Project Spotlight: Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ)
East River Mixed-Use Development
East River represents the largest mixed-use development in Houston, transforming over 150 acres along Buffalo Bayou into a dynamic urban district that brings together residential, commercial, retail, and recreational uses across more than 6,000 feet of waterfront.
Scale
150+ acres, with more than 6,000 feet of waterfront
Residential Development
1,400+ multifamily unit
Commercial Development
500,000 square feet
Retail Development
Uptown TIRZ expansion in 2013, extended through 2040
Economic Impact
300% increase in taxable assessed value since 2021
The Challenge
This large-scale urban redevelopment required coordination among multiple taxing entities and structuring long-term financing that balances public infrastructure needs with private development economics.
The Solution
The establishment of the City of Houston TIRZ 18 created a self-sustaining model for funding roads, utilities, and open spaces, to enable the conversion of underutilized land into Houston’s largest mixed-use district.
ABHR’s Role
The firm negotiated intergovernmental agreements between participating taxing entities, structured financing mechanisms for public infrastructure investment, drafted development agreements, and provided ongoing governance counsel to the TIRZ board.