Bay Area Edition | April 2023

The e-edition is an exact replica of the newspaper with interactive and searchable articles from all your favorite sections.

BAY AREA EDITION

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 9 MAY 2MAY 30, 2023

BATTLE OVER BOOKS

Kelsey-Seybold opens new League City clinic

TxDOT prioritizing Hwy. 146, FM 646 projects in Bay Area

Transportation updates

Exploration Green Phase 5 underway

Members of the newly formed Galveston County Library Alliance on Feb. 28 protested League City City Council’s decision to create a new book review committee. Now that council approved the committee’s creation, some alliance members plan to fight back.

Artemis 2 astronauts announced

JAKE MAGEECOMMUNITY IMPACT

What one group calls protecting minors from obscen- ity, another calls censorship. On Feb. 28, League City City Council voted in favor of an ordinance creating a new committee responsible for reviewing Helen Hall Library books residents ag as potentially harmful or oensive. During the weeks leading up to the vote, dozens of residents balked at the decision. Many claimed the Community Standards Review Committee was an attempt to ban LGBTQ-themed books from the library. Katherine Swanson, spokesperson for the Galveston County Library Alliance, a grassroots group formed in response to the ordinance, was one of about 20 who pro- tested outside League City City Council chambers Feb. 28. Alliance members said they are considering lawsuits or other ways to ght the ordinance. CONTINUED ON 20 Residents, City Council clash over controversial book review committee BY JAKE MAGEE

Pull the newest teaser from CC Libraries

velous

Beautiful homes, world-class amenities and a lifestyle you can only find in Lago Mar. They all add up to an award-winning community where you can live your best life.

• Dive into Texas’ Largest Crystal Clear Lagoon • Experience White Sand Beaches with Cabanas • Indulge at Onsite Blue Lagoon Bar & Grill • Marvel over Houston’s Best New Home Builders • Shop Til' You Drop at Tanger Outlets

LagoMar in TexasCity.com

New Homes High $200s-$500s

Prices, amenities, and information subject to change without notice. 03/23

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

We’re Growing in the Bay Area.

KELSEY-SEYBOLD CLINIC – SOUTH SHORE HARBOUR

Scan to schedule your appointment or call 713-442-8580 NOW OPEN!

KELSEY-SEYBOLD.COM/SSH-NOW

1080378017

BAY AREA EDITION • MAY 2023

• Pulmonary Medicine/ Sleep Medicine • Rheumatology

• Orthopedics – Sports Medicine • Orthopedics – Surgery • Otolaryngology (ENT) • Pediatrics • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation/Spine

• Internal Medicine • Hematology/Oncolgy • Neurology • OB/GYN • Ophthalmology • Optometry

• Allergy • Audiology • Cardiology

• Surgery • Urology

• Dermatology • Endocrinology • Family Medicine • Gastroenterology

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

THIS ISSUE

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. MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Papar Faircloth SENIOR EDITOR Jake Magee REPORTER Saab Sahi GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jesus Verastegui ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Adrianne Smith METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Jason Culpepper MANAGING EDITOR Kelly Schafler COPY EDITOR Adrian Gandara 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 baynews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING bayads@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

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH

FROM PAPAR: There are so many great benefits to living in the Bay Area, one of those being our access to a variety of outdoor activities. Whether the water calls you or some hiking trails, we have the luxury of living life outdoors when we want—weather permitting, of course. This month we take some time to explore the nature around you with a story on Page 11, so be sure to take a look! Papar Faircloth, GENERAL MANAGER

FROM JAKE: Since December, some League City residents have been balking at League City City Council’s decision to create a new review committee for books residents flag as inappropriate or offensive. At the same time, Clear Creek ISD enacted tighter restrictions on school library materials available to students. We spoke to both sides of the issue to get the full story, so be sure to read our front-page story to learn more. Jake Magee, SENIOR EDITOR

CORRECTION: Volume 5, Issue 7 In the Senior Living Guide, The Crossings also provides independent-living services, and the facility’s phone number is 281-525-4320.

"Our story is just beginning. " - JOHN GARRETT, COMMUNITY IMPACT CEO & FOUNDER, AS QUOTED BY TEXAS MONTHLY

communityimpact.com

Check out Texas Monthly’s profile on Community Impact, featuring the story of our founders as well as a look at our business model, commitment to local journalism and future plans for CI Texas.

@impactnewshtxmetro

@impactnews

linkedin.com/company/communityimpact

@communityimpacthouston

We've teamed up to bring you more of the stories you care about.

