Katy North Edition | April 2024

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Katy North Edition VOLUME 12, ISSUE 7 APRIL 25MAY 23, 2024

2024 Voter Guide

AIR QUALITY

New EPA standards could impact Katy area

Experts said transportation-related sources can contribute to ne particulate matter, a pollutant the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently tightened standards on, pushing Harris County to nonattainment.

KELLY SCHAFLERCOMMUNITY IMPACT

doesn’t meet standards by the 2032 deadline. “Overall, if we are not meeting the Clean Air Act standards for particle pollution for the region, that would put our whole region [in nonattain- ment]—not just Harris County, but typically it’s the eight-county area that is not going to be designated as being in attainment with the Clean Air Act standards,” she said.

monitoring stations, which doesn’t include Fort Bend County. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ocials said Fort Bend County meets the EPA’s previous standards for this type of pollution, but environmental experts said air pollution is still an issue across the Greater Houston area. Grace Lewis, senior health scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund, said Harris County’s nonattainment status could aect the region if it

BY MELISSA ENAJE & KELLY SCHAFLER

Harris County and nine other Texas counties don’t meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new national air quality standards for ne particulate matter, a pollutant that federal ocials said can have dangerous and costly health eects. According to the EPA, the national air quality data only reects information from the 119 U.S. counties pollution levels are collected by the EPA’s

CONTINUED ON 22

Also in this issue

Dining: Pastel Pizza oers twist to Venezuelan food (Page 25)

Impacts: Crave Cookies to debut rst Houston-area shop (Page 6)

Election: Q&As with Katy ISD candidates on May ballot (Page 9)

Education: Guide to colleges in the Katy area (Page 11)

RESORT- STYLE Living Katy IS COMING TO

SUNTERRA LAGOON AMENITY CENTER

THIS DRAWING DEPICTS CONCEPTUAL LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. FINAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

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*#1 Ranking based on RCLCO 2023 year end report for top selling master-planned communities. Prices and availability subject to change without notice. Lagoon and Lazy River Amenity Village designs and construction are subject to first obtaining the appropriate federal, state and local permits and approvals. Features and renderings shown for the Sunterra Lagoon and Lazy River Amenity Villages are representative only and Starwood Land reserves the right, without notice to or approval by the Buyer, to make changes or substitutions of equal or better quality for any features, materials and equipment. The location, sizes, and grand opening dates of the amenity villages and features are subject to change without notice and subject to feasibility studies and local government approvals. 03/24.

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KATY NORTH EDITION

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KATY NORTH EDITION

Impacts

• Opened March 4 • 98 W. Grand Parkway S., Ste. 160, Katy • www.alohapokeco.com

BECKENDORFF RD.

CLAY RD.

GEORGE BUSH PARK • 20995 Katy Freeway, Katy • www.dunkindonuts.com 3 Dutch Bros Coffee The menu includes specialty coffee, smoothies, teas, freezes, lemonades, Dutch Bros’ signature energy drink and nitro cold brew coffee. • Opened March 22 • 5840 N. Fry Road, Katy • www.dutchbros.com 4 Best Stop Cajun Market The shop is a combination specialty grocery store and Creole restaurant, serving biscuit boudin breakfast sandwiches as well as po’boys and hamburgers. • Opened Dec. 12 • 806 Katy Fort Bend Road, Ste. 400, Katy • www.beststopinscott.com 5 Dunkin’ The national franchise offers coffee drinks, breakfast items, doughnuts, pastries and a coffee tap system. • Opened March 30 6 The Little Bookstore Patrons will find bilingual books written by The Little Bookstore owner Gabriela Gotay and other authors. The books range in themes, styles, types of characters and targeted age range. • Opened Jan. 20 7 Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken and Wings The eatery serves Nashville hot chicken of varying spice levels, chicken sandwiches, chicken fingers, chicken and waffles, and loaded fries. • Opened March 3 • 22603 Morton Ranch Road, Ste. 130, Katy • www.hangryjoesmortonranch.com • 6729 S. Fry Road, Ste. W1, Katy • www.shopthelittlebookstore.com

BLUE GRAMA DR.

3 PLANTATION GROVE TR.

MORTON RD.

MORTON RANCH RD.

KATY FORT BEND RD.

17 7

2855

99 TOLL

FRANZ RD.

HARDWELL DR.

CANE ISLAND PKWY.

KATY MILLS CIR.

TAMARRON PT.

K I N G S L A N

TAMARRON PARK DR.

PRAIRIE PKWY.

Katy

HIGHLAND KNOLLS DR.

