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HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 11 FEB. 11 MARCH 7, 2023
Little Hen brings tea parties to River Oaks
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Harris County approves lower toll rates
The Southmore apartments in the Museum District stand beside a residential development. On Jan. 25, Houston City Council passed a bu ering ordinance amendment that, among other changes, deals with bu ering between single-family units and high-rises.
SHAWN ARRAJJ COMMUNITY IMPACT
Transportation updates
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City of Houston adopts new protocol for residential bu ering Houston is a city without zoning requirements. However, city resi- dents have aired complaints toward coexisting with their larger residen- tial and commercial neighbors. She expressed concern with regards to bu ering and lighting issues in her neighborhood, which is situated between Midtown and the Texas Medical Center, bound by Hermann Park, Main Street, Alabama Street and Hwy. 288. BY LEAH FOREMAN
This type of development and oth- ers across Houston have served as a call to action for residents, which led to bu ering ordinance amend- ments—a years long e ort to expand protections for single- and multi- family residents—which passed at Houston City Council on Jan. 25. These modi cations to the city’s code of ordinances entail setting a citywide standard for lighting
Sandy Stevens, president of the Museum Park Neighborhood Asso- ciation—an organization for resi- dents of the historic Museum Park neighborhood—said she has wit- nessed construction and develop- ment changing her neighborhood. Remaking Montrose Timeline: construction could begin on segment from Allen Parkway to West Clay Street in late 2023 Cost: $55 million Funding source: Montrose Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone SOURCE: MONTROSE TAX INCREMENT REINVESTMENT ZONE COMMUNITY IMPACT
“The most recent development is about 12 stories, right in the mid- dle of the neighborhood,” she said. “And those folks whose properties abut that high-rise have had some real issues with garage lighting.”
Where to get doughnuts in the local area
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CONTINUED ON 18
With development booming along Montrose’s namesake corridor, local o cials are looking to invest more than $50 million dollars in a wide-spanning project focused on making the road safer for all users. The e ort is being led by the Montrose Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, or Montrose TIRZ, a governmental entity composed of local residents and business owners who carry out projects in the area with approval from the city of Houston. CONTINUED ON 20 Montrose Boulevard target of $55M in improvements BY SHAWN ARRAJJ
Heights co ee shop stokes curiosity
15
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Proposed improvements on Montrose Boulevard include adding a sidewalk to the west side of the street near the Ismaili Center.
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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
MORE COMMUNITIES. MORE CONNECTED CARE.
Twice the care. Double the convenience.
River Oaks Clinic
Greater Heights Clinic
Our new clinics in River Oaks and Greater Heights are now open and welcoming new patients.
When it comes to exceptional care right in your neighborhood, Kelsey-Seybold has you covered with two new state-of-the-art clinics. Offering innovative, connected healthcare, both clinics feature specialists in primary and specialty care, plus the convenience of an on-site laboratory and X-ray. There’s even an on-site pharmacy at the Greater Heights location. Same-day or next-day primary care appointments are available now.
Scan to schedule your appointment 24/7, or call 713-442-0000.
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – River Oaks 2040 W. Gray St., Suites 120 and 200 Houston, TX 77019
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – Greater Heights 1900 N. Loop W., Suite 400 Houston, TX 77018
Accepting more than 50 health insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, KelseyCare, UnitedHealthcare, and more!
kelsey-seybold.com/locations |
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
THIS ISSUE
MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Jay McMahon SENIOR EDITOR Shawn Arrajj CITY HALL REPORTER Leah Foreman GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jatziri Garcia ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Liam Minter METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Jason Culpepper MANAGING EDITOR Kelly Scha er COPY EDITOR Adrian Gandara, Kasey Salisbury SENIOR ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Kaitlin Schmidt CONTACT US 16300 Northwest Freeway Jersey Village, TX 77040 • 281 469 6181 CI CAREERS communityimpact.com/careers PRESS RELEASES hrmnews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING hrmads@communityimpact.com Learn more at communityimpact.com/advertising EMAIL NEWSLETTERS communityimpact.com/newsletter SUPPORT US Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 35+ localized editions across Texas to more than 2.5 million residential mailboxes.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH
FROM JAY: It’s February in Houston. That means you might be wearing a heavy coat in the morning, but there’s a solid chance you will be warm by 3 p.m. February also means we are only a couple of months away from the 2023 college basketball championship, and I can only imagine if our own University of Houston Cougars could represent this city on that stage. Our front-page story addresses an issue that has become more prevalent due to Houston being a city with no zoning requirements: the lighting and spacing between commercial and residential properties, and its e ects on the neighborhood. As always, please think of our great advertisers and shop local when you can. Jay McMahon, GENERAL MANAGER
FROM SHAWN: Reporting news from a hyperlocal perspective is what we specialize in at Community Impact , which can be seen on display in several parts of this month’s paper. Our top cover story seeks to shine a local light on the Houston-wide issue of protecting residential development. In this edition, we also dive into proposed construction on Montrose Boulevard that would revamp a major corridor throughout the community. Shawn Arrajj, SENIOR EDITOR
Marie Leonard Digital Product Manager
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HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened, are coming soon or are undergoing renovations
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Little Hen
COURTESY LITTLE HEN
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3 Sudor Sauna Studio , a health and wellness concept centered on the “restorative bene ts of a deep sweat,” opened Jan. 7 in the Regent Square mixed-use development at 3515 W. Dallas St., Houston, on the ground oor of The Sterling apartment building. The salon was launched by founders Katherine Garcia and Kevin Cumming. It features 10 private infrared sauna suites, each equipped with Bluetooth speakers and a TV equipped with mediation apps. Saunas have a capacity for up to three people, but they can also be reserved for individ- ual use. The venue also features men’s and women’s lounges with cold plunge pools, showers and lockers. 832-728-9554. www.sudorsauna.com 4 The owners of Heights Bier Garten on North Shepherd Drive introduced their newest concept to Washington Avenue with the opening of Bayou Heights Bier Garten on Jan. 17. Located at 3905 Wash- ington Ave., Houston, the new venue includes four separate buildings connect- ed by a courtyard in the middle, similar to the Heights location. Each building hosts a di erent beverage program, including specialty cocktails, beer and wine, and co ee and tea drinks. Bayou Heights o ers 74 types of craft beer and 16 wines. A food menu o ers options, such as housemade pretzels, sandwiches and smoked pulled pork. Brunch is o ered on 5 Founder Nicci Levy is bringing her background in cosmetics and skin care to Houston with Alchemy 43 , a business o ering skin care treatments and custom- ized cosmetic injectables. The brick- and-mortar location o cially opened its weekends. 346-519-0199. www.thekirbygrouphtx.com
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NOW OPEN 1 Inspired by the tea parties of England, breakfast and brunch venue Little Hen opened Jan. 4 in the River Oaks District, 4444 Westheimer Road, Ste. H110, Houston. The space is designed with oral prints and decorated with bouquets, plush accents, chandeliers, and marble and gold tabletops. An outdoor cham- pagne garden will open in the spring. The
eatery is known for its rose petal pancakes served with rose water-infused maple syrup. A cocktail menu provides mimosas and bloody marys in addition to signature cocktails. An Afternoon Tea program includes a choice of tea alongside a selec- tion of petits fours, French macarons, mini sandwiches and scones. 346-833-8374. www.littlehen.com 2 Chris Perkins, a former U.S. Navy specialist who spent time aboard the
USS Guardian and the USS Warrior, has transitioned into the insurance industry. Perkins, a native Houstonian, opened a branch of Brightway, The StarTex Agency on Jan. 23. The branch is located at 3334 Richmond Ave., Ste. 123, Houston. Brightway o ers insurance for home, ood, auto, boat, condominium, renters, RV, motorcycle and life, among other options. 713-234-0080. www.brightwaystartex.com
W 11th St
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in 2009. In a Facebook post, Hori said his goal for Katami—which translates to “gift” or “keepsake”—is to showcase fresh Japanese cuisine daily, with sushi at the forefront. The restaurant will be housed in the space formerly held by Vincent’s at West Dallas Street between Montrose Boulevard and Dunlavy Street. www.katamihouston.com 10 National submarine sandwich chain Primo Hoagies is opening its rst Inner Loop location in February at 4015 Wash- ington Ave., Houston. The brand already has one location in Montgomery and will be opening another Houston-area spot o of Hwy. 6, near Jersey Village later this year. Primo Hoagies o ers classic subs, cheesesteaks and “diablo” subs for spice lovers. The brand also o ers a re- ward program, Primo Perks, where every dollar spent equates to a dollar in points. www.primohoagies.com ANNIVERSARIES 11 O cials with Scott Read Pharmacy celebrated the one-year anniversary of the business in January at 536 Waugh Drive, Houston. The pharmacy o ers prescriptions, re lls and immunizations, among other services. Owner Scott Read said he seeks to bring back the old-school pharmacy experience with a professional, service-oriented neighborhood con- cept. The pharmacy o ers services in an environmentally friendly way, including through the use of biodegradable vials and by avoiding the use of plastic bags. 832-649-3142. www.scottreadrx.com RENOVATIONS 12 Transwestern, the Houston-based real estate services company, is partnering with Wolf Capital on improvements to HeightsMED , a medical o ce building at 427 W. 20th St., Houston. Improvements include the construction of a spec suite as well as upgrades to the HVAC and plumbing systems. As of Jan. 9, construc- tion crews were working to enhance the streetscape, upgrade the building’s exte- rior architecture and reimagine the lobby. Future plans will involve revamping the upper oor common spaces, elevator cabs and restrooms. www.transwestern.com
