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Heights River Oaks
Montrose Edition VOLUME 7, ISSUE 3 JUNE 10 JULY 9, 2025
2025 Health Care Edition
Outpatient centers growing in Houston
to several factors, including population growth, increased demand for convenient care and cost e ectiveness, according to the Urban Institute, a nonpro t research organization.
unlike their nearby counterparts close to the Texas Medical Center, local health care o cials said. The growth of more localized facilities, such as community hospitals and microhospitals—de ned as more accessible acute care facilities—is due
BY MELISSA ENAJE & CASSANDRA JENKINS
Houston’s health care landscape is shifting toward smaller, community-focused medical facilities in neighborhoods like the Heights, River Oaks and Mon- trose, which lack the proximity of larger hospitals,
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Dr. Sumana Basu, the managing physician at a new Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in Upper Kirby, attends to a patient.
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COURTESY KELSEY SEYBOLD CLINIC
Also in this issue
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INSIDE
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Education: See where Houston ISD scored on TEA’s newly released A F ratings (Page 13)
Government: Learn how Mayor John Whitmire is eliminating a $330M budget shortfall (Page 14)
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THE HEIGHTS
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HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION
Impacts
W. 34TH ST.
7 Soluna The new Latin-inspired concept at the Heights House Hotel will serve tortas, tacos and cocktails. The venue will also host art markets, live music and trivia nights. • Opened April 29 • 100 W. Cavalcade St., Houston • www.solunahou.com 8 Solarium and The Courts The new racket sports-inspired lounge includes pickleball and padel courts, five private bays and a full- service restaurant bar. • Opened May 1 9 Succulent Fine Dining A new eatery inspired by California’s Napa Valley offers fresh seafood, garden vegetables and wines. • Opened May 19 • 1180 Dunlavy St., Houston • www.succulentfinedining.com 10 Pie Tap Dough at this pizza restaurant is made using an authentic sourdough starter and a 96-hour natural fermentation process to create a flavorful pizza pie. • Opened June 2 • 3748 Westheimer Road, Ste. 100, Houston • www.pie-tap.com • 820 Holman St., Houston • www.solariumhouston.com
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11 Kitchen Rumors Combining Texas cuisine with Indian flavors, the contemporary restaurant will serve bison short rib, Nihari and pan-seared branzino. • Opening in June
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Now open
• 2310 Decatur St., Houston • www.kitchenrumorshtx.com
1 The Kid-Houston Classic cocktails, craft beer and two outdoor patios are some of the features offered at this Heights cocktail lounge. The menu includes burgers, dips and chips. • Opened April 11 • 1815 N. Durham Drive, Houston • www.thehoustonkid.com 2 Agnes and Sherman Co-owned by Lisa Lee and Nick Wong, the family-style restaurant highlights Asian flavoring with dishes such as Taiwanese disco fries and crawfish egg foo young. • Opened April 17 • 250 W. 19th St., Ste. A, Houston • www.agnesandsherman.com 3 Rothy’s A fashion brand known for its stylish and sustainable shoes, bags and accessories opened at the Galleria. • Opened April 18 • 5115 Westheimer Road, Level 1, Houston • www.rothys.com 4 Hobbs London Centered on British fashion trends, the company is
12 Reformation The lifestyle brand sells vintage-inspired wear for women such as dresses, tops, jeans and sweaters made from sustainable and recycled materials. • Opening this summer • 5085 Westheimer Road, Level 1, Houston • www.reformation.com 13 Long Weekend The new dining experience will include a nature-inspired playground, a stage for live music and TVs for sports events with steaks, fresh fish and game meats. • Opening fall 2025 • 2044 E T C Jester Blvd., Houston • Instagram: @longweekendtx 14 My Fit Foods A popular meal prep company is poised to open a new location in the Lower Heights that will sell premade and packaged breakfast, lunch and dinner options. • Opening early 2026 • 1515 Studemont St., Ste. 101, Houston • www.myfitfoods.com
known for its timeless and contemporary pieces made for women, including jackets, skirts and pants. • Opened April 18 • 5085 Westheimer Road, Ste. B2831, Houston • www.hobbs.com/us/ 5 Skinovatio A beauty and wellness medical spa franchise offering non-invasive skincare services such as Botox, dermaplaning, facials and laser hair removal. • Opened April 26 • 701 Shepherd Drive, Houston • www.skinovatio.com 6 Black Horse Health This new mental health treatment and wellness facility in the Heights features holistic services, mental health stabilization and intensive outpatient programs. • Opened April 28 • 711 E. 20th St., Houston • www.blackhorsehealth.com
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY MELISSA ENAJE, CASSANDRA JENKINS & KEVIN VU
accessible, family-friendly experience, which includes a new menu and expanded north patio. • 1124 Usener St., Houston • www.mutinywineroom.com 18 Ostia The Italian restaurant redesigned the interior space and launched new menu offerings in April, including an expansion of the pizza and pasta sections. • 2032 Dunlavy St., Houston • www.ostiahou.com
What’s next
Coming soon
15 Taco Bell Construction on the new fast food chain location selling Mexican-inspired cuisine will start in late August and wrap up in December, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. • 201 Patton St., Houston • www.tacobell.com
Relocations
Closings
16 Kindred Stories A community space and bookstore in Houston’s Third Ward relocated to the historic Eldorado Ballroom in early May. The bookstore highlights African American literature and other marginalized voices.
