Claims about future culture center raising eyebrows

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A new center stressing Texas heritage and culture is now in the works downtown. Organizers claim it's going to bring a couple thousand jobs and provide a significant economic impact. But some aren't so sure.

The new center is set to be built on Capitol near Minute Maid Park.

The principles of the project have already toured other visitor centers around the country and plan to build one in Houston that could set the bar.

Along with promoting tourism, it will also feature educational components. The economic impact is also ambitious.

Its renderings depict a state-of-the-art visitors center nestled on a downtown street between Minute Maid Park and the George R. Brown Convention Center. The Center for Texas Cultural Heritage will feature 45,000 square feet of exhibits. Two historic homes will be renovated and serve as food and exhibit locations.

It's all designed to pull in what are called heritage and cultural tourists. Some say they'll will spend an extra day in the Houston area when already in town for a convention.

"They are spending will either be $90 a day more, up to close to $300 a day more," said John Nau III with the Center for Texas Cultural Heritage.

In its first 12 months opening, companies overseeing the project say there is potential to create up to $31.4 million in additional tourism revenue and support an additional 2,400 service jobs.

"Hotels, restaurants, gift shops -- those are the jobs, that these heritage tourists will begin to develop," Nau said.

"The reason people do economic impact analysis is that they are trying to justify their project," University of Houston Professor of Economics Steven Craig said.

Craig says it's ambitious to claim a visitors center can generate substantial dollars and jobs.

"Clearly, the $31 million and 2,400 jobs, those are pretty aggressive numbers for the kind of project that this is," Craig said.

One thing it will serve up is stories of the Houston region to kids and adults.

"So that they can experience the events and the people and the places that created Houston and Texas in the region," Nau said.

Of the $40 million project, Nau has already donated $8 million and they hope to raise at least 50 percent of the funds before breaking ground in 2013.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local, erik barajas

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College-Bound Culture in Houston Schools

Houston is the City of Culture

Houston may be better known as a thriving metropolis with a deep water port and huge oil industry but the image of longhorns and cowboy boots is a misnomer. Houston boasts one of the most culturally diverse and active communities in the United States and the world - in fact, Houston is one of the few places west of the Mississippi which has permanent, year round resident companies in all of the major performing arts!

The wealth that has been created by oil, shipping and more latterly, aerospace and biotechnology industries has not simply been allowed to build a bold city of the future. Culture and art has long played a part in the life of Houston from its very earliest days and many foreign performers vie to come to Houston to join one of the several internationally renowned performing arts companies that make their home here. Museums abound in Houston dealing with fine art, natural science, printing, oil, shipping and history but Houston is world famous for its performing arts and here we shall be taking a brief look at what this great city has got to offer.

Houston Symphony

The Houston Symphony was founded in 1913 and is one of the oldest performing symphonies in the United States with an enviable reputation worldwide. Currently, the Houston Symphony is led by internationally acclaimed conductor, Hans Graf and who is the latest in a long line of musical directors who have developed the Houston Symphony into a world renowned performing organization including Sir John Barbirolli and Andre Previn. The Houston Symphony puts on more than 170 concerts in a very busy season but is also to be found playing around the world and at home in Houston as part of its outreach program to bring music to the people.

The Houston Ballet

The Houston Ballet came into being in the 1950's and has experienced a resurgence in the last ten years with a revitalized company and under the leadership of Stanton Welch, the Artistic Director for the company. The Houston Ballet has established a very busy season at home which is complemented by a heavy worldwide touring schedule including performances at the Bolshoi in Moscow and the Royal Ballet in London. The current season is focused upon the worldwide premiere of Marie, a ballet covering the life and times of Marie Antoinette in keeping with the company's reputation for daring and intrepid new works, largely in conjunction with the American Ballet Theater.

The Houston Grand Opera

The Houston Grand Opera or HGO, is one of the most renowned American opera companies today with an international reputation that is second to none. HGO has long been regarded as an innovative and adventurous house with productions including Gershwin's Porgy & Bess, Adam's Nixon in China and Joplin's Treemonisha. There is a wide variety of skill and virtuosity at work with in the HGO and the cast generally as well as individual performers are in demand around the world. The season is very well attended and you are highly advised to book your tickets well in advance of your trip to Houston if you are to avoid disappointment.

Freelance author Lawrence Reaves uses SnagAJob when searching for Houston jobs. A great resource for your Houston job search online.