doors Dec. 9 and—through a customized approach for each customer’s beauty goals—features aspects, such as cosmetic microtreatments. Alchemy 43 also o ers a membership program, A43 Society. The business is located at 4719 Westheimer Road, Houston. 713-581-3443. www.alchemy43.com 6 A new location of Pepperoni’s —a Houston-based pizza chain also o ering wings and salads—opened in December in the Oak Forest area at 1354 W. 43rd St., Houston. The new opening in Oak Forest follows up on the August opening of another location in the Heights at 946 N. Shepherd Drive, Houston. In addition to signature pizzas and Bu alo wings, the eatery also o ers desserts, and build-your-own pizzas and calzones. The Oak Forest location is owned and operated by Bryan Pine. Another 17 loca- tions of the chain can be found through- out the Greater Houston area. 281-888-8701. www.pepperonis.net COMING SOON 7 Trill Burgers , a concept by rapper Bun B, is coming to Montrose. The ag- ship brick-and-mortar location will take the place of a former James Coney Island at 3607 S. Shepherd Drive, Houston, on the corner of Richmond Avenue. O cials previously said they hoped to open the eatery in early 2023, but restaurant o cials told Community Impact they were unable to give a timeline for the opening as of January. www.trillburgers.com 8 Western Addition Restaurant Group, the company behind Post Oak’s upscale Italian spot il Bracco, is bringing another restaurant, Balboa Surf Club , to Post Oak Plaza, 1753 Post Oak Blvd., Houston. Set to open in the spring, Balboa will bring Paci c-inspired seafood to Houston with upscale intentions. The restaurant will o er a curated selection of seafood, with surf and turf butchered in-house daily as well as a glass-fronted wine room. www.balboasurfclub.com 9 Katami , a sushi-focused concept, is coming to Montrose in the spring at 2701 W. Dallas St., Houston. The brand is the second venture of chef Manabu Horiuchi—nicknamed chef Hori—and partner Yun Cheng. The duo opened Kata Robata Sushi + Grill in Upper Kirby
LOCAL HOT SPOT
Montrose Collective
COURTESY RADOM CAPITAL
O cials with the Montrose Collective mixed-use development announced Jan. 10 several new tenants expected to open at the site in 2023, including an Ireland-based med spa, a health-focused cafe and a raw bar. Located at 888 Westheimer Road, the nearly completed development is now 97% leased with 15 retail and ve restaurant tenants. The development was launched by Radom Capital in 2019, and Radom o cials said they expect it to be fully leased by the end of 2023. Among the new openings is Gra ti Raw , which opened at the end of January. It o ers a raw bar with re- grilled proteins, fresh ceviche and a full cocktail menu. Gra ti Raw is run by veteran restaurateur Grant Cooper, who also launched the Houston restaurant Flora on Allen Parkway in 2022. The Austin-based eatery Picnik will open this spring, o ering healthy cafe fare, including keto, paleo, vegetarian and gluten-free options. The venue will also have an expansive patio, according to a press release from Radom Capital. The Ireland-based med spa Sisu is also expected to open Feb. 13, o ering nonsurgical beauty services, including Botox, dermal llers and fat-reduction treatments. Studio BE , a Heights-based yoga and pilates studio, has plans for a second location to open in Montrose Collective on Feb. 13. Other 2023 openings at the
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development will include New York- based nail salon Glosslab and Skin Laundry , a spa specializing in laser facials. The new Montrose Library is also opening at the Montrose Collective. An opening timeline has not been announced by Houston Public Libraries, but lings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation suggest construction could be nished in March. The library will feature reading areas, technology access, a children’s area, teen area and meeting spaces, according to information from the city of Houston. 713-783-4444. www.montrosecollective.com
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HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
TO DO LIST
February and March events
COMPILED BY LEAH FOREMAN
and other special performances. 2-7 p.m. Free (entry), $10 (fashion show seat), $20 (VIP fashion show seat). POST Houston, 401 Franklin St., Houston. 713-999-2550. www.posthtx.com 19 CELEBRATE THE START OF RODEO SEASON Shane Smith & the Saints, The Steeldrivers and Zac Wilkerson will take the stage as Karbach Brewing Co. celebrates the start of rodeo season. A VIP ticket provides access to a special entrance, beer tasting and a viewing deck, among other perks. 4-9 p.m. $30 (in advance), $35 (at the door), $125 (VIP). Karbach Brewing Co., 2032 Karbach St., Houston. 713-680-8886. www.karbachbrewing.com MARCH 4 CHECK OUT ANNUAL HEIGHTS CRAWFISH BOIL The event, hosted by the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce, features beer, craw sh, local vendors, a children’s area and live music by Step Rideau and the Zydeco Outlaws. An Idol of the Heights contest also takes place. 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Free (admission). Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, 2025 W. 11th St., Houston. 713-861-6735. www.heightschamber.org
Guests view art at ReelAbilities.