1463

CROSS CREEK BEND LN.

FULSHEAR BEND DR.

S N E R

TEXAS HERITAGE PKWY.

1463

359

99 TOLL

1093

FULSHEAR BEND DR.

F R Y R D .

MAP NOT TO SCALE

Fulshear

• 23101 Beckendorff Road, Katy • www.ivykids.com

Now open

1093

FULSHEAR GASTON RD.

359 1 Ivy Kids of Peek The early learning center practices a multi-intelligence- based curriculum, before- and after-school care, toddler programs, summer camps, and enrichment programs. • Opened in February Fulshear

723 2 Aloha Poke Co. Customers first pick their base protein followed by numerous toppings that range from edamame to pineapple, then top off the bowl with homemade sauces.

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8 Home Depot The home improvement company sells various home renovation items, including power tools, paint, lawn care items, furniture, kitchenware and decor. • Opened April 11 • 133 Cane Island Parkway, Katy • www.homedepot.com

• 4131 Woods Road, Fulshear • www.fulsheartexas.gov

Now open

14 Boardwalk Square The luxury-style apartments from developer Sueba USA will include 353 units in studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts with custom interiors. • Opening fall 2025 • 125 Prairie Parkway, Katy • www.suebausa.com/property/boardwalk-square

Coming soon

9 Fulshear Central The development will break ground in the third quarter of 2024 and feature office condos, retail, a large green space for events and walking trails, per a news release. • Opening in 2025 • FM 1093 near Texas Heritage Parkway, Fulshear • www.fulshearcentral.com 10 Cafe 11 The menu will feature authentic Hong Kong dishes with 11 McDonald’s The chain restaurant is scheduled to break ground in July at the Katy Park retail development. • Opening TBD • Morton Ranch Road at Katy Hockley Cutoff Road, Katy • www.mcdonalds.com 12 Cold Stone Creamery The international franchise serves ice cream cakes and cupcakes, ice cream sandwiches, shakes and sorbet. • Opening in May • 27123 Fulshear Bend Drive, Ste. D200, Fulshear • www.coldstonecreamery.com western influence. • Opening in May • 23015 Colonial Parkway, Ste. A105, Katy • Website coming soon 13 Eagle Landing Park The city of Fulshear’s new park will feature soccer fields, playground equipment, restroom and concession facilities, and a covered patio area. • Opening spring 2025

Relocations

15 Brooks’ Place The food truck known for its craft barbecue, burgers and catering services relocated from 18029 FM 529, Cypress, to Wildcatter Saloon in Katy. • Relocated March 14 • 26913 Katy Freeway, Ste. 250, Katy • www.lifeat250.com

17 Crave Cookies The Utah-based cookie franchise is set to open its first Houston-area shop in Katy, after press time. The bakery is known for its gourmet cookie menu that rotates weekly with six large cookies, one of which is always the signature milk chocolate chip cookie. • Opened April 20 • 2716 W. Grand Parkway N., Ste. 120, Katy • www.cravecookies.com

In the news

16 Grange Johnson Development broke ground on the 1,150-acre community on March 22. It will have about 2,400 homes, and homebuilders will open the community’s first phase by early 2025. • Morton Road at FM 2855, Katy • www.johnsondevelopment.com/mpc_grange Drama Kids International Davila Hernandez purchased the northwest Houston location in January. Drama Kids International offers theater summer camps and classes for children in Katy ISD and other school districts. • www.dramakids.com/cypress-spring-tomball-tx

suites. Future guests can start booking reservations. • Opening Oct. 18

• 1000 Great Wolf Way, Webster • www.greatwolf.com/webster

Closings

18 Dozier’s BBQ The beloved Fulshear restaurant, which opened in 1957, served as a restaurant, meat market and wild game processor. • Closed March 30

Worth the trip

Great Wolf Lodge The Webster resort will feature an indoor water park, interactive attractions and 532 rooms and themed

• 8222 FM 359, Fulshear • www.doziersbbq.com

KATY NORTH EDITION

Government

BY MELISSA ENAJE & AUBREY VOGEL

Harris County jails remain understaffed Harris County officials described in late March how the county is struggling to manage its over- crowded jails. Factors discussed at a March 25 media meet- ing and March 26 meeting of the Harris County Commissioners Court include inadequate staffing, specialty inmate populations which require a higher level of supervision than the general popula- tion and the challenges faced with staffing a facility that operates 24/7. Digging deeper Tonya Mills with the county administration department said 73% of people in custody are in a preadjudication status, or pretrial status, which she said was an exceptionally high number. Mills said those waiting longer for trial or to be seen by a judge have a negative impact on the overall jail population.

