The Community Collective for Houston, a newly formed non-profit organization, announces its purchase of The Power Center, a landmark building in Southwest Houston that serves as a multi-purpose event and business office venue. For 27 years, The Power Center has been a staple in the city and has provided a vehicle for business and entertainment.
Under its new ownership, The Power Center will continue to serve the community by offering a full-scale range of services in three main areas: business, education, and food harvesting. Community Collective, the nonprofit operating the facility, is led by restaurateur Chris Williams of Lucille’s and Lucille’s 1913; educator Patricia Hogan Williams; real estate developers Courtney Johnson-Rose and Teeba Rose; and Ben Williams co-founder of Lucille’s and The Highway Distillery.
The Power Center currently houses almost 40 companies from various industries including a pharmacy, law office, barber, hair salon, printer, and other small businesses. The building is anchored by JP Morgan Chase on one end and The Imani School on the other. Ten acres of land in the backyard will allow for the creation of an urban garden, which will serve as a teaching mechanism for students at the school.
“The Imani School is committed to developing self-confident, academically advanced, Christian leaders. With the ownership of this building, it allows us to expand our programming and to serve our children by offering more programs. STEAM becomes more than just a word as we tie in all three aspects of The Power Center,” said Patricia Hogan Williams.
The Power Center has a 20,000 square foot grand ballroom as well as a smaller ballroom and other event spaces including multi-purpose meeting rooms, reception and receiving areas, and cocktail, and executive board rooms. The ballrooms are fully versatile to accommodate lecture-style seating and banquet/cathedral-style seating for luncheons, galas, conferences, themed parties, and weddings.
Award-winning restaurateur and philanthropist Chris Williams will lead the hospitality arm of the Collective. He will oversee culinary efforts and events as well as ensure the urban garden provides fresh produce for the community.
“There are so many opportunities here,” said Chris Williams. “We’re showing the full scope of the culinary world, from seed to harvest to production to responsible disposal. That will include lessons on fermenting and composting.”
The Power Center will also provide a slate of services for business owners including classes, coaching sessions, networking, and guidance on obtaining capital. Renovations to the building will make it more environmentally friendly.
“One of the most significant ways The Power Center will impact the local community is through its energy efficiency. To help reduce our carbon footprint, we envision adding solar panels to the building and EV charging stations in the parking lot for electric cars. We hope to actually produce power,” said Johnson-Rose.
For more information about The Power Center and Community Collective, visit www.communitycollectivehouston.org.
Source: Misty Blue Media
Cover Photo Credit: Ken Jones Photography
