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BAY AREA EDITION
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 7 FEB. 23 MARCH 24, 2022
ONLINE AT
BayArea leaders focus on local ood projects
IMPACTS
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BY SIERRA ROZEN & KELLY SCHAFLER
A BILLION DOLLAR PROJECT The Coastal Texas Study has been in the works since 2007 and is estimated to cost $29 billion—one of the most expensive ood-control projects in the U.S.
Numerous ood protection projects will move forward in the Bay Area this year, including a multibillion-dollar regional coastal project as well as sev- eral projects in League City. The Gulf Coast Protection District, an entity aimed to leverage funding for ood control projects, was created by the Texas Legislature last summer. Now, o cials are considering how the district can help fund ood mitigation projects along the Texas coast. Additionally, the Army Corps of Engineers is awaiting approval for funding from Congress on a $29 bil- lion proposal that aims to reduce ood damage along the coast. The plan pro- poses things such as ood walls, levees, enclosures and dune nourishments, said Michael Braden, chief of the mega project divisions for the Army Corps.
is the estimated cost for the projects. $29B years is the expected time of design and construction. 15-20 is when the Army Corps of Engineers began work on the Coastal Texas Study. 2007 -of-its-kind project that will serves as a blueprint for other projects 1st
NEXT STEPS The study was nalized in September. Here are the next steps.
The Corps expects Congress to approve the project as early as fall 2022. The predesign process could take 2 to 2 1/2 years and will have to be approved by the Corps. Along with design, construction could take between 15-20 years and would be completed by a variety of construction companies.
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HEALTH CARE PRIMARY ELECTION GUIDE 2022 VOTER GUIDE
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SOURCES: U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, GALVESTON COUNTY PROTECTION DISTRICT COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
CONTINUED ON 23
Local agencies are working together to improve Harris County’s criminal justice system—a system experts said is overwhelmed with a backlog of cases and discriminates against low-income residents and people of color. Harris County Commissioners Court created the Justice Administration Department in 2019 to identify solutions and facilitate meaningful changes to the system. “We’re looking at addressing the necessary systemic changes that need to happen [based on] data [and] best CONTINUED ON 24 Stakeholders use data to address Harris County’s criminal justice systemchallenges, case backlog BY DANICA LLOYD
“PEOPLE GET LOST IN THE SYSTEM, AND IF WE’RE ABLE TO LOOK AT THOSE TRENDS AND IDENTIFY WHERE THOSE GAPS ARE AND ADDRESS THEM, I THINKWE WOULD BE MUCH BETTER OFF.” STEPHANIE TRUONG, PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF BEACON LAW
BUSINESS FEATURE
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DINING FEATURE
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BAY AREA EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022
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THIS ISSUE
ABOUT US
Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched the rst edition of Community Impact Newspaper in 2005 with three full-time employees covering Round Rock and P ugerville, Texas. We have expanded our operations to include hundreds of employees, our own printing operation and over 30 hyperlocal editions across three states. Our circulation is over 2 million residential mailboxes, and it grows each month with new residents and developments.
HIGHLIGHTS FROMTHISMONTH
FROMPAPAR: We at Community Impact Newspaper strive to bring you the local news that really matters each month covering your cities, schools and county. This month we focus on the criminal justice reform in Harris County and how that will impact our Clear Lake residents. Papar Faircloth, GENERALMANAGER
Community Impact Newspaper teams include general managers, editors, reporters, graphic designers, sales account executives and sales support, all immersed and invested in the communities they serve. Our mission is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our core values are Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.
FROM JAKE: I’m back! From mid-November to early February I was on leave to enjoy time with my new family, but I’m happy to get back to reporting about the things you need to know. See you in the Bay Area! Jake Magee, EDITOR
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CORRECTION: Volume 4, Issue 6 On Page 21 in the Park Facilities graphic, the 2040 goals in acreage shown on the total bar chart is incorrect. The correct total goal for 2040 is 2,154 acres of park space.