COURTESY JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE
FEATURED EVENT FEB. 5 23: THE REELABILITIES HOUSTON FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL 15 UP Abilities, Houston Community College-West Loop Campus, 5601 W. Loop S., Houston 16 ReelArt Crawl, Meek Studio & Gallery, 1903 Spring St., Houston 19 ReelFilm Opening Night, Regal Edwards Greenway Grand Palace, 3839 Weslayan St., Houston 20 “Imperfect,” Regal Edwards Greenway Grand Palace 21 ReelWorkplace, virtual event 21 “HERE. IS. BETTER.,” Regal Edwards Greenway Grand Palace 22 “Poppy,” Regal Edwards Greenway Grand Palace 23 ReelMusic, White Oak Music Hall, 2915 N. Main St., Houston
FEB. 26
TAKE PART IN THE TOUR DE HOUSTON HERMANN SQUARE PARK
The bike race bene ts Re-Plant Houston and the city’s reforestation e orts and is hosted by the Mayor’s O ce of Special Events. It entails three races: a 60-mile ride, a 40-mile ride and a 20-mile ride. Riders will be able to enjoy food, beverages and music after the race. 6:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $25 (age 12 and under), $40 (age 13 and up until Feb. 25), $50 (age 13 and up on ride day). Hermann Square Park, 901 Bagby St., Houston. 832-393-0868. www.tourdehouston.itsyourrace.com
COURTESY TOUR DE HOUSTON
FEBRUARY 11 FIND A GIFT AT VALENTINE’S DAY HORROR POP UP Hosted by the Houston Halloween Horde and the Houston Horror Film Festival, the outdoor event will showcase work from vendors, artists and lmmakers and will have horror lm celebrity appearances. Noon-7 p.m. Free (age 12 and under); $5
(advanced admission, age 13 and older); $10 (at the door). Raven Tower, 310 North St., Houston. www.houstonhorror lmfest.com 12 TREAT YOURSELF AT GALENTINE’S DAY MARKET In celebration of Galentine’s Day, entertainment venue and food hub POST Houston will host an event featuring local vendors, music from a DJ, a fashion show
Find more or submit Heights, River Oaks and Montrose events at communityimpact.com/event-calendar. Event organizers can submit local events online to be considered for the print edition. Submitting details for consideration does not guarantee publication.
and preventive care. We’re bringing high-tech, high-touch care to patients. Our doctors and staff partner with you to understand your needs and work with you—not just on treatment, but also education and preventive care. Fairbanks Walk-ins welcome Same-day appointments available · Podiatric Surgery · Sports Medicine · Diabetic Foot Treatment · Ankle and Foot Sprains & Fractures · Bunion Surgery Provider Spotlight
Dr. Doost has specialized training in the following: · Foot and Ankle Reconstruction
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Village Medical at CyFalls 9511 Huffmeister, Ste 100 Houston, TX 77095 Mon – Fri: 8am –5pm Extended hours offered at some locations Village Medical at Heights South 713-461-2915 600 N. Shepherd Bldg 5, Suite 530
Village Medical at Vintage 10220 Louetta Rd., Ste 100 Virtual visits
Village Medical at Walgreens 12314 Jones Rd. Houston, TX 77070 Mon - Fri: 7am – 7pm Sat & Sun: 9am – 5pm
Village Medical at Walgreens 14317 Cypress Rosehill Rd. Cypress, TX 77429 Mon - Fri: 7am – 7pm Sat & Sun: 9am – 5pm
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Village Medical at Greenway 713-461-2915 4120 Southwest Fwy., Ste. 200
Village Medical at AIM 713-797-1087 4543 Post Oak Place, Suite 105 Houston, TX, 77027 Mon - Fri 8am - 4:30pm
To schedule an appointment or learn more VillageMedical.com
To schedule an appointment or learn more VillageMedical.com
Houston, TX 77027 Mon - Fri 7am - 6pm
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Several area locations to serve you:
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
TRANSPORTATION UPDATES
COMPILED BY SHAWN ARRAJJ, RENEE FARMER & EMILY LINCKE
Harris County authorizes 10% toll rate cut, free EZ tags A Harris County Toll Road Authority program that will reduce the cost of tolls by 10% was approved unanimously by Harris County commissioners Jan. 31. EASING THE BURDEN The 10% toll rate discount—which will go into effect by Sept. 4—will apply to motorists driving two-axle vehicles on toll roads managed by the Harris County Toll Road Authority.
