon graduation he was assigned to HPD’s North Shepherd storefront before joining the department’s crime reduction unit, where he worked with fellow Westchase District Patrol officers Jeff Sneed, Diego Morelli and Noe Alvarado. Last year, Demetrio took a Westside Division nightshift patrol in order to be closer to home. Verbal judo A member of the Westchase District Patrol since August 2014, he said he enjoys that every day on the job is different. “Interacting with all types of people is an interesting challenge, whether it’s Tough Competitor: HPD officer Jose Demeterio patrols Westchase District ready for anything. with people who are off their medications or with juveniles who think they’re adults,” he said. “I have to engage in a type of verbal judo, where I try to talk to suspects and get information from them without it seeming like I’m probing. I’m always learning.” Demeterio said Westchase District enjoys a reputation as a relatively low-crime area in part because of a surprise factor held by the patrols. “Many crooks are not aware that we’re patrolling the area,” he said. “That gives us an advantage.” When not sneaking up on criminals, Demeterio and his wife are raising three children, perhaps his greatest challenge yet. “I have a 16-year-old daughter,” he said, smiling. “Nothing I’ve trained for has prepared me for that.” From Commercial Real Estate to Commercial Westchase District films new ad campaign for cable TV, YouTube and Pandora T we’ve been doing and how we might his fall, if you’re watching Comcast cable channels, viewing YouTube or listening improve.” Using the metrics system to the popular Pandora streaming music All of the ads will end with the service, there’s a good chance you’ll see or hear a commercial for Westchase District. District’s web address, westchasedistrict. A new 30-second spot, a first for the com, to serve as a call to action to visit District, will begin airing in September the website to learn more about the that asks the question, “What do YOU District. “The beauty of these digital chase in Westchase District?” campaigns is that they are highly A new approach measurable,” Fox said. “We’re able to Advertising certainly is not a new concept to Westchase District. The District has placed print ads in a variety track who clicks on what with great Aaaand...ACTION! Actress Kristi Williams prepares for a scene in Westchase District’s new 30-second commercial. specificity. At the end of our initial run of printed publications including the of the campaign, we’ll use the metrics Houston Business Journal, REDNews, gathered to inform how we move and Texas Real Estate Business News. The forward in 2017.” District also has advertised via radio To XFINITY and beyond spots during the Michael Berry show on Roy said the style of the commercial 740 AM KTRH and through radio and digital ads with iHeart Media, which is likely to inform the look of updated owns FM stations 94.5 The Buzz and marketing collateral. “We want to create Sunny 99.1. a unified look to the brand on everything “We’ve had great success with our from Westchase Today and brochures to previous ad campaigns, but we don’t The Wire e-newsletter and the website,” want to become complacent in how we reach our audiences,” said Sherry Fox, Westchase District’s vice president of communications. “This year, we decided to step back and take a fresh look at what she said. “This commercial is the Viewer Discretion: (From left) Director of Photography Raul Casares, Vicki Roy of BQR Advertising and Westchase District’s Jonathan Lowe study the composition of an outdoor shot for the commercial. beginning of that process and it will help to position Westchase District firmly in the minds of the people who see it.” 7 (Continued from Page 1) as the M Club. “It’s an exclusive space for gold and platinum elite Marriott rewards members with premiere services where guests can work, enjoy a bite, recharge and connect,” Greenblatt said. “The rooms provide a variety of seating options to relax or work and the club has a dedicated host, including a concierge.” Parker, whose Westchase District-based DP Consulting focuses on hotel market studies and feasibility assessments, said full service hotels such as the Marriott Westchase and the Hilton Houston Westchase are too expensive for most hotel developers to build, so these brands are able to stay relevant as long as their rooms and meeting spaces are up-to-date. “In newer limited service and extended stay brands, guestrooms are squeezed smaller in favor of larger social-gathering-style lobbies,” he said. “Full service hotels still offer more spacious rooms and conference or convention areas.” The Marriott is not the only Westchase