Two Area Cities Rank Among “10 Texas Cities To Get The Biggest Bang for Your Buck”

SaveOnEnergy, based in Dallas, is a premier resource for residential and commercial customers seeking a new plan for electricity or natural gas. SaveOnEnergy.com released a report in April 2014 ranking the 10 best cities to live in Texas. The following area cities ranked #4 and #5 in this report.

“When it comes to finding the best place to live in Texas, you've got to factor in more than just home costs. A cheap place to live with a high crime rate or low income levels isn't an ideal place to call home. So we've looked into every city with a population of 75,000 or more, examining unemployment rates, household income, housing costs, utility bills and crime rates to help you find the all-around best place in Texas to get the biggest bang for your buck.

These top 10 cities had the best combination of all the factors listed above as compared to national or state data. Here's what we compared these cities to:

• U.S. unemployment rate: 7 percent
• U.S. median household income: $53,056
• Average house listing price in Texas: $311,856
• Average Texas electric rate: 10.5 kWh
• U.S. crime rate 301.1 (The higher the number, the more crime)”

“4. League City -Living near the ocean isn't always an affordable dream, but you'll get a lot of bang for your buck if you move to League City. The city, located southeast of Houston, is convenient to beaches on Galveston Island and even offers water view property near Clear Lake. Residents enjoy homes priced below the national average, high household income and low crime rates. And because downtown Houston is only half an hour away, the small city has low unemployment rates too.

• Unemployment rate: 5.6%
• Median household income: $88,289
• Average house listing price: $296,474
• Average electric rate: 10.6¢ per kWh
• Crime rate: 186.2

5. Pearland - Further inland, Pearland is another small town on the outskirts of Houston that offers affordable opportunities for those looking to capitalize on the city's good economy. Although Pearland doesn't have waterfront property, its home prices are lower than those in nearby League City and residents have a slightly higher household income. Low electric rates also help keep the cost of living in Pearland low. And if you're looking for a safe place to live, the city's crime rate is more than 300 points lower than Houston's (541.7).

• Unemployment rate: 5.6%
• Median household income: $89,149
• Average house listing price: $293,212
• Average electric rate: 10.6¢ per kWh
• Crime rate: 219.7”

The full report, 10 Texas Cities to Get the Biggest Bang for Your Buck , can be found at SaveOnEnergy.com..

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Clear Creek ISD Announces Name for New Stadium

“League City, Texas - The Clear Creek Independent School District is home to a community unified by the spirit of exploration, so when it was time to determine the name of the District’s second stadium, the Board of Trustees voted for Challenger Columbia Stadium in honor of the space shuttle program legacy and the astronauts who perished aboard both flights. “NASA is honored that our community recognizes the tremendous commitment that accompanies human spaceflight.  We are proud that the stadium name will serve as a lasting memorial of our teamwork and dedication”, said JSC Center Director, Dr. Ellen Ochoa.

The name was one of three recommendations brought forward to the Board of Trustees by a CCISD Naming Committee. “The history and the future of NASA are important to all of us, especially our students,” said Dr. Greg Smith, Superintendent of Schools. “Whether it is graduation, a robotics competition, a fine arts or athletic achievement, our students will be reminded to always be bold in their aspirations and reach for the stars.” When making the recommendation, the CCISD Naming Committee said Challenger Columbia Stadium was strongly reflected in community suggestions. The name also honors two major historical events that impacted CCISD and the community. It also signifies the deep history of the space program within CCISD boundaries. The stadium will be constructed near Challenger Seven Park.

The District broke ground on Challenger Columbia Stadium on Wednesday, March 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the stadium site, which is located near 2145 West NASA Boulevard. Clear Creek ISD’s Challenger Columbia Stadium is scheduled to open in August 2015. It is funded through the 2013 CCISD Bond. View Challenger Columbia Stadium video here. 
Photo Courtesy: PBK Architects”

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty, LLC

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

League City Takes Part in National Trails Day on June 7

The American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day is the country’s largest celebration of trails. This year’s big celebration will be held on Saturday, June 7^th.

