Login
Login

Houston Energy Corridor

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Energy Corridor

| settlement_type = Business district of Greater Houston

| image_skyline = File:BPAmericasHQ.JPG

| imagesize = 250px

| image_caption = Westlake Park, which contains the BP Americas headquarters

| coordinates = {{coord|29.77|N|95.63|W}}

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = {{flagicon|United States}} United States

| subdivision_type1 = State

| subdivision_type2 = County

| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon|Texas}} Texas

| subdivision_name2 = Harris

| government_footnotes = {{Cite web |url=http://energycorridor.org/sites/ecd/media/Resource%20Library%20Docs/Energy_Corridor_MD_2016_Report_Final-web.pdf |title=The Energy Corridor District: Land Use and Demographics |date=2016 |publisher = The Energy Corridor District |access-date=24 February 2017}}

| government_type = County Improvement District

| governing_body = Harris County Improvement District #4 (Energy Corridor Management District)

| area_total_acre =

| population_footnotes =

| population_est = 22034

| pop_est_as_of = 2016

| website = [http://www.energycorridor.org energycorridor.org]

}}

The Energy Corridor is a business district in Houston, Texas, located on the west side of the metropolitan area between Beltway 8 and the Grand Parkway. The district straddles a {{convert|7|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch of Interstate 10 (the Katy Freeway) from Kirkwood Road westward to Barker Cypress Road and extends south along Eldridge Parkway to Briar Forest Drive.{{Cite web|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/transportation/article/Energy-corridor-a-hotbed-of-car-free-planning-5799731.php|title=Energy Corridor a hotbed of car-free transportation planning|last=Begley|first=Dug|date=2014-10-03|website=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2017-03-27}} Parts of the district overlap with the Memorial area of Houston. The district is located north of Westchase, another major business district of Houston, and east of Greater Katy.

Many energy sector companies have major operations in the Energy Corridor, including BP America, Citgo, ConocoPhillips, Nouryon and Shell Oil Company. Non-energy firms also have a presence; Sysco and Gulf States Toyota Distributors are both headquartered in the district. The Energy Corridor contains over {{convert|26|e6ft2|m2}} of office space, with an employment capacity of over 105,000.

Over {{convert|26,000|acres|mi2 km2}} of urban park area borders the Energy Corridor, including George Bush Park and Bear Creek Pioneers Park.{{Cite web|url=http://www.energycorridor.org/parks-recreation|title=Parks and Recreation in the Energy Corridor|website=Energy Corridor District|access-date=2017-02-24}} These parks are located within Barker Reservoir and Addicks Reservoir, respectively, which comprise a major flood control system for Buffalo Bayou.

History

Energy industry corporations began moving to west Houston in the 1970s, seeking land for suburban office campuses and proximity to new housing developments.{{Cite web|url=http://www.energycorridor.org/about/history|title=History of the Houston Energy Corridor|website=Energy Corridor District|access-date=25 February 2017}}

Browning-Ferris Industries (BFI) had its headquarters in the district until its acquisition by Allied Waste in 2000."[https://web.archive.org/web/19990428042302/http://www.bfi.com/ Welcome to BFI]." Browning-Ferris Industries. April 28, 1999. Retrieved on February 8, 2010.

In 2001, the Texas Legislature created the {{Convert|1700|acre|mi2|adj=on}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/memorial/news/article/Extensive-tree-program-gets-kudos-for-Energy-5670024.php|title=Extensive tree program gets kudos for Energy Corridor|last=Jones|first=Allen|date=5 August 2014|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2017-02-26}} Energy Corridor Management District.{{Cite web|url=http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/LASDOCS/77R/SB1226/SB1226_77R.pdf#page=139|title=SB 1226|date=23 May 2001|website=Texas Legislative Reference Library|access-date=25 February 2017}} In Texas, management districts are special government entities empowered to levy commercial taxes within their boundaries to support investments in infrastructure, urban planning, district branding and advertising, and public safety.{{Cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/handouts/C2102013022110301/d6be689a-2e18-4624-bd3c-e932b26cc977.PDF|title=Municipal Management Districts|website=Texas Legislative Reference Library|publisher=Allen Boone Humpheries Robinson LLP|access-date=25 February 2017}} Since then, the district has been actively involved in the creation of new infrastructure in the area, including road widening and the addition of bicycle lanes and sidewalks, and operates an extensive tree-planting and beautification program.{{Cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/memorial/news/article/Construction-powers-Energy-Corridor-4403860.php|title=Construction powers Energy Corridor|last=Meeks|first=Flori|date=2 April 2013|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|access-date=25 February 2017}}

