Pearland officials mark explosive commercial growth, development
PEARLAND, TX (KTRK) -- The growth of Pearland seems to be nonstop.
If you live or drive through the bustling community in Brazoria County, you know all too well new construction is part of the landscape. Take for instance, the Costco still being built at the corner of County Road 59 and State Highway 288. The store is expected to open in November.
New numbers released by the Pearland Economic Development Corporation to Eyewitness News reveal the dramatic growth. In 2010, the city issued just 40 commercial permits. By 2014, the number soared to 170 commercial permits. In 2015, 148 commercial permits had been issued from January to August.
Over at the Pearland Chamber of Commerce, President Carol Artz-Bucek as you may expect welcomes the growth. She said the community has changed from a rural area to a city of its own right.
"I think the people that moved here thinking they're moving into the country or a slower pace of life are in for a rude awakening because it's very fast paced," said Artz-Bucek. "What is so cool about Pearland, we've become a city of choices. We have doctors. We have our very first ever hospital. Our 2nd one is going to open soon."
When contacted by abc13, city officials promised they're working to address so-called growing pains. Right now, the population is estimated to be more than 110,000 people. In 2000, the population hovered in just the 30,000s.
City officials said long term plans call for re-doing the overpass at SH 288 and FM 518. They also said toll lanes, scheduled to be built on the South Freeway, should help with bottlenecking in the area.