ONGOING PROJECTS
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The discount will represent $894 million in discounts over the course of 10 years, or about $90 million in savings per year, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said Jan. 31. “This gives us confidence in what the [Harris County] Toll Road Authority’s doing,” Ramsey said. “When you look at the consistent revenues that they generate, when you look at their ability to cover what they do. I think we are, in many ways, an envy of the state, in terms of how well we run our toll road authority.” The rate reduction will go into effect by Sept. 4. HCTRA will also provide up to eight free EZ tags per household as part of the program. The proposal was initially presented at a Jan. 24 news conference. HCTRA Director Roberto Treviño said the 10% discount would apply to those driving two-axle vehicles, which he said make up 95% of HCTRA’s transactions. He added that drivers can choose to apply the discount on each individual transaction or after aggregating transactions on a monthly basis. As part of the transition to all-electronic tollways, the county will also be phasing in several options for residents to obtain EZ tags at retail stores, open cash- backed accounts and pay at EZ TAG retail stores, Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said during the
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Westheimer Road ramp to Loop 610 As the Texas Department of Trans- portation continues to work on new ramps connecting Loop 610 South to I-69 in southwest Houston, the southbound entrance ramp from Westheimer Road was temporarily closed Jan. 3. It will remain closed through fall 2023. During the closure, construction crews will work on widening and improving the connector ramps between the two highways. The $259 million project has been underway since late 2017, and TxDOT officials estimate it will be completed by the end of 2024. The project is intended to improve safety and mobility by widening the connector ramps from one to two lanes, increasing sight distances and providing remedies to reduce drivers quickly moving from lane to lane. The project also involves adding shoulders to the Loop 610 West main lane bridge over I-69 and adding detention ponds on TxDOT right-of-way within the project boundaries. At the start of 2022, construction necessitated a similar closure of the northbound exit ramp to Westheimer Road. That closure lasted just under six months. Timeline: late 2017-end of 2024 Cost: $259 million Funding source: TxDOT
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Jan. 24 news conference. In response to a question at the Jan. 24 news
conference about losing 10% of revenue from 95% of the customer base, Treviño said the population growth in the region will correspond to increased demand and use of the toll road systems. Rachel Carlton contributed to this report.
METRO to add bike-sharing to its transit system In an effort to address first- and last-mile connectivity to its system, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County will take over the oper- ation of Houston BCycle, Houston’s
commence the bike-sharing initiative during its Jan. 26 meeting. Houston BCycle, operated by the nonprofit Houston Bike Share, brought bike-sharing to the region in 2012. The system, at its peak, included a maximum of around 1,000 bikes throughout approximately 150 stations and over 2,100 bike docks. Around 90% of its users do so for recreation rather than transportation. “METRO’s plan would be to change that to make transit interconnectivity more the focus and more the driver of how this bike-sharing network is
being used,” METRO Chief Financial Officer George Fotinos said during a Jan. 18 public safety committee meeting. Houston Bike Share made the deci- sion to suspend 75 of its 150 stations Jan. 1 due to financial concerns. It then approached METRO with an opportunity to add bike-sharing to its transit system. The agency will now work with Houston Bike Share on a six- to nine- month transition plan. An action plan will be brought to the board at the end of the transition period.
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF FEB. 1. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT HRMNEWS@COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.
only bike-sharing program. The METRO board voted to
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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
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CITY & COUNTY
News from Houston & Harris County
QUOTE OF NOTE
Police chief: Violent crime down in 2022, auto theft up
Houston City Council will meet for public comment at 2 p.m. Feb. 14 and regular business at 9 a.m. Feb. 15 at City Hall, 901 Bagby St., Houston. Meetings are streamed at www.houstontx.gov/htv. Harris County Commissioners Court will meet for its regular meeting at 10 a.m. Feb. 21 at 1001 Preston St., Ste. 934, Houston. Meetings are streamed live at www.harriscountytx.gov. MEETINGS WE COVER HIGHLIGHTS HOUSTON At a Jan. 25 meeting, Houston City Council members approved a fee that builders can pay in lieu of constructing sidewalks for new development. The fee of $12 per square foot would pay for not having a sidewalk built and would help avoid “sidewalks to nowhere,” which Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said is when sidewalks are built as part of new construction but do not connect to existing sidewalks. Fee money will go into a sidewalk construction fund expected to rake in $1.7 million annually. HARRIS COUNTY In a split 3-1 vote, Harris County commissioners approved a new climate action plan for the county’s internal operations during a Jan. 10 meeting, setting a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. The county is aiming to reduce that chunk of its emissions by 50% without offsets by 2030 as well as reduce electricity usage by at least 5% per year. HOUSTON Houston City Council members voted Jan. 11 to eliminate late fees on items customers return to the Houston Public Library after the due date. The city cited increases in library use among reasons for the change, as well as studies that show late fees can deter library use, especially in low-income communities. “THERE WERE SERIOUS OPERATIONAL ISSUES THAT OCCURRED THROUGHOUT ELECTION DAY THAT CALL INTO QUESTION WHETHER THE COUNTY’S FAILURES DENIED VOTERS THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE.” ALEXANDRA DEL MORAL MEALER, CONTESTANT IN LAWSUIT CHALLENGING HARRIS COUNTY’S 2022 MIDTERM ELECTION RESULTS
BY LEAH FOREMAN
YEAR OVER YEAR Preliminary crime statistics for 2022 show a drop in violent crime, while thefts from vehicles increased.