Proudly printed by

READ THE FULL STORY TODAY.

Parents know their child’s education is more than just one high- stakes test on one day. Let’s prepare our students for the future, expand public school accountability, and Measure What Matters.

Ad paid by Raise Your Hand Texas

BAY AREA EDITION • MAY 2023

IMPACTS

Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding

San Antonio, Austin and Salt Lake City. www.via313.com 5 Legendary Venue is scheduled to open at 780 Clear Lake City Blvd., Ste. 1B, Webster, in May, according to the company’s website. The new venue will be available to host events, such as wed- dings, birthdays, graduations and corpo- rate events. The venue will also include a conference room and podcast studio, according to the website. The venue is accepting bookings for events this spring, according to the website. 281-249-9981. www.legendaryvenue.com 6 Shake Shack will open at the incom- ing Shops at Baybrook at I-45 and Bay Area Boulevard in Webster. The casual restaurant, which has locations across the United States, sells burgers, hot dogs, specialty fries and drinks, and shakes and custard. The Shops at Baybrook will open by late 2023. www.shakeshack.com 7 Killen’s Barbecue , a staple local barbecue restaurant with a location in Pearland, is expected to open a location at the William P. Hobby Airport at 7800 Airport Blvd., Houston. Killen’s Barbecue serves classic Texas barbecue, including brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sausage and turkey available by the pound, on plates or on sandwiches. Executive Chef Ronnie Killen also has other Killen’s restaurants, including Tex-Mex, steakhouses and a burger joint. The airport’s expansion of its concessions is part of a 10-year agree- ment that is projected to generate over $100 million in revenue for the Houston Airport System, according to a press release. Over 200 staff are expected to be hired for all the new concession loca- tions. www.killensbarbecue.com 8 SpindleTap Brewery , which gets its namesake from the original Spindletop gusher in Beaumont that began the state’s oil boom, will be opening a second location at the William P. Hobby Airport at 7800 Airport Blvd., Houston, by No- vember 2024. Guests to the new Hobby Airport location can enjoy SpindleTap’s lineup of brews including Boomtown Blonde Ale, Toolpusher Pale Ale and Hon- ey Hole ESB. The opening is part of a 10- year agreement between Hobby Airport and Areas, a global hospitality brand, and is expected to bring over $100 million in

P O R T B L V D

10 7

11 8

AEROSPACE AVE.

MAP NOT TO SCALE

PGBT TOLL

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER

SRT TOLL

000 TOLL 000A TOLL

SEABROOK

DNT TOLL

146

000

CLEAR LAKE

000

2351

0000

GALVESTON BAY

MOPAC

BAYBROOK MALL DR.

NASSAU BAY

WEBSTER

518

528

WEST BAY

PARK RD. 66

646

GULF OF MEXICO

3005

NOW OPEN 1 Kelley’s Country Cookin reopened March 9 at 1502 Main St., League City. The beloved restaurant closed over a year ago on Feb. 14, 2022, after being destroyed by a fire while undergoing roof maintenance. Kelley’s, which serves breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, fried steak and other country foods, has locations around the Bay Area, including Pearland and Pasadena, and was started by a Houston Police Depart- ment retiree in 1983. 281-338-0300. www.kelleysrestaurant.com 2 A new Johnson Fitness & Wellness opened at 19010 Gulf Freeway, Friend- swood, as part of the company’s recent slew of openings across the state. The company, which recently opened 17 new retail stores in Texas, offers a variety of fitness products and brands. Some of

the equipment offered by the facilities include treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes and other personal fitness staples. Johnson Fitness & Wellness is part of Taiwan-based Johnson Health Tech, which manufactures a range of personal training equipment. 281-488-0076. www.johnsonfitness.com 3 Following a major $10.6 million, three-year redevelopment project needed after Hurricane Ike, Galveston Island State Park , 14901 FM 3005, Galveston, held a grand reopening event March 31 and April 1 as part of the Texas State Parks Centen- nial program, according to a release from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. The grand reopening festivities featured speeches, refreshments, prairie hikes, beach walks and fishing. Improvements to the park include 95 new campsites, 20 new shade shelters, two new restrooms, two

new changing areas with rinse-off showers, new roads, a new headquarters, and reno- vations to safeguard the park from severe weather events. Furthermore, the park also features a newly remodeled nature center in the bay section of the park, a new vendor area, and three new group-use pavilions in the beach section of the park. 409-737-1222. www.tpwd.texas.gov/ state-parks/galveston-island COMING SOON 4 According to city of Webster doc- uments, Via 313 Pizzeria is one of the restaurants set to open at the Shops at Baybrook at the southeast corner of I-45 and Bay Area Boulevard in Webster at the end of the year. Founded in Detroit in 2011, Via 313 offers authentic Detroit-style pizza. The restaurant has locations around

LEAGUE CITY

Rashes, bites and stings are just some of the non-life threatening illnesses and injuries we treat quickly and affordably.