Between 2001 and 2013, the district more than tripled its total property value, from $600 million to over $2 billion. The amount of new office space added to the Energy Corridor between 2005 and 2015 is equivalent to the amount added during the preceding three decades.{{Cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/memorial/news/article/Corridor-booming-as-it-expands-west-5102234.php|title=Corridor booming as it expands west|last=Baird|first=Annette|date=3 January 2014|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2017-02-25}} However, the 2010s oil glut put a damper on this growth, causing office and apartment vacancy rates in the area to rise significantly.{{Cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/katy/news/article/Oil-crisis-to-increasingly-affect-non-energy-6863141.php|title=Oil crisis to increasingly affect non-energy markets in West Houston|last=Herrera|first=Sebastian|date=1 March 2016|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2017-02-25}} Despite this slowdown, the district saw a significant increase in hospital construction during the mid-2010s, including new facilities for Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2015/08/the-energy-corridors-hurting-but-theres-one-bright.html|title=The Energy Corridor's hurting, but there's one bright spot for commercial development|last=Asgarian|first=Roxanna|date=28 August 2015|website=Houston Business Journal|access-date=2017-02-25}}

ExxonMobil operated a large chemical facility in the district until 2013, when it consolidated operations in its new corporate campus in Spring.{{Cite news|url=http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2013/04/exxon-takes-energy-corridor-property-to-market/|title=Exxon takes Energy Corridor property to market|last=Sarnoff|first=Nancy|date=17 April 2013|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2017-02-25|language=en-US}}

The Energy Corridor experienced extensive inland flooding from Hurricane Harvey in August and September 2017 after historic rainfall exceeded the retention capacity of the Addicks and Barker reservoirs. The United States Army Corps of Engineers was forced to maximize discharge out of the reservoirs into Buffalo Bayou to protect the structural integrity of the dams, causing extensive downstream flooding of residential and commercial areas throughout the district, particularly along the Eldridge Parkway corridor.{{Cite news|url=https://www.houstoniamag.com/articles/2017/9/2/houston-hurricane-harvey-flood-memorial-addicks-barker-dam|title=Flood Waters Could Continue to Cover Memorial for Weeks|work=Houstonia|access-date=2017-09-04}}

Economy

class="wikitable" style="float:right"

|+ style="text-align: center;" | Largest employers in the Energy Corridor, 2016

!Company

!Employment

Wood Group

|10,960

BP

|9,537

Technip USA, Inc.

|4,300

ConocoPhillips

|3,000

Shell Oil Company

|3,000

|-

|Baker Hughes

|3,000

|}

|-

|Endbridge

|3,000

|}

|-

|Flour Daniels

|3,000

|}

Historically, the Energy Corridor has been one of Houston's strongest office markets.Sarnoff, Nancy. "[http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2000/10/23/story6.html Atlanta REIT buys former BFI buildings]." Houston Business Journal. Friday October 20, 2000. Retrieved on February 8, 2010.

The district is the second-largest employment center in the region with more than 94,000 employees and over 300 companies.{{Cite web|url=http://www.energycorridor.org/business|title=Business Development|website=Energy Corridor District|access-date=25 February 2017}}

File:SyscoHQHouston.JPG headquarters]]

The Energy Corridor is home to the national or international headquarters of the following companies:

