2.) Cane Island Community- Located between Hwy. 90 and Morton Road, Cane Island Community is a brand new 1,000 acre master-planned community that is slated to open April 2015. This upscale community will feature an anticipated 2,200 single family and custom homes ranging from the upper $200k to upper $800k. The community will be developed in stages, starting with an elaborate, one-mile entry area lined with thousands of trees where residents will drive under a “living wall,” a decorative arch covered in plants and flowers.
The Katy City Council aided the project with its Nov. 18 vote to amend the city’s ordinance outlining code requirements for Master Planned Community Districts and its creation of a new MUD within the city limits. The new ordinance allows greater latitude in lot sizes, street widths, design and layout. At the same time, tightens requirements for community features such as public parks.
*Schools*
1.) Katy ISD is making preparations for the completion of two new elementary schools, expected to open in the fall of 2014 in Cross Creek Ranch and Pine Mill Ranch. The proposed recommendation was approved by the Katy ISD Board of Trustees on January 21.
The proposal will provide relief to the following elementaries.
• Shafer
• Wolman
• WoodCreek
To accommodate future growth, the district has discussed the need to build two new elementary and junior high schools by August 2017, according to a presentation to the board during its January workstudy meeting
2.) Demand for Charter Schools increasing in Katy-
Charter schools are state-funded public schools that must meet state requirements but also have some flexibility in coursework, school hours and structure, and each has a specialty of study. There are five charter schools in Katy—Trinity Charter School, Calvin Nelms, Harmony Science Academy, Leadership Academy and Aristoi Classical Academy. In 1995, the Texas legislature approved funding for charter schools. Since then, hundreds have sprouted throughout the state, offering an alternative to traditional public schools. The schools are tuition-free, and enrollment is based on a lottery. As with traditional public schools, there are no special testing requirements to enroll. As with all public schools in Texas, students at charter schools must pass the STAAR test but they have flexibility on how they deliver it, he said. Schools can select their hours, and several offer tutoring or extra work for accelerated students on Saturdays. They also have more power over teacher contracts, with the ability to hire teachers on an at-will basis—which means the teacher has no contract and can be let go for poor performance.
“Charter schools give parents an opportunity for choice in education, a [tuition free] alternative to public education,” said Julie Norton, spokeswoman for Harmony Public Schools, which enroll 9,952 students in grades kindergarten through 12th in the Greater Houston area at their 14 schools. “A smaller school setting is very desirable for a lot of parents.”
*Business*
1.) Costco, the members-only warehouse store—on the southwest corner of the Grand Parkway and I-10—is the latest in a string of major commercial and industrial developments underway in the Katy area. Costco members pay between $55 and $110 annually, depending on the style of membership they want. Membership benefits include deep discounts on about 3,800–4,000 different items. The Katy area Costco also features a full gas station, hearing aid center, pharmacy, liquor store, tire sales, optical department and other amenities. The Katy area store will employ about 200 people, with about 170 of those employees hired locally.
2.) Geico- The insurance company plans to bring about 1,000 new jobs and $8.5 million in capital investment to the area over the next five years. Geico has leased Mason Creek Office Center I, at 21420 Merchants Way in Katy and expects to employ about 400 people by 2015 and add up to 600 more by 2018. The positions will include entry-level claims representatives, degreed candidates for liability claims representatives and college graduates for the company’s “fast-track management development program” with a claims operations focus, according to a statement from the company.
“We’re excited about expanding our claims operations with our new Katy office,” Geico CEO Tony Nicely said. “We know from the experience we’ve already had in Houston that it’s a great environment for business; the workforce is excellent, and the quality of life is outstanding.”
3.) Dunkin Donuts!- As a Bostonian, who grew up on this stuff, I must share the news!! – Katy will have it’s very FIRST Dunkin Donuts planned to open March 18. To celebrate the grand opening, the store — at 3051 N. Fry Road — will host a cup stacking competition for local schools and nonprofits with the winner receiving $1,000. Free doughnut and beverage samples will also be provided.
And for those who can’t wait until March 18, the new store will give away free medium coffees from March 11 until the grand opening.
“Time to bake the donuts” 
As you can see, there is A LOT happening in Katy currently. I am so excited to be living here and experiencing the greatness this city has to offer. If I can ever be of service to you- questions, concerns, help, anything- I truly am here for you.
And of course, if you or anyone you know needs help finding or selling a home, contact me TODAY!!
Sincerely,
Alyssa Endres- REALTOR
617-869-9015
Alyssa.endres@ibuyrealty.com
Click HERE to Search for Homes!!
AlyssaLovesRealEstate 