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BAY AREA EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
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treatment plant that is less than 5 feet above sea level within 1/10 of a mile from Galveston Bay to a more inland location 15 feet above sea level and out of the ood plain, Seabrook o cials said. 281-291-5600. www.seabrooktx.gov ANNIVERSARIES 8 The Toasted Yolk celebrated its one- year anniversary Dec. 28 for its League City location. Located at 2535 S. Gulf Freeway, the breakfast and lunch restaurant has a variety of eggs, pancakes, sandwiches, salads and soups available as well as an extensive drink menu. It also has restau- rants in the Heights, Bellaire, Sugar Land 9 On Feb. 19, League City held a celebra- tion for Helen Hall Library , 100 W. Walker St., League City, which turned 50 years old Feb. 14. The event included snacks; live music from a DJ and guitarist; police, re and EMS vehicles; balloon animals; face painting; a bounce house; games; food; and more. The party was sponsored by the Friends of Helen Hall Library. Addition- ally, on Jan. 31, League City announced Helen Hall Library earned the 2021 Achievement of Excellence in Libraries Award. Of the 565 public library systems in Texas, Helen Hall is one of 59 that earned this award in 2021. 281-554-1111. www.leaguecitytx.gov/3146/ helen-hall-library and Houston. 281-729-1053. www.thetoastedyolk.com
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NOWOPEN 1 Gelatissimo opened in late January at the Baybrook Mall, 500 Baybrook Mall Drive, Friendswood, near Star Cin- ema Grill. This shop o ers more than 30 avors of gelato and also sells shakes. 281-982-1201. www.facebook.com/ gelatissimobaybrookmall 2 Crystals & More had its grand opening in January. The store is located at 1701 Hwy. 3, League City. The store sells jewelry, an array of crystals, sage, metaphysical cleansing supplies, elixirs and candles. It also o ers services such as energy cleansing sessions, life and spiritual coaching sessions, and house clearings and blessings. 281-684-3168. www.thehealthut.com/ crystals-more-store
COMING SOON 3 Fogo de Chao is expected to open a new restaurant inside Baybrook Mall this year with construction starting in March. Located at 500 Baybrook Mall, Ste. G100, Friendswood, the Brazilian steakhouse will sell various meats and sh. The chain also has restaurants in Houston and The Woodlands. www.fogodechao.com 4 Baybrook Mall is expected to have a Earthbound Trading Co. store open within the mall this year. The clothing store will be located at 500 Baybrook Mall, Ste. 1366, Friendswood. It will sell clothing for men and women, crystals, home decor, essential oils and candles. www.earthboundtrading.com 5 McIntyre’s will be opening a Webster location in mid-2022. It will be located at 806 E. NASA Parkway, Webster. The
restaurant will have indoor and outdoor seating and have multiple televisions to watch games on. It will also have a full
cocktail and food menu. www.mcintyresusa.com
6 Wild HeArt Art is expected to open in March and will be a part of Art & Soul Counseling, located at 1701 Hwy. 3, League City. The classes will be led by Rachael Maly, who will facilitate 2D art groups focused on painting, drawing and collage/mixed media. There are di erent group options for participants to choose from. 832-947-3267. www.artansoulcounseling.com 7 Seabrook broke ground on the Pine GullyWastewater Treatment Plant in De- cember. Located next to the Public Works Complex at 1100 Red Blu Road, Seabrook, the project is expected to nish by spring 2024. It involves relocating a wastewater
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
COMPILED BY JAKE MAGEE & SIERRA ROZEN
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New tenants located in the East eld at Baybrook development will open in 2022.
RENDERING COURTESY REGENCY CENTERS
FEATURED IMPACT COMING SOON Construction on a new Houston development entitled East eld at Baybrook will continue this year, with new tenants opening in 2022. Located at I-45 and El Dorado Boulevard, the development is close to multiple major landmarks in the area, such as Baybrook Mall, HCA Med Center, the Johnson Space Center and Kemah Boardwalk, according to the o cial website for the project. The space will cater to the cities of Friendswood, Clear Lake, Webster and Heritage Park. The project is anchored by an H-E-B shopping center that opened on Dec. 29, according to Regency Centers, the real estate investment company behind the development. The H-E-B shopping center takes up 105,260 square feet, according to construction documents, with the other stores taking up 29,650 square feet. Construction on the rest of the center is expected to start in the second quarter of this year and be completed in the fourth quarter, said Eric Davidson, senior manager of communications for Regency Centers.