HOUSTON Preliminary crime statistics for 2022 in Houston show an 8% decrease in violent crime compared to the previous year, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner told members of the Houston City Council during a Jan. 11 meeting. The city also saw a 9% decrease in murders, a 9% decrease in robberies, an 8% decrease in aggravated assaults and an 18% decrease in rape over that time. Kidnapping and auto theft increased citywide, but Finner said kidnapping figures are partially attributed to family members of chil- dren who were not legal custodians. The presentation also highlighted an increase in auto theft to 17,694 incidents in 2022, up by almost 1,800 cases from 2021. HPD officials reminded people to lock cars and not leave valuables—especially guns—in plain sight. General theft, which increased by 7% in 2022, often takes the form
Murder 2021: 477 2022: 435 Change: -9%
Violent crime 2021: 28,862 2022: 26,454 Change: -8%
Nonviolent crime 2021: 96,387 2022: 102,998 Change: +7%
Auto theft 2021: 15,901 2022: 17,694 Change: +11%
SOURCE: HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
of catalytic converter theft from vehicles, officers said. Three council members—Abbie Kamin, David Robinson and Robert Gallegos—noted they have been victims of recent auto-related theft. While it was shared that Chicago, a city with fewer square miles than Houston, has a larger police force than the Bayou City, Mayor Sylvester Turner highlighted the hiring of 2,026 new police officers over the course of his administration. Additionally, Finner highlighted a
$10,000 signing bonus for new cadets approved by City Council in 2022, as well as the early success of One Safe Houston. He also highlighted a need for more resources, including for technology and for aiding the mental health of officers. As the state Legislature plans to set its biannual budget, Turner and other City Council members emphasized their wishes for some of the budget’s surplus to be allocated to law enforcement and for officer mental health.
Houston approves funding for various homeless initiatives
21 Republicans file midterm election contests
THE CONTESTANTS Republicans are contesting midterm results in races from Harris County judge to district court judge. Contestant: Alexandra del Moral Mealer (R) Contestee: Lina Hidalgo (D) Margin of defeat: 1.67% Harris County judge Contestant: Chris Daniel (R) Contestee: Marilyn Burgess (D) Margin of defeat: 2.4% District clerk Contestant: Kyle Scott (R) Contestee: Carla L. Wyatt (D) Margin of defeat: 3.26% Harris County treasurer Contestant: Stan Stanart (R) Contestee: Teneshia Hudspeth (D) Margin of defeat: 3.23% Harris County clerk 17 additional contests spanning civil and criminal district courts, county probate courts and county civil courts at law SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE OF ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
BY RACHEL CARLTON
HARRIS COUNTY Alexandra del Moral Mealer, the Republican candidate for Harris County judge, filed a lawsuit Jan. 6 to contest the results of the midterm election that saw incumbent County Judge Lina Hidalgo win a second term in office. Del Moral Mealer was among 21 Republican candidates to file on the last day allowed by the Texas Elec- tion Code. In a statement posted to Twitter, she said she decided to file the contest after reviewing the post-election report released by the Harris County Office of the Elections Administrator on Dec. 27. In a statement, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee called the contests “frivolous attempts” to overturn votes and said they should not be taken seriously. The contestants are being repre- sented by Elizabeth D. Alvarez with Guest & Gray law firm in Forney. State law does not lay out a timeline for election contests, and it will be up to the judge to set the pace of the lawsuit.
BY LEAH FOREMAN
HOUSTON Members of the Hous- ton City Council approved roughly $9.3 million in funding agreements across its Jan. 4 and Jan. 25 meetings related to homelessness. On Jan. 4, the council approved $1.6 million for nonprofit Avenue CDC to provide assistance to 190 low-income households affected by HIV/AIDS; $409,908 for an agreement with the state focused on youth homelessness; $324,520 for the city’s mobile trauma support partners; $150,000 for the continu- ation of Project Access, a program by Healthcare for the Homeless Houston to provide transportation to health care services; and $130,000 to the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston and Harris County for planning services. On Jan. 25, the council approved a $6.7 million agreement with non- profit Covenant House to go toward a new campus for homeless youth.
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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
GUIDE
Doughnut Guide 2023
Doughnut shops around Heights, River Oaks and Montrose
1 Awesome Bites Co. On the menu: gluten-free doughnuts made Wednesdays with rotating avors Nondoughnut options: mu ns, beanie bars, ice cream and granola, with rotating cookies and cupcakes made on Thursdays and Fridays, respectively 2313 Edwards St., Ste. 185, Houston 832 582 0118 www.awesomebitesco.com Hours: Wed.-Thu. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m.- 9 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Mon.-Tue. 2 Bakery Donuts On the menu: glazed, lled, cake and dough- nut holes Nondoughnut options: mu ns, kolaches, croissants, biscuits, eclairs, apple fritters and cinnamon rolls 1203 W. 11th St., Houston 713 802 1935 Hours: 5 a.m.-3 p.m. daily 3 Christy’s On the menu: glazed, iced, cake, lled and doughnut holes Nondoughnut options: cinnamon rolls, bear claws, kolaches, croissants and apple fritters 1103 W. Gray St., Houston 713 524 4005 www.instagram.com/christysdonutshop.com Hours: Mon.-Sat. 4:30 a.m.-2 p.m, Sun. 5 a.m.-2 p.m.