19 Good Dog Houston After 15 years of operation, the restaurant closed in April. The spot served handcrafted hot dogs.
21 Toy Cave The new development, slated to break ground in September, will offer luxury condos for vehicles. The complex will include 56 individual garages and a car detailing center, as well as a clubhouse with a billiards table, bar and kitchen and F1 racing simulator. • Opening fall 2026
• 903 Studewood St., Houston • https://gooddoghouston.com
• 2521 Holman St., Houston • www.kindredstorieshtx.com
20 La Madeleine The River Oaks location of the Dallas-born cafe closed April 24. The cafe sold French-style foods, breakfast, sandwiches and soups. • 2047-A W. Gray St., Houston • www.lamadeleine.com
In the news
17 Mutiny in the Heights Formerly known as Mutiny Wine Room, the restaurant has been rebranded to reflect a shift toward a more
• 4411 W. 12th St., Houston • www.toycavegarages.com
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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION
Close by and committed to you. St ocayno utro nl eeaarrne smt ol orceaot irogne. t d i re c t i o n s Na oh bo os pdiyt apl l ae nmsefrogre annc ye rmo eo rmg e, bn uc yt —w i tt hh asth’ so wr t hwy aHi tCtAi mHeosuasnt od na El oRc a2 4t i/o7n i st hhaetr’ se . rWi g he toi fnf ey ro ut hr en es ai gmh eb os rehr ov iocde .s a s Adult and pediatric care On-site X-rays, ultrasounds and CT scans Affiliated with HCA Houston Healthcare Short ER wait times
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Health care
BY KEVIN VU
Health Care Edition
2025
Welcome to the annual CI Health Care Edition! This guide highlights the rise of localized ambulatory care centers in neighborhoods like the Heights, River Oaks and Montrose. These facilities aim to provide accessible, community-based medical services, re ecting a shift towards more personalized care. The edition also covers signi cant developments in the Texas Medical Center and addresses the concerning increase in HIV and STI rates in Montrose and surrounding areas. Hospital briefs and other health care-related updates round out this in-depth edition on Houston’s health care accomplishments and challenges.
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Potential cuts to federal funding could set back medical research in Houston
Federal funding received, 2024 Speci c institutions have relied on federal funding to further advance and support their research, with the following institutions receiving millions last year:
Baylor College of Medicine MD Anderson Cancer Center
$326M
Houston’s health care and academic institutions could lose millions of dollars towards research if the National Institutes of Health moves forward with reducing indirect costs. How we got here President Donald Trump’s administration ordered the NIH—the agency that awards a large number of grants towards research—to reduce “indirect costs” on Feb. 7. Indirect costs are overhead costs associ- ated with research, such as supporting research sta and their salaries, as well as the costs to maintain facilities and laboratories, according to the NIH web- site. Many research organizations charge over 50% in indirect costs, according to the NIH website. For example, Rice University has a federally negotiated indirect cost rate of 56%. Michael King, Associate Vice President of
Research and Chair of Bioengineering at Rice University, said that if the NIH goes through with these cuts, the university could lose tens of millions of dollars. “It really makes me sad and a little bit angry, he said. “I try to advocate when I can, but these are dark times.” According to the Science & Community Impacts Mapping Project, a project created by a team of researchers across the United States to show the impacts these cuts could make nationwide, Harris County could stand to lose 1,241 health care-related jobs if funding is cut. “Harris County is home to the largest medical center in the world, and these cuts pose a direct threat to public health and our economy,” Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said in a written statement. “It’s not just about numbers on a budget
$191M
University of Houston
$38M
Rice University
$24M
SOURCES: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, RICE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY IMPACT
sheet—it’s about jobs, patients and families who rely on medical advancements.” Stay tuned The potential cuts are on pause inde nitely as a federal judge issued a temporary halt after 22 state attorney generals requested a block on the policy. Texas was not a part of the request.
