Harris County Precinct 3 and LAN Celebrate Grand Opening of Steve Radack Community Center
By Jay Srinivasan
Harris County Precinct 3 residents will have a new place to congregate and have fun, thanks to the completion of the new Steve Radack Community Center. Earlier today, Precinct 3 celebrated the grand opening of the facility. The new community center, located at 18650 Clay Road, Houston, will replace the Bear Creek Community Center, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Harvey.
The new community center, which can accommodate 800 people, is more than three times larger than the original Bear Creek Community Center. Spanning 24,500 square feet, the multipurpose facility comprises seven classrooms, three large conference rooms, a 4,500-square-foot community hall and a large kitchenette to support catered events. It also includes restrooms, bicycle storage, offices, and administration spaces. The new facility will offer Precinct 3 residents exercise classes, dance lessons, arts and crafts, games, seminars, lectures, community meetings, as well as an early voting center.
“I can’t think of a better way to honor Commissioner Radack and the impact he has made on Precinct 3 and Harris County as a whole,” said Commissioner Tom Ramsey. “His vision and dedication to giving residents the absolute best is embodied perfectly in this beautiful facility.”
The previous community center, which was located at Bear Creek Park, suffered significant damage during the 2016 Tax Day Floods. After the community center was rebuilt, Hurricane Harvey damaged it beyond repair. Consequently, Precinct 3 decided to relocate the new community center to the north side of Clay Road in an area above the flood plain. To support Harris County’s desire for low-impact development, the facility’s parking lot was built to detain flood water through permeable pavers and underground water detention. The facility is also designed to be LEED-certified and its mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems are energy-efficient.
Planning, engineering and program management firm Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) served as the architect and engineer-of-record, Binkley & Barfield, Inc. designed the site drainage and detention system, and Whiting-Turner served as the contractor.
“The completion of the Steve Radack Community Center marks a major milestone toward achieving Precinct 3’s goals,” said Jeff Thomas, P.E., LAN’s vice president. “The facility will not only provide residents a great space to gather and enjoy various activities, but also serve as a model for future Harris County community centers.”
The nearly $7 million project was funded by Precinct 3 and federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds.
