Bay Area Edition | February 2025

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Bay Area Edition VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7 FEB. 21MARCH 19, 2025

League City has big dreams for baseball venue to boost tourism

As the Ballpark at League City prepares to host an international baseball tournament in March, ocials are looking for ways to expand the venue’s oerings. More than a ballpark

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

Feb. 19 marks one year since League City took over operations of the Ballpark at League City, formerly

known as Big League Dreams, following issues with previous management companies. In the year since, the city has made several upgrades and secured a new youth baseball tournament that ocials expect to bring in around 60 teams from more than a dozen countries. The new tournament, as well as others like it, are part of the city’s plans to make the ballpark an event venue in addition to a sports facility, city ocials said. Events such as parties and gatherings, along with future branding opportunities, are some of what ocials have planned to take advantage of the space. “The potential to have it be an event center has always been there,” General Manager Aron Genereau said. “But only in the past year with the right people around have we been able to make it a complete sports and entertainment venue of the highest caliber.

CONTINUED ON 22

Also in this issue

Ballpark at League City

Education: Learn why Clear Creek ISD opted against asking voters for new $214 million bond (Page 20)

BIG LEAGUE DREAMS PKWY.

Nonprofit: Read about what League City Garden Club is doing to celebrate 75 years as an organization (Page 27)

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

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Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. About Community Impact

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BAY AREA EDITION

Impacts

9 Magnolia Creek Animal Hospital The new animal hospital will offer veterinary and other pet services, such as routine check-ups. • Opened Feb. 17 • 4550 W. League Parkway, Ste. 240, League City • www.magnoliacreekah.com

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER

Seabrook

Coming soon

10 Parlor Doughnuts The shop will serve layered donuts with flavors including french toast, maple bacon, peanut butter cup, strawberry shortcake and lemon bar, among other flavors. • Opening end of February

2351

CLEAR LAKE

MILL FOREST RD.

GALVESTON BAY

E. MEDICAL CENTER BLVD. 15

BAYBROOK MALL DR.

• 1601 W. Main St., League City • www.parlordoughnuts.com

Nassau Bay

518

W. BAY AREA BLVD.

ANDERS LN.

528

SOUTH SHORE BLVD.

11 Tim Hortons The Canadian-based coffee chain will serve a variety of breakfast items. The business has over 5,000 locations across more than a dozen countries. • Opening in March • 1607 League City Parkway, League City • www.timhortons.com 12 Angry Chickz The Los Angeles-based restaurant will feature customizable spice levels and its signature spicy chicken tenders, sliders, and mac and cheese. • Opening late March • 18207 Egret Bay Blvd., Webster • www.angrychickz.com

Webster

146

League City

646

E. LEAG

5 9

P A

SPRUCE ST.

9TH AVE. N. 17

517

• 700 Baybrook Mall Drive, Ste. A107, Friendswood • www.heyrowan.com

Now open

Relocations

1 Crawdads To Go The restaurant offers crawfish at three, five and 10 pounds, boiled shrimp and snow crab, among other items. • Opened Dec. 25 • 241 S. Egret Bay Blvd., League City • www.crawdadstogo.com 2 Planet Fitness The gym offers what officials call affordable gym memberships that include classic exercise equipment, from machines to free weights. It is famous for its “judgement-free zone” and aims to invite everyone, regardless of their exercise experience and knowledge. • Opened Dec. 28 • 3465 Gulf Freeway, Dickinson • www.planetfitness.com 3 Ideal Dental The dental office offers a variety of services, including general dentistry, preventive dentistry, restorative dentistry, oral surgery, orthodontics and emergency dental care. • Opened Jan. 14

5 Hometown Smiles Dentistry The practice offers services such as smile makeovers, Invisalign, dental implants and emergency dentistry, among other services. • Opened Jan. 28 • 4550 W. League City Parkway, Ste. 220, League City • www.hometownsmilesdentistry.com 6 Smoothie Depot The business serves signature smoothies, including ginger green, ultimate berries, crazy avocado and orange sunrise, among other flavors. The business is located at Roman Empire Gym. • Opened Jan. 29 • 451 Spruce St., League City • www.smoothiedepotfranchise.com 7 Havertys The business is known for its wide variety of furnishings, fabrics and finishes, as well as its design service. • Opened Feb. 7 • 1519 W. Bay Area Blvd., Webster • www.havertys.com 8 Scooter’s Coffee The new drive-thru location offers a variety of specialty coffee drinks, including espresso-based beverages, iced coffees, smoothies, teas and baked goods. • Opened Feb. 10 • 2030 E. League City Parkway, League City • www.scooterscoffee.com

13 Butler Longhorn Museum The museum, which has numerous exhibits around efforts to save the Texas longhorn from extinction, local Native American history, Japanese Americans and Vietnamese immigration, relocated to Kemah. The museum reopened Jan. 11. • 903 FM 518, Ste. B1, Kemah • www.butlerlonghornmuseum.com