District hotel with a fresh look. Since 2012 the Hilton Houston Westchase, 9999 Westheimer, has seen more incremental renovations, resulting in another total transformation. “Everything in the hotel has been touched including finishes, furniture and flooring, even the hotel’s cooling towers,” said Judy Orlando, Hilton Houston Westchase’s general manager. “Our 13,000 square feet of meeting space has better and more efficient lighting as well as the latest conferencing technology. We understand that there are expectations from millennial-age travelers and we want to always be relevant in customers’ minds.” On the limited service hotel side, the La Quinta Inn & Suites, located at 10850 Harwin Drive, recently completed extensive renovations and is looking pretty snazzy. “New décor throughout the hotel and our 83 rooms will completely enhance our guests’ experiences,” said Yolanda Brown, general manager. “We have a brighter and more polished contemporary look and feel, even faster high-speed internet and new flat-panel TVs with 30 channels of HD programming.” Residence Inn by Marriott, an extended stay hotel located at 9965 Westheimer, has plans for major renovations in 2017, but got a head start on them when some rooms received flood damage from heavy rains in April. Greenblatt said he’s confident the current market lag is only temporary. “This is my fourth downturn in 27 years in the hotel business,” he said. “Am I concerned? Yes. Am I worried? No. I’ve seen this before and I know that we’ll be coming back stronger than ever.” Waking up on the Bright Side: Opened in 2007, the La Quinta Inn & Suites at 10850 Harwin Drive underwent extensive renovations earlier this year, including new décor in its 83 guest rooms. Neighborhood News O ne of Westchase District’s most prime parcels of land is on the market. Located near the District’s northern boundary, just south of Deerwood Drive along the West Sam Houston Tollway, sits 24.5 acres for sale. The site is next to the Walnut Bend neighborhood and is just up Beltway 8 from the new Phillips 66 world headquarters. Once home to Dow Chemical’s campus, the land has been cleared for redevelopment. The property, located at 400 West Sam Houston Parkway, is represented by Newmark Grubb Knight Frank and is already drawing interest. “With its unmatched proximity to Buffalo Bayou and Beltway 8, and surrounded by great neighbors, it is an incredible location for developing a beautiful corporate campus,” said Jim Murphy, Westchase District general manager. “The right buyer will be purchasing a real gem.” For details, please call Brandi McDonald, 713-490-9951. 400 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. H ot on the heels of the opening of the new Whole Foods Market in the Westchase Shopping Center, two new stores will join it. Kirkland’s has announced that it will open its 18th store in Houston next door to Whole Foods this September. “This will be the company’s largest prototype store,” said Sarah Dickerson, senior real estate manager with Kirkland’s, Inc. “It will have the latest in visual merchandising design and layout for a better customer experience.” The 10,000 square-foot store will feature: • furniture • art and wall decor, mirrors and lighting • pillows, rugs and curtains • gifts and holiday décor Then two doors down, Torchy’s Tacos, home to popular Tex Mex breakfast, lunch and dinner items, will open a location later this year. The 5,000+ square-foot restaurant will occupy the space vacated by Black Eyed Pea. 8 T his year’s 14th annual Westchase District Summer Food Drive collected more than 4,200 pounds of non-perishable items for the pantry at West Houston Assistance Ministries. Congratulations to our top donors: • Zurich Insurance: 1,047 pounds • Houston Marriott Westchase: 846 pounds • Grace Presbyterian Church: 698 pounds • Pape-Dawson Engineers: 98 pounds Sincere thanks to all who gave generously at 24 participating apartments, businesses and offices in Westchase District. WHAM’s pantry, which distributes food assistance to an average 1,700 people each month, gratefully accepts year-round donations. Go online to whamministries.org for a list of needed items. M ore than 60 people braved the heat July 23 for Tales on the Trail, our celebration of reading and of our new mural at the western end of the Library Loop Trail. Thanks to all who participated and especially to our sponsors: • • • • • • Eagles Trace Retirement H-E-B Literacy Advance McDonald’s/Janus 1 Mural Arts Playworks Mural Arts • • • • • Robinson Public Library SpringHill Suites by Marriott Trader Joe’s West Houston Assistance Ministries Westchase District Community Fund
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