  • Becks Prime"[http://www.energycorridor.org/maps/documents/locations-listing.pdf Locations Listing] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227011629/http://www.energycorridor.org/maps/documents/locations-listing.pdf |date=2009-02-27 }}." Energy Corridor. Page 2/3. Retrieved on April 5, 2010."[http://www.window.state.tx.us/filelib/stp09-21.csv stp09-21.csv] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928073804/http://www.window.state.tx.us/filelib/stp09-21.csv |date=2011-09-28 }}." Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Retrieved on April 5, 2010.
  • BP America at Westlake Park
  • ConocoPhillips{{Cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2016/11/29/conocophillips-scraps-sublease-plans-will-relocate.html|title=ConocoPhillips scraps sublease plans; will relocate Houston HQ to Energy Center 4|last=Smith|first=Cara|date=29 November 2016|website=Houston Business Journal|access-date=2017-02-26}}
  • Citgo{{Cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/Citgo-chooses-west-Houston-Energy-Corridor-digs-1971235.php|title=Citgo chooses west Houston Energy Corridor digs|last=Sarnoff|first=Nancy|date=8 June 2004|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2017-02-26}}
  • Equinor
  • Foster Wheeler{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapid=4760243|title=Foster Wheeler USA Corporation: Private Company Information|website=Bloomberg|access-date=2017-02-25}}
  • Gulf States Toyota"[https://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/21/private-companies-10_Gulf-States-Toyota_5FC5.html #76 Gulf States Toyota]." Forbes. Retrieved on April 30, 2014. "1375 Enclave Parkway Houston TX 77077""[http://www.energycorridor.org/sites/ecd/media/Energy-Corridor-MD-2013_Report.pdf 2013 Inventory and Database CDS Market Research]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20131227195239/http://www.energycorridor.org/sites/ecd/media/Energy-Corridor-MD-2013_Report.pdf Archive]). Energy Corridor. p. 1 (Boundary Map). Retrieved on April 30, 2014.
  • McDermott International{{cite web|url=https://www.mcdermott.com/Where-We-Work/Corporate-Offices|title=Corporate Offices|publisher=McDermott International|access-date=2018-05-15|quote=757 N. Eldridge Pkwy. Houston, TX 77079 USA}}
  • PCL Construction{{Cite news|url=http://www.pcl.com/Meet-the-PCL-Family/Locations/United-States/Houston/Pages/Houston-Office.aspx|title=Houston – Industrial Construction|access-date=2017-02-26|publisher=PCL Construction|language=en-us}}
  • SBM Offshore USA{{Cite web|url=http://www.energycorridor.org/business/largest-employers/employer?title=sbm-atlantia-inc|title=Largest Employers: SBM Offshore USA|website=Energy Corridor District|access-date=2017-02-26|archive-date=2017-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226212842/http://www.energycorridor.org/business/largest-employers/employer?title=sbm-atlantia-inc|url-status=dead}}
  • Sysco{{Cite news|url=https://www.hines.com/properties/sysco-corporation-headquarters-houston|title=Sysco Corporation Headquarters|access-date=2017-02-25|publisher=Hines}}
  • Technip USA{{Cite web|url=http://www.technip.com/en/entities/usa/our-range-services|title=Technip USA profile|website=Technip USA|access-date=25 February 2017|archive-date=26 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226131405/http://www.technip.com/en/entities/usa/our-range-services|url-status=dead}}
  • Wood Group{{Cite web|url=https://www.griffincapital.com/griffin-capital-essential-asset-reit/property-portfolio/wood-group-mustang-(westgate-iii)|title=Wood Group Mustang (Westgate III) Headquarters Building|website=Griffin Capital|access-date=25 February 2017|archive-date=26 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226131623/https://www.griffincapital.com/griffin-capital-essential-asset-reit/property-portfolio/wood-group-mustang-(westgate-iii)|url-status=dead}}
  • WorleyParsons{{Cite web|url=http://www.energycorridor.org/newsletter/article/worleyparsons-moves-headquarters-to-energy-corridor/march-2009|title=WorleyParsons Moves Headquarters to Energy Corridor|date=March 2009|website=Energy Corridor District|access-date=25 February 2017|archive-date=26 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226212809/http://www.energycorridor.org/newsletter/article/worleyparsons-moves-headquarters-to-energy-corridor/march-2009|url-status=dead}}

File:ConocoPhilipsHQ.JPG headquarters]]

  • Kiewit Corporation{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2019/12/11/engineering-co-s-oil-and-gas-divisionleases-half.html|title=Engineering co.'s oil and gas division leases half of Energy Corridor building|date=March 2009|website=Energy Corridor District|access-date=25 February 2017}}
  • Enbridge Energy US [Relocated US corporate office in July 2022]

Shell Oil Company, the fifth-largest employer in the Energy Corridor, operates a large campus in the district.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090227011629/http://www.energycorridor.org/maps/documents/locations-listing.pdf Map] (). Energy Corridor. Retrieved on February 5, 2009."[http://www.energycorridor.org/business/documents/2009ECDFinalReport.pdf Land Use and Demographics]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}." Energy Corridor District. March 2009. 3 (7/53). Retrieved on January 16, 2010. Dow Chemical Company and Sonangol USA have offices in the area.{{Cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/01/07/daily35.html|title=Dow Center to relocate to Energy Corridor|last=Dawson|first=Jennifer|date=9 January 2008|newspaper=Houston Business Journal|access-date=25 February 2017}}"[http://www.sonangol-usa.com/contact_en.shtml Contact Information] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720190132/http://www.sonangol-usa.com/contact_en.shtml |date=2011-07-20 }}." Sonangol USA. Retrieved on August 6, 2011. "1177 Enclave Parkway 2nd floor Suite 200 Houston, TX 77077 "