Expansions

14 Changing Stories Autism Services and Consultation The new clinical facility is 9,000 square feet and allows the business more space to provide therapy and consultations. • Expanded Jan. 16 • 17170 Mill Forest Road, Webster • www.changingstories.net 15 Deep Waters Academy The academy, which serves K-eighth grade students in Clear Lake, is adding ninth grade and opening a new high school. • Expanding this summer • 670 E. Medical Center Blvd., Webster • www.deepwatersacademy.org

• 1735 Bay Area Blvd., Ste. C, Webster • www.myidealdental.com/baybrook

4 Rowan The business is an ear piercing and hypoallergenic jewelry brand, and is backed by a medical advisory board. • Opening Jan. 25

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

In the news

Coming soon

Now open

16 Taco Bell After closing its Seabrook location due to construction along Hwy. 146 in 2019, the national fast-food brand opened a new location near its old spot on Jan. 15. The business has locations all across the country and is known for serving Mexican-inspired cuisine, such as nachos, burritos, tacos and quesadillas. • 2164 Bayport Blvd., Seabrook • www.tacobell.com 17 Stewart Title Company The business, which offers title services, insurance and appraisal services, reopened in Texas City on Jan. 17 following renovations. • 905 N. Logan St., Texas City • www.stewart.com/en 18 Mr. Gatti’s Pizza Following a number of renovations, which included upgrades to its interior, new arcade games and a new four-barrel ICEE machine, the restaurant reopened in January. The business serves pizza in an arcade setting and features opportunities for events and parties as well. • 16607 El Camino Real, Houston • www.mrgattispizza.com

19 JETSET Pilates The studio will offer multiple classes, including workouts on reformers, foundational classes to learn proper form and high-energy workouts, among other classes. • Opening in the summer • 1340 E. League City Parkway, League City • www.jetsetpilates.com

20 Taco Works The restaurant sells a variety of Tex-Mex and Mexican-based dishes. Those items include tacos and burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, flautas, fajitas and churros, among other items. • Opened Jan. 6 • 2456 Marina Bay Drive, Ste. A, League City • Facebook: Taco Works

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BAY AREA EDITION

Government

League City increases water, wastewater rates League City residents will pay higher water and wastewater rates in fiscal year 2025-26, which begins in October. What readers need to know League City City Council voted 5-2 on Jan. 28 to increase water and wastewater rates on meters of all sizes. Council members Tommy Cones and Andy Mann opposed the new rates but did not provide reasons. The new base water rate for resident and commer- cial customers is up from $8.26 to $9.08, documents show. This new rate is for 5/8-inch and 3/4-inch water meters. For wastewater, the new monthly service charge rate is up from $15.32 to $16.84 for all users and all meter sizes, according to city documents. These base rates don’t include the rate of water charged for every 1,000 gallons used, documents show.

City transitions to new wastewater facility Seabrook in late January redirected the last of its wastewater from the aging Main Street wastewater plant to the Pine Gully Wastewater Treatment Plant. The backstory The old wastewater plant was built in the 1960s and had endured decades of severe weather and flooding, per a news release from the city. The new $40 million facility broke ground in 2021 and opened last March. Officials at the time called it the city’s largest-ever infrastructure project, Community Impact previously reported. What else? The city plans to demolish the former plant site in 2025, per the release.

League City water rates In addition to base rates, residents will pay:

Single-family residential water rate per 1,000 gallons

Single-family residential wastewater rate per 1,000 gallons

$2.50

2024-25

$2.75

$3 $3.02

2025-26

$3.25

2026-27

$3.13

$3.50

2027-28

$3.23

$3.75

2028-29

$3.33

$4.00

2029-30

$3.61

NOTE: THESE RATES ARE ONLY UP TO THE FIRST 3,000 GALLONS AND INCREASE AFTER THAT POINT

SOURCE: LEAGUE CITY/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

BY RACHEL LELAND & EMILY LINCKE

Harris County early childhood education program facing closure A pilot program offering free early childhood edu- cation for children ages 4 and younger across Harris County could be ending soon once federal funding runs out, county commissioners said Feb. 6. The overview Officials launched Harris County’s Early Reach Education Access for Children pilot program in June 2023 to provide free, high-quality child care for fam- ilies in high-need areas, addressing the challenges faced by both children and child care providers in the county, Community Impact previously reported. It was launched using funds from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, which were temporary, meaning additional funding would eventually be needed, officials said. ARPA funds must be spent by the end of 2026.