Child care centers eligible for tax aid

2023 Harris County jails detention officer staffing rates

Filled positions

Vacant positions

JAN. FEB. MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE

155 165 153 165 202 210 209 209 241 240 241 168

1,588 1,578 1,586 1,574 1,537 1,529 1,530 1,530 1,588 1,498 1,499 1,514

An estimated 327 Harris County child care providers now qualify for 100% property tax exemption after Harris County commission- ers authorized the exemptions at a March 26

court meeting. The framework

JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.

Just six days prior to the county approval, members of the Houston City Council also passed a similar tax exemption, paving the way for child care facilities in both the city of Houston and Harris County to apply immediately for the exemption. For the exemptions to apply to the 2024 tax year, eligible child care facilities should submit their applications by April 30 to the Harris Central Appraisal District.

SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Mills also said the average days to transfer inmates is increasing. While transferring inmates to out-of-state facilities may provide temporary relief, and court cases are beginning to process faster, she said it doesn’t address the underlying problem.

$1.35M street rehab project coming to Town Park New asphalt pavement will be added to the Town Park subdivision streets by early August.

SUMMIT

• Mill the existing asphalt pavement • Perform full depth repairs at needed locations • Install a new asphalt driving surface City Engineer David Kasper said there will also be some storm sewer blockages cleared. Going forward Construction will start in early May and end by late-July or early August, Kasper said.

TOWN PARK

Katy City Council approved a $1.09 million contract with Hayden Paving Inc. for the Town Park Subdivision Street Improvements Project at an April 8 City Council meeting. The total contract amount is contract for the project is $1.35 million. The project will resurface all streets within the subdivision as well as:

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Election

BY DAVE MANNING

Voter Guide

2024

*INCUMBENT

Dates to know

Where to vote

April 22: First day of early voting April 23: Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) April 30: Last day of early voting May 4: Election day and the last day to receive ballot by mail (or May 6 if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at location of election)

Residents in Fort Bend and Harris counties can vote at any polling location during early voting or on election day. Visit www.fortbendcountytx.gov or www.harrisvotes.com for polling locations.

Katy ISD board of trustees, Position 6

What are your top qualifications for the trustee position? Servant leadership, trust, excellence, kindness and wisdom. I have been a part of guiding the exemplary success of Katy ISD as it rapidly grew from 40,000 to 95,000 students and 13,000 employees. Success isn’t an accident, it is the outcome of vision, planning, careful execution and evaluation.

What are the biggest challenges facing the district, and how would you address them? More opportunities for college and career students, by constantly evaluating the needs of businesses and future job needs. In a time when teachers are leaving the profession, we must improve their workload and show them the respect they deserve. Find a solution to discipline problems in classrooms because all children …

Rebecca Fox* Occupation: public speaker Experience: trustee, 18 years; three-time board president; board vice president; board secretary; board treasurer www.rebeccafox4katy.org

I have national and local civic experience, serving five years in the USMC and seven years as co-founder and board chairman of the nonprofit NextOp. I am an experienced business leader and technology entrepreneur currently serving as CEO of Medbridge, one of the nation’s largest providers of physical therapy software.

The biggest challenges facing the district are teacher retention and fiscal accountability. I would address them by ensuring that teachers are supported by board-level policies that reinforce discipline in the classrooms and by forcing the administration to make spending tradeoffs to stay within budget.

Donovan Campbell Occupation: CEO, Medbridge

Experience: father of two district students; technology entrepreneur & New York Times bestselling author; U.S. Marine Corps veteran www.campbell4katyisd.org

Katy ISD board of trustees, Position 7

What are your top qualifications for the trustee position? I am a devoted advocate for Katy ISD and the people within the district. I have the time, willingness and enthusiasm that it takes to serve. My top qualifications are organization, time management, empathy, ability to know which questions to ask and when, intelligence, flexibility, open-mindedness, and kindness.

What are the biggest challenges facing the district, and how would you address them? 1. Katy ISD is a fast-growing school district; 2. Our students are underfunded by the state of Texas; 3. Teacher shortages; and 4. The education gap. We need to continuously look for ways to increase funding and/or create programs to take care of these needs.

