[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6623822,"mediaKeyId","2769314-5ab2c20b6b2405c3482ea03a3f7c011d","parentId",2769314,"title","Stafford Center posts rising revenue; operator highlights nearly sold shows and pushes digital marketing","audioSeconds",962,"startMs",650000,"endMs",1612000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769314-5ab2c20b6b2405c3482ea03a3f7c011d&start=650&end=1612","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769314-5ab2c20b6b2405c3482ea03a3f7c011d/thumbnail_650000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6623822/Stafford/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Stafford-Center-posts-rising-revenue-operator-highlights-nearly-sold-shows-and-pushes-digital-marketing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623822-b21bc891d94c3e02471617a46b0d6350/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137867&Signature=LFMxBKb6WyurTMht5AYuZR4aXE8ESZ2n9BBZjZ4YIPZMYaqwQRwRYwfG6k3EMGkqMxxTipQaDcfr0s~BfD6XVzGuoqNtEeb99CYMcIbx9TJpNGxS6Fm1sZYhwwfDa6JTegHhXOO1Xk~X5LJJPb6-b1LGQUwXfhJRFmkJNZHuFUnUOnVVBh8J9x0AUZwVq-a~mtv8pNz~Tdspa4ybZwcqfLt9bmXhtZUIFDXPGqJ-b9HAyxDnrSrtUHHk9~b7oBEt4tme-6qysGSYE30Eke8gQdhxG8s7m8Q3xUjS407YpKGSSheDi8MHVyINyUEkYfGHIQgtK2whYnjdyXoyzG~~9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Stafford","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","FM Squared, the operations firm for the Stafford Center, told the Stafford Economic Development Corporation that the performing-arts venue and ballrooms have shown revenue gains year-to-date and are attracting new promoters while the operator pursues expanded marketing partnerships.

Brian Blum, president of FM Squared, recapped a recent Motortown All Stars event that coupled a theater concert with a ballroom dinner attended by more than 400 guests and highlighted the role of local vendors. Blum said February revenue was roughly $50,000 higher than the prior year and year-to-date revenue was about $167,000 higher with only about $51,000 in related expense increases.

Blum listed upcoming ticketed events and clients for the Stafford Center, including Taste of Ireland (high advance sales), Ballet Forte (April), Grand Kyiv Ballet (April 17), the Punjabi Society of Greater Houston (April 19), Iranian singer-songwriter Aaron Afshan (April 20), and several other national and international acts through July. He noted the venue is also hosting not-for-public ticketed clients, such as school band concerts, which are not always shown on public calendars.

Board members and Blum discussed marketing strategy. Blum said the center has limited direct marketing budget and seeks low-cost partnerships, including a hotel outreach program Councilman Bostick has pursued to give hotels event information for guest packets. Blum proposed more digital marketing—targeted Facebook/Instagram campaigns and better use of the venue’s “keep me posted” database—to boost midweek corporate business and weekday shows.

Blum confirmed the venue often acts as a rental facility rather than promoter and that tenants/promoters are responsible for much of their event marketing; nonetheless the center’s own digital engagement has helped reintroduce audiences after COVID restrictions eased. Board members asked about local catering; Blum confirmed the caterer for a recent event was Stafford-based Fresh and Savory and that promoters had praised the vendor.