Crystals &More
Wild HeArt Art
Other tenants con rmed for the development include hot chicken restaurant Dave’s Hot Chicken, liquor store Twin Liquors, bistro-style restaurant Cafe Express, nail salon Nails of America and pizza restaurant Parry’s Pizzeria & Taphouse. Davidson said the businesses are expected to open in the rst quarter of 2023 if the build-outs go smoothly. The development is 80% leased, leaving room for the company to select the remaining tenants that will bene t the area the most, according to Davidson. “It also helps ensure that we are bringing a destination that will meet the everyday needs as well as the lifestyle interests of the surrounding community,” Davidson said via email. 713-599-3500. www.regencycenters.com
COURTESY CRYSTALS & MORE
COURTESY WILD HEART ART
10 Bay AreaMeals onWheels will celebrate its 40th anniversary March 1. Meals on Wheels is an organization that provides meals to home-bound people of any age. The organization is volunteer based and has no paid employees. It is located at 14045 Space Center Blvd., Houston. 281-326-3336. www.bayareamealsonwheels.com NAME CHANGES 11 On Feb. 7, South Shore Medical Center, 201 Enterprise Ave., Ste. 900, League City, o cially was renamed to Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – South Shore . The center will be fully integrated into Kelsey-Seybold’s multispecialty health care system. The facility will o er 24/7 appointment scheduling every day of the year, access to personal health information and the ability to commu- nicate securely online with doctors, virtual visits each day of the year and other amenities. 713-442-0000. www.kelsey-seybold.com RENOVATIONS 12 The Twisted Parrot Bar & Grill is undergoing renovations and is expected to reopen in March or April. Located at 625 Hwy. 146, Kemah, the bar and grill sells a variety of specialty cocktails, along with appetizers, salads, sandwich- es and desserts. It also o ers a happy
hour. 713-855-2403. www.facebook.com/twistedparrot CLOSINGS 13 Zoës Kitchen , which has several locations in the Greater Houston area, will close its location at 1501 Bay Area Blvd., Webster, on March 16. The restaurant chain began in Alabama, is headquartered in Pla- no and includes more than 250 locations. It serves modern Mediterranean cuisine. Zoës Kitchen’s Pearland location also closed Feb. 16. www.zoeskitchen.com 14 After being open only since the summer, the Webster location of Texas Pit Stop BBQ has closed its doors as of December due to the COVID-19 pandem- ic. It was located at 20794 Gulf Free- way, Webster. The restaurant has other locations that are open in Galveston; La Marque; and, most recently, Texas City. www.txpitstopbbq.com 15 Elefante CBD has closed its store at 20710 Gulf Freeway, Ste. 46, Webster, as of December. The store sold CBD edibles, CBD drinks, vape cartridges, hemp owers, CBD tinctures and salt lamps. Customers can still buy products from the website but must be over age 21. www.elefantecbd.com 16 Country restaurant Kelley’s , located at 1502 W. Main St., League City, is closed after being completely destroyed by a re Feb. 14. The cause of the re is still under
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investigation, but reports indicate work was being done to the roof over the last few days and shortly before the re began. Kelley’s has locations around the Bay Area,
including in Pearland and Pasadena, and was started by a Houston Police Depart- ment retiree in 1983. www.kelleysrestaurant.com
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BAY AREA EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
TRANSPORTATIONUPDATES TxDOT commissioner optimistic about I 45 agreements
COMPLETED PROJECTS
ERVIN AVE.
BY SHAWN ARRAJJ & JISHNU NAIR
of Workforce Solutions data from February 2020, 87% of League City’s employed residents work outside the city. Of those, about 65%—about 26,000 residents—commute to the north and northwest to destinations
a Dec. 16 Civil Rights Act complaint against the project, alleging inten- tional racial discrimination and that TxDOT violated procedures in moving forward with the project. Ryan did not comment on the Dec. 16 suit. The I-45 project has the potential to a ect Bay Area residents. Accord- ing to Gulf Coast Workforce Board
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Laura Ryan, Texas Department of Transportation transportation commissioner, said the agency was con dent agreements could be reached with Harris County and the Federal Highway Administration over the controversial I-45 widening proj- ect. Ryan spoke at the North Houston Association’s luncheon Jan. 31. Known as the North Houston Highway Improvement Project, the project aims to expand and reroute portions of I-45 between Beltway 8 and downtown Houston. However, the $7.9 billion project is on pause amid an ongoing Federal Highway Admin- istration investigation into civil rights complaints related to the project. At the NHA luncheon, Ryan said the FHA was open to a “voluntary resolution agreement.” The agreement would allow some design modi ca- tions, but the project’s purpose would not change. Ryan did not clarify which design aspects would be modi ed. Additionally, advocacy groups led
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such as downtown Houston. Jake Magee contributed to this report.