Dawn Champagne* Occupation: Retail merchandising Experience: six years on the Katy ISD school board, 20 years volunteering in Katy ISD/community Facebook: @Dawn Champagne Katy ISD board of trustees David Olson Occupation: chemical engineer/ account manager, BASF Corporation Experience: parent of two Katy ISD students; member of two high school fine arts booster clubs www.olson4katyisd.org

My wife is an employee of the district; I have a 2023 graduate of Katy ISD and a current sophomore. I hear the day-to-day challenges and issues from an employee and a student perspective. My 30-plus years in the private sector brings a fresh perspective to public service.

Teacher retention and fiscal responsibility. The district needs uniform and effective student discipline so teachers and staff feel safe and respected in the school. The public expects the district to make necessary spending decisions like one’s residents have faced in the three years of high inflation.

Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

KATY NORTH EDITION

Transportation

BY KELLY SCHAFLER

Officials: Relief coming this fall for Grand Parkway widening

Drivers can expect to see construction along the Grand Parkway in the Katy and Cypress areas for at least the next five years, Texas Department of Transportation officials said. Multiple projects along segments D and E aim to widen the road, ease congestion and increase accessibility with frontage roads. Segment D runs from I-10 in Katy to Hwy. 59 in Sugar Land, while Segment E runs from I-10 to Hwy. 290 in Cypress. Ongoing projects Construction is about halfway complete on two Grand Parkway projects between I-10 and FM 1093, TxDOT Area Engineer Carlos Zepeda said. The combined $103 million projects aim to widen the road from four to six lanes and add a frontage road between Westheimer Parkway and Cinco Ranch Boulevard. The project began in 2023 and is set to wrap up in September 2025, he said. However, drivers will gain some capacity this fall when a traffic switch opens the road to three lanes in each direction. “Once we get to that September time frame of this year, it will be nice and flowing,” he said. Upcoming projects On the heels of these two projects finishing in 2025, work will kick off for other Grand Parkway projects—a handful of which will add in remaining frontage roads between I-10 and FM 1093, TxDOT officials said. These projects combine to be roughly $108 million; construction is expected to begin fall 2025 and could take two years to complete, officials said. It’ll also include intersection improvements, a shared-used path and sound walls. Meanwhile, TxDOT officials are doing

Upcoming projects 3 Widening from four to six lanes between I-10 and Hwy. 290 (Cost TBD) 4 Adding southbound/northbound frontage roads between Cinco Ranch Boulevard and Highland Knolls Drive as well as Westheimer Parkway and Fry Road ($108M) Ongoing projects ($103M combined) 1 Widening from four to six lanes from I-10 to FM 1093 2 Adding southbound/northbound frontage roads between Cinco Ranch Boulevard and Westheimer Parkway

Cypress

290

99 TOLL

Katy

PIONEER PARK

99 TOLL

HIGHLAND KNOLLS DR.

GEORGE BUSH PARK

1093

1463

GEORGE BUSH PARK

WESTHEIMER PKWY.

1093

CINCO RANCH BLVD.

SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The project—which will add inside lanes so it won’t take additional right of way—should begin in summer or fall 2026 and could take an average of three years to complete, Theiss said. What’s next TxDOT officials will begin hosting public meetings in August or September to discuss the Segment E widening project, Theiss said.

environmental studies and design for a future widening of Grand Parkway’s Segment E from four to six lanes between I-10 and Hwy. 290, said Sue Theiss, TxDOT advanced project develop- ment director. Theiss said this project is necessary to address the growth happening along the corridor and statewide. “If you look at all the neighborhoods going up, there are thousands of rooftops going up there and lots of commercial [development] since we put the road in,” she said.

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Education

BY HANNAH NORTON

Higher Education Guide

2024

Quotes of note

What to know about the new FAFSA

“Financial aid is extremely important, particularly in this day and age, with the high cost of education. So you’re going to have to be an educated consumer.” JACK WALLACE, THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS FOR YREFY

Current and prospective college students applying for financial aid will likely have a more streamlined experience with the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Mandated by Congress, the new form includes fewer questions and a new formula to determine aid eligibility. The U.S. Department of Education launched the redesigned application in late December— nearly three months later than normal—and it is now available online 24/7. Students must fill out the form to qualify for federal student loans, grants, work-study programs and some scholarships. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s priority financial aid application deadline was March 15, but individual schools may offer aid on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants will answer less than 50 questions for the new FAFSA, down from 108. The form takes around an hour to complete, but some people may answer as few as 18 questions depending on their individual circumstances. Officials said 610,000 more students from low-income backgrounds will qualify for federal Pell Grants. This includes over 51,000 Texans, the department of education reported.

The 2024-25 FAFSA was redesigned after Congress passed the FUTURE Act and the FAFSA Simplification Act. Here are some key changes to the application: A streamlined application process

All “contributors,” including parents, stepparents and spouses, must provide financial information.