The board thanked FM Squared for the report and asked staff to continue coordinating marketing and event promotion with hotels, the Stafford Center and the Grid development to maximize weekday occupancy and visitor draw.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Stafford - Economic Development Corporation - Mar 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","FM Squared reported stronger revenues at the Stafford Center, highlighted nearly sold concerts and a dinner-theater model that drew 400 attendees, and requested better marketing coordination with local hotels and the city’s events to boost midweek and corporate bookings.","taxTitle","Stafford, Fort Bend County, Texas","taxId",69474,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6623826,"Street Level updates Stafford board on Grid redevelopment: Target, high-traffic retailers and plan for central green",3022,1614000,4636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769314-5ab2c20b6b2405c3482ea03a3f7c011d&start=1614&end=4636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769314-5ab2c20b6b2405c3482ea03a3f7c011d/thumbnail_1614000.jpg","/articles/6623826/Stafford/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Street-Level-updates-Stafford-board-on-Grid-redevelopment-Target-high-traffic-retailers-and-plan-for-central-green","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623826-f4b3069440ee1e058e4bc512f94779b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137867&Signature=OMyZMlSpcnzewDbYVCU28F-0EQeassvm-rOsKXNjsSLUHy70zKRj0tXfc37lH8XkyI2qTUY8M5Tm8yto7NmE0fD3Lu0GAEwk3GBGYJihTzgJZoiU-27kSmIK09v-IEAu007VrEXhR2MxFqmYaoNKHcpd6i4sKwFhXmiPluX55VrUYkNkNXYt9osHxfroBrgn0qTrKaPovWFbe68BXRfMeCzWJfeZV-shptTkFgNgIv6T49Fcp2O-3n7xZKxSY2vB-rNYMoksiERqLvnJ5te3Q9-~6lUMTFxESrvxlcT1rxhKOCfOnga93ECDgVKZtbaoELFFNtiTiWzX2LyHlHHYqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Street Level Development presented a detailed update on the Grid redevelopment to the Stafford Economic Development Corporation, describing tenant activity, visitor numbers, infrastructure investments and a revised plan for the central gathering green.

Brian Murphy of Street Level told the board the site began as the Texas Instruments property and that Street Level has invested heavily in infrastructure, including roads, sewer and water. Murphy said the developer put roughly $24.8 million into core infrastructure (total higher after interest) and used defined-area tax reimbursements, three bond sales and property-tax sharing agreements to finance work. He reported the site’s taxable value rose from roughly $24 million at acquisition to an estimated $442 million today and projected approximately $589 million for 2025.

Murphy described retail performance and visitor metrics: an analytics vendor (Placer) estimates about 5,200,000 visits to the Grid annually, with about 2.3 million visits from outside Stafford. He listed existing and incoming tenants by name and timing: in-construction and imminent openings include Portillo’s (opening April), Hopdoddy Burger Bar (April), Kava (July), and a Target store expected to open in fall 2025. He said some upcoming tenants are among the highest-volume locations in the state and projected another roughly $50 million in annual sales tied to new tenants.

Street Level addressed security and public safety. The developer and East Fort Bend County Development Authority have installed 15 Flock cameras with an annual cost of about $60,000 and credited the cameras with investigative assistance for recent multi-jurisdictional arrests. Murphy said his team intends to seek reinstatement of an earlier-defined-area tax provision that could fund security and maintenance for the Grid; he said the mayor previously removed that item before final approval at the state level and the developer wants the city, county and board’s support to restore it.

The development team discussed design decisions for the center area after removing an existing large structure. Murphy described a revised plan that favors a defined “green” enclosed by restaurants (a room-like design) and adaptable buildings around the lawn to support entertainment, restaurants and hotels. He said some originally planned office space has been delayed by market changes and that structured parking remains a possibility if a future office demand materializes. Murphy estimated the green and adjacent work could reach construction within roughly 18 months and that full build-out across remaining phases might occur within about four years.

Board members asked detailed questions about residential unit counts (Murphy said about 1,600 existing units with more opening) and parking/garage financing limits (the defined-area tax does not allow garage funding under current rules). Several directors and staff discussed coordinated traffic studies, permit coordination and the potential for a police storefront or patrol presence in the Grid; Murphy said he is open to discussing a public-private storefront and that increased visibility of law enforcement would be acceptable to the developer.

The board and developer agreed to continue coordination on signage placement (a 65-foot pylon with interactive display has been ordered), traffic improvements at Kirkwood and the Walmart/Airport access, and marketing partnerships with area hotels and the Stafford Center to promote events and increase midweek business.

