The City of Rowlett, Texas, has sued the developer of a $1 billion mixed-use project for not adhering to approved plans.
According to city officials, the Bayside development is in default of their development agreement with the city. The developer is accused of changing features that city officials felt were critical to the project’s success after the city met its obligations.
Rowlett had agreed to economic development incentives, created a tax increment reinvesting zone, and sought state tax support for a convention center. The city said the developers changed the original vision by eliminating a planned eight-acre Crystal Lagoon, trolley, and one-acre show fountain, and reduced the amount of restaurant, retail and entertainment space by 55%. The revised plan also would increase the space for residential development from 29 acres to 50 acres.
“Bayside is a public-private partnership, and our development partner is obligated to adhere to the vision for Bayside with which both parties are contractually committed; any changes to the vision require city approval,” Mayor Tammy Dana-Bashian said in city news release. “We are disappointed that it has reached this point and that we are forced to take this action.”
Related Stories
Legislation | Aug 10, 2016
Calif. bill would speed up environmental lawsuits on certain projects
A nine-month limit has been proposed for some $100 million-plus projects.
Resiliency | Aug 10, 2016
White House pushes for better finance strategies for disaster mitigation and resilience
The move highlights innovative insurance, mortgage, tax, and finance-based strategies.
Regulations | Aug 9, 2016
New trend eases parking requirements for U.S. cities
Transit-oriented development and affordable housing are spurring the movement.
Regulations | Aug 8, 2016
EPA toughens rules to reduce formaldehyde exposure from composite wood products
Products will now have to be labeled as compliant to the new rules.
Regulations | Aug 5, 2016
Stop-work orders in New York City up sharply this year
The orders come after a rise in the number of deadly accidents that have occurred in the past few years.
Sustainability | Aug 4, 2016
S.F. Bay Area voters approve first-of-its-kind tax to fight impact of climate change
The funds from the tax will be used to restore wetlands
Concrete | Aug 2, 2016
Concrete Association builds case against cross-laminated timber
The campaign asserts that not enough is known about CLT in construction
Seismic Design | Jul 28, 2016
Risk of man-made earthquakes now factor in seismic hazard analysis
Significant risk increases seen in some areas of the U.S.
Resiliency | Jul 27, 2016
New York’s resilience plans not taking long-term view, critics charge
Continued waterfront development may be regretted later this century.
Green Specifications | Jul 26, 2016
New Miami Beach law requires LEED certification on projects larger than 7,000 sf
LEED Silver the prescribed standard on buildings larger than 50,000 sf.