If I had a hammer...

We live in a society that may be termed "the cult of the new." If something is new, it is inherently better than something that is even just one year old. This ideology has been increasing over the past 50 years, driven meticulously and inexorably by market conditions that emphasized things that really are of little value. From automobiles (I understand in the 50s, cars were not made to last much longer than three or four years) to shoes to homes, everyone wants the next best, biggest thing. It has a telling effect on our society, as well as a detrimental effect on our environment.

So when I read this report this morning, growing out of the Census' bevy of information regarding economic indicators, I was actually encouraged by the news.

http://www.census.gov/briefrm/esbr/www/esbr020.html

Housing starts are an important indicator for the economy overall. Going back to 1968, we can see how when the economy has been more robust, housing starts followed along, and when the economy was not doing so well, housing starts declined.

This graphic, which I created using info from http://www.census.gov/construction/nrc/historical_data/ shows this relationship. But the real take away from all this (in my mind) is the following: since 1968 - when this particular data series started - there have been almost 65 million houses completed. Assuming an occupancy rate of 3 people per house, that means that 195 million people have had a new home in the past 40 years... That may not seem like a lot, but that's 1/2 of America. And since a home is typically built to last 30-40 years, it's a good bet these places are still on the market...

So as an economic indicator, I agree that this is probably a good one. But I would also venture to say that we are doing OK with the housing stock we have, and that we would do better to focus on savings and other sound financial policies than on building new homes...

But maybe that's just me...

(for more economic indicators, check this website: http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/briefroom/BriefRm#housing_starts)

Eagle Drive! (Update 1)

By popular demand, I bring you a brief update on what's happening on Eagle Drive:

Construction of Eagle Drive is currently underway. There are several things going, some of which are more apparent than others. Up to this point, however, there are a few things that can be noticed right away.

1. Drainage continues to be a driving concern for this project. Not only does the road way increase the amount of impervious surface in the Eagle Drive area, we need to make sure that any changes to the existing drainage scheme does not have a negative effect on those properties which currently utilize the drainageways and capacity along Eagle Drive. It wouldn't do to build a new roadway just to have existing businesses in jeopardy of flooding! As a result, there are significant drainage projects underway. Starting off FM 565, there is a large detention basin being constructed to the south of FM 565 that will handle storm water in the northern area of Eagle Drive (up to FM 565). This is being constructed on some land that the City acquired a couple of years ago specifically for this purpose. This drainage area will lead to Hackberry Gully through a restricted orifice outflow.

Then next area you'll notice is along the road north of the High School. This road has a large drainage area to the north of it that is being expanded to handle additional water. The work on this drainageway is happening right now. Water will flow from Eagle Drive to this drainageway and out to Cotton Bayou.

Further south, Perry Drive is a fairly busy road off Eagle Drive. This road not only provides access to schools, day care facilities, the City's Public Works and Parks departments, and Eagle Stadium, it also has one of the drainageways required to get water out to Cotton Bayou. There is construction going on right now which is replacing the existing ditch on Perry Road with large box culverts. These culverts, made of reinforced concrete, allow for a more shallow fall for the water, while still retaining much of the same capacity of the open ditch.

Down Perry Road and past the Water Treatment Plant for the City - just before you get to the new water tower - on the north side of Perry is a large detention basin. This detention basin is being constructed to help with expected increases in runoff. Water will come in to the basin and be slowly released back into Cotton Bayou through a restricted orifice outfall.

Finally, on the south side of Lakes of Champions Drive is another large drainageway. This is being expanded similar to the road north of the High School to accommodate additional storm water runoff.

2. Once all of the drainage work is completed, the City will begin to close lanes off on Eagle Drive to begin construction on the actual roadway. This should begin in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for more details on that as they become available.

3. Two lanes of traffic will be open at all times. Traffic will be diverted onto two lanes of the existing roadway while half of the new road surface is constructed. Once that is completed, traffic will move onto the new road surface while the rest of the road is finished, including the medians. It's going to be very busy, particularly when school is in session, so stay tuned and please continue to be patient and courteous.

If you're interested in seeing what the finished product will look like and how it may affect your drive home or to your favorite place of business, or your walk to the park (!) please stop by my office here at City Hall.