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Health care
6 health care updates from local hospitals
3 River Oaks Hospital & Clinics The Advanced Diagnostics Healthcare System hospital announced the installation of a new GE Optima 128 Slice CT Scanner at the River Oaks Hospital & Clinics in March. According to the hospital’s social media page, the cutting-edge imaging technology enhances the clinic’s ability to provide faster, more precise and high-quality diagnostic studies for patients. The scanner has advanced capabilities for CTA Coronary, which creates detailed images of the heart’s coronary arteries; Calcium Scoring, measuring the amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries; and Perfusion Scans, which show how well blood flows through an organ or tissue, according to the Mayo Clinic, a private American academic medical center.
1 Texas Children’s Pediatrics Heights Texas Children’s Pediatrics in the Heights recently celebrated an expansion ribbon-cutting ceremony in March. The practice now has 40 exam rooms to accommodate the growing community, hospital officials said. The practice previously had 29 rooms. In July, TCP Heights will also onboard more providers from other Texas Children’s Pediatrics locations for a total of 11 physicians and a nurse practitioner. Texas Children’s also launched virtual care kits in 2024 that help physicians virtually treat and diagnose common illnesses such as colds, allergies, minor cuts and pink eye.
2 Kinder Children’s Cancer Center The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Texas Children’s Hospital are collaborating to launch the Kinder Children’s Cancer Center in 2026, a new institution focusing on childhood cancer patients. According to a May 14 news release, the new center will include inpatient beds, ambulatory care and state-of-the-art research labs. Another focus of the joint venture will be research, which will prioritize generating more cures for cancer by accelerating drug development and clinical trial programs to address unmet needs for children, hospital officials said.
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2200 Yale St., Ste. 120, Houston www.texaschildrens.org
6700 Main St., Houston www.kinderchildrenscancercenter.org
4200 Twelve Oaks Place, Houston www.rohc.care
AWARD-WINNING HEART & STROKE CARE Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY CASSANDRA JENKINS
4 Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital
5 St. Luke’s Health - Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center Hospital officials announced in early 2025 that the McNair Campus, 7200 Cambridge St., relaunched its inpatient rehabilitation services and expanded its patient capacity in January. The 30-bed inpatient rehabilitation center serves patients who suffer from conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, amputation and orthopedic injury. Construction also started in January on the Texas Medical Center building to redesign the hospital’s main lobby, cafeteria and three nursing units. The main lobby will receive a valet area and a more spacious lobby. The $25 million project is slated to take four years to complete.
6 Houston Methodist Centennial Tower
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital kicked off a multimillion-dollar major renovation of its Family Birthing Unit in January, hospital officials said. Enhancements include increasing capacity; transforming the current two-room Obstetric Emergency Department into two labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum rooms; and converting existing offices to a procedure and lactation room. It will also upgrade furniture, finishes and equipment in the existing 29 patient rooms, with new flooring, bathrooms and nurses’ stations throughout the unit. Renovations are expected to begin in the fall and be completed in mid- to late-2026.
The 26-story Centennial Tower project, approved by the Houston Methodist Board of Directors in 2022, is anticipated to top out at 511 feet in early August, surpassing the height of the adjacent Walter Tower, Houston Methodist officials said. As of May, more than 2.2 million hours have been worked on by nearly 1,000 construction workers for the $1.4 billion Texas Medical Center project. When completed, the tower will house nearly 400 patient beds and a new, larger emergency department, as well as enhanced imaging services. Hospital officials said the project is on schedule and is anticipated to have a phased opening in April 2027.
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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION
From the cover
Outpatient centers growing in Houston
BY MELISSA ENAJE & CASSANDRA JENKINS
Something to note
Assessing the need
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The Institute for Patient and Family-Centered Care defines ambulatory care as medical services performed on an outpatient basis, without admis- sion to a hospital or other facility. For example, facilities can include primary care clinics, urgent care centers or treatment centers. In 2025, a handful of new ambulatory care centers opened in Houston, including a new Kelsey-Sey- bold Clinic in Upper Kirby with primary care and subspecialists such as gastrointestinal physicians, cardiologists and dermatologists. Mental health treatment center Black Horse Health also opened in the Heights in April. The 10,000-square-foot space used to house residential condominiums and was rebuilt to serve office and housing needs for up to 16 clients being treated for issues related to substance use disorders, trauma, chronic pain and addiction, according to its website. “It’s all about keeping the body healthy, safe, away from harm and comfortable,” Chief Clinical Officer Ben Carrettin said.
