With two prestigious rankings, 400 acres of newly-acquired park property and expanding commercial development, Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen is reflecting back on 2008 as a banner year for the city.

He said Missouri City spent the past year living up to its reputation as one of the nation’s premiere places to raise a family, work and enjoy leisure time in great part because of the relationship the city has with its residents.

“We’ve had a banner year, in great part because of partnerships with our citizens,” Owen said. “We’re continuing to build on our reputation as a safe community with beautiful neighborhoods. Our families love living here. We’ve made great progress in continuing to expand commercial and retail options for our residents and visitors.”

He noted that in July, Missouri City was ranked No. 56 on “Money” magazine’s list of the “100 Best Places to Live in America.” The magazine cited a 43 percent job growth between 2000 and 2007, rapid commercial development and acclaimed schools as factors in the rating.

In November, “Congressional Quarterly” named Missouri City the 22nd safest in the nation in the 75,000 to 100,000 population range.

This past summer, the Government Finance Officers Association presented the city with its 20th consecutive “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” for the annual budget. Only two percent of U.S. cities receive the recognition for exemplary financial management practices, Owen pointed out, and the award saluted Missouri City’s achievements in saving taxpayer dollars and utilizing technology to save staff time and operating costs.

More recently, new population signs declaring the City to be the “Home of Miss USA 2008” were posted at gateway entrances to Missouri City, coupled with the city’s new nickname as the “Show Me City.”

Crystle Stewart, who hails from Missouri City and graduated from Elkins High School, won the Miss USA crown in April.

Owen also noted the city’s “show me” spirit was in full force during Hurricane Ike. The new, high-tech municipal court/emergency operations center on Cartwright Road served as the city’s headquarters during the storm.

Residents and 275 city employees worked together to keep the city safe and informed as Hurricane Ike hit, with some residents even helping deliver information flyers around neighborhoods during the post-storm power outages.

The year started with a report from the Citizens’ Quail Valley Feasibility Committee, a group of more than 100 residents from throughout the city. The committee recommended the purchase of the 400-acre Quail Valley golf property for golf and recreation as well as to serve as a central community gathering place. City council approved the recommendation, and the eminent domain process continues with the property’s former owners.

On Nov. 4, 72 percent of voters approved a $17.5 million bond referendum for the Quail Valley parks project. The city envisions creating a new community center, green space improvements and other fitness opportunities on the property, in addition to upgrading the two18-hole golf courses on the land.

In 2008, residents also offered the city their ideas for a master plan to redevelop Texas Parkway and Cartwright Road. The plan proposes to transform the two roads into signature boulevards in Missouri City by enhancing businesses and adding new ones along the corridor. The planning process will continue into 2009.

Missouri City is one of the few municipalities that had the good timing to sell bonds in the financial markets this fall, prior to the economic downturn. The city’s strong credit rating with three rating agencies enabled the $35.5 million in bonds to be issued at competitive interest rates.

The city also approved new building codes this fall. The codes, which make the city’s regulations consistent with the latest ones from the International Code Council, were adopted to ensure homes and commercial buildings are being crafted to the latest standards.

Additionally, national and international companies are currently building facilities in Missouri City. Global Geophysical continues construction of its 110,000-square-foot building, and Ben E. Keith will break ground on its 400,000-square-foot facility during Phase I of its construction in 2009.

Trammell Crow is developing its largest business project in Texas at Lakeview Business Park. Progress also continues on the Beltway Crossing Business Park, and major retail centers are under development at key intersections.

“We’ll be building on this year’s momentum as we continue economic development initiatives, renovation and expansion of infrastructure and strengthen our recreational opportunities not only for the growing city population, but for the region and beyond,” Owen said.