On its most basic level, a TIRZ is its own political subdivision. A TIRZ may be set up by a City, County, or group of land owners. The TIRZ district allows investments in public improvements to be made and the resulting incremental tax increases (“increments”) are used to pay for the improvements within the district.
The City of Houston has been a leader in utilizing TIRZ districts in order to encourage redevelopment and investment in areas of the City that would otherwise not attract sufficient market demand to encourage such spending.
A TIRZ must have a justification founded on improving the economic situation of the body that creates the district. According to state law: “The area subject to the TIRZ must substantially arrest or impair the sound growth of the municipality or county creating the zone, retard the provision of housing accommodations, or constitute an economic or social liability and be a menace to the public health, safety, morals, or welfare in its present condition and use.”
While areas that lack sufficient roadway, utility, and housing infrastructure might naturally be a great fit for a TIRZ district, improvements like increased way finding and signage, sidewalks, bikeways, parks, and other items which might be expected to improve the economic future of an area. An example of the latter case occurs with the Uptown Houston TIRZ District, an area that includes the Galleria.
The City of Houston allows TIRZ districts to be established based on: the presence of substandard, slum, deteriorated, or deteriorating structures; the predominance of defective or inadequate sidewalk or street layout; faulty lot layout in relation to size, adequacy, accessibility, or usefulness; unsanitary or unsafe conditions; the deterioration of site or other improvements; defective or unusual conditions of title; or conditions that endanger life or property by fire or other cause.
Learn more about Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones on the City of Houston’s website .
WGI is a national design and professional services firm leading in technology-based solutions for the construction of public infrastructure and real estate development. At WGI, we’re providing Tomorrow’s Infrastructure Solutions Today.
Agility is key — Cities and states that rapidly plan and execute policy and infrastructure plans to uplift communities might be the first to recover. Learn how WGI can help.
At WGI, we’ll help your community develop integrated micromobility plans and policies to capture benefits, limit risks and expand choices. From pilot project design to overall mobility planning, we can help you test, scale and incorporate innovative transportation into your community plans.
WGI moves up 37 spots on Engineering News-Record (ENR)’s 2020 Top 500 Design Firms List.
WGI’s Lisa Nisenson was featured on the American Planning Association’s podcast to discuss rapidly changing e-commerce trends and technologies, and the long-term implications of COVID-19 on the way planners are thinking about the future.
The NHA identifies, advocates, and supports projects and initiatives that advance the business environment and improve the quality of life for more than one million residents in North Harris and Montgomery County, TX.
Of all the contingencies facility owners and managers planned for in 2020, a global pandemic was probably pretty low on the list. WGI has some key strategies that facility owners and managers leverage to keep your operations functioning effectively and safely amid this global pandemic.
You’ve been searching for a place like WGI. We look forward to meeting you soon.
Sign up to receive emails to hear our latest news and achievements in our monthly newsletter.
Enter your zip code, and we’ll personalize your experience with local projects, office locations, team members, and more.
WGI supports its associates with meaningful opportunities for growth, strong benefits and perks, while we work collaboratively with clients and co-consultants to shape and improve communities.
WGI is a dynamic organization with opportunities nationwide for engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, environmental scientists, and architects.
Meet our Awesome Associate Jeremy Doege, Civil Market Leader located in our San Antonio, Texas office.