2
According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, Houston gained approximately 43,000 new residents between 2023 and 2024, with approximately 12% of Houston residents aged 65 or older. However, the majority of Houston’s population is still made up of younger adults, with 23.6% of residents under 18 years old. Aaron Carlson, senior vice president of ambulatory services at the Kelsey- Seybold Clinic, said Houston’s population growth and increased demand for specialized health care services across several different age ranges played a large role in the clinic’s recent multifaceted expansion in Houston, including a new location that opened in the Upper Kirby district in February. “We are looking across the Houston market to bring health care outside of the [Texas] Medical Center and closer to people’s homes,” he said. “There’s a heavy data approach we use to say, ‘Here’s the community; here’s the services they utilize. Now let’s get the doctors in that community and embed them there.’” According to a 2021 report by the Greater Houston Partnership on regional health care, the Greater Houston area has significantly more medical clinics than hospitals, with approximately 13,899 ambulatory health care providers and roughly 240 hospitals. However, the city of Houston website notes there are only about 24 hospitals located within city limits, and 21 are located inside the Texas Medical Center.
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1 Kelsey-Seybold Clinic 3102 Kirby Drive, Houston www.kelsey-seybold.com • 36,000-square-foot building • Accommodates up to 18 providers • Offers pediatric care, internal medicine and family medicine • Includes a cancer center with an on-site laboratory and radiology 2 Black Horse Health 711 E. 20th St., Houston www.blackhorsehealth.com • 24-hour substance use detox program • More than 100 health care workers on-site • Services include family medicine, obstetrics and psychiatry • Three-floor facility with an aqua therapy pool, infrared sauna and gym
SOURCES: BLACK HORSE HEALTH, KELSEY-SEYBOLD CLINIC/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Diving in deeper
The cost of care
Among the rising need for more localized health centers due to population growth and convenience, cost effectiveness also plays a role in the shifting health care landscape, according to the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association. According to a 2014 study by the National Institutes of Health, the No. 1 reason people don’t go to hospitals is often due to financial concerns. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2023 revealed that patients spent between $363 to $1,000 less on procedures when treated in a health care facility than in a hospital.
27.1% of adults in Houston don’t have health insurance
85% of uninsured Texans skipped care in 2024 due to cost
$211 is the average price for a new outpatient visit
$30,000 is the average price of a 3-day hospital stay
Mapping hospitals
1 The Heights Hospital 2 Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital 3 River Oaks Hospital & Clinics Only three major hospitals exist within the Heights, River Oaks and Montrose areas.
SOURCES: HOUSTON STATE OF HEALTH, HEALTHCARE.GOV, TURQUOISE HEALTH/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Looking ahead
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future of health care, … and we want to be out there and serving the community where they need us.” Carlson said Kelsey-Seybold is looking to open another potential new clinic northwest of Montrose. A new precision diagnostic center is also slated to open in October near the River Oaks area called Fountain Life, which will help detect potential illnesses, including cancer.
As Houston continues to grow and diversify, the demand for affordable, neighborhood-based care is expected to rise. Health care leaders say the shift toward smaller, community-focused facilities is more than a trend—it’s a long-term response to evolving needs. “It’s about giving patients options for access,” Carlson said. “Our overall expansion was driven by access. We believe value-based care is the
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Health care
BY MELISSA ENAJE
New Harris County public health data spurs increased services in Montrose
Rate of new HIV diagnoses per 100,000 people, 2015–2021
15.3-30.9
31-50.6
50.7-81.1
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The highest rates of new HIV diagnoses and those living with the virus in Harris County were found in the Montrose and Downtown Houston areas, according to 2016-22 data stemming from an April report released by Harris County Public Health. “HIV continues to rise,” said Jennifer Kiger, who serves as HCPH’s director of the Office of Epidemi- ology, Surveillance and Emerging Diseases. “We’re seeing that in Texas, [and] we’re also seeing that here in Harris County.” Digging deeper Montrose had the highest rate of new HIV diag- noses in the six-year time period, according to the data, with a rate of 81, compared to the third highest rate in the county, which was found in the Settegast neighborhood in north Houston with 66. The report also stated that the Downtown
Houston and Montrose areas had the highest rates of people living with HIV in the county from 2015-21, with 5,614 and 2,238 cases, respectively. “I think we do see that more younger people ... live in the more central part of our county,” Kiger said. “That’s part one. Also, one thing we really talk about in the report is that sometimes hospitals or clinics may not have an address for an individual and therefore will put the address or ZIP code of the clinic or hospital.” Harris County has a higher-than-average rate of HIV than the Texas average, which can lead to poor health outcomes, higher health care costs and reduced quality of life, health care officials said. The action taken HCPH is expanding its low-cost, clinical and preventive services to address the rising rates in
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SOURCES: HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, UNITED STATES ZIP CODES/COMMUNITY IMPACT
the county, according to an April news release. As part of its HIV/STI prevention program to remove testing barriers, HCPH offers Testing 123, a mobile outreach service that offers services to clients at their preferred location by texting 281-962-8378 to set an HIV testing appointment.
