6th Annual Red, White, & Bayou Crawfish & Texas Music Festival in Dickinson

The 6^th Annual Red, White, Bayou Crawfish & Texas Music Festival will have over 100 vendors! For up-to-date information, check out the event’s Facebook Page or webpage.

Brockway Realty maintains a Community Calendar on their website; check this calendar for events/activities in your city.

Brockway Realty Blogs - Keeping you in touch with League City, the Galveston Bay Area, and beyond.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Commercial & Retail Development on League City’s West Side

If you are unsure as to where League City’s west side begins, just cross over (or under) Texas Gulf Freeway I-45 to the west and you will be there. Many new homes are located on the west side and now commercial and retail developers are planning projects and clearing land.

The Marketplace at Ninety-Six
A $40mil, 36-acre shopping center is being developed by NewQuest Properties. The marketplace is located at the northeast and southeast corners of League City Parkway and Hobbs Road. A 123,000 square-foot HEB grocery store will anchor the project which will be built in two phases. Phase I will consist of building the grocery store and fuel station as well as a bank, shopping center, fast food restaurant and drug store. It is expected to be operational in late 2016, Hatcher said. Phase II is projected to be operational in 2018 and consist of several restaurants, a bank, shopping center, and professional office buildings.

The project is set for completion early 2016. There are more than 6,000 homes within the immediate area, with nearby residential communities including Brittany Lakes, Brittany Bay, Sedona, Westover Park and Magnolia Creek.

Walmart Neighborhood Market
Mark Rohr, League City-City Manager, posted information about this project in his City Manager Report, dated January 30, 2015.

“The City received plans this week for an approximately 40,000 square foot Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market that will anchor a larger retail development at the southeast corner of FM 518 and Landing Boulevard.

The grocery-dominant store is approximately one-quarter the size of a Wal-Mart Supercenter and similar to those same Wal-Mart concepts in Houston, Pearland, and Atascosita. The store is also planned to include a fueling center, for which the City Council is currently considering zoning approval via special use permit (SUP). …

The developer plans to break ground in March and open to the public November 2015.”

John Eagle Honda to open dealership in League City
League City/Kemah Connections, T.J. Aulds, January 28, 2015

“John Eagle Honda plans to open a 60,000 square foot car dealership and service center on the Gulf Freeway. League City council last month gave initial approval for the auto dealer to build on land located on Interstate 45 South between Houston Garden Center and American Fence and Supply.

According to company officials, the dealership will have a two-story showroom, an auto parts facility and large service center. The 16.3-acre site will have enough room for a possible 15,000-square foot expansion of its service center, officials said. The price tag for the dealership wasn’t announced.

The dealership would be the first new car business in League City since 2008, Economic Development Manager Owen Rock said.”

Brockway Realty Blogs - Keeping you in touch with League City, the Galveston Bay Area, and beyond.

By Pam Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Happy Mother's Day from Brockway Realty, LLC

“All mothers are working mothers.” ~Author Unknown
Celebrating the special women in our lives.

Happy Mother’s Day
from
Brockway Realty, LLC.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

22nd Annual Clear Lake Greek Festival at Clear Lake Park

Seabrook – “Get your Greek On” this weekend, May 8-10, at the Landolt Pavilion in Clear Lake Park, during the 22^nd Annual Clear Lake Greek Festival. More information can be found on the Clear Lake Greek Festival’s website or Facebook page; admission is $3 for adults - children, 12 and under, is admitted free of charge. Clear Lake Park is located at 5001 E NASA Pkwy, Seabrook.

Brockway Realty maintains a Community Calendar on their website; check this calendar for events/activities in your city.

Brockway Realty Blogs - Keeping you in touch with League City, the Galveston Bay Area, and beyond.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Nassau Bay Approves Plan to Replace All City Street Lights

The City of Nassau Bay’s City Council recently approved the purchase of solar lights to replace 234 street lights in the city. The decision was made after two solar lights were installed (in the city) and monitored through a web-based application for several months.

The solar lights are from ClearWorld, LLC., an alternative energy systems solution provider. Nassau Bay City Manager, Chris Reed, was quoted on the City of Nassau Bay website saying: “We are very impressed with the appearance, quality, and the ability to monitor faults and programming like dimming and scheduling through a web-based application. Not only will these lights be environmentally responsible and significantly reduce electricity and maintenance costs, they will be reliable during storms and power outages.” City staff has estimated that a savings of around $100,000 over a period of 15 years, and decrease the time city staff spends on maintenance.

The lights are not affected by flooding, can withstand 150 MPH wind, and can last up to 3 days without sun. Hurricane season begins on June 1^st and continues through November 30^th. Installation should begin in the spring, once the bid to install had been announced. Of course, Nassau Bay residents do not wish for a bad storm to hit their area, but will find some sense of security, knowing their streets will be lit once the solar lights are on their streets.

Brockway Realty maintains a Community Calendar on their website; check this calendar for events/activities in your city.

Brockway Realty Blogs - Keeping you in touch with League City, the Galveston Bay Area, and beyond.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

The City of League City Rain Barrel Sale & Rebate Program

Brockway Realty Blogs - Keeping you in touch with League City, the Galveston Bay Area, and beyond.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

61st Annual Village Fair and Texas Music Festival, May 1 - 2

The League City Lion’s 61^st Village Fair will take place on Friday, May 1^st through Saturday, May 2^nd, at Walter Hall Park, located at 807 Hwy 3 North. The following activities are scheduled: Bar-B-Que Cook-Off, Business Expo and the popular extreme obstacle Safari Run. Registration can be made online to participate in these activities.

