News from Central Houston, Inc.

03/05/2018 | Central Houston, Inc.

HOUSTON, TX — Central Houston, Inc., a membership organization that has been a leading advocate for Downtown and the central city’s development and revitalization for over 30 years, announces the hire of Marie Hoke, AIA, as Project Architect/Urban Designer. This position will play an integral role with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in advancing the overall quality of design for the North Houston Highway Improvement Plan (NHHIP). Hoke brings to Central Houston more than 30 years of specialized experience in management and design of public sector projects for higher education, performing arts and civic clients.

“The $7 billion North Houston Highway Improvement Plan will radically transform the freeway connections surrounding Downtown and will become visitors’ first impression of Houston for years to come,” said Bob Eury, president of Central Houston. “Marie’s background in public sector projects is crucial in ensuring the highway project and other related civic opportunities reflect high standards of aesthetic and environmental design.”

As Project Architect/Urban Designer, Hoke will act as liaison between TxDOT, the City of Houston and other project stakeholders to provide quality control, solve problems and facilitate quality design throughout the design-build process. She will also work with Central Houston’s in-house staff and external consulting teams to create schematic concept designs for separate civic opportunities constructed in coordination with the NHHIP, including streets, sidewalks, structures, parks, trails, detention basins, bridges and other public amenities.

“I have been involved in several major civic projects in Downtown Houston throughout my career, so I am thrilled to be joining the Central Houston team at this exciting juncture,” shared Hoke. “The highway project and related civic opportunities can be transformative and truly change the face of Houston.”

Prior to joining Central Houston, Hoke served as Studio Leader for Arts & Education at WHR Architects, Practice Area Leader for Arts & Culture at Gensler and Senior Project Manager for the University of Houston’s Facilities, Planning & Construction Department. She founded her own practice, Team Hoke, which was involved in the renovation of the George R. Brown Convention Center, the development of Avenida Houston and the selection and installation of several key public art projects for Houston First Corporation and Sam Houston State University.

Hoke received her B.A. in Architecture from the University of Houston. She has served on the boards of AIA Houston, Rice Design Alliance and Institute for Leadership in Capital Planning.

About Central Houston, Inc.
Central Houston, Inc. is the steward of Houston’s vision for the redevelopment and revitalization of Downtown. Central Houston has contributed to the momentum of this exciting revitalization by enhancing collaboration among public officials, developers and businesses and has facilitated many of the public and private projects that have transformed downtown over the past 30 years.

Today, Central Houston’s leadership and oversight continue to play a critical role downtown. Priorities focus on the image of the city, quality of life, strengthening Houston’s economic base and continued collaboration with the City, County, METRO and downtown property owners to improve our central city. For more information, visit www.centralhouston.org.