Calder Road south reconstruction League City nished reconstructing the southern portion of Calder Road be- tween Ervin Avenue and Cross Colony Drive in December. The project wid- ened the road from two to three lanes with a center turn lane, installed water and sewer lines, repaved the existing road and added a sidewalk on the east side of Calder. League City completed a $10.28 million project in June 2018 that widened Calder between League City Parkway and Ervin. Timeline: February 2020-
PASSING THROUGH Proposals for rerouting I-45 involve expanding and rerouting parts of the highway.
EXPAND NEW I 45 NORTH TO BELTWAY
EAST END
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UNDERGROUND HIGHWAY WITH PARK
New I-45 path
FIRST WARD
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ELIMINATE PIERCE ELEVATED
December 2021 Cost: $7.7 million Funding source: League City 2019 bond
RAMPS DISPERSE INTO DOWNTOWN
Old I-45 path
MIDTOWN
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF FEB. 4. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT BAYNEWS COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.
SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
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BAY AREA EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022
EDUCATION Clear Creek ISDgives update on personalized learning
The official program kicked off in September 2021. District officials completed learn- ing walks in October, which helped them collect data about personalized learning from observations and interviews. This helped inform rec- ommendations for the next phase of the project, according to the presen- tation. During the first learning walk, they interviewed 107 stakeholders, including 49 students, 49 teachers and nine school leaders. The district is planning on having two more strategy sessions during the remainder of the 2021-22 school year after already having two prior ones. These sessions will help pro- vide further direction from district leaders when it comes to personal- ized learning. Officials will also have two more learning walks before the semester ends. In the spring, the district will also host a second coaches academy ses- sion. During the first session, which occurred in December, leaders were able to take a deep dive into per- sonalized learning and were able to plan for the next steps in the project,
LEARNINGWALKS In October, Clear Creek ISD conducted learning walks and interviewed stakeholders on how to advance personalized learning. Stakeholders the district interviewed Students Teachers School leaders
BY SIERRA ROZEN
focusing on include reflection and goal setting, flexible path and pace, collaboration and creativity, and targeted instruction, according to the presentation. Before COVID-19, the district was focused on certain aspects of personalized learning, such as goal setting for students; having flexible content; and using adaptive learning tools, such as DreamBox, a math program designed to adapt to both elementary students’ answers and problem-solving approach, as previously reported by Community Impact Newspaper . During the first wave, the approach was implemented at a total of 10 schools, including Armand Bayou Elementary, Hyde Elementary, North Pointe Elementary, Parr Elementary, Ross Elementary, Weber Elementary and Wedgewood Elementary schools. Elementary, Bay Elementary, Ferguson Elementary, Gilmore
After almost eight years of planning and implementing personalized learning, Clear Creek ISD is looking toward being able to analyze results of it. According to a presentation given at the Jan. 10 CCISD board workshop meeting, personalized learning is “active and ongoing” and defined as “a student-centered approach to learning that calls on educators to be responsive to the needs of their students.” “I’m very impressed by this,” board trustee Michelle Davis said. “I know with COVID[-19] and everything it has done to everyone’s lives, it’s got to have just magnified the different levels where kids are because of learning. I love the fact that you can sit at the desk with the ones who need the intimate one-on-one attention.” The four core values the district is
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SOURCE: CLEAR CREEK ISD/ COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
according to the presentation. In March and May, the district will be evaluating the effectiveness of personalized learning through the data it has collected.