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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION
Health care
BY JULIANNA WASHBURN
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center celebrates 50-year milestone Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, a nonpro t blood center founded in January 1975, celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. Theresa Pina, chief growth o cer for Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, said with the new mile- stone came memories of impactful testimonies from over the years. “I get to hear the stories from moms that talk about how our blood products help their child get through their leukemia treatment,” Pina said. “I get to hear about people that were in major car accidents or traumas that happen and get to see that they’re living a normal life now.” Two-minute impact The Houston-based community blood center serves 170 hospitals and health care facilities in a
26-county area. It is also the only blood provider to Houston and its surrounding communities that serves 24 hours a day and seven days a week, according to the center’s website. One blood donation can help up to three people who need surgeries, cancer treatments or are enduring chronic illnesses or trauma, Pina said. To meet the community’s needs, the center needs about 1,000 donations a day. One more thing Pina said the center is also looking at the next 50 years and how it can expand the center, such as putting a greater focus on the contributions to research and opening a new building across the street from the center’s headquarters to serve as its new donor room. Pina said the new donor building will open this year. “We want to celebrate the 50 years of who we are going to be and how we can serve bigger and how we can save more lives, not only through saving people with transfusions, but also helping provide cures for medical mysteries that exist today,” Pina said.
Donor Marsha Asplin celebrates a milestone of 1,600 units, or 200 gallons of blood, donated over 42 years.
PHOTO COURTESY GULF COAST REGIONAL BLOOD CENTER
In 2024, the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center saw:
433,506 lives saved
139,347 total donors
322,571 total units donated
533 volunteers
SOURCE: GULF COAST REGIONAL BLOOD CENTER COMMUNITY IMPACT
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Education
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
Houston ISD received a “C” for the 2022- 23 school year in the Texas Education Agency’s accountability ratings for school districts statewide. The ratings were released April 24 after a delay due to lawsuits, TEA officials said. The announcement follows an April 3 ruling by Texas’ 15th Court of Appeals, which overturned an injunction that had blocked Houston ISD receives ‘C’ rating for 2022-23
The breakdown
earned a “B.” About 32% received a “C,” 14% earned a “D” and 3% earned an “F.”
According to the TEA’s latest accountability report, nearly 11% of traditional school districts across Texas earned an “A” rating, while 40%
Houston ISD ratings by campus, 2022-23
District snapshot, 2022-23 1st largest school district in Texas 189,290 students enrolled 79.5% economically disadvantaged 9.1% special education
37% emergent bilingual
A: 11 B: 15
91.9% average attendance rate 27.5% missed 10% or more of the school year
C: 6 D: 5 F: 4
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
the 2023 ratings for over a year. In August 2023, over 100 school
districts sued TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, arguing the agency’s revamped accountability system was “unlawful” and would unfairly harm school districts.
In a nutshell
The state’s A-F accountability system was designed to measure whether students are ready for the next grade level and how well each dis- trict prepares them for success after high school, Community Impact previously reported. “For far too long, families, educators and com- munities have been denied access to information about the performance of their schools, thanks to frivolous lawsuits paid for by tax dollars filed by those who disagreed with the statutory goal of raising career readiness expectations to help stu- dents,” Morath said in an April 24 news release. TEA officials said the methods of calculat- ing 2022-23 ratings were “updated to more
accurately reflect performance.” HISD received 72 out of 100 points for 2022-23. “It is important for the community to know that the data released today reflects the performance of the district and its schools prior to the state intervention and the appointment of Superinten- dent Mike Miles,” HISD officials said in an April 24 statement. “The 2022-2023 ratings confirm what many already knew: HISD was a deeply inequitable system in need of urgent change—clear evidence the intervention was needed.” The TEA intends to release ratings for 2024-25 on Aug. 15, per state law.