League City, along with over 2,000 planned events nationwide, will offer a National Trails Day Scavenger Hunt at Countryside Park, located at 100 Alderwood, beginning at 8 am. All ages are welcome to this free event. Instructions can be downloaded from the City’s website. Attendees will receive a scavenger hunt game board and SWAG bag to use along the park trails. Several vendors will be set up along the trail with prizes and educational information on forestry, keeping the parks clean and hike and bike safety. Families can walk the full 5K trail or take a shuttle back at the 2K mark.

All participants with a completed game board will receive a gift courtesy of the City Of League City’s Park and Cultural Services Department. They will also go into a drawing for a grand prize. Participants are asked to take photos of their family along the way. The winning photo will be featured on the cover of the City’s Park & Rec Fall brochure.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

The City of League City Begins FREE Movies in the Park on June 7

It’s that time again to bring your family and friends to League Park, 512 2^nd Street, for summer “Movies in the Park”. You may bring your lawn chairs, snacks, picnic dinners and soft drinks; remember glass containers are prohibited in all League City parks. You might want to bring some bug spray, just in case, to deter mosquitos. Admission is FREE; snacks will be available for purchase at the park.

The City of League City has been presenting these free family events for a few years. This summer’s season of “Movies in the Park” begins on Saturday, June 7^th. The dates for future movies are June 21, July 12 and August 9. For more information on movies being shown, and times, please call the City of League City Parks & Rec Department at 281.554-1180; you can also find updates on the City’s website.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Watch via Webcam as the Boeing 747 Space Shuttle Carrier is Reassembled

Space Center Houston, located at 1601 NASA Parkway, is in the process of building an exciting new $12 million complex to celebrate Houston’s leading role in space exploration!  This new Texas landmark will be the first place in the world where visitors can see the full-scale Space Shuttle model and the retired Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA-905) in classic piggyback configuration.

Space Center Houston has aimed a webcam at crews as they reassemble the modified NASA Space Shuttle Carrier that rolled down Highway 3 from Ellington Field and then traveled down NASA Parkway late in April. Watch via webcam at: http://spacecenter.org/giving/747-project/.

The photos (below) were taken on April 29^th, after the Boeing 747 had completed its first day of travel and was “parked” parallel to Highway 3.

[The Boeing 747 fuselage and elevons at intersection of NASA Parkway & HWY 3 – P Moore]


[The Boeing 747 fuselage, elevons and partial view of a wing, as seen along HWY 3. –P Moore]

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Update on Victory Lakes UTMB Expansion & Bay Area Regional Medical Center

The $90mil expansion of the UTMB (University of Texas Medical Branch) Specialty Care Center at Victory Lakes began in February 2013. The 142,000 sq.ft. expansion is expected to create between 175 and 210 new full-time jobs for the area. The project is expected to be completed around June 2015. UTMB Specialty Care Center is located in League City at 2240 Gulf Frwy South.

(Photos taken January 2014)

The Bay Area Regional Medical Center is located at Hwy 3, between Blossom and Orchard Streets in Webster. The nine-story 375,000 sq.ft. acute-care hospital has been designed using the latest in health care technology. The signs for the building were installed in January 2014, which gave the community a clue that construction will soon be complete.

The Medical Center does not yet have their official website online, but for the time, being news is being posted on their Facebook Page. Positions needed at this facility are now being posted on the page; details about several jobs with information on how to apply are also listed.

(Photos taken January 2014)

On March 5, 2013, Brockway Realty blogged: “UTMB Facilities Continue to Expand at Victory Lakes in League City”.