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
HEALTH CARE ShrinersChildren’sTexas toexpandayear afterHouston-to-Galveston relocation
BY SIERRA ROZEN
said John McCabe, executive vice president for Shriners Hospitals for Children, in a statement. “Operating on the same campus will position us well to achieve our strategic goals for the future.” The hospital plans to construct a $25.5 million patient housing facility and parking garage at the Galveston location for patients and sta , according to Anderson. It is expected to break ground this spring and nish construction sometime in 2023. The housing will add 40 units and be able to accommodate more out-of-state and international residents who visit the hospital. Hospital o cials also planned for more than $40 million in renovations to the facility, which have been ongoing since summer 2020 and are expected to nish sometime in 2023. “[The] hospital has increased the number of outpatient clinics and inpatient rooms as well as its surgical areas to meet the needs of its growing patient population,” Anderson said.
Shriners Children’s Texas will undergo renovations a year after merging and relocating to Galveston. After closing down Shriners Hospitals for Children-Houston at 6977 Main St., Houston, in 2021, the hospital consolidated with Shriners Hospitals for Children-Galveston to become Shriners Children’s Texas, located at 815 Market St., Galveston. The hospital opened its doors Jan. 18, 2021, o ering burn care, ortho- pedics and physical therapy services to patients. The merger aimed to improve the hospital’s e ciency while still providing care to children with burns, cleft lips and palates, and orthopedic conditions, said Jennifer Anderson, marketing and communications director for Shriners Children’s Texas. “Our dedication to the children and their families remains the same— transforming children’s lives with exceptional health care in a patient- and family-centered environment,”
Shriners Children’s Texas will break ground on its new patient housing facility this spring.
RENDERING COURTESY SHRINERS CHILDREN’S TEXAS
W. HOLCOMBE BLVD.
N PLANNED UPGRADES With the relocation and merger of Shriners Children’s Texas, a new facility and renovations are expected this year. OLD LOCATION NEW LOCATION
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40-unit patient housing facility and parking garage for patients and sta
$40M in renovations to the facility
$25.5M budgeted for the new patient housing facility
2023 is when both projects are expected to be nished
SOURCE: SHRINERS CHILDREN’S TEXAS COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR SENATE DISTRICT 11
Out of the diverse field of four candidates who are running for the District 11 senate seat, Bob Mitchell is, by far, the most qualified. He has over 20 years of economic development leadership in the district where he has lived his entire life and knows very well. The companies, jobs, and educational opportunities that he has helped bring to District 11 have improved all of our lives. Voting for Bob is voting for the continued success of our jobs and families in SD-11.” - Mike Foreman, Mayor of Friendswood “
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© 2022 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All offerings are subject to errors, omissions, changes including price or withdrawal without notice. Equal Housing Opportunity. SOTHEBYSREALTY . COM HOUSTON BROKERAGES | 281 .333.3034
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
NEWS BRIEFS Frontier Airlines adds new routes fromHobby airport
NEW DESTINATIONS
Frontier Airlines in May will be able to take passengers nonstop from Hobby Airport to:
BY SIERRA ROZEN
SOURCE: HOUSTON AIRPORT SYSTEM COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
today’s announcement of new ights to Cancun, Las Vegas and Orlando furthers our mission to make ying more accessible and a ordable for everyone,” said Josh Flyr, vice president of network and operational design for Frontier Airlines. Service to Cancun will begin May 26 with service to Las Vegas and Orlando beginning May 27. Frontier Airlines also has service at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, servicing
CANCUN
LAS VEGAS
ORLANDO
Frontier Airlines has added three new routes for passengers at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston. The expanded partnership was announced Jan. 18 and will begin in May. Advertised as a “low-fare carrier,” the airline will provide nonstop service to Cancun, Las Vegas and Orlando. “Frontier takes low fares to heart— it’s the core of our business—and
ights to Las Vegas, Orlando, Atlanta, Denver and Philadelphia. Flights to Cancun will happen three times a week, and ights to Las Vegas and Orlando will happen four times a week, according to the press release. “Having Frontier Airlines at Hobby Airport provides tremendous
value for our community and the traveling public,” said Molly Waits, chief marketing, air service devel- opment and communications o cer for Houston Airports. Additionally, Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines announced a merger Feb. 7 that is expected in the second half of 2022.