“We have heard from students and families that the new FAFSA form is a better experience that’s easier to complete.” RICHARD CORDRAY, FEDERAL STUDENT AID CHIEF

The Internal Revenue Service will transfer students’ and their families’ tax information directly to their FAFSA application.

A new Student Aid Index formula will determine applicants’ eligibility.

Next steps

Families with multiple students in college will no longer qualify for extra aid, known as a “sibling discount.” Applicants may list up to 20 colleges or universities on their application. They were previously limited to 10.

The 2024-25 FAFSA will be available online through June 30, 2025, but many states and schools set earlier deadlines. Under Texas law, high school seniors are required to complete the FAFSA, a state financial aid application or an opt-out form to graduate. Future applications should open Oct. 1.

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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KATY NORTH EDITION

THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AT SUGAR LAND Explore programs from the UH Gessner College of Nursing and the UH Cullen College of Engineering–Technology Division

NURSING

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

FIND US ON:

UH.EDU/SUGARLAND 14000 University Blvd. Sugar Land, TX 77479

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Education

BY DAVE MANNING

Through a partnership with Google, Houston Community College offers a free accelerated ver- sion of Google’s “Grow with Google” technology certificate program for up to 500 students. HCC officials have reached out to local public school districts in southwest Houston to share HCC, Google partner to offer free technology certificates over four-year university graduates due to their amount of practical experience in the field, solving problems as part of the curriculum, rather than programs more focused on theoretical knowledge. “In four months, you’re going to get an indus- try credential that puts you in the workplace, ... gives you a skill to get a job,” Fleishman said. “They can get a credential, they can make money. They can get another credential, they can make more money.” Explained 1 Google Data Analytics 2 Google Cybersecurity

Google courses The four Google courses are hosted on the education platform www.coursera.org and are as follows:

3 Google IT Support 4 Google UX Design

information about the program with administrators, said Joe Fleishman, associate dean of the Digital & Information Technology Center of Excellence, which works with the Workforce and Career depart- ment on the program in its Southwest College. The program was announced in February, and 350 spots were open as of late March for the late-April course to local high school students, continuing education students and working professionals, Fleishman said. Who it’s for Fleishman said when a local internet technol- ogy company owner visited the college, he said he prefers to hire community college students

SOURCE: HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

What’s next The program is available for students 16 and older as part of Houston Community College’s continuing education program. Once HCC is able to fill the 500 course spots the college will receive 500 more spots from Google this fall. The Southwest College, one of six in the system, offers programs at the Galleria, Brays Oaks, Stafford and Missouri City campuses.

While the Google certificate program is offered for free, each course is valued at $300 per course, Fleishman said. The four courses give students the opportunity to earn in-demand IT certifications and skills in a short time frame, Fleishman said. HCC’s version of the Google courses are self-paced like Google’s offering, but HCC’s courses can be completed in four months rather than six.

KATY NORTH EDITION

THE SUN IS SETTING

in CROSS CREEK RANCH

As the opportunity for new homes nears the horizon, we are preparing for a spectacular sunset. Come see what makes Cross Creek Ranch a “sun-sational” place to live — pools, parks, lakes, trails, sports courts and a bright lifestyle crafted by our onsite lifestyle director who is the “sol” of our community. Hurry over to visit with our builders before the sun sets on the chance for a new home in our top selling community, Cross Creek Ranch.

New Homes from the $300s to $1 Million+

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Education

BY AUBREY VOGEL

UH nursing centers receive accreditation

The features

The centers feature technology that allows students to practice techniques learned in lecture before heading to local hospitals for clinicals, Tart said in an interview. The Katy facility mirrors areas students will see in the hospitals they practice, including: • Four high delity simulation rooms with life-like mannequins • Two bays with 10 beds each • Eight assessment rooms • Medication room • Debrieng room Tart said students are able to rene skills including head-to-toe assessments, pediatric care, and birth and death simulations, due to the expansiveness of the facility.

The University of Houston’s Andy and Barbara Gessner College of Nursing received an accreditation in December for its nursing simulators in Katy and Sugar Land. The HCA Houston Healthcare Nursing Simulation Center located at UH at Katy and the Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Nursing Simulation Center at UH at Sugar Land are the rst and only Greater Houston college facilities to receive this accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, said Kathryn Tart, dean of the college of nursing. “Faced with a nursing shortage, our state-of- the-art simulation centers help us educate more nurses where clinical excellence and leadership are central,” Tart said in a university news release. With the accreditation, the two UH centers are named among the top educational facilities where medical students and professionals can practice performing health care scenarios, according to the Society for Simulation in Healthcare website. The accreditation for both facilities will last ve years.