County to look at $130M shortfall

Early reach centers

Precinct 1 Precinct 3

Precinct 2 Precinct 4

Harris County officials said at a Feb. 6 meeting they are anticipating a $130 million gap in funding of drainage projects due to inflated costs of construction materials. The full story Harris County’s subdivision drainage program was designed to reduce the risk of flooding for 45,000 homes countywide upon completion, as previously reported by Community Impact . The funding shortage follows a number of challenges for the program, including a $277 million funding shortfall announced in 2023, prompting the county to pause 33 projects under the program. Most of the $130 million gap could impact projects in Precinct 1, which makes up much of central Harris County, officials said.

290

99 TOLL

610

149

GALVESTON BAY

1,300 children across the county participated in the program

$15 guaranteed minimum wage for child care providers

4 and younger are ages of eligible children

$29 million in ARPA funding spent on the program

SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

FIRST EDITION!

A TOUR OF THE STATE, MADE ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT FEBRUARY 2025

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

EXCURSIONS: A Port Aransas Quest CRITTER: Black-Tailed Prairie Dog OUT THERE: Meanwhile, in Texas MADE IN TEXAS: A Western Wear Pair FEATURE PREVIEW: Panhandle Fires, One Year Later

Above: Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, in Port Aransas.

BAY AREA EDITION

TEXAS MONTHLY FEBRUARY 2025

Dear Fellow Texan, WELCOME

I couldn’t be prouder and more excited to bring you this special edition of Texas Monthly ’s February issue within the pages of Community Impact . One great Texas institution meets another. Community Impact and Texas Monthly have shared goals: to equip you with the news and perspectives that help you understand your state and your neighborhood and inspire you to engage with the people and places that surround you. Each month, we’ll provide you a kind of sampler of what Texas Monthly has to offer. Food, drink, travel, critters, and a taste of some of the award-winning storytelling Texas Monthly is known for. Enjoy the next few pages, thank you for welcoming us into your home, and please consider subscribing to Texas Monthly. —ROSS McCAMMON

EXCURSIONS Among the Craniacs North America’s tallest bird stalks Port Aransas once again. Its fans are back too. BY ROSE CAHALAN

I'M LEANING ON the rail of the Scat Cat, a red-and-white charter fishing boat in Aran- sas Bay, when two bottlenose dolphins leap majestically out of the water alongside our wake. The midday February sun gleams on their fins as the pair chases us. “Look!” I shout. A few of my sixty or so fellow passengers turn to watch, but this is only a warm-up for the real stars of the show: the whooping cranes. Today’s tour is part of the Whooping Crane Festival, an annual four-day winter celebra- tion of one of the continent’s rarest avian

species—and its tallest. About two thousand birders have descended on Port Aransas, a Gulf Coast town of around 2,900 residents on Mustang Island, for the twenty-seventh iteration, which is packed with more than fifty events, including birding tours and lectures by scientists. (This year’s festival happens February 20–23.) Before the arrival of European settlers, more than ten thousand of these birds soared across the continent, but habitat destruction and overhunting drove them to the brink. By

EDITOR IN CHIEF, TEXAS MONTHLY

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Its Reputation As a Ranch Pest Is Changing. The most common of the five species of prairie dogs in North America, these charismatic creatures today inhabit only about 2 percent of their native range, which once covered roughly 100 million acres of the Great Plains. Agriculture and urban development have consumed much of that habitat, and some ranch- ers, worried that these prairie dogs were competing with cattle for grass, exter- minated them. It turns out, though, that they are beneficial for grasslands. SO HOW DO THEY HELP? Prairie dogs nibble down the woody shrubs that could hide their predators and that often take over grasslands. This preserves habitat for birds and animals such as pronghorn. Plus, the rodents’ digging mixes and aerates the soil, and their scat provides nutrients. HOW DO WE KNOW FOR SURE? Scientists collected data from a group of GPS collar–wearing cattle that grazed on three pastures within a pre- serve. In warm seasons, the herd spent more time on the prairie dog colony than in areas outside it. I HEARD THEY CARRY PLAGUE. IS THAT TRUE? Prairie dogs are susceptible to the syl- vatic plague, caused by the same bac- terium as the bubonic plague. But it’s primarily fleas, not rodents, that spread it. At a respectful distance, you can en- joy them without fear. —Robyn Ross CRITTER BLACK�TAILED PRAIRIE DOG

early efforts to revive whooping cranes with captive breeding. During several breeding seasons in the late seventies and early eight- ies, he even lived in a shed with a female crane named Tex, who had imprinted on humans after hatching at the San Antonio Zoo. “Cranes require a great deal of space,” Ar- chibald said. “Each species selects a different type of wetland or grassland.” Unfortunately, those are some of the most easily destroyed habitats: With no trees to cut down, develop- ers can simply pave them over. Captive breed- ing has played a crucial role in the comeback of the species. In the past decade, the Dallas Zoo has picked up the baton, as one of seven organizations in the U.S. and Canada to carry on Archibald’s legacy of breeding baby whoop- ing cranes to release in the wild.