METROaims to set the standard for sustainability BY SIERRA ROZEN
2030, according to Monica Russo, public informa- tion o cer and media specialist for METRO. The sustainability plan has been in the works and a top priority for METRO for years, according to METRO board member Christopher Hollins. “We’re still thinking through it with the team, but even prior to this being formalized in the way that it has been, METRO has been a leader in this space, whether it’s conserving water, whether it’s recycling, whether it’s conserving energy. We want to do that for our own organization,” Hollins said. METRO o cials hope to have the buses by late 2022 and roll them out soon after. Ticket prices will not change for passengers, but METRO drivers will need to learn how to drive the electric buses. The board of directors also approved carrying out a contract with Creative Bus Sales to buy 10 electric paratransit vans and chargers at the Jan. 27 meeting for $3.1 million.
SUSTAINABILITY STATS electric buses will be purchased as part of METRO’s sustainability initiative 20 2030 is the year METRO set a goal to purchase only 100% emission-free vehicles $22M will be spent on the electric bus contract SOURCE: METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER purchasing 20 electric buses at the Nov. 18 board meeting, as previously reported by Community Impact Newspaper . METRO will source the buses from Nova Bus, a roughly $22 million contract. METRO’s goal for its sustainability initiatives is to only purchase 100% zero-emission buses by
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County will be monitoring the e ects of its elec- tric vehicles in 2022 as part of its sustainability initiative. The METRO board of directors approved
Report:Monitoringairafterevents ‘unnecessary’
Houstoneconomystill experiencingsupply chain issues; employmentbeginningtogrow
BY JISHNU NAIR
commissioners during a Jan. 28 work session. TCEQ Executive Director Toby Baker said the report, which analyzed major natural disasters from 2017-21, took advantage of “once- in-history” events to study how facilities restarted following storms and res. The report analyzed 2021’s Winter Storm Uri, 2020’s Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta, and 2017’s Hurricane Harvey. Two industrial res in 2019 were also studied: The Intercontinental Terminal Co. re in Deer Park in March and the Texas Petrochemicals Group re in Port Neches in November.
A report from the Texas Com- mission on Environmental Quality found the agency’s regional deploy- ment of personnel to conduct air quality monitoring of industrial facilities following natural disasters was “unnecessary.” TCEQ’s report found out of 3.6 million monitoring data points taken following natural events, such as storms, 23 exceeded a value con- sidered healthy. However, industri- al-based events reported out of 1.5 million data points taken from two res, 215 exceeded healthy values. The report was presented to
BY SIERRA ROZEN
In a survey sent out to busi- nesses experiencing supply chain disruptions, a majority said they expected it to be at least a year before their supply chains normal- ized. Tracy attributed this change to when a businesses closed down at the beginning of the pandemic to try to not overwhelm hospitals. Tracy also mentioned the labor market is recovering, but it is still not back to 2019 levels. With Houston being an energy metro, it is one of the cities that is still recovering its lost jobs, Tracy said.
Despite Texas employment growing faster than United States employment, business owners are still wary of long supply chains, according to Joe Tracy, executive vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Tracy presented his ndings at the annual Greater Houston Builders Association economic forecast luncheon Feb. 1. He noted Houston economically outper- formed the country in 2021 and will likely do so in 2022 as well.