Katy nursing students can use the center to practice skills learned in the classroom.

COURTESY THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

About the program

BSN enrollment at Katy campus

The Andy and Barbara Gessner College of Nursing instructional site at Katy opened in fall 2019, bringing its rst cohort of 16 students. Since its inception, the Katy program has grown to 116 students this spring semester. Tart said she would like to see the program grow to 240 students at the Katy location.

116 students enrolled in spring 2024 semester

120

UH at Katy

99 TOLL

GRAND CIRCLE BLVD.

Fall 2019

Fall 2020

Fall 2021

Fall 2022

Fall 2023

GRAND WEST BLVD.

SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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KATY NORTH EDITION

Education

TSTC to expand auto technician offerings Texas State Technical College broke ground on a roughly $54 million expansion in late Novem- ber to bring the 80-acre Transportation Center of Excellence to its Rosenberg campus, college officials said. The college offers technical career training to the Houston region from its 160-acre campus. The context When the new center opens in fall 2025, it will allow the vocational college to grow its diesel equipment technology program and add two new programs—automotive technology as well as auto collision and management technology, TSTC Communication Specialist Isaac Dayley said. The expansion is driven by the college’s growing enrollment and the workforce demands in the region shown by labor market studies, campus Provost Bryan Bowling said. In the automotive

WCJC will add health building to Richmond Wharton County Junior College has an over 100,000-square-foot facility for the health care professions at its Richmond campus on the horizon, officials said. The college is in the planning stages of a two- or three-story health professions building meant to cater to students vying for licenses in vocational nursing or emergency medical service training, which began at the Richmond campus this spring, President Betty McCrohan said. What’s next She said she anticipates construction will take up to two years once groundbreaking commences, and she is eyeing a 2026-27 opening. The increased health care pro- gramming coincides with opening the new building, McCrohan said.

TSTC student enrollment growth TSTC’s enrollment is rising, and the new building will allow the college to accept 400-500 more students when it opens in fall 2025. Spring enrollment

703

474

442

521

464

399

2019 2020 2021

2022 2023 2024

SOURCE: TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

industry specifically, this demand is caused by an aging workforce retiring and a larger need for electric vehicle technicians, he said. “We do what basically makes our graduates irresistible for our industry partners,” he said.

BY ASIA ARMOUR, HANNAH NORTON & KELLY SCHAFLER

Katy ISD could face projected $13M shortfall Katy ISD officials must make budget reductions as the district moves toward the 2024-25 school year, a move spurred by lack of state legislative action to increase public school funding. During the board work study meeting March 18, district staff told KISD trustees the district could face a projected $13 million shortfall in the fiscal year 2024-25 budget. “[Like] many other school districts, our district is approaching an increasingly difficult task of maintaining balanced budgets year after year,” Superintendent Ken Gregorski said in a March 19 email to parents. “The state’s inaction on school funding has compelled districts throughout Texas to operate on deficit budgets.” Inflationary pressures, federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding expiring, enrollment growth and changes to state program funding also contributed, officials said.

School vouchers still priority for Abbott Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick expressed confidence lawmakers will approve a private school voucher plan next year. Speaking March 20 at the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation’s annual conference in Austin, Abbott said school voucher supporters were “on the threshold of success” after several anti-voucher Republicans were unseated or sent to tight runoffs in the March 5 primary election. Looking ahead Patrick said he expected lawmakers to adopt a voucher plan in February 2025. The 89th legislative session is scheduled to begin Jan. 14. Vouchers were one of Abbott’s seven emergency priorities for the 2023 session.

Taking action

Katy ISD staff plan to take several measures to offset rising expenditures, including: Modifying some program models to create efficiencies Phasing out some programs District staff will prioritize: • Retaining all teachers and staff • Protecting core student programs and services • Ensuring standards for academic performance remain

SOURCE: KATY ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The context KISD Chief Financial Officer Christopher Smith said district staff can offset the shortfall with the general fund balance. However, Smith said he’s hopeful the district will recover that deficit and even have a surplus after a property value audit is completed. What’s next KISD trustees will meet over the next few months regarding the 2024-25 budget. Trustees will adopt the budget in August.