1941 only 21 whooping cranes were left in the wild. Today, after decades of extensive conservation work, there are about 700 wild whoopers left. Wherever there are cranes, there are crani- acs. The birders who visit Port Aransas—“We estimate the economic impact to be near $1 million,” says Brett Stawar, president and CEO of the town’s tourism bureau—bring with them an intense enthusiasm. The undisputed king of the craniacs is George Archibald, the 78-year-old cofounder of the International Crane Foundation. Archibald was a leader in

A birder at Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, in Port Aransas, on December 14, 2024; birders in Port Aransas; a sign at the preserve.

BAY AREA EDITION

January 18-February 14

Give your loved one the ultimate symbol of endless love… a hissing cockroach.

Stop by the Museum Store to visit our Valentine's Roach Motel!

Endless Love supports conservation efforts of the Cockrell Butterfly Center

Purchase and dedicate a cockroach at hmns.org/endlesslove

TEXAS MONTHLY FEBRUARY 2025

MADE IN TEXAS

All Loud on the Western Wear Front With its bold colors and modern designs, the Kennimer label is drawing the attention of pop stars and New York Fashion Week.

Meanwhile, In Texas OUT THERE

BY TAYLOR PREWITT

A video of a horse riding in the back seat of a pickup truck in Fort Worth went viral on social media, with one viewer commenting “living in fort worth this normal to me at this point.” A woman in Dallas booked a rental car for one day, then drove to Wash- ington State and continued to use the vehicle for 46 days , telling Spokane authorities that she didn’t return the car because she was too busy. Claiming to be a member of the U.S. Army’s Delta Force special opera- tions unit, a man from Manor de- frauded victims of more than $12 million by falsely telling them that they were at risk of violence from drug cartels and offering “protec- tion” in exchange for money. A Richardson resident was named CNN’s 2024 Hero of the Year for running a nonprofit in North Texas that helps people going into treat- ment for addiction find temporary homes for their dogs. Billionaire Tilman Fertitta became the first restaurateur in Texas to of fer A5 Wagyu bone-in ribeyes from the Kagoshima region of Japan, which he sells at one of his Houston steakhouses for $1,000 each. Researchers at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi detect- ed low levels of fentanyl and other pharmaceuticals in the blubber of dolphins swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. —Meher Yeda

while Ben, who hails from the small East Tex- as town of Latch and previously worked in graphic design, handles the hats. They jump in to help each other with tedious tasks such as adding rhinestones or handsewing when needed. “We’ve always just worked well to- gether,” Ben says, recalling early collabora- tive projects that included a hot dog–cart side hustle and a screen-printing business. They work as a team to conceive a collection’s overarching look and theme. The couple are motivated by their network of musician friends, many of whom have be- come clients. “We’re excited to show people it’s not a trend,” says Bonnie of Western style. “It’s a staple.” They’re looking forward to de- buting a few couture looks in New York. Some of the pieces, which incorporate subtle nods to the Victorian era (such as high collars and covered buttons), are so intricate that they required around seventy hours of detailed handsewing.

IN LESS THAN a decade, Ben and Bonnie Kennimer have gone from teaching them- selves hat making and clothing design to cus- tomizing looks for some of music’s biggest stars. Their eponymous Western wear label, which they founded in Houston in 2017, is fa- vored by Fort Worth songwriter and soul sing- er Leon Bridges, the Houston trio Khruang- bin, DJ and producer Diplo, and pop star Joe Jonas. One of Bonnie’s dresses, for renowned songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jenee Fleenor, is housed at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame. And this February the couple will take their creations to a New York Fashion Week runway for the first time. Now based in Bonnie’s hometown of Aus- tin, the married couple splits the work down the middle: Bonnie, who has a background in costuming and tailoring, designs the clothes,

Ben and Bonnie Kennimer.

BAY AREA EDITION

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TEXAS MONTHLY FEBRUARY 2025

An estimated 15,000 head of cattle were killed in the Panhandle fires of February 2024.

flag warnings, an alert the National Weath- er Service issues a few dozen times a year in the Panhandle when a combination of strong winds and low humidity increases the risk of extreme wildfire. Though rain had been plentiful that winter and grass was thriving, unseasonably warm February temperatures had dried it out quickly. What should have beenarancher’sblessing—bountifulfieldsfor grazing—had instead turned into something ominous: “fuel load.” Adam, a 31-year-old with a slight build, shag- gy brown hair, and bright blue eyes, has the plumb posture of a man who takes pride in his work.He’dstartedpreppingforfireseasonthe week before, securing insurance for most of the 712 cattle he owned with his wife, Aubrie, a 30-year-old with sympathetic brown eyes and strawberry blond hair. They’d decided against paying the higher premiums to cover the full herd, largely because they’d made it through the previous five seasons unburned. Adam was no stranger to fire risks. The youngest of two boys, he’d known he want- ed to be in the cattle business since he was a five-year-old playing with a toy Ford pickup that was identical to the one his dad drove around their family’s ranch in Canadian, an almost utopian hamlet of 2,300 in the rolling sand hills and caprocks northeast of Amarillo. Adam earned a degree in ranch management at Texas Tech University. That’s where he met Aubrie, the daughter of an accountant and a rodeo competitor turned professor who’d given up horses when his children were born. To read the full story, please subscribe to Texas Monthly .