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BAY AREA EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022
CITY& COUNTY
News from League City & Harris County
QUOTEOFNOTE “I THINK FOR THE CITIZENS OF LEAGUE CITY, IT’S NOT A BENEFIT FOR THEM.” LARRY MILLICAN, LEAGUE CITY CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, ON THE CITY ACQUIRING LOBIT PARK FROM GALVESTON COUNTY NUMBER TOKNOW revitalize Main Street in League City between Hwy. 3 and Iowa Avenue. $6.25M MEETING HIGHLIGHTS LEAGUE CITY On Jan. 11, League City City Council unanimously voted to nix the $1.5 million project to extend Walker Street from the city’s $75 million mobility bond program, which was approved by voters in 2019. The proposed project included constructing a two-lane extension of Walker and adding sidewalks between Texas Avenue east to FM 270 to ease congestion on FM 518. Dozens of League City residents voiced their opposition to the project, citing neighborhood noise levels, increased tra c and the safety of existing homes as reasons to not extend the street. HARRIS COUNTY In a split vote, Harris County Commissioners Court approved a $1.3 billion budget for the next seven months as well as a preliminary $2.15 billion budget for the following 12 months at the Feb. 8 meeting. About 64% of each budget is dedicated to justice and safety e orts. County Judge Lina Hidalgo said these investments will provide 400 vehicles for sheri s and constables, salary increases and overtime pay for the district attorney’s o ce, constable pay increases, additional detention o cers at the jail and more. This new budget builds on League City City Council will meet at 6 p.m. March 8 and 22 at League City Council Chambers, 200 W. Walker St., League City. Meetings are streamed at www.facebook.com/ leaguecitytexas. Harris County Commissioners Court will meet at 10 a.m. March 8 and 22 at 1001 Preston St., Ste. 934, Houston. Meetings are streamed MEETINGSWE COVER commissioners’ ongoing e orts to reduce crime and support law enforcement agencies, Hidalgo said at a Feb. 7 press conference. is the estimated cost to
League City pauses revitalizationproject
PAUSED PROJECT The plan to revitalize Main Street between Hwy. 3 and Iowa Avenue has been postponed.
MICHIGAN AVE.
BY KELLY SCHAFLER
3
LEAGUE CITY The city will pause portions of its down- town revitalization program and instead focus on attracting commercial businesses and possibly selling a city property. Two of the three components of the plan have been com- pleted as the city reconstructed Park Avenue and upgraded League Park. At a Jan. 11 City Council workshop meeting, council directed city sta to postpone the last component, which focuses on revitalizing Main Street between Hwy. 3 and Iowa Avenue. The project would install brick-paved pedestrian cross- ings; improve the streetscape with widened sidewalks, additional trees and enhanced lighting; and relocate overhead power lines underground between Hwy. 3 and Michigan Avenue. Relocating the Main Street power lines was estimated to cost almost $1.9 million. In total, basic improvements on Main Street would cost
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SOURCE: CITY OF LEAGUE CITY COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
$6.25 million, said Angie Steelman, budget and project management director. However, at the Jan. 11 meeting several council members said the city should rst focus on other aspects of revital- ization, including attracting more commercial businesses to Main Street and selling underutilized properties the city owns before focusing on Main Street improvements. Mayor Pro TemNick Long said he would like to see the city’s “blue building” at 144 Park Ave. be redeveloped before the city invests in relocating power lines.
League City forms reviewcommittee to oversee upkeep of Big LeagueDreams
BIG LEAGUE DREAMS PKWY.
BY KELLY SCHAFLER
45
disrepair in the future. Big League Dreams closed in January 2021 after the previous operator, Big League Dreams, failed to maintain the prop- erty, Long said. “We need to make sure that we cannot allow one of the most expen- sive public facilities that doesn’t really t our core mission to not really be monitored closely,” he said. Located at Calder Road and Big League Dreams Parkway, Big League Dreams allowed residents and visitors
646
LEAGUE CITY A new committee aims to help League City maintain Big League Dreams, the city-owned sports facility that closed a year ago. League City City Council approved the creation of the Big League Dreams Review Committee at the Jan. 25 council meeting. Mayor Pro TemNick Long said the committee was proposed to act as the “eyes and ears” of the council and ensure the facility does not fall into
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JAKE MAGEE COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
to play baseball in stadiums mimicking professional elds. Big League Dreams will still be the operator of the park, but the company is now under the ownership of TC Sports Group. Under the new operator, the park has undergone roughly $2 million in upgrades, and the company is preparing to reopen the facility early this year.
League City to own Lobit Park
acquisition is in line with the city’s master parks plan, which seeks to add more city-owned parkland to League City. However, Council Member Larry Millican voted against the agreement. It will cost League City more than it is worth to get the park improvements the city and residents want, he said. “I think [for] the citizens of League City, it’s not a bene t for them,” he said. Mayor Pro TemNick Long said the cost to get Lobit Park renovated will be one-eighth of the cost of Bay Colony Park, a new park that will add baseball elds to the city’s west side. Lobit Park includes baseball, soccer and other sports elds the city needs, Long said. “I think the park will be a great addition,” he said. City Council approved the item 6-2 with Millican and Mayor Pat Hallisey opposed.
