Larry Vaughn had never seen a snow-capped mountain before leaving Alexandria, La., in 1988. After high school graduation and marrying his high school sweetheart, Vaughn enlisted in the U.S. Army and deployed to high altitude places. Years later, as a civilian, the mountains drew him back for a new adventure. “The Army gave me more discipline than my parents instilled in me,” said Vaughn. He credits the Army with teaching him things that benefited his…..Read More
As the Westchase District celebrates its 25th anniversary, a 10-year anniversary celebration is also underway for the Westchase District Community Fund. Founded in 2010, the WDCF was created to address community needs outside the governmental scope of Westchase District. “As a government agency, we can’t give assessment dollars to community organizations,” noted Dave Gilkeson, Westchase District’s chief operating officer and former WDCF treasurer. “Even though there are a lot of great causes and great organizations…..Read More
This fall, Westchase District celebrates its 25th anniversary. The District was created by an act of the 74th Texas legislature and signed into law by then-Governor George W. Bush on June 12, 1995. The law became effective on August 28, 1995 and the newly-formed board of directors met for the first time on August 29, 1995. But Westchase District’s history hardly begins there. Early days The Westchase Business Council – the District’s predecessor organization –…..Read More
On March 30, 2016, Westchase District broke ground on the second phase of what is now a 5-mile trail system. The Brays Bayou Connector Trail runs between Richmond and Bellaire on the banks of the Harris County Flood Control District canal. The trail features an exercise station, water fountains, public art, informational signage, and bike fix-it station. There are emergency call boxes located along the trail for use by trail users. Check out the Westchase…..Read More
Redevelopment in Westchase District is proof of the area’s solid commercial real estate market. The Tinseltown movie theater, which hosted 24 screens, originally opened on the Beltway at Westpark in 1996. One Westchase District follower on social media recalled seeing Spice World (The Spice Girls movie) there in 1997 while others reminisced about it being the place for youth groups to go after church for a matinee. It was closed and demolished in 2008 to…..Read More
Our first-ever Corporate Challenge was held in the spring of 1998. Approximately 100 athletes participated in the event representing a dozen Westchase District businesses. Back then, there were eight different events, including one that required participants to swim in the Quillian pools wearing a coat & tie and then take off the workplace attire and pass it to their co-worker who would continue the relay. The event generated nearly $1,500 for Texas Special Olympics. The…..Read More
Westchase District officially turned 25 on August 28. And our incredible journey began in the summer of a year when H-town had great cause for celebration. Just days before the Houston Rockets won the NBA Championship, a little known, but historically significant occasion took place in Austin when then-Governor George W. Bush signed legislation creating Westchase District on June 12, 1995. The legislation, passed by the 74th Texas State Legislature, became effective on August 28. The…..Read More