By Pam Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Last Day of School for Area Students and Graduation Dates Announced

Just ask any local elementary, junior high or high school student and you’ll find out that school days are almost done for the year and they are looking forward to summer vacation. Thursday, June 5 is the final day of the 2013-14 Calendar for Clear Creek, Dickinson, and Texas City Independent School Districts.

GRADUATION DATES FOR THE CLASSES OF 2014

• June 5, Clear Brook HS, 7:30 pm, Veterans Memorial Stadium;
• June 6, Dickinson HS, 7 pm, Sam Vitanza Stadium
• June 6, Clear Lake HS, 7:30 pm, Veterans Memorial Stadium;
• June 6, Texas City HS, 8 pm, Stingaree Stadium
• June 7, Clear Creek HS, 9 am, Veterans Memorial Stadium;
• June 7, Clear View HS, 2 pm, Carlisle Field House @ Clear Creek HS;
• June 7, Clear Springs HS, 7:30 pm, Veterans Memorial Stadium
• June 8, Clear Horizons Early College HS, 2 pm, Carlisle Field House @ Clear Creek HS
• June 8, Clear Falls HS, 7:30 pm, Veterans Memorial Stadium

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

League City RV Resort Construction at 1316 Hwy 3 Begins

Land clearing has begun on a 17.86 acre RV Resort in League City. You might have noticed the construction going on while traveling west over the railroad overpass (look to your right), on SH 96 (League City Parkway) before the traffic intersection at Hwy 3, behind Bay Area Seafood.

The plan for the resort proposes 152 recreational vehicle stalls, a 2,500 sq. ft. single story office-clubhouse and laundry facility, a swimming pool, walking trails and landscaping. Shelmark Engineering, LLC is in charge of the project which covers 8.5 acres of land. At the center of the project is a water-filled excavated sandpit which is approximately 9 acres; access to the resort will be from Hwy 3.

Brockway Realty will blog more details when they are available. Thank you to League City’s Engineering Department for supplying background information on this project.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty, LLC.

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Memorial Day Observances in the Bay Area

LEAGUE CITY -The City of League City is partnering with the American Legion Post 554 in observance of Memorial Day. A Dedication Ceremony will take place at Fairview Cemetery, where an official Historical Marker will be presented by the Texas Historical Commission,Galveston County Historical Commission and the West Bay Common School Children’s Museum. The ceremony will take place on Monday, May 26, at 10 am at the Fairview Cemetery which is located at North Kansas Avenue at Clear Creek.

Fairview Cemetery, opened in 1900, is the final resting place for many members of League City’s early residents and is located in what is now designated as the Historical Section of the city.

SEABROOK –A Memorial Day Service will be held at the Bay Area Veterans Memorial, located at 1106 Second Street, from 10 am to 12 noon. Area Veterans will speak, music will be performed and various patriotic groups will be represented. The Bay Area Veterans Memorial was dedicated in May 25, 2013. Light refreshments will be served. For more information about this event, please contact Joe Machol at JCMachol@hotmail.com, or Jenny Arunyon at Jennya2947@aol.com.

KEMAH Boardwalk –Memorial Day weekend will be observed on the Boardwalk, 215 Kipp Ave., from Friday, May 23^rd, through Monday, May 26^th. The Boardwalk invites families to enjoy the long weekend for fun and food. This weekend will be a good time to check out the newest ride, the Flare, the 73-foot tall looping coaster ride.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty, LLC.

Brockway Realty, LLC maintains an Area Calendar on our website; check the calendar for events/activities in our community.

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Brockway Realty Announces the Auction of Red Bird Village Shopping Center

Brockway Realty, in conjunction with Pegasus Investments, announces the May 19th auction of the 85,295 square foot Red Bird Village Shopping Center in Dallas, Texas. With national tenants such as Dollar Tree, Anna's Linens, Taco Bell and Long John Silvers, along with below market existing rents, this property provides for desirable existing cash flow along with tremendous long term upside.

For more information, please review the attached Offering Memorandum or visit Auction.com.

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog