1/20/26 at 3:30 PM – Consideration of a plat variance for a swamp development scheduled for a vote by the Houston Planning Commission on 1/22/26 has been delayed until at least 2/5. Houston City Council member Fred Flickinger requested the deferral at 12:25 PM today.
Shortly after 3PM, I received confirmation from both Dustin Hodges, Flickinger’s Chief of Staff, and Vonn Tran, Director of Houston’s Planning and Development Department, that the variance request by Roman Arrow, LLC will be delayed as requested by Flickinger.
So, if you were planning to go downtown to protest the development at this Thursday’s meeting, save your time. Hopefully, we will learn more about the developer’s plans before the 2/5 meeting. You can attend then.
About the Development
Roman Arrow, aka Romerica, has proposed building two luxury hotels and 120 villas/condos up to 8,600 square feet each in and around the swamps between Kingwood Lakes and the Barrington, just east of Woodland Hills Drive in Kingwood.
Solid green areas represent wetlands. Source: National Wetlands Inventory. Roman Arrow land is outlined in red. They propose development in two phases.View from current entry road during a month that received two inches of rain.Romerica Roman Arrow land is virtually all in the hundred year floodplain (aqua). Although when new flood maps are released the floodway of the West Fork (cross hatched area at bottom) will likely expand north.
For more information about the proposed development see the their high-level plans and variance application:
Phase One includes a 297,600-square-foot Fairmont Hotel with 400 rooms and 90 condominium residences.
Phase Two includes another 226,085-square-foot hotel with 37 8,611-square-foot villas, each on one third acre lots.
Media relations at the Fairmont chain has not returned phone calls or emails to verify their supposed involvement in the Kingwood development.
Refusal to Comply with FOIA Request
I have requested the drainage impact analysis submitted to and approved by Houston Public Works. However, Houston Public Works says that it belongs to the developer, so they have requested a ruling from the Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on whether they can release it.
My point of view is that once Houston Public Works approved it, the approval and anything the approval was based on became public information and should be produced forthwith. Attorney General reviews usually take 45 days.
Other government agencies, such as Liberty County and Montgomery County routinely produce such studies in response to Freedom of Information Act Requests. Houston must have its own policy. And that policy merits review in my opinion. It makes a mockery of any pretext to transparency.
Having said that, I know many people in the City who would produce it in a minute if something weren’t holding them back.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/20/2026
3066 Days since Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Romerica-Outline-copy.jpg?fit=2210%2C1498&ssl=114982210adminadmin2026-01-20 17:10:252026-01-20 17:18:28Plat Variance for Swamp Development Deferred by Planning Commission
Draft Agenda Item 89 lists the project name as River Grove, but drawings within the variance request call it Kingwood Marina.
City Appeals FOIA Request to Attorney General
The Planning and Development Department appealed my Freedom of Information Act request for the developer’s drainage study to the Texas Attorney General. That means the public may not be able to review the drainage plans before the Planning Commission rules on plat approval. Worse, the public may never get to see the drainage study.
Marbet Alonzo of the City Planning and Development Department said, “The document you requested is a third-party document and cannot be released at this time. We have submitted a request to the Attorney General’s Office for a ruling. Once a determination is made and the document is eligible for release, we will provide it promptly.”
Approving plans before the public has had a chance to review all relevant documents highlights serious transparency and procedural issues.
Bob Rehak
You may submit public comments by sending an email to speakercomments.pc@houstontx.gov, at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. Reference 2025-2266 River Grove GP in the title of your email.
Transparency and Procedural Issues
In my opinion, the only honorable thing to do in this case is to defer a decision until after the attorney general has ruled on release of the study, and the public has had time to review and prepare comments. If the attorney general allows the drainage plans to remain secret, then the City should deny permits.
Page 158 of the agenda shows that consideration may be deferred to a future date. However, the MLK holiday disrupted the Planning Commission’s normal publication schedule. So, I’m still looking at a DRAFT agenda. However, public comments must be submitted 24 hours before the meeting. Accordingly, I’m publishing this post today, so that people can email comments Tuesday before the deadline on Wednesday.
Rehak’s Concerns
To be fair, my concerns go beyond street layouts. I have been photographing this property for years. I started when Romerica first proposed building 50 story high-rises in the floodplain of the San Jacinto West Fork on another portion of their property south of the Barrington.
But I’ve also kept a close eye on the portion of the property north of Barrington. The photos below show some of the issues.
Roman Arrow land after two inches of rainfall in previous month.Looking E. Barrington on R. Roman Arrow property upper left. Photo taken on 5/3/24.One day later from opposite direction looking W. Roman Arrow property is right of upper center.USGS National Map shows that Roman Arrow land (center) averages 7 feet lower than Barrington (Bottom).Roman Arrow/Romerica Wetlands shown in green both north and south of Barrington (center)
Given that current floodplain maps show the entire Roman Arrow property in the 100-year floodplain, they will not be able to bring in fill to elevate the homes and hotel they plan to build there. They will have to excavate dirt from their property or elevate structures on stilts.
Romerica/Roman Arrow land in center; see above. Aqua=100-year floodplain. Brown=500 year. Cross-hatch=floodway of West Fork.
Note the date on the map above: 2007. When new flood maps are released, floodplains and floodways are expected to expand by 50-100%.
What Do They Plan to Build?
The developers have said they hope to build the development in two phases.
Phase One includes a 297,600-square-foot Fairmont Hotel with 400 rooms and 90 condominium residences.
Phase Two includes another 226,085-square-foot hotel with 37 8,611-square-foot villas, each on one third acre lots.
They plan to build the roads up to 60 feet – 13 feet above swamp level and 5 feet higher than the roads in Barrington.
Pedestrian pathways would be elevated to 71 feet – 11 feet above the roads.
The hotels would top out 65 feet above ground level. But the first residential floor of the condominiums would start at 65 feet and rise two stories.
They claim ground level will be 53 feet – 7 feet below the road level.
It’s all very confusing. That’s why we need to see the drainage plans. Where will the fill come from? Do they plan to build on stilts? Will structures and fill impede the flow of the floodway when new flood maps are released?
They can’t bring fill into the 100-year floodplain. And excavating it from land that’s already underwater won’t help mitigate increased flood potential.
Phase II HotelPhase II Condo
Third Time Around
This is the third concept that Romerica/Roman Arrow developers have pitched for this property.
The first was 25- to 50-story high-rises south of the Barrington with underground parking next to the floodway of the West Fork.
Then they pitched a series of homes on stilts under the name Orchard Seeded Ranches. That quietly fell off the radar.
Now this.
The land previously belonged to developer Ron Holley who fought the City for 20 years for the right to build on it.
Many have conjectured whether these developers are trying to raise money for the development via EB-5 visas. The developers are foreign nationals and are shielding their Texas operating companies through a series of approximately 30 shell companies at last count.
EB-5 visas give preferential consideration for green cards to foreigners and their families who invest $800,000 to a million dollars or more in American infrastructure projects that create jobs.
I have no evidence that that is their plan. Neither can I find any evidence that they have actually completed any developments in the U.S. under the names Romerica or Roman Arrow.
Neither Romerica nor Roman Arrow appears to have an active website – something that seems strange for a company claiming that this will be a half-billion project.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/19/2026
3065 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Roman-Arrow.jpg?fit=1100%2C716&ssl=17161100adminadmin2026-01-19 19:55:232026-01-19 21:28:49City to Consider Approval of Development in Swamp While Keeping Drainage Study Secret
1/17/2026 – Northpark Expansion Project contractors have now officially completed connecting drainage on both sides of Loop 494 and the UnionPacific Railroad.
Contractors begin backfilling hole after last section of 5’x8′ culvert was connected to junction box west of railroad. Photo 1/16/26.
By today, the work area had been completely filled in and leveled. See below.
Highlighted area shows where final drainage connection above was made yesterday. Photo 1/17/26.
Now stormwater west of Loop 494 has a path to the Kingwood Diversion Ditch and the San Jacinto West Fork.
Path from ponds to Diversion Ditch via Ditch One behind the businesses on the north side of North Park.
Project Manager Ralph De Leon emailed the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority Board yesterday to inform them. He wrote, “Just wanted to share that we’ve reached a milestone. The contractor poured the collar on the west side of the rail tracks yesterday, functionally connecting the 8’ x 5′ boxes coming from the junction box at the Shell Station and going underneath Loop 494 to the junction box west of the rail tracks.”
De Leon did not indicate whether contractors sealed the last junction box with a Golden Spike.
Meaning of Milestone
With the east/west subsurface work completed, contractors can now begin building the bridge over the railroad tracks and Loop 494. De Leon concluded his email to the board with “We are officially there now.”
When complete Northpark Expansion will represent the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood for 78,000 people.
However, while reaching the milestone is a huge accomplishment, it will also mean some inconvenience next week.
Westbound Lane Closure Weekend of 1/23/26
On Friday, January 23, the eastbound entrance to Northpark from the northbound I-69 feeder road will be reduced to one lane eastbound. The constriction will start at 8 p.m. and remain until 5 a.m., Monday, January 26th.
During that time, the contractor will demolish and replace the remaining section of old roadway and install the last storm sewers at that location.
Looking E over entry from US59. The red crosshatched area will be demolished and repaved next weekend.
On Friday starting at 8PM, contractors will close one lane per the diagram above and begin demolition of the old concrete and an old 24″ storm sewer lateral pipe in the red L-shaped box.
On Saturday, they will replace the pipe, then begin grading and preparing for “Fast-Track” paving. Fast Track uses special techniques and materials that minimize traffic disruption. Contractors hope to begin pouring the concrete by 7-8PM.
On Sunday, they will stripe the newly constructed concrete and reopen lanes in their original configuration before the weekend.
The new lanes should reopen by 5AM Monday at the latest.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/20260116-Last-EW-Connection.jpg?fit=825%2C1100&ssl=11100825adminadmin2026-01-17 19:30:512026-01-18 07:50:53East-West Northpark Drainage Under 494, UPRR Now Connected
Plat Variance for Swamp Development Deferred by Planning Commission
1/20/26 at 3:30 PM – Consideration of a plat variance for a swamp development scheduled for a vote by the Houston Planning Commission on 1/22/26 has been delayed until at least 2/5. Houston City Council member Fred Flickinger requested the deferral at 12:25 PM today.
Shortly after 3PM, I received confirmation from both Dustin Hodges, Flickinger’s Chief of Staff, and Vonn Tran, Director of Houston’s Planning and Development Department, that the variance request by Roman Arrow, LLC will be delayed as requested by Flickinger.
So, if you were planning to go downtown to protest the development at this Thursday’s meeting, save your time. Hopefully, we will learn more about the developer’s plans before the 2/5 meeting. You can attend then.
About the Development
Roman Arrow, aka Romerica, has proposed building two luxury hotels and 120 villas/condos up to 8,600 square feet each in and around the swamps between Kingwood Lakes and the Barrington, just east of Woodland Hills Drive in Kingwood.
For more information about the proposed development see the their high-level plans and variance application:
For even more information, consult yesterday’s post.
Media relations at the Fairmont chain has not returned phone calls or emails to verify their supposed involvement in the Kingwood development.
Refusal to Comply with FOIA Request
I have requested the drainage impact analysis submitted to and approved by Houston Public Works. However, Houston Public Works says that it belongs to the developer, so they have requested a ruling from the Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on whether they can release it.
My point of view is that once Houston Public Works approved it, the approval and anything the approval was based on became public information and should be produced forthwith. Attorney General reviews usually take 45 days.
Other government agencies, such as Liberty County and Montgomery County routinely produce such studies in response to Freedom of Information Act Requests. Houston must have its own policy. And that policy merits review in my opinion. It makes a mockery of any pretext to transparency.
Having said that, I know many people in the City who would produce it in a minute if something weren’t holding them back.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/20/2026
3066 Days since Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
City to Consider Approval of Development in Swamp While Keeping Drainage Study Secret
1/19/26 – On Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 2:30 PM the Houston Planning Commission may consider approval of a proposed half-billion development in swampland. Specifically, Roman Arrow LLC (AKA Romerica), the developer, has requested plat approval with a variance for a new subdivision between Kingwood Lakes and the Barrington.
Draft Agenda Item 89 lists the project name as River Grove, but drawings within the variance request call it Kingwood Marina.
City Appeals FOIA Request to Attorney General
The Planning and Development Department appealed my Freedom of Information Act request for the developer’s drainage study to the Texas Attorney General. That means the public may not be able to review the drainage plans before the Planning Commission rules on plat approval. Worse, the public may never get to see the drainage study.
Marbet Alonzo of the City Planning and Development Department said, “The document you requested is a third-party document and cannot be released at this time. We have submitted a request to the Attorney General’s Office for a ruling. Once a determination is made and the document is eligible for release, we will provide it promptly.”
You may submit public comments by sending an email to speakercomments.pc@houstontx.gov, at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. Reference 2025-2266 River Grove GP in the title of your email.
Transparency and Procedural Issues
In my opinion, the only honorable thing to do in this case is to defer a decision until after the attorney general has ruled on release of the study, and the public has had time to review and prepare comments. If the attorney general allows the drainage plans to remain secret, then the City should deny permits.
Page 158 of the agenda shows that consideration may be deferred to a future date. However, the MLK holiday disrupted the Planning Commission’s normal publication schedule. So, I’m still looking at a DRAFT agenda. However, public comments must be submitted 24 hours before the meeting. Accordingly, I’m publishing this post today, so that people can email comments Tuesday before the deadline on Wednesday.
Rehak’s Concerns
To be fair, my concerns go beyond street layouts. I have been photographing this property for years. I started when Romerica first proposed building 50 story high-rises in the floodplain of the San Jacinto West Fork on another portion of their property south of the Barrington.
But I’ve also kept a close eye on the portion of the property north of Barrington. The photos below show some of the issues.
Given that current floodplain maps show the entire Roman Arrow property in the 100-year floodplain, they will not be able to bring in fill to elevate the homes and hotel they plan to build there. They will have to excavate dirt from their property or elevate structures on stilts.
Note the date on the map above: 2007. When new flood maps are released, floodplains and floodways are expected to expand by 50-100%.
What Do They Plan to Build?
The developers have said they hope to build the development in two phases.
Phase One includes a 297,600-square-foot Fairmont Hotel with 400 rooms and 90 condominium residences.
Phase Two includes another 226,085-square-foot hotel with 37 8,611-square-foot villas, each on one third acre lots.
They plan to build the roads up to 60 feet – 13 feet above swamp level and 5 feet higher than the roads in Barrington.
Pedestrian pathways would be elevated to 71 feet – 11 feet above the roads.
The hotels would top out 65 feet above ground level. But the first residential floor of the condominiums would start at 65 feet and rise two stories.
They claim ground level will be 53 feet – 7 feet below the road level.
It’s all very confusing. That’s why we need to see the drainage plans. Where will the fill come from? Do they plan to build on stilts? Will structures and fill impede the flow of the floodway when new flood maps are released?
They can’t bring fill into the 100-year floodplain. And excavating it from land that’s already underwater won’t help mitigate increased flood potential.
Third Time Around
This is the third concept that Romerica/Roman Arrow developers have pitched for this property.
The land previously belonged to developer Ron Holley who fought the City for 20 years for the right to build on it.
Many have conjectured whether these developers are trying to raise money for the development via EB-5 visas. The developers are foreign nationals and are shielding their Texas operating companies through a series of approximately 30 shell companies at last count.
EB-5 visas give preferential consideration for green cards to foreigners and their families who invest $800,000 to a million dollars or more in American infrastructure projects that create jobs.
I have no evidence that that is their plan. Neither can I find any evidence that they have actually completed any developments in the U.S. under the names Romerica or Roman Arrow.
A web search for Roman Arrow LLC turns up lawsuits brought by City of Houston, Harris County and Lone Star College District for delinquent taxes. Humble ISD filed another separate tax lawsuit.
Neither Romerica nor Roman Arrow appears to have an active website – something that seems strange for a company claiming that this will be a half-billion project.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/19/2026
3065 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
East-West Northpark Drainage Under 494, UPRR Now Connected
1/17/2026 – Northpark Expansion Project contractors have now officially completed connecting drainage on both sides of Loop 494 and the UnionPacific Railroad.
By today, the work area had been completely filled in and leveled. See below.
Now stormwater west of Loop 494 has a path to the Kingwood Diversion Ditch and the San Jacinto West Fork.
Project Manager Ralph De Leon emailed the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority Board yesterday to inform them. He wrote, “Just wanted to share that we’ve reached a milestone. The contractor poured the collar on the west side of the rail tracks yesterday, functionally connecting the 8’ x 5′ boxes coming from the junction box at the Shell Station and going underneath Loop 494 to the junction box west of the rail tracks.”
The bore under the tracks finished several weeks ago. The culvert shown above plugged the last gap.
De Leon did not indicate whether contractors sealed the last junction box with a Golden Spike.
Meaning of Milestone
With the east/west subsurface work completed, contractors can now begin building the bridge over the railroad tracks and Loop 494. De Leon concluded his email to the board with “We are officially there now.”
When complete Northpark Expansion will represent the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood for 78,000 people.
However, while reaching the milestone is a huge accomplishment, it will also mean some inconvenience next week.
Westbound Lane Closure Weekend of 1/23/26
On Friday, January 23, the eastbound entrance to Northpark from the northbound I-69 feeder road will be reduced to one lane eastbound. The constriction will start at 8 p.m. and remain until 5 a.m., Monday, January 26th.
During that time, the contractor will demolish and replace the remaining section of old roadway and install the last storm sewers at that location.
On Friday starting at 8PM, contractors will close one lane per the diagram above and begin demolition of the old concrete and an old 24″ storm sewer lateral pipe in the red L-shaped box.
On Saturday, they will replace the pipe, then begin grading and preparing for “Fast-Track” paving. Fast Track uses special techniques and materials that minimize traffic disruption. Contractors hope to begin pouring the concrete by 7-8PM.
On Sunday, they will stripe the newly constructed concrete and reopen lanes in their original configuration before the weekend.
The new lanes should reopen by 5AM Monday at the latest.
For more information on other facets of the project, see the latest 3-week look ahead schedule.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/17/26
3063 Days since Hurricane Harvey