UNEMPLOYMENT In 2019, Pearland reported an unemployment rate of 4.6%, much lower than most of the other cities within of the Greater Houston area. In 2020, similar to the whole US, the rate of unemployment in Brazoria County increased nearly three times in comparison to pre-COVID 19 pandemic times in 2019. However, since the second half of 2020, Brazoria County experienced a steady decrease and return to relative normal, and unemployment rates have slowly dropped to 4.3% by February 2023. Figure 7.9 shows the Brazoria County and Texas unemployment rates. FIGURE 7.9: COMPARISON OF UNEMPLOYMENT RATE COMPARISON, FEBRUARY 2023
Retail RETAIL ANALYSIS
In 2022, PEDC commissioned a retail analysis by MJB Consulting and Greensfelder Real Estate Strategy. The report described retail potential, externalities, and resilience for Pearland commercial success. The report also includes an implementation plan and ancillary strategies to invigorate retail in the City. This comprehensive plan report incorporates selected recommendations from the report that pertain to land use recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE RETAIL ANALYSIS INCLUDE: All of these recommendations are included in the action items at the end of this chapter. Î Recruit New Developers: PEDC and the Chamber of Commerce can attract new development ideas that match the place types proposed in the FLUP through recruitment of developers from outside the Gulf Coast and perhaps Texas. Î Online Fulfillment: Allow building plans to incorporate online fulfillment function into existing and proposed retail stores to capture retail sales for tax revenue related to Texas’s rules regarding origin and destination. Î Old Town District: Create a specific area plan for this catalyst site similar to the Livermore Downtown Specific Plan to remove redevelopment barriers and focus infrastructure investment. Î Lower Kirby District: Develop destination retail that doesn’t compete with SH 288/Broadway retail or Pearland Town Center with entertainment, food, and beverage. Complement the biotechnology industry through creation of a community devoted to advancing the development and implementation of medical devices to support the aging population. Î Activate Commercial Districts: Update the Unified Development Code (UDC) to allow authentic commercial districts through appropriate façade massing, increased walking, allowing storefront visibility, and reserving corners for retail instead of office or residential lobbies. Î Parking and Sidewalk Standards: Update the UDC to allow for shared parking, structured parking incentives, and complete sidewalk design.
Source: Workforce Solutions
Sugar Land League City Friendswood Pearland Conroe Houston MSA Missouri City Rosenberg Deer Park Houston Galveston La Porte Lake Jackson Alvin Pasadena
Texas City Huntsville Baytown
0
1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8% 9%
FIGURE 7.10: UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
Source(s): Texas Labor Market Information (LMI); Workforce Solutions; Kimley-Horn
BRAZORIA COUNTY
TEXAS
14%
12%
10%
8%
6%
4%
2%
0
JAN 2020
FEB 2020
MAR 2020
APR 2020
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JUN 2020
JUL 2020
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OCT 2020
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JAN 2021
FEB 2021
MAR 2021
APR 2021
MAY 2021
JUL 2021
PEARLAND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2040
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Chapter 7
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