FRY ROAD NORTH 3811 N Fry Rd (281) 578-0916 MASON ROAD 1640 S Mason Rd (281) 395-6262

FRY ROAD 1743 Fry Rd (281) 579-7004 KATY MILLS 24417 Katy Fwy (281) 394-5780

512-232-5000 EdServices@austin.utexas.edu highschool.utexas.edu

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Newland is proud to be a part of Brookfield Properties. We are one of the largest developers of mixed-use communities in the United States. With our partner, North America Sekisui House, LLC, we believe it is our responsibility to create enduring, healthier communities for people to live life in ways that matter most to them. newlandco.com | nashcommunities.com

Homes at Elyson ® are built and sold by home builders (“Builders”) unaffiliated with NASH FM 529, LLC (“Owner”), Newland Real Estate Group LLC (“Newland”) or their related entities. Buyers should review the purchase agreement, public offering statement., and other offering materials provided by the seller prior to signing any contract to purchase a home. Details on the prospective development are provided for informational purposes only and there is no guarantee that the final development will match the developer’s vision. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. Copyright © 2024 NASH FM 529, LLC (“Owner”). All Rights Reserved. No reproductions, distribution, or unauthorized transmission of any portion is permitted without written permission of Fee Owner. (2/24)

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Real estate

Overall, the number of homes sold in Katy- and Fulshear-area ZIP codes decreased in March compared to March 2023. There were 589 homes sold in seven local ZIP codes in March versus 696 for the same month last year. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

March 2023

March 2024

-16.67%

-36.59%

-9.26%

-15.15%

-36.51%

-19.92%

-26.95%

77094

77423

77441

77449

77450

77493

77494

529

99 TOLL

77423

529

77493

77449

562

Median home sales price

March

2023

2024

77094

77494

77450

$489,250 $370,000 $488,699 $292,000 $375,500 $346,000 $475,000

$651,500 $363,000 $495,812 $280,000 $400,000 $370,000 $487,000

77094 77423 77441 77449 77450 77493 77494

1093

77441

Homes sold by price point

March 2024

$850,000+

$650,000-$849,999

Average days on market

131

$450,000-$649,999

-82.22%

-35.51%

+8.33%

-13.11%

+28.95%

+2.5%

-40.28%

350

$250,000-$449,999

<$249,999

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY CHARLIE RUSSO RE/MAX SIGNATURE 713-851-4871 WWW.CHARLIERUSSOREALTY.COM

77094

77423

77441

77449

77450

77493

77494

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KATY NORTH EDITION

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

News

Crews work to install segments in tunnels in the A1 and A2 segments of the Surface Water Supply Project.

COURTESY WEST HARRIS COUNTY REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY

Progress continues on $1.2B surface water pipeline

Cross Creek West, a new community in Fulshear, is relaxation and refinement all rolled up into one, with a peaceful natural landscape, homes by award-winning builders and a friendly atmosphere that will have you knowing your neighbors in no time.

Residents and businesses in the Katy and Fulshear areas can expect to begin using more surface water as early as 2026. With a regional requirement to reduce groundwater consump- tion, the West Harris County Regional Water Authority part- nered with the North Fort Bend Water Authority in 2011 to con- struct the more than $1.2 billion Surface Water Supply Project. The project—funded by bonds that will be paid by the entities selling water to customers—will bring surface water west from Lake Houston with over 55 miles

ocials said. Subsidence is the gradual sinking of land caused by the removal of groundwater from aquifers, causing settling, accord- ing to the Surface Water Supply Project website. What they’re saying Katy and Fulshear sta are pre- paring for when they will begin receiving more surface water, city ocials said. Residents may notice a change in the taste of water as the tran- sition begins, city ocials said. Fulshear residents may begin to notice less of a chlorine odor and taste, Public Works Director Sharon Valiante said. Meanwhile, the WHCRWA is studying how future water rates will be aected. What’s next Upon meeting the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District’s 60% groundwater reduction requirement in 2025, ocials said the WHCRWA will evaluate internal water line routes to serve additional areas as they move forward to meet the 80% reduction required by 2035.