Transportation

File:EnergyCorridorBusStop.jpg bus stop]]

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) provides public transportation to the area. Line 75, originally known as the Energy Corridor Connector, operates during weekdays."[http://www.ridemetro.org/SchedulesMaps/Pdfs/Schedule%20Changes/075energycorridor.pdf 75 Energy Corridor Connector] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720184527/http://www.ridemetro.org/SchedulesMaps/Pdfs/Schedule%20Changes/075energycorridor.pdf |date=2011-07-20 }}." Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas. Retrieved on January 23, 2010. Commuters from Downtown Houston and Midtown Houston can connect to the 75 connector via 228 Addicks and 229 Kingsland/Addicks through the Addicks Park and Ride. The 75 connector also connects with routes along Westheimer Road and Memorial Drive."[http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/01/18/daily40.html?ana=tt3245 New Metro line to serve Energy Corridor]." Houston Business Journal. January 22, 2010. Retrieved on January 23, 2010. In January 2011, the name of the route was changed to 75 Eldridge Crosstown, and the southern terminus of the line was extended to Mission Bend Park and Ride, enabling more convenient connections with the Westchase district and the New Chinatown area.

File:EnergyCorridorstreetsigns.jpg

Two general aviation airports serve the Energy Corridor: West Houston Airport, near Addicks Reservoir, and Houston Executive Airport in unincorporated Waller County. The latter was built to serve employees of firms in the Energy Corridor.Lee, Renée C., Helen Eriksen, Eric Hanson, Ruth Rendon, Harvey Rice, and Richard Stewart. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2007_4367300 TRANSPORTATION / A flurry of airport expansions in the Houston region can serve corporate customers who don't like the hassles of airline travel]." Houston Chronicle. Sunday June 17, 2008. Business 1. Retrieved on October 18, 2009.

Two-thirds of the district's employees live within a "commute zone" spread across northern Fort Bend County, western Harris County, and southern Waller County.{{Cite web |url=http://www.energycorridor.org/business/documents/2009ECDFinalReport.pdf |title=Land Use and Demographics |publisher=Energy Corridor District |date=March 2009 |volume=2 |issue=6/53 |access-date=16 January 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Education

= Public schools =

The southern, western and eastern areas of the Energy Corridor are served by Houston Independent School District, Katy Independent School District, and Spring Branch Independent School District, respectively.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mybcp.com/about-houston-energy-corridor/|title=About Houston Energy Corridor|website=Video Production Company Houston {{!}} Bayou City Productions {{!}} 281-558-5100|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-20}}

Houston ISD residents are zoned to Ray K. Daily Elementary School,"[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/DailyES.pdf Daily Elementary Attendance Zone] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206093010/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/SchoolBoundaryMaps/dailyes.pdf |date=2009-02-06 }}." Houston Independent School District. West Briar Middle School (with Revere Middle School, a STEM Magnet, as an option),"[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/WestBriarMS.pdf West Briar Middle Attendance Zone] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208181535/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/SchoolBoundaryMaps/WestBriarMS.pdf |date=2012-02-08 }}." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved on February 5, 2009. and Westside High School."[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/WestsideHS.pdf Westside High School Attendance Zone] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217002431/http://web.archive.org/web/20140407061939/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/WestsideHS.pdf |date=2017-12-17 }}." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved on February 5, 2009. Residents zoned to Westside may transfer to Lamar High School."[http://findaschool.houstonisd.org/SchoolDetail.aspx?school=036 Westside High School] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706125005/http://findaschool.houstonisd.org/SchoolDetail.aspx?school=036 |date=2017-07-06 }}." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved on July 6, 2017. "Students zoned to this campus are eligible to apply for a Boundary Option Transfer to Lamar High School"

Katy ISD residents are zoned to Wolfe Elementary School, Mayde Creek Junior High School, Mayde Creek High School, Memorial Parkway Junior High School, and James E. Taylor High School.{{Cite web|url=http://www.katyisd.org/Documents/KISD%20District%20Map.pdf|title=Katy ISD Schools and Facilities 2016–2017|date=2016|website=Katy Independent School District|access-date=25 February 2017}}