WHEN THE TOWERING black plume first sprouted on the western horizon, it wasn’t much cause for alarm. The sky in the north- eastern Panhandle is near-boundless, and from his Hemphill County ranch Adam Isaacs often spottedsmokefromfiresthatwereahundred miles away. Few of them ever threatened his property. This one, he knew, had gotten started roughly seventy miles west, and though the winds were blowing his way, the flames had a lot of ground to cover before Adam would allow himself to get concerned. His land, his livestock, his loved ones—none were at risk. Not right away. But the potential was there. That Monday morning, February 26, had brought one of the 2024 fire season’s first red

FEATURE PREVIEW

Where There’s Smoke After last year’s historic Panhandle inferno, Adam and Aubrie Isaacs are among the many ranchers in the region weighing how—and whether—to carry on. BY EMILY McCULLAR

READ THIS FEATURE AND MORE IN THE FEBRUARY ISSUE TK AUDIENCE SPACE

Enjoying what you read? Subscribe to Texas Monthly for just $9 and never miss a story! Join our proud community of Texans—written by Texans, for Texans, for over 50 years.

BAY AREA EDITION

Transportation

Development

BY RACHEL LELAND & JAMES T. NORMAN

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

Retail development coming to League City A new 25-acre development featuring retail and mixed-use spaces is expected to break ground in eastern League City in the coming months. What readers need to know Alexander Grene Development is carrying out the project, which will consist of retail with three separate spaces and a warehouse component, managing partner and President A.G. Gupt said. Being set up near the Mar Bella subdivision, near the border of Kemah, Gupt said he hopes the development will oer a “classy” experience with high-quality businesses. In speaking with residents, which have included those in Mar Bella, Gupt said they are looking for entertainment, restaurants and hospitality. Looking ahead Gupt said he plans on the development to

League City approves $287K asphalt package Two asphalt restoration projects on streets in the eastern portion of League City are moving forward. What you need to know League City City Council awarded a combined $287,000 in contracts for design, bidding and construction phase services for the projects at its Jan. 14 meeting. The contract, broken up into two packages of work, will go to Houston-based engineering rm HR Green and includes: • Bern Street from Christopher Avenue to Smith Lane • Boden Street from Bern Street to Abilene Street • Austin Street from Texas Avenue to FM 270 • Clear Creek Avenue from East Walker Street to East Galveston Street

League City approves trac signal work League City City Council on Feb. 11 approved a contract for the design, bid and construction services of a new trac signal at Lawrence Road and Village Way for roughly $97,000. What you need to know The project will begin in mid-2026 and take several months to build out. It is part of the city’s multiyear plan to replace and upgrade a litany of trac signals through- out town, per city documents. The plan spans through at least scal year 2028-29 and totals more 96

Legacy subdivision to get rst homes The rst round of homes in the new Leg- acy subdivision in League City are expected to start going up in the coming months. The gist The rst set of homes to be constructed will be model homes, Hillwood Communities spokesperson Kurt Watkins said. Those lots will have concrete poured in February, allowing builders to start construction in the second quarter of this year. What else? As homes are getting set to go up, devel- opers have nished work related to setting up the subdivision, Watkins said. Under- ground utilities are now complete, and design work for landscaping along League City Parkway is going to begin soon.

518

CHRISTOPHER AVE.

BERN ST.

BODEN ST.

ABILENE ST.

CLEAR CREEK AVE.

The new development will have retail and ex warehouse space.

Kemah

Remember this? Community Impact previously reported that from scal year 2023-24 to FY 2027-28, League City will invest a total of $14 million in the asphalt project, according to city documents. The bulk of that money is for construction, while roughly $1 million is for planning and design. What’s next? The terms of the agreement with HR Green begin on Jan. 20 and will expire on July 31, 2026, according to agenda documents.

TRINITY BAY

146

518

Mara Bella

come in phases. He expects the center to be 100% occupied within three years. The project is in the permitting phase, Gupt said. Once it clears that, it should break ground in the rst or second quarter of 2025.

than $5.7 million, documents show.