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of pipeline. The update

The project’s Kinder Morgan Segment from Fry Road to I-10/ Grand Parkway is set to begin mid-2024 and will primarily bring the water to the Katy area. This segment is set to be completed by 2026, WHCRWA President Eric Hansen said in an email. As residents begin to use more surface water, the subsidence rate should decline, which can reduce the chances of ooding, WHCRWA

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KATY NORTH EDITION

From the cover

BY MELISSA ENAJE & KELLY SCHAFLER CONTRIBUTIONS BY AUBREY VOGEL

New EPA standards could impact Katy area

Two-minute impact

Tracking emissions

“What makes this particle very dangerous to health is when you inhale the [tiny] particles, it can easily pass through all the protections in your respiratory tract,” Uwak said. A significant amount of air pollution in Harris County stems from petroleum refineries, power plants, chemical plants and manufacturing facilities, according to AAH’s report. Large industrial sources are also the largest contributor of emissions in Fort Bend County, according to 2020 emission data from the TCEQ. The data comes from reports from large, industrial sources and TCEQ-developed emission calculations and studies, the TCEQ spokesperson said. Additionally, the eight-county Houston-Galveston- Brazoria region—which Fort Bend County is part of—did not meet the eight-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards in 2008 and 2015, the spokesperson said. The TCEQ is set to adopt on April 24 the latest state implementation plan and rule revisions to address nonattainment areas. Lewis said more state- and federally regulated air monitors are needed regionally. “When we don’t have air monitors in certain parts of the region, we have blind spots,” Lewis said.

The EPA’s new standards announced Feb. 7 require no more than 9 micrograms per cubic meter level of fine particulate matter—lower than the previous 12 micrograms. The pollutant is emitted by power plants, vehicles and industrial facilities. Based on EPA air quality data spanning 2020-22, Harris County air was measured to have roughly 11.4 micrograms per cubic meter annually. However, the TCEQ and EPA don’t have air monitors in Fort Bend County, so similar particulate information isn’t available, a TCEQ spokesperson said in an email. In a 2023 health disparities annual report released by the Harris County Public Health department, officials said the conditions of where people live and work can have significant effects on their health and overall quality of life. Air pollution also impacts residents’ health care costs, according to researchers with Air Alliance Houston. In AAH’s December 2023 report, researchers said emissions from 47 industrial facilities in eastern Harris County cost the community more than $313 million annually in asthma-related medical expenses. Harris County is inundated with multiple sources of fine particulate matter, said Inyang Uwak, AAH’s research and policy director.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5): a mix of particles, such as dust, dirt, soot and smoke emitted by industrial sources, vehicles, construction sites, fires or unpaved roads Volatile organic compounds (VOC): highly reactive carbon compounds released by vehicle exhaust, refineries and other industrial sources Nitrogen oxides (NOx): produced from fossil fuel-burning sources, such as power plants and vehicles

2020 total emissions data (tons per year)

Emissions

Source*

NOx

VOC

PM2.5

Fort Bend County total Harris County total

8,193.29 10,508.67 3,244.93

58,589.92 96,182.07 13,667.76

Fort Bend County population: 822,779

Harris County population: 4.73 million

SOURCES: AIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON, TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, U.S. CENSUS BUREAU 2020 DATA/COMMUNITY IMPACT *FOUR SOURCES OF POLLUTANTS CONTRIBUTE TO THE TOTALS, INCLUDING SMALL- AND LARGE-SCALE INDUSTRIAL SOURCES, VEHICLES ON AND OFF HIGHWAYS, AND COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL SOURCES.

Zooming in

What’s next

of particulate matter and volatile organic com- pounds. A HCPC official said the sensors were placed in areas with concrete batch plants. Additionally, air quality sensor seller PurpleAir collects fine particulate matter data from several Katy-area monitors.

The lack of state- and federally regulated air monitors hasn’t stopped environmental advocacy groups and other local entities from measuring pollutants with independent air sensors. Harris County Pollution Control has one sensor in Katy Park’s field that tracks two types

Houston-Galveston Area Council officials are working with the EPA on a 13-county climate action plan, which will develop programs and policies over the next three years to reduce the region’s pollution, emissions and greenhouse gasses. The H-GAC was among entities chosen by the EPA in September to receive a $1 million federal grant for the plan. The EPA received the final plan March 1. On March 8, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against President Joe Biden’s administration in efforts to block the EPA’s new federal air quality standards. Paxton said in a news release he believes the standards aren’t based on sound science and will impose economic harm on Texas. Harris County commissioners agreed March 26 to intervene in the lawsuit in support of the EPA.

Air quality in the Katy area

In a two-year period, PurpleAir’s sensors in the Katy area recorded an average of 6.98 micrograms per cubic meter of fine particulate matter—lower than the EPA’s new standards.

Shadow Trail

Windsor Park

Arcadia

Local sensors

CLAY RD.

New EPA max

Old EPA max

Shadow Trail

SHADOW TRAIL

M O R TON RANCH RD.

BARKER DR.

KINGSLAND BLVD. GREENWIND CHASE DR.

2022

2023

2024

Arcadia

Windsor Park

SOURCE: PURPLEAIR/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

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