Vendor booths and a carnival will offer food, family fun, and more throughout the weekend. The Texas Music Festival headliners are Tracy Byrd and Whiskey Myers, who will appear on the main stage. Tickets can be purchased online, or at the gate. Ample parking will be available on the park grounds; bring your lawn chair to be comfortable while enjoying the music.

League City Lions Charities, Inc. (dba: League City Lions Club) is a 501(c)(3) public charity organization; all proceeds from the Village Fair benefit the League City Lions Club Charities.

Brockway Realty maintains a Community Calendar on their website; check this calendar for events/activities in your city.

Brockway Realty Blogs - Keeping you in touch with League City, the Galveston Bay Area, and beyond.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Just Listed by Brockway Realty - Spectacular Whispering Lakes Ranch Home for $675,000

Distinguished Trendmaker 5 bedroom, 4 ½ bath, 3 car garage masterpiece located on a one acre corner lot in the one of a kind gated Whispering Lakes Ranch community.  With a saltwater pool as the centerpiece of a lush backyard and the inside accentuated with upgrades throughout, you will know that you have found home.  As an added bonus, Whispering Lakes Ranch has one of the lowest tax rates in Houston and its surrounding areas.

Please click www.har.com/70816824 for more information.

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Take Back Meds Day to be Held at Local Police Departments on April 25th

Bay Area Alliance for Youth and Families –  “Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the League City and Nassau Bay Police Departments will be set up to take back expired or unneeded prescription and non-prescription medications. In contrast to the last few years, the Drug Enforcement Administration is no longer coordinating these national events. Therefore, it has become necessary for local law enforcement agencies to organize and pay for disposal. Previous local collection efforts coordinated by the Bay Area Alliance have resulted in the collection of nearly 8,500 pounds of medications.”

“Participants will just “drive through” the drop-off site at each facility where law enforcement will take medications for proper and secure off-site disposal. Please note that this entire process is completely anonymous and no identifying information other than zip code will be requested or noted.  **Please note: No Sharps Will Be Collected!**”

For more information, please contact the Bay Area Alliance for Youth and Families at 281-284-0370.

Brockway Realty maintains a Community Calendar on their website; check this calendar for events/activities in your city.

Brockway Realty Blogs - Keeping you in touch with League City, the Galveston Bay Area, and beyond.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

It’s Property Tax Protest Time Again! Values are Rising

Homeowners can receive substantial savings on their property taxes if they are well informed with the protest process.

The following provides valuable insight and comes to us from Clint Terrell, of Mattox Terrell & Associates, Inc. located at 1614 Ave B in Katy, TX  77493.  Clint or any of his protest group can be reached at 281 391 1001 or clintt@mattoxterrell.com.

First you need to decide if you will represent yourself or hire a Licensed Tax Consultant or Licensed Real Estate Agent.  If you choose a Licensed Tax Consultant or Real Estate Agent you will need to sign an appointment of agent form authorizing them to represent you for property tax matters.  Property owners should appeal the “Market Value” and “Unequal Appraisal” of their property annually regardless if the Appraisal District increases their value or not.

If you choose to represent yourself, the process is as follows:

• You will first receive your property value notice from the appraisal district for the county that your residence is in. You will have a “Market” value as well as an “Appraised” value.  You will pay tax on the appraised value less any exemptions you may have.  However, when filing your protest you are protesting your “Market” Value.
• Every year is a re-appraisal year and the appraisal district may raise your “Appraised” value no more than 10% per year unless you have made structural improvements (ex: added an addition, patio, pool) or do not have a homestead exemption.  Then the Appraised value can increase by the market amount of the new construction plus the 10%.  If you do not have a homestead exemption on your residence the “Market” and “Appraised” value can increase by any amount.
• Once you receive the value notice you can either file your protest by US Mail or On-Line at the Appraisal Districts website for your county.  Protests must be filed by May 31st or 30 days after the appraisal district mails a notice of value.  Note it is 30 days after the date the appraisal district mails the notice including weekends not 30 days after you received the notice.  If the deadline falls on a holiday or weekend, the deadline is extended until the following workday.
• When you file your protest it is very important that you make sure to check the boxes under “Reason for Protest” that say “Value is over Market Value” and “Value is Unequal Compared with other Properties”.  If you do not check both boxes you will only be able to argue the one that you did check.  Example:  if you only check the box that says Value is over market value when it is time for your hearing you will only be able to present evidence of sale you will not be able to compare your property to other properties like yours.
• Once you have protested your property you will then need to compile sales information for properties in your area that are comparable to your property looking at size, year built, condition, as well as comparable properties for your equity argument.  With your equity argument you will need to compare properties in your neighborhood that are the same size, year built, condition.  Remember you are comparing “Market” value not “Appraised” values.
• After presenting you evidence the appraisal will make a determination if they agree on a reduction in value.  If you do not agree with their recommendation you may refuse their recommendation and request a Formal hearing.
• At a formal hearing it will be you the property owner, an appraiser from the appraisal district and three independent and separate individuals known as the Appraisal Review Board or ARB.   You will present your information to the ARB, and then the Appraiser will present their information to the ARB.  The ARB will then make a determination on what the value of your property should be.
• If after your formal hearing you are still not satisfied with the outcome you have the option then to hire an attorney at your expense to file litigation against the appraisal district.

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog