Plans in the works for AstroWorld site

If you've driven by the former AstroWorld site lately and wondered what was going on with that big, bare patch of ground, here's the answer:Planning is under way to turn it into a massive, high-density transit-oriented development. Conroe-based Angel/McIver Interests, which bought the land for $77 million last year, has asked for the creation of a municipal management district for the site, which would help fund infrastructure improvements including roads, parking facilities, drainage and landscaping.

Details haven't been released yet on exactly what the development will look like, but the Chronicle's Nancy Sarnoff reports it will include residential units, offices, shops and a hotel — you know, sort of like Sugar Land's fake downtown. The municipal management district would sell bonds to build infrastructure for the complex and would collect taxes, user fees and parking revenues. According to Sarnoff, it could also "levy special assessments on property owners to pay for the bonds." Some existing management districts you may know include downtown, Uptown, Upper Kirby, Westchase and Greenspoint.

One interesting thing about this development: There's an idea to reroute the MetroRail line through the property (now, the line runs along Fannin Street on the east side of the area). We're not sure exactly what that would entail, and apparently, neither is Metro: A spokeswoman told the Chronicle that Metro has asked Angel/McIver for a proposal on the new route, but hasn't received one yet.

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Photo: flickr user jeffbalke