Houston ISD accountability ratings Since the A-F system launched in 2017-18, HISD has only received three official ratings due to three years of State of Disaster declarations. 2017-18: Not rated due to Hurricane Harvey 2018-19: B (88) 2019-20: Not rated due to COVID-19 pandemic 2020-21: Not rated due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021-22: B (88) 2022-23: C (72)
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION
Government
Transportation
BY KEVIN VU
BY KEVIN VU
Houston’s $7B budget for FY 2026 will eliminate $330M shortfall
$12M Main Street Promenade project to start in June
Buffalo Bayou Park to get 2 EV stations Two electric vehicle charging stations will be installed in Buffalo Bayou Park after city officials approved the project during a May 14 City Council meeting. In a nutshell The $100,000 project will install two charging stations by the end of the summer along Allen Parkway at Buffalo Bayou Park, according to a May 14 news release. Council member Abbie Kamin, District C, said this project is part of an agreement with the Downtown Redevelopment Authority and represents “the revival of meaningful investment in Houston’s sustainable infrastructure.” “As the Energy Capital of the World, we have a responsibility to lead the energy transition,” Kamin said.
Department head cuts Houston officials requested all department heads to reduce their FY2026 budgets by at least 10%, which resulted in $16.2 million in savings for the city.
Houston will start construction on the Main Street Promenade project in June, turning a stretch of Main Street into a lively, pedestrian-friendly corridor in Downtown Houston, according to a May 7 public hearing and presentation. The details Spearheaded by Downtown Houston+—a coalition of downtown organizations and author- ities—the $12 million project will work on seven blocks of Main Street that stretch from Rusk Street to Commerce Street to create a space for people to walk and dine, according to the presentation. Brian Crimmins, a special projects manager at the Mayor’s Office, presented to Houston City Council the final design plans May 7. He said the project plans on achieving the goal of a pedestri- an-friendly walkway by raising the existing street to sidewalk level, allowing a wider walkway and making it more accessible for wheelchair users, as well as providing more space for restaurants.
1 Parks and Recreation: $4,021,000
2 General Services: $3,244,000
1
Mayor John Whitmire said his proposed $7 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year addresses the city’s projected $330 million shortfall without raising taxes or fees. The overview Houston has a projected $330 million budget shortfall heading into fiscal year 2026; however, Whitmire said during a May 6 news conference that this proposed budget addresses the shortfall through numerous initiatives. One of the largest financial strains posed to the budget was a drainage lawsuit, which would’ve forced Houston to allocate $100 million toward the street and drainage fund by the end of the fiscal year. However, the city and the plaintiffs reached a deal in April to allocate these funds over time by 2028.
A third of the eligible employees also accepted the voluntary retirement program, a one-time volun- tary retirement incentive, which Finance Director Melissa Dubowski said will save the city $30 million. The Mayor’s Chief of Staff Chris Newport said con- solidations were also made in city departments and specific positions, which saved the city $7 million. Budget explained The $7 billion proposed budget is a $160 million increase, with $1.1 billion of the general fund going toward the Houston Police Department and $659 million to the Houston Fire Department, roughly 60% of Houston’s general fund. However, some city departments received cuts, such as the Department of Neighborhoods and the Library Department, seeing $7 million and roughly $2 million in cuts, respectively.
3 Health: $2,347,000
4 Library: $1,854,000
2
5 Municipal Courts: $1,805,000
6 Finance: $988,000
N
3
7 Legal: $944,000
The project also wants to create more shade for the area by increasing tree canopy and implement- ing structures that could provide further shade. What else? The north and southbound lanes of the seven blocks along Main Street will be closed off to cars as part of the project, but the east and west will remain open during construction.