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Education

Clear Creek ISD opts against asking voters for $214M bond • Reimbursement resolution for the Clear Lake High School culinary arts program expansion Remember this? Next steps for district February: Priority repairs totaling $18M continue

Clear Creek ISD will not be asking voters to consider a $214 million bond in May after trustees discussed the item at a Jan. 16 workshop session. The overview At the board of trustees’ Dec. 9 workshop, a potential $214 million bond with a $0.042 tax rate increase per $100 home valuation was discussed with the following projects: • Rebuilding Seabrook Intermediate, which was built in 1967 • Rebuilding Armand Bayou Elementary, which was built in 1974 • Rebuilding Greene Elementary, which was built in 1976 • Acquiring land on the west side of the district for a potential intermediate school • Bus replacements • Secondary school restroom safety

at Seabrook Intermediate, Greene and Armand Bayou elementaries, paid through the 2023 bond Spring: Monitor ongoing legislative session, which will determine future state funding for CCISD Summer: Establish a new planning team to look at future bond possibilities 2028: Consider potential bond for rebuilding a few schools

The discussion on the new bond comes a little more than a year after the district’s residents approved a $302 million bond in November 2023. Originally, ocials pitched a $614 million bond as part of that 2023 package but opted to place on the ballot a package that contained only essential upgrades. What they said CCISD board trustee Jonathan Cottrell said he felt it was “a good time for us to pause” on a bond. Superintendent Karen Engle said the district could reconvene in the summer once they see what comes out of the state’s legislative session. “We’ve seen this before, where we need to step back because of external factors and stop and consider,” Engle said.

SOURCE: CLEAR CREEK ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

“Right now, it’s probably not the best time to go out for a bond election. ... [This bond] will cost more than some of the larger

bonds we’ve had in the past, so I think the pause is good.” JONATHAN COTTRELL, CCISD TRUSTEE

MOODY GARDENS

Camp includes attraction experiences per day (weather dependent) ; with different program activities, ambassador animal presentations,

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY HALEY VELASCO

CCISD trustees approve over $16M in construction projects Repairs at multiple schools, a roof replacement and the video board replacement at Challenger Columbia Stadium will begin soon after Clear Creek ISD’s board of trustees approved nearly $16.2 mil- lion in construction projects at its Jan. 27 meeting. The overview A large bulk of the construction projects will be funded through the 2023 bond, according to district agenda documents. Priority repairs, including upgrading walls, repainting buildings and replacing partitions will begin “immediately” and be completed by July 31 at the following schools: • Bauerschlag • Gilmore

New health care program to launch at Clear Horizons Starting this fall, students at Clear Hori- zons Early College High School will be able to participate in Pathways to Technology Early College High School, or P-TECH, for health care. The full story P-TECH will offer industry-based certifi- cations, work-based learning with Hospital Corporation of America, or HCA, Houston Healthcare, and career technical education courses, including health science, medical terminology, and anatomy and physiology. Currently, Clear Horizons Early College High School offers early college high school options, which include multiple associate degree paths in 11th and 12th grades.

Approved construction projects

3 4

1 Priority repairs at Bauerschlag, Gilmore and Weber elementaries: $6.96M 2 Priority repairs at Falcon Pass, Goforth and Robinson elementaries: $8.08M 3 Roof replacement at Technology Learning Center: $599,500 4 Replacement of video board at Challenger Columbia Stadium: $528,203

Total: $16.2M

SOURCE: CLEAR CREEK ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

• Weber • Falcon Pass • Goforth • Robinson Officials will also replace the roof over the summer through Aug. 22 at the CCISD Technology Learning Center.

Students improving academically, assessments show A higher percentage of students are perform- ing above benchmark standards compared to the beginning of the school year, according to mid-year standards reviewed by Clear Creek ISD officials on Jan. 13. The gist as being more useful for measuring a student’s educational experience, according to district documents.

High priority learning standards scores

Beginning of year, pre-teach

First time taught

Score after re-teach

Each student took a pre-learning assessment to measure their proficiency in various standards, which could revolve around literacy, writing, math or social studies, among other topics, according to district documents.

District officials shared results from high prior- ity learning standards, which officials described

Elementary math

Intermediate math

High School math

SOURCE: CLEAR CREEK ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

BAY AREA EDITION

More than a ballpark From the cover

The ballpark’s impact Ballpark attendance

The background

What you need to know

Built by the city as an economic development project in 2005 for around $22.7 million, the ballpark is 35 acres and offers six fields with an indoor pavil- ion, restaurants and bars, among other amenities, according to League City’s website. It is the ballpark’s amenities that prompted Angel Romero, a Spring resident and Texas Youth World Baseball Classic’s organizer, to move the tourna- ment to League City, he said. “My kids are always asking when we’re playing at [the ballpark],” Romero said. However, officials hope baseball isn’t all the facility can offer. Lauren Siple, business develop- ment manager for the Ballpark at League City, said her goal is to have the facility host different types of events, such as corporate business parties, wedding receptions and birthday parties. Those future events can help bring in more people and revenue, both of which increased from from fiscal year 2022-23 to FY 2023-24, data shows. Officials expect that trend to continue.

200,000

The city has always owned the venue but previously contracted out different management companies to run it in return for a portion of the revenue generated, officials with the ballpark and city said. However, the city opted in February 2024 to take over management of the venue after having issues with two previous companies, among which included late rent payments. City officials then upgraded the venue with new digital scoreboards and renovated one of the venue’s two restaurant floors, among other changes, Ballpark Assistant General Manager Angelo Chiarello said. The upgrades are part of the plan to bring in more business, such as the youth tournament Texas Youth World Baseball Classic. The event, scheduled from March 13-16, could boost the city’s profile and bring in more tourism, officials said.

153,000

140,000

2024

2023

2025*

Ballpark revenue

$5.51M

$4.13M

$3.3M

FY 2024-25*

FY 2022-23

FY 2023-24

*PROJECTED

SOURCE: LEAGUE CITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Ballpark history

2005

Ballpark is built for around $22.7M using city funds; city enters agreement with Big League Dreams USA January: City Council terminates agreement due to deteriorating conditions Fall: City enters agreement with TC Sports Group LLC, which will

Breaking down the tournament

2021

Also of note

2022

Romero said the tournament will consist of youth baseball players from all around the world competing for their respective countries. Last year, which was the tournament’s inau- gural year, saw 29 teams compete in Spring. That number is close to doubling this year, he said. “We have kids from France, three teams from Mexico, two from Puerto Rico,” Romero said. “The success has been how big it’s grown. And … League City has given us their full support.”

$12M in projected tourism spending for League City

55+ teams competing from 12+ countries

2023

invest $2M into facility* March: Ballpark reopens February: City terminates agreement and takes over management of ballpark

2024

Ages 8-14 allowed to compete

23K visitors at 2024 tournament in Spring

2025

*CITY COULD NOT CONFIRM IF TC SPORTS DID SPEND $2M ON FACILITY

SOURCE: LEAGUE CITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCES: LEAGUE CITY, TEXAS YOUTH WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

The breakdown

The outlook

Romero said he expects to continue to work with League City on future tournaments. In addition to continuing to host the TYWBC in the years to come, he wants to bring a softball tournament and possibly a tournament for high school players. League City Mayor Nick Long said he feels this tournament and others are what the short- term future of the facility could look like. However, in the years ahead, he said the city will have to decide whether to continue to run the venue, find another operator or repurpose it to help boost park offerings. While Long said he’s willing to do any of those options, finding another operator was the one he said “doesn’t appeal to me much” given the past track record. “I’ve definitely been pleased with the way city staff … has handled [the venue],” Long said. The city will also continue to talk about boosting the facility further. Ideas such as sponsorships and naming rights are ways the ballpark can continue to both build its brand and bring in money, Siple said.

Those short-term rentals are key to the city’s plans, as across its five hotels, there are about 500 beds in League City for visitors—a number Polk said likely will not be enough for everyone traveling in for the tournament. Those visitors will not only generate more HOT funds but spend within the city as well, increas- ing the amount spent that comes directly from those visiting the city, Polk said. In total, officials anticipate those coming in for the tournament to spend roughly $12 million.

League City has seen increases in spending from tourism and its hotel occupancy tax funds dating back to last year. HOT funds, which Con- vention and Visitors’ Bureau Manager Stephanie Polk said are a key measurement for tourism, stem from taxes collected by hotel owners. The city’s HOT funds saw a jump from last year due to better tracking of short-term rentals from companies such as Vrbo and Airbnb, Polk said. The change brought it an amount equivalent to a new hotel coming to town.

League City HOT funds

League City has seen a steady increase in its HOT funds over the years, with the exception of 2020, which was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

$1.1M

$889K

$790K

$650K

$609K

$403K

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

SOURCE: LEAGUE CITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Total direct travel spending in League City

The total amount of money spent in League City from people traveling has more than doubled since 2007.

$137M

$115.4M

$104.9M $107.8M

$83.8M

$71.8M $78.6M

$67.4M $62.7M

Ocials hope to see more tournaments and events at the venue, but the ballpark’s future is unclear.

2007

2009

2011

2013

2015

2017

2019

2021

2023

JAMES T. NORMAN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

NOTE: 2024 DATA IS NOT YET AVAILABLE

SOURCES: DEAN RUNYAN ASSOCIATES, LEAGUE CITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

6640 South Shore Blvd., Suite 100 League City, TX 77573 713.852.6700 TexasBayCU.org

BAY AREA EDITION

Events

BY JOVANNA AGUILAR

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo returns Since 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has promoted agriculture by hosting an annual rodeo. What to expect Held from March 4-23, the HLSR will be show- casing a livestock show, a horse show, auctions, a carnival and carnival food. Attendees can purchase single-day carnival admission, season tickets or performance tickets. Carnival admission is included with the purchase of an NRG Park admission ticket or a rodeo and concert ticket, per the website. Concert attendees can select from 20 performances. Grounds tickets are $21 online and include admission to NRG Park but do not allow entrance into NRG Stadium for the rodeo and concert performances. Carnival admission is included with the purchase of a grounds ticket.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo features concerts, carnival rides, horse show competitions and more.

PHOTOS COURTESY HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO

Dates to know Feb. 27-March 1: The 2025 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest features over 250 teams. Feb. 28: On Go Texan Day, the Houston community is invited to celebrate Western heritage to raise awareness of rodeo season. March 1: The Rodeo Run precedes the Downtown Rodeo Parade and kicks o with a wheelchair race, followed by a 5K and 10K.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s carnival ride tickets are sold separately at the rodeo grounds.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Events

BY ASIA ARMOUR

February

Bags & Bottles Bingo This annual fundraiser for youth nonprofit Galveston County Buyers Club features ten games and raffle items at the Webster Civic Center. • Feb. 26, 6-9 p.m. • $80 (ticket) • 311 Pennsylvania St., Webster • www.gcbuyersgroup.org Taste of Creek This event by the Clear Creek High School Wildcat band takes place at the high school's Carlisle Gym and features more than 25 restaurants and local vendors. • Feb. 27, 6-8 p.m.

• $15-$20; free (children under 5) • 2305 E. Main St., League City • www.clearcreekband.com

Music in the Historic District The League City Folk Association and League City Historic Society will spotlight musician Britney Doyal in the next installment of their concert series at League Park.

Gulf Coast Cinderella Prelim Pageant The International Cinderella Scholarship Program stops at the Bay Area Arts Conservatory for a preliminary event as part of its international pageant. The Cinderella pageant invites girls from infant up to high school ages to compete for cash

and college scholarships. • March 9, 9 a.m. • $40-$125 • 400 Hobbs Road, Ste. 202, League City • www.texascinderellapageant.com

• Feb. 28, 7-10 p.m. • Free (admission) • 512 Second St., League City • Facebook: League City Folk Association

• 2500 S. Shore Blvd., League City • Facebook: Pasadena Mistletoe Market

“Shrek” character at this trivia night at Little Woodrow’s in Webster. The event invites 1-8 person teams to compete for first, second and third.

March

Porsche Car Show Attendees can see a number of cars. Those interested in attending must register on Kemah Boardwalk’s website. • March 1, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. • Free (admission) • 405 Second St., Kemah • www.kemahboardwalk.com/porsche-car-show Spring Boutique Crawl The South Shore Harbour Hotel & Resort hosts this boutique crawl for fashion enthusiasts. • March 1, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. • $5 (entry); free (teachers, military, first responders and children)

• March 11, 7 p.m. • Free (admission) • 20251 Gulf Freeway, Ste. H, Webster • www.littlewoodrows.com/locations/webster

Sunset Bazaar on 2nd This pet- and family-friendly monthly night market at League Park features products from over 65 small businesses in the area. It offers live music, a food court, art, baked goods, macrame, crochet, permanent and handmade jewelry and glassworks.

Gotta Find Them All! This after-school event at Helen Hall Library in League City will have school-aged kids design their own Pokemon balls and see how many Pokemon they can find. • March 13, 4:30-5:30 p.m. • Free (admission) • 100 W. Walker St., League City • www.leaguecitylibrary.org

• March 8, 5-9 p.m. • Free (admission)

• 198 Railroad Ave., League City • Facebook: Sunset Bazaar on 2nd

Shrek Trivia Attendees are encouraged to dress up like their favorite

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BAY AREA EDITION

State

BY EMILY LINCKE, JESSICA SHORTEN & AUBREY VOGEL

Houston could see buried power lines following study to analyze cost

Texas coastal counties

Harris County

explore the potential: • Cost of burying existing power lines • Cost of maintaining and repairing underground power lines • Cost saving analysis with reduced outages • Technologies developed or tested by the Depart- ment of Energy Also of note Texas lawmakers are seeking to create a Texas Grid Security Commission to provide oversight into the state’s electric grid stability. According to the draft legislation for Senate Bill 75, co-authored by 17 senators, the commission would evaluate municipalities across the state.

With the 89th Texas legislative session under- way as of Jan. 14, Houston-area lawmakers have begun working on hundreds of bills they hope to pass into law. Priorities for local representatives and senators include power line durability, enhancing Texas’ electric grid and school board elections. What's happening After more than 2.2 million customers lost power during Hurricane Beryl, Texas lawmakers are requesting a study through House Bill 842 on the cost and feasibility of burying power lines in the Gulf Coast region. The bill, filed by Rep. Suleman Lalani, D-Sugar Land, calls for the study to include all areas in the state within 150 miles of the Gulf of Mexico, according to the draft legislation. The study would

GULF OF MEXICO

SOURCE: MAPS OF THE WORLD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Stay tuned Lawmakers across the state have been filing bills for the 89th session since Nov. 12 with a filing deadline of March 14. The session is scheduled to end June 2, barring no special sessions being called.

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