Murphy closed by saying the Grid’s multi-year transformation aims to create a regional destination for shopping and dining while generating sales-tax revenue for Stafford.","Developer Street Level told Stafford Economic Development Corporation directors the mixed-use Grid development has grown to about $442 million in taxable value, will add Target in fall 2025 and several national restaurant concepts, and proposes a redesigned center green and security plan funded in part by renewed defined-area tax revenues.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6623829,"Stafford EDC approves RFP process for park drinking fountains with $375,000 cap and $25,000 annual maintenance estimate",944,5132000,6076000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769314-5ab2c20b6b2405c3482ea03a3f7c011d&start=5132&end=6076","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769314-5ab2c20b6b2405c3482ea03a3f7c011d/thumbnail_5132000.jpg","/articles/6623829/Stafford/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Stafford-EDC-approves-RFP-process-for-park-drinking-fountains-with-375000-cap-and-25000-annual-maintenance-estimate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623829-3fbcea602e5098a59517aae3a0f452ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137868&Signature=d~MbzvMCa2x4vufBs75Mcdw3n8LVwCqvgIyd~-Df0MqT8oxgZF~uvbFrsC~nd4H8RnjJzHIc21qIASLoLO3kiukBiAvdenyAHr0ZyvbaCg69dngX8l2Z7p0BB5T1xXTLyRAbbSfm3BNBgq1gkuJg6UAQ7rwbLvB5rkE5ljvuGFQtol3ZIPhobFfASS7VsKD4Zz4QYpG~YUjw~-eSANaqnQH0bS6JrBXhR0DLFAwYiPhqrHbeyQKIc51qX3liZf76bzmp5KWqqQ3xtyi3sHFugToO-jnPNAVzXNCMlPaE41e--TctwfmbA3LEL~AY4DIOOwZ2tmjSXOG3LcQXx111~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stafford Economic Development Corporation voted to begin a public procurement process for replacement drinking-water stations in city parks, directing staff to advertise a project with a not-to-exceed installation budget of $375,000 and an estimated annual maintenance allocation of $25,000.

Director of Public Works Carl Young told the board the city had tried to locate a single supplier that would both sell and install vandal-resistant, ADA-compatible commercial fountains on a purchasing cooperative, but could not find a single vendor who met that constraint. Young proposed placing a public notice and soliciting bids under a not-to-exceed figure so the city could award the project by competitive RFP if bids came in lower than the cap.

Board members discussed basic design needs and site work that bidders should expect. Young said the RFP would include a standard installation design (concrete pad, drain/“French drain” or gravel spill area, and utility connections) and request unit-rate pricing for likely contingencies such as additional water line work or taps.

At the hearing the board discussed unit counts per park: some parks such as Fifth Street Park currently show multiple fountain locations and the board signaled flexibility on final quantities if bids or costs require scaling. The board also discussed using a single not-to-exceed figure rather than an itemized list of per-park maximums so the city could adjust the number of installations based on final pricing.

After public comment there was a motion to proceed with the public-project notification and RFP process using the $375,000 installation cap and the $25,000 annual maintenance estimate; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will coordinate with the city’s purchasing and legal staff to publish the required notice, set the RFP specifications (including the standard pad and drainage detail), accept bids and return recommended awards to the board and city council for formal project approval. The board asked to receive monthly updates on the procurement timeline.","The Stafford Economic Development Corporation authorized staff to begin a public-project procurement process for up to 10 commercial drinking-water stations in city parks, setting a not-to-exceed budget of $375,000 and estimating $25,000 a year for maintenance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Stafford Center posts rising revenue; operator highlights nearly sold shows and pushes digital marketing

Street Level updates Stafford board on Grid redevelopment: Target, high-traffic retailers and plan for central green

Stafford EDC approves RFP process for park drinking fountains with $375,000 cap and $25,000 annual maintenance estimate