8 Office of Business
4
Opportunity: $345,000
9 Planning & Development: $321,000
5
6 7 9 8 11 10
10 Fire: $254,000
11 Housing & Community Development: $32,000
SOURCE: CITY OF HOUSTON/COMMUNITY IMPACT
HOUSTON SUPERSTORE 2410 Smith Street (713) 526-8787
WESTCOTT AND MEMORIAL 5818 Memorial Dr (713) 861-4161
SHEPHERD 1900 S Shepherd (713) 529-4849
Events
BY CASSANDRA JENKINS
their hands and hips as they dance along to the drums of the Pacific USA Inc. Dinner will also be served during the show. • June 20, 27 and 28, 5-8 p.m. • $85-$150 • 2712 Southwest Freeway, Houston • www.houstondinnershow.com Comicpalooza The pop-culture festival includes entertainment, special attractions, programming and celebrity meet-and- greets representing a myriad of fandoms. The event will include several vendors and an exhibition floor at the George R. Brown Convention Center. • June 20-22, times vary • $55-$220 admission • 1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston • www.comicpalooza.com Freedom Over Texas Houston’s signature patriotic celebration on the Fourth of July will include live concerts, local entertainment and a musically choreographed fireworks finale. The celebration will take place at Eleanor Tinsley Park along
JUNE
M-K-T Sunset Market The M-K-T’s spin on a typical farmers market occurs on a weeknight and is a family-friendly event where visitors can enjoy charcuterie on the wave deck, enjoy live music, or participate in face painting on the lawn.
• June 19, 6-9 p.m. • Free (admission) • 600 N. Shepherd Drive, Houston • www.themkt.com/events
Building What We Started Juneteenth 2025 marks 160 years since Freedmen’s Town was established in Houston. The conservancy will celebrate the honor with a month-long series of events and a festival that will include a day-long celebration of art, music and history with a fireside chat with Marc Lamont Hill. • June 19, all-day event • Free • 1300 Victor St., Houston • www.houstonfreedmenstown.org/juneteenth-2025 Aloha, Texas! Luau Dinner Show Guests can travel through Polynesia at the Crowne Plaza and watch hula dancers tell the story of the islands with
Pride Houston The 47th official Houston LGBT+ pride celebration will include a festival and parade in Downtown Houston. The event includes outdoor music, dozens of vendors, food trucks, a family fun zone and various entertainment. This year’s theme is
“Celebration is Our Legacy.” • June 28, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. • $5-$300 (admission), parade is free • 901 Bagby St., Houston • www.pridehouston365.org
the Buffalo Bayou. • July 4, 4-8 p.m. • $10 (admission) • 3600 Allen Parkway, Houston • www.houstontx.gov/july4/
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Business
BY KEVIN VU
Co-founders Dion and Cindy Ruzicka.
KEVIN VU COMMUNITY IMPACT
Löyly Sauna Lounge hosts di erent events, such as breathing classes, singles mixers and workshops.
COURTESY LÖYLY SAUNA LOUNGE
Houston couple opens contrast therapy center In the Heights lies one of Houston’s only facili- ties dedicated to sauna and cold plunge lounges— Löyly Sauna Lounge, a contrast therapy center inspired by the ancient Finnish sauna tradition of alternating between cold and hot plunges.
how it could heal him. Thinking about that dream months later, Dion said he decided to take that step. After regularly doing cold plunges and even con- vincing his wife to start doing it, Dion decided to open a Löyly in 2023 when he became cancer-free. What they o er Customers can book a 45-minute session, cycling between 38-degree cold water immersion to a 104-degree hot tub soak, with the experience ending in a 170-degree sauna. Dion and Cindy believe that doing these sessions will heal the body and mind, allowing for detoxi- cation, relieving stress, enhancing recovery and improving breathing.
Patrons can alternate between cold and hot plunges.
COURTESY LÖYLY SAUNA LOUNGE
W. DALLAS ST.
For co-founders Dion and Cindy Ruzicka, Löyly is a place where people can heal and nd a place of community. “When you’re in there together, you’re cheering each other on,” Cindy said. “All ages of people, all walks of life, massive diversity, all doing this really hard thing together.” The backstory Dion was diagnosed with leukemia in 2022. He said he had a dream about taking an ice bath and
W. CLAY ST.
N
1210 W. Clay St., Ste. 18, Houston www.loylysaunalounge.com
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17
HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION
State
BY HANNAH NORTON
Texas lawmakers move to expand state’s medical cannabis program
More details
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made outlawing all other consumable THC products one of his signature priorities this legislative session. He told journal- ists May 28 that Senate Bill 3, the proposed THC ban, would “save an entire generation [from] being hooked on drugs,” accusing those against the ban of being pro t-motivated. “They don’t care about the health of children— they care about making a pro t,” Patrick said May 28. “But we want to respond to them, so we have expanded [the Compassionate Use Program].” Earlier in May, House members said the con- sumable THC ban proposed by Senate Bill 3 would close a “loophole” state lawmakers inadvertently created in 2019, when they legalized hemp sales in an attempt to boost the agricultural industry.
location. This means providers and patients often drive hours to transport and pick up medication, said Nico Richardson, CEO of the dispensary Texas Original. “[The program] is not set up to succeed right now, and it’s not set up to provide reasonable access to patients,” Richardson told Community Impact on April 25. “The law that we operate under says that we have to provide reasonable access to patients across Texas, and our regulations are not allowing us to do that.” HB 46 was sent back to the House May 28. If its members concur with the Senate’s changes, the bill will head to the governor.