4 Queen Donut Shop On the menu: glazed, iced, cake, sprinkles, jelly- lled and doughnut holes Nondoughnut options: cinnamon twists and rolls, long johns, apple fritters, croissants, biscuits and kolaches 1806 W. 18th St., Houston 713 869 2335 www.facebook.com/donutqueenhouston Hours: Mon.-Tue., Thu.-Sat. 6 a.m.-8 p.m.; Wed. 6 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. 6 a.m.-1 p.m. 5 Tiny’s Milk & Cookies On the menu: doughnuts and doughnut holes, which are served until 2 p.m. Nondoughnut options: cookies, scones and seasonal breads, pantry staples, and ice creams 2809 Saint St., Houston 713 222 7474 www.tinysmilkandcookies.com On the menu: raised, iced, lled and cake doughnuts in traditional and specialty avors, including gluten-free mini doughnuts and vegan options Nondoughnut options: cinnamon twists and rolls, apple fritters, long johns, and kolaches 3601 Westheimer Road, Houston 713 961 9458 • www.riveroaksdonuts.com Hours: Mon.-Thu. 6 a.m.-noon, Fri.-Sun. 6 a.m.-1 p.m. Hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily 6 River Oaks Donuts
1
4
20TH ST.
W. 18TH ST.
4
T. C. JESTER BLVD. T. C. JESTER BLVD.
WHITE OAK PARK
2
ELLA BLVD.
W. 11TH ST.
610
Guide Whether it is a creative combination of unexpected avors or the classic, reliable glazed version, doughnuts are o ered at a number of shops in the Heights, River Oaks and Montrose area. Some shops, like Tiny’s Milk & Cookies, o er doughnuts among a wide variety of other baked goods. Others focus primarily on doughnuts themselves, with a list of co ees and kolaches to round out the menu. This guide provides a noncomprehensive list of places to grab a local doughnut, whether it is to go with co ee to start the morning or to satisfy a sweet tooth after a long day. COMPILED BY SHAWN ARRAJJ & LEAH FOREMAN 2023
WHITE OAK DR.
WASHINGTON AVE.
10
Awesome Bites Co.
Queen Donut Shop
COURTESY AWESOME BITES CO.
SHAWN ARRAJJ COMMUNITY IMPACT
EDWARDS ST.
MEMORIAL PARK
SAWYER ST.
1
FEATURED SHOP The DoughCone food truck
BUFFALO BAYOU PARK
The traveling food truck makes stops around Houston, including at Hermann Park and in the
P K
Heights, River Oaks and Montrose areas. Founded by Avneesh Oberoi, the concept centers on a made-from-scratch cinnamon sugar dough cone lled with organic milk ice cream and toppings of the customer’s choice. The truck also o ers water and orange juice, and can make a Mexican Coke oat.
45
W. GRAY ST.
3
Co ee is slated to be added to the menu this summer. Locations and hours updated daily on social media 832-863-5224 www.thedoughcone.com
527
SAINT ST.
W. ALABAMA ST.
5
6
N
WESLAYAN ST.
HOUSTON SUPERSTORE 2410 Smith Street (713) 526-8787
WESTCOTT AND MEMORIAL 5818 Memorial Dr (713) 861-4161
SHEPHERD 1900 S Shepherd (713) 529-4849
12
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
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14
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BUSINESS FEATURE
BY LEAH FOREMAN
A latte at Tenfold Co ee is served with art depicting a swan.
Jacob Ibarra founded Tenfold Co ee in the Heights in June 2020. (Photos by Leah Foreman/ Community Impact)
Co ee is roasted on-site within view of customers.
Tenfold Co ee o ers pastries from Houston-based Love Croissants.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tenfold Co ee Without walls, Heights spot combines roaster, cafe and lab T enfold Co ee does not resemble a traditional co ee cafe. It has an expansive deck [customers] to see us doing work; I wanted them to ask questions.”
Tenfold Co ee hosts events and classes throughout the month, typically on Saturdays.
• Feb. 18: Specialty series, espresso (1-3 p.m.) • Feb. 18: Neighborhood series, cafe quality co ee at home (4-6 p.m.) • Feb. 25: Specialty series, latte art (1-3 p.m.) • Feb. 25: Neighborhood series, cafe quality co ee at home (4-6 p.m.)
Robert’s Floors Inc. R Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Brazil, Colombia, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Burundi. Ibarra also teased his plans to create a cold brew venue concept. In addition to classes on subjects such as espressos and latte art, Tenfold hosts various events each month, such as tastings from local restaurants. Through these Saturday classes, Ibarra has gotten to know his customers. “If you spend two hours teaching somebody, you learn about them,” he said. “And so, it is so cool to see those people here, because you got this shared experience, and it’s like, yes, they’re customers, but they’re friends.”
