By R.A. Schuetz, Houston Chronicle
October 29, 2019 – As developers vie for land south of Buffalo Bayou Park — an area dubbed one of the “coolest” in the nation by commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield — at least one nonprofit is moving out.
The Center for Pursuit, which serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, sold its campus at Shepherd Drive and Allen Parkway and purchased 5.8 acres in the East End. The center announced the purchase of 4400 Harrisburg Blvd. from Lovett Commercial Wednesday morning, although it closed Oct. 11. The new location is slightly smaller than the current location, which spans 6.72 acres and is being sold to Hanover. According to a press release, Hanover plans to turn the site into a mixed-use development.
Charles C. Canton, Center’s chief executive, framed the move as an opportunity. “The quality of services we will be able to provide with our new facility will be stellar,” he said in a press release.
City Council members Robert Gallegos and Karla Cisneros also praised the move, saying it would bring services to the East End.
“The Center for Pursuit has a long history of serving the Houston region; however this new location, while still centrally located, is an even better fit for connecting residents with job training and employment opportunities,” Cisneros said. “Situated alongside the Metro Rail, The Center’s clients will have easy access to workforce development at neighboring partnerships with Baker-Ripley, TXRX and Workforce Solutions.”
The new campus will have residential options offering clients various levels of living assistance. For the next year, part of the center’s residential programs will continue at its current location, while day programs, job training and employment services have moved to a temporary facility on Kirby Drive near NRG Stadium.
(Click here to read the article on chron.com)