Wolff Companies’ Development in Northwest Houston to Become Cricket Complex
Wolff Companies and Houston businessman Tanweer Ahmed announced that a new cricket complex is coming to northwest Houston. The 84-acre development – to be named the Prairie View Cricket Complex – is located at the interchange of U.S. 290 and Liendo Parkway, between Hempstead and Prairie View. The U.S. 290 corridor has been experiencing unprecedented investment in anticipation of the opening of the new and expanded U.S. 290 at the end of this year.
Wolff Companies developed the 68-acre Liendo Park, which Ahmed combined with a separate 16-acre tract. Ahmed, who has lived in Houston since 2007 and owns several businesses ranging from fast food to medical research to energy, is an avid cricket player. He learned the game in his native Pakistan and currently plays on team GACCI in the Houston Cricket League. He plans to have two fields playable by April and all 12-14 cricket fields, including two for evening matches, ready for play by the second quarter of 2019. The sheer number of cricket fields in one location will make this development a “one of a kind” complex in the United States, according to Ahmed.
Prairie View Cricket Complex is the future “field of dreams” for the Houston Cricket League where Houston businessman Tanweer Ahmed will build 12-14 cricket fields.
David Wolff, Chairman and President of Wolff Companies, purchased the land several years ago in anticipation of growth in northwest Houston and because of the property’s natural beauty, particularly several old growth live oak trees. While he expected the land would likely be developed for multiple uses, such as retail and service businesses over the course of a few years, he appreciates Ahmed’s foresight in buying the entire parcel prior to the re-opening of U.S. 290. Wolff commented, “The completion of the new U.S. 290 is going to have the same effect on northwest Houston as the completion of I-10 did on west Houston – it will open the area to unprecedented levels of high-quality growth.”
According to Texas Department of Transportation officials, most major construction – including all widened lanes and new bridges – along the main lanes of U.S. 290 will finish in 2018. When complete, U.S. 290 will have eleven lanes, including a reversible HOV lane, from Loop 610 to Texas State Highway 6/FM 1960, and nine lanes from there to Waller County.
“More cricket fields are badly needed in Houston. Prairie View – which is located along the upgraded U.S. 290 and near the recently opened Grand Parkway – offers a perfect, easily accessible location to meet the League’s needs,” said Ahmed. “There are numerous cricket leagues and teams in the Houston area and only nine fields between Humble and East Bernard. A player has to drive considerable distances to different fields scattered over a large area. This new cricket complex will be more convenient and allow us to more easily hold tournaments. Also, these new fields will enable us to grow our league of 28 teams to as many as 50 teams. Currently, no new teams can join because we simply don’t have enough fields.”
“I am pleased to have been working closely with Prairie View Mayor David Allen, who suggested the name – Prairie View Cricket Complex – to make this initiative one of the best cricket complexes in the nation,” said Ahmed. “Mayor Allen is collaborating with Prairie View A&M University’s Architecture Director of Service Learning, Professor Barry H. Norwood, to include student input in the basic site planning phase. Prairie View’s Economic Development Director, Dr. Veda Brown, also has expressed excitement about the potential economic impact this cricket complex will have locally.”
Mayor Allen stressed that the overall benefits of the project offer a “win-win” for all involved – including Ahmed, the Houston Cricket League, the City of Prairie View, as well as Prairie View University’s Architecture students.
“In more than 50 years of business, this is one of our most exciting and gratifying transactions,” said Wolff. “The deal hits a personal chord for me because Tanweer is an immigrant and a Muslim who came here for the same reasons as my Jewish father came to the United States almost a century ago: work hard, achieve financial security, raise good families, and help others. When Tanweer told me of his plans to use Liendo Park to build a non-profit foundation to encourage the growth of cricket among Houston’s youth, I was thrilled.”
Wolff concluded, “This transaction between Tanweer and Wolff Companies and the future of Prairie View is demonstrative of Houston’s past and future growth. Houston is one of the most diverse cities in America. Many of our citizens didn’t grow up here. When I arrived in Houston in 1965, the city gave me ample opportunity to build my business. In 2007, it provided the same opportunity to Tanweer. We are both now in the position to give back to our community and I am glad that Tanweer chose Prairie View as a place to leave his mark.”
Wolff Companies also has additional prime land sites available in West Houston. Sites are available in Ten Oaks, adjacent to both Houston Methodist and Texas Children’s in Texas Medical Center – West Campus, and Central Park, adjacent to MD Anderson’s $169-million, 260,000-square-foot outpatient diagnostic and treatment center, which is under construction and opening later this year.
For more information about Wolff Companies, please visit www.wolffcompanies.com or call Carolyn Wolff Dorros at 713-626-8050.
Thank you,
Carolyn W. Dorros
Executive Vice President
Wolff Companies
Phone: 713-626-8050