Spring Branch ISD residents are zoned to Nottingham Elementary School, Spring Forest Middle School, and Stratford High School.{{Cite web|url=https://cms.springbranchisd.com/maps/Schools/Maps|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171108123947/https://cms.springbranchisd.com/maps/Schools/Maps|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 November 2017|title=Campus Attendance Maps|website=Spring Branch Independent School District|access-date=25 February 2017}}

=Private schools=

The Village School is near the Energy Corridor.{{cite web|url=https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/our-schools/houston/village-school/boarding/about-our-boarding-school|title=About Our Boarding School|publisher=The Village School|access-date=2019-03-30|quote=The Village School, located in Houston’s prestigious Energy Corridor,[...]}} In 2016, the British International School of Houston opened in Greater Katy to serve the district's large population of British expatriates.Kirk, Bryan. "[http://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/katy/news/article/Katy-area-campus-set-to-open-in-fall-16-6316361.php#photo-8122390 Katy-area campus set to open in fall '16]." Houston Chronicle. June 9, 2015. Retrieved on September 11, 2015.

=Public libraries=

The Houston Public Library operates the Kendall Neighborhood Library on Eldridge Parkway.{{Cite web|url=http://www.energycorridor.org/newsletter/article/energy-corridor-to-get-a-kendall-neighborhood-library-and-community-center/march-2009|title=Energy Corridor to get a Kendall Neighborhood Library and Community Center|date=March 2009|website=The Energy Source|publisher=Energy Corridor District|access-date=2017-02-25|archive-date=2017-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226130933/http://www.energycorridor.org/newsletter/article/energy-corridor-to-get-a-kendall-neighborhood-library-and-community-center/march-2009|url-status=dead}}

Of all HPL branches the Kendall Library received the most severe damage during Hurricane Harvey in 2017; the damage, which affected the electronic system and elevator, but not most of the books as the majority were on the library's second floor, included mold and was so severe that HPL employees re-entered the branch several days after the flood. The total level of water ranged from {{convert|4.5|ft}} to {{convert|5|ft}}. The library afterward enacted a $4 million project post-Harvey renovation program with a tentative 2019 opening.{{cite news|author=Ward, Alyson|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Nearly-a-year-after-Harvey-s-floods-six-13085785.php|title=Nearly a year after Harvey's floods, six Houston libraries remain shuttered — some indefinitely|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|date=2018-07-19|access-date=2018-07-29}}

Parks and recreation

The Energy Corridor is intersected by Terry Hershey Park, a linear park which runs east to west along Buffalo Bayou from Beltway 8 to Barker Reservoir. The district is connected to a wider trail system by trailheads at the intersection of Eldridge and Enclave and at Mayde Creek as it passes under Interstate 10.{{Cite web|url=http://www.energycorridor.org/sites/ecd/media/mobility/bike/ECD-BH_Bikeways_Map__web.pdf|title=Energy Corridor Bikeways Map|website=Energy Corridor District|access-date=25 February 2017|archive-date=26 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226212900/http://www.energycorridor.org/sites/ecd/media/mobility/bike/ECD-BH_Bikeways_Map__web.pdf|url-status=dead}} These trails connect the district to George Bush Park to the southwest.

Ray Miller Park, a neighborhood park, is located at the southern end of the district on Eldridge Parkway.{{Cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/memorial/news/article/The-Energy-Corridor-proposes-Central-Park-6243721.php|title=The Energy Corridor proposes 'Central Park' project|last=Jones|first=Allen|date=5 May 2015|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2017-02-26}}

In 2015 Energy Corridor Cricket, a children's cricket club, was established.{{cite web|author=Kadifa, Margaret|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/katy/news/article/Cricket-isn-t-a-bug-to-this-group-of-youngsters-6946946.php|title='Cricket' isn't a bug to this group of youngsters|work=Houston Chronicle|date=2016-03-22|access-date=2019-10-26}}

Notes

{{Reflist|2}}

External links

{{Portal bar|Texas|Energy}}

  • [http://www.energycorridor.org/ Energy Corridor Management District webpage]
  • [http://www.luxaccommodations.com/ Energy Corridor Lodging webpage]

{{Houston}}

{{Greater Katy}}

{{coord|29.77|-95.63|type:city_region:US-TX|display=title}}

Category:Geography of Houston

Category:Neighborhoods in Houston

Category:Economy of Houston