Texas senators voted unanimously May 27 to expand eligibility for medical cannabis prescriptions, putting the state on track to build out an existing program that some Texans have said does not currently help enough people. That same day, legislation that would ban the possession, sale and manufacture of all other hemp-derived THC products in Texas was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. House Bill 46 would increase the conditions eligible for Texas’ Compassionate Use Program and allow doctors to begin prescribing aerosol and vaporized medical cannabis products, such as inhalers and vaping devices. The bill would allow 12 medical cannabis dispensaries to operate in Texas, up from three under current law. Licensed dispensaries would have the option to create satellite locations to store medication. Medical cannabis providers must currently house all their operations and store products in a single The current situation Texas’ three medical cannabis dispensaries operate dozens of pickup locations throughout the state. House Bill 46 would allow 9 more providers to open locations. Medical cannabis pickup locations in the state
Another perspective
After House lawmakers passed SB 3 in mid-May, the Texas Hemp Business Council, which advocates for hemp retailers, launched a petition urging the governor to veto the bill. If SB 3 becomes law, it would “harm veterans, senior citizens, patients and consumers across the state,” according to the petition. Abbott has not publicly commented on the proposed THC ban.
SOURCES: TEXAS ORIGINAL, GOODBLEND AND FLUENT COMMUNITY IMPACT
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
A TOUR OF THE STATE, MADE ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT JUNE 2025
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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DETOURS: The Botanical Gardens of Orange CRITTER: Bottlenose Dolphin OUT THERE: Meanwhile, in Texas MADE IN TEXAS: Copper Craftsman FEATURE PREVIEW: Juneteenth’s Hero, Opal Lee
Above: The Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.
19
HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION
DETOURS
A Green Refuge In Orange
Northwest of downtown, alongside Adams Bayou.
BY DANIEL VAUGHN
FOR FIFTY YEARS the gates of Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center were closed. A bitter freeze in 1958 killed much of founder H.J. Lutcher Stark’s plant- ings, including his prized azaleas. Decades later, reopening plans spearheaded by his namesake foundation were also thwarted by nature, first by Hurricane Rita, in 2005, and then by Ike, in 2008. Finally, in 2009, the 252-acre park opened once again to visitors. Gravel paths wander along- side some three hundred plant species, and everywhere are contemplative spaces that feel far removed from the surrounding city, which lies just across the Sabine River from Louisiana. At the placid Pond of the Blue Moon is the towering Cypress Gate, a platform designed by San Antonio–based architecture firm Lake Flato from logs salvaged after Rita. At Ruby Lake, you’ll find a bird blind for viewing the many varieties of waterfowl that come through, and you just might see an alligator sunning on the dock nearby.
About 51,000 bottlenose dol- phins—the most common spe- cies o the Texas coast—are frolicking in the northern Gulf as you read this. Occasionally, though, one of them ends up on land. The Texas Marine Mam- mal Stranding Network, based in Galveston, responds to an average of 134 strandings per year. Executive director Heidi Whitehead says that after hur- ricanes, she and her colleagues have even rescued dolphins from fields and ditches as far as seventeen miles inland. So before you head to the beach, learn what to do if you come across one.
it can be rescued. Then try to keep it shaded and wet.
IF I FIND A STRANDED DOLPHIN, SHOULD I PUSH
CRITTER OF THE MONTH
Bottlenose Dolphin
IT INTO THE WATER? Often, says Whitehead, a
HOW EXACTLY DOES ONE MOISTEN A DOLPHIN ? You can pour seawater over it or cover it in wet towels. Just be sure to avoid the blowhole. MAY I PET IT? Definitely not. Wild dolphins are a protected species, and any form of harassment (such as trying to touch, feed, or swim with them) is illegal. Whitehead says the best thing you can do is be quiet and keep pets and other people at a distance. —Lauren Larson
beached dolphin is su ering from a lung disease brought on by exposure to bacteria, viruses, or fungi, and it must be treated and rehabilitated. If you try to Free Willy a dolphin back into the Gulf, it is unlikely to survive. WHAT SHOULD I DO? First, call 800-9MAMMAL, which is like a dolphin 911, and someone from Whitehead’s group will talk you through keeping the animal safe until
20
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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