Since opening in June 2020, Ibarra went from hosting tented events in Tenfold’s parking lot to partnering with other local businesses, such as fellow Heights co ee concept Wild as well as Jordi Roca’s Rocambolesc in Uptown Park. Ibarra said he plans to move the roaster to a large warehouse space and renovate the footprint of the Aurora Street location to include updates, such as an expanded merchandise shelf. The company’s rst line of merchandise features a nod to the brand’s partners in several Spanish-speaking coun- tries: “Somos Tenfold,” or “We are Tenfold.” Tenfold has partners in
outside, and inside there are three distinct areas: the cafe, the roaster and the lab for classes. But no walls separate these inte- rior spaces—one can watch co ee being roasted while placing an order or peek in on a co ee-making class from across the room. This is the vision Jacob Ibarra, Tenfold’s founder and managing director, had for the space after spending years as a buyer for specialty co ee brands. “My goal here was to basically drive curiosity,” Ibarra said. “Here in Houston, there’s not that many roasters visible. ... I wanted
Tenfold Co ee 101 Aurora St., Houston www.tenfoldco ee.com Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
610
AURORA ST.
E. 20TH ST.
N
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
PEOPLE Lesley Briones New Harris County Precinct 4 commissioner targets ‘bold, innovative’ approach to governance
BY RACHEL CARLTON
“I WANT VERY MUCH FOR PRECINCT 4 TO BE A MODEL OF GOOD GOVERNMENT, GOOD GOVERNANCE, OPENNESS AND TRANSPARENCY.” LESLEY BRIONES, HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 4 COMMISSIONER
H arris County residents saw a new face among the newly established 4-1 Democratic majority on Commissioners Court beginning with the rst meeting in 2023 on Jan. 10. In defeating long-serving incumbent Jack Cagle in the November election, Lesley Briones—a former public school teacher, attorney, chief operating o cer of the nonpro t Arnold Foun- dation and civil court judge—became the rst woman to serve as Precinct 4 commissioner. With County Judge Lina Hidalgo winning re-election, it also marks the rst time two women have served on Commissioners Court at the same time. Briones said she will leverage her experience from her former profes- sions. From thinking like a COO to streamline government processes to bringing her judicial temperament from her time on the bench, she said she wants to improve the precinct’s operations fairly and equitably. “I believe we absolutely need to just deliver on the basics and deliver with excellence. And we need to continue building and improving Harris County in a bold, innovative way,” Briones told Community Impact . “I want very much [for Precinct 4] to be a model of good government, good governance, openness and transparency.” Delivering on the basics Briones outlined public safety, infrastructure and ood control as her top priorities, saying she wants to take
a “deep dive” into all three. Briones said she wants to address vacancies at the sheri ’s o ce, cut the criminal court case backlog, and coordinate with the many law enforcement agencies in the county using data and technology. “I would love to be a convener in terms of bringing [agencies] together to come up with a more strategic coordinated plan,” she said. “I would love for Precinct 4, both with regard to public safety and otherwise, to be this place of innovation and testing.” Regarding infrastructure, Briones is interested in improving parks and facilities, describing some as “not in the state they should be.” She said she believes the county needs to improve mobility and look at rapid bus transit and expanded trail connectivity. “We’re the third-largest county [in the country], and we are not leading with regard to our infrastructure broadly, but certainly with regard to mobility,” Briones said. “So looking at mobility from an environmental standpoint, from a physical, mental health standpoint and … working with [the Harris County Toll Road Authority] … to improve connectivity.” To address ooding, Briones said she wants to work with the engineering department to consider additional neighborhood detention basins and build out green infrastructure sustainably and equitably while looking forward to the next phase of the county’s underground ood tunnel study.
MAPPING PRECINCT 4
TOMBALL
249
Harris County Commissioners Court approved redistricting following the 2020 census in late 2021, which caused much of precincts 3 and 4 to swap their boundaries. The new Precinct 4 has more than 1.2 million people and includes portions of Tomball, Cy-Fair, Katy and Houston.
CY FAIR
45
99
290
KATY
610
10
HOUSTON
KEY
Precinct 1
Precinct 2 Precinct 4
69
Precinct 3
N
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 4 COMMUNITY IMPACT
Serving all residents Briones celebrated the diversity of Precinct 4 and said she wants all residents represented fairly. “I love that it’s a majority-minority district. I love that we have the most international district,” Briones said. “But it’s not enough to be the most diverse city and one of the most diverse counties if you’re not the most inclusive.” To that end, Briones said she wants her team to re ect the precinct’s diversity, and rather than maintaining a single o ce in Tomball, she aims to have Precinct 4 o cials work out of several areas of the precinct as well as host ongoing town halls.
“We’re going to … the unincorporated and the incorporated [areas] and making sure we’re listening and then mapping out our agenda and our plan of action and timeline based on what we’re hearing,” Briones said. Citing her background as a Latina, Briones said language access is of fundamental importance to her, and she wants everything her o ce communicates to be in multiple languages. “Within Precinct 4, whether that’s our website … materials … information, hotline—everything is going to be focused on this diverse, inclusive approach,” Briones said.
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HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
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