New development is crucial to create a thriving city. But sometimes cherished areas are overlooked in the process.

Not in Pearland, Texas. With the help of our planning team, the growing city of about 125,000, located just 30 minutes from Houston wants to breathe new life into its historic Old Town area.

“Part of the [Old Town] revitalization is making sure we don’t forget about where we began,” said Kevin Cole, the city’s mayor. “It’s also about handing off a great, growing, and vibrant city to the next generation.”

City officials tasked us with creating a strategic plan to guide their Old Town study area revitalization efforts.

“What’s great about Olsson is not only the expertise they bring in planning, but also how they are really willing to listen.”

Olsson’s Michelle Queen is passionate about bringing these visions to life. To open dialogue between our planners, city officials, and community members, Michelle and our project planning team recently hosted a three-day design charrette, also known as a community workshop, and a public open house.

“These community workshops are a great way to learn from and hear input from people that use and live in the area,” she said. “Then we get to review ideas and create solutions with community stakeholders in real time at the workshop.”

Michelle, who is Olsson’s project manager for the effort, said city residents have been excited and engaged in the process. About sixty residents attended the community workshop and more than 2,000 citizens submitted responses to an online survey about Old Town Pearland.

We brought together a strong project team of a variety of professionals, including planning, landscape architecture, engineering, and public engagement.

Mayor Cole was impressed. “What’s great about Olsson is not only the expertise they bring in planning, but also how they are really willing to listen,” he said.

After this process, we now have a clearer picture of what Pearland stakeholders and community members want to preserve and cultivate in their historic Old Town.

"These community workshops are a great way to learn from and hear input from people that use and live in the area.”

We are creating a plan that provides a roadmap for stakeholders and the community to preserve and cultivate the area’s remaining character and history. Alongside the vision for key focus areas, the plan includes recommendations for public improvement projects, community enhancement projects, policy updates, and economic development strategies to entice development opportunities and investment.

Our plan is built upon extensive research and analysis of a variety of community factors: land use; design regulations; infrastructure and capital improvements; connectivity and mobility; economic and market trends; development and redevelopment opportunities; and the integration of recreation, arts, and culture.

“We are creating a real plan, one that’s feasible and doesn’t just sit on the shelf,” Michelle said. “We really want something that the community can use to take true steps toward their desired vision.”

Our plan isn’t just a broad, generalized roadmap. It dives into the details – from implementation strategies to task ownership, timeline and cost analysis – to set Pearland up for success. The plan is on track to present to the City Council for consideration and adoption in mid-2025.

“What excites me is making sure we put things in place today and handle problems today, to set the next generation up for incredible success,” said Mayor Cole.