BY JAKE MAGEE
LEAGUE CITY Under an interlocal agreement League City City Council approved Feb. 8, League City will soon own Lobit Park. Until now, Lobit Park—which is 27.5 acres near the southwest quadrant of the intersection of FM 646 and
Dickinson Avenue— had been owned by Galveston County. director of commu- nications and media relations, said the
96
Sarah Greer Osborne,
S. EGRET BAY BLVD.
646
at www.harriscountytx.gov/ government/court-agenda/ court-videos.
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
COMPILED BY KELLY SCHAFLER 2022 P R I M A R Y E L E C T I O N G U I D E GUIDE Candidates and information for the March primaries
D A T E S T O K N O W Feb. 14 First day of early voting
W H E R E T O V O T E
March 1 Primary election day March 1 Last day to receive ballot by mail (or March 3 if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at location of election)
Registered voters in Galveston and Harris counties can vote at any polling center during early voting and on election day.
Feb. 18 Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) Feb. 25 Last day of early voting
SOURCES: TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE, HARRIS COUNTY, GALVESTON COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
S A M P L E B A L L O T
R Republican
D Democrat
*Incumbent
Voters can vote in the Republican or Democratic primary, but not both. Only candidates in contested primary elections are listed below.
R Eva Guzman D S. “T-Bone” Raynor
D Susan Hays D Ed Ireson Railroad commissioner
R Bob Mitchell Galveston County Precinct 4 commissioner R Matt Robinson R Ken Clark* Harris County judge R H.Q. Bolanos R George Harry Zoes R Alexandra del Moral Mealer R Vidal Martinez R Robert Dorris R Randy Kubosh R Martina Lemond Dixon R Oscar Gonzales R Warren A. Howell D Georgia D. Provost D Erica Davis D Maria Garcia D Ahmad R. “Robbeto” Hassan D Lina Hidalgo* D Kevin Howard Harris County Precinct 2 commissioner
STATEWIDE
D Lee Merritt D Mike Fields D Joe Jaworski D Rochelle Mercedes Garza Comptroller of public accounts R Mark V. Goloby R Glenn Hegar* D Janet T. Dudding D Tim Mahoney D Angel Luis Vega Commissioner of the General Land O ce
Governor R Paul Belew R Danny Harrison R Rick Perry** R Allen B. West R Greg Abbott* R Don Hu nes R Kandy Kaye Horn R Chad Prather
R Dawayne Tipton R Tom Slocum Jr. R Wayne Christian* R Marvin “Sarge” Summers † R Sarah Stogner Supreme Court justice, Place 9 R David J. Schenck R Evan Young* Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 5
D Rich Wakeland D Beto O’Rourke D Joy Diaz D Inocencio (Inno) Barrientez D Michael Cooper Lieutenant governor R Todd M. Bullis
R Scott Walker* R Clint Morgan LOCAL U.S. House of Representatives, District 14 R Randy Weber* R Keith Casey R Ruben Landon Dante
R Rufus Lopez R Victor Avila R Tim Westley R Don W. Minton R Ben Armenta R Weston Martinez R Jon Spiers R Dawn Buckingham D Jinny Suh D Michael Lange D Sandragrace Martinez D Jay Kleberg Commissioner of agriculture R Sid Miller* R James White R Carey A. Counsil
R Dan Patrick* R Daniel Miller R Zach Vance
R Aaron Sorrells R Trayce Bradford D Michelle Beckley D Carla Brailey D Mike Collier Attorney general R Ken Paxton* R Louie Gohmert R George P. Bush
R Jack Morman R Richard Vega R Daniel N. Jason R Jerry Mouton R John Manlove D George Risner D Gary Harrison D Adrian Garcia*
D Eugene Howard D Mikal Williams Texas Senate, District 11 R Bianca Gracia R Mayes Middleton R Robin Armstrong
** CANDIDATE IS NOT FORMER GOV. RICK PERRY † MARVIN "SARGE" SUMMER DIED FEB. 8; HOWEVER, HIS NAME WILL STILL APPEAR ON THE BALLOT.
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BAY AREA EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022
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