SO IT WAS POISON IVY AFTER ALL.

Scan for the nearest location. Open 9am – 9pm, 7 days a week nextlevelurgentcare.com

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

COMPILED BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

Shake Shack

Mango

COURTESY SHAKE SHACK

COURTESY MANGO

The Kelsey-Seybold South Shore Harbour Clinic opened March 20 in League City. It was originally projected to open in January.

COURTESY KELSEY-SEYBOLD

FEATURED IMPACT NOW OPEN The Kelsey-Seybold South Shore Harbour Clinic opened March 20 in League City. It was originally projected to open in January. The one-story, 15,000-square-foot facility at 3625 E. League City Parkway provides comprehensive primary care, such as family medicine, pediatrics and internal medicine. It includes a lab and imaging services such as X-rays and ultrasounds and has room for seven health care providers. “The residents living in South Shore Harbour and the surrounding area have already beneted from having a Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in their community,” Stuart Cayer, senior director of ambulatory clinics, said in a news release. “We’re condent this expansion of services in this new space will meet the growing needs of residents who live and work nearby.” The new facility will expand patient access to “value-based care,” which is a model of health care based on evidence and coordination between providers, according to the release. “Over the last year, we’ve established meaningful relationships focused on improving health and wellness with South Shore Clinic patients at our old location. The new South Shore Harbour Clinic will develop connections with

even more patients in the Bay Area through our expanded health care services and oerings,” Benafsha Irani, managing physician at South Shore Harbour Clinic, said in the release. “We are looking forward to caring for this community for years to come.” The clinic replaces Kelsey-Seybold’s previous League City location, which was at capacity, at 201 Enterprise Ave., Ste. 900. Kelsey-Seybold acquired the property, formerly known as the South Shore Medical Center, in February 2022. Other Kelsey-Seybold growth is incoming. The health care provider plans to expand its Webster location by 150,000 square feet by fall, and it will open a two-story, 33,000-square-foot League City location on the west side of I-45 in 2024. 713-442-2826. www.kelsey-seybold.com

Killen's Barbecue

The Zero-G Experience

COURTESY HOUSTON AIRPORTS

COURTESY ZERO-G CORPORATION

revenue for the Houston Airport System. www.spindletap.com 9 Mango , one of the world’s largest fast-fashion retailers, will open a new location at Baybrook Mall, 500 Baybrook Mall Drive, Friendswood, later this year. Beginning with the opening of its U.S. flagship store in New York in 2022, the Spanish fashion retailer is growing its U.S. footprint with more locations to open in Frisco, San Antonio and California later this year. http://shop.mango.com 10 The nationwide Yard House franchise is adding another Houston location at William P. Hobby Airport at 7800 Airport Blvd., Houston. Known for its extensive New American menu and draft beer selection, the high-end sports bar will be open for business by November 2024. The opening is part of a 10-year agreement be- tween Hobby Airport and Areas, a global hospitality brand, and is expected to bring over $100 million in revenue for Houston Airports. www.yardhouse.com 11 The Spot , Galveston’s beachfront island kitchen, will be opening a second

location at the William P. Hobby Airport at 7800 Airport Blvd., Houston, in late 2024. Guests to the new Hobby Airport location will be able to enjoy a smaller menu of guest favorites made entirely from scratch daily. The opening is part of a 10-year agreement between Hobby Airport and Areas, a global hospitality brand, and is expected to bring over $100 million in revenue for Houston Airports. www.islandfamous.com/thespot IN THE NEWS 12 The Zero-G Experience is coming to Ellington Airport, 11602 Aerospace Ave., Houston, in June. Hosted by the Zero-G Corporation, the Zero-G Experience is an event that allows customers to experi- ence weightlessness. The G-Force One is a modified Boeing 727-200 that performs maneuvers by continually rising and diving to allow passengers to become weightless, according to the company’s website. The aircraft has maximum float- ing space and padding to allow customers to float safely. www.gozerog.com

r e

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

BAY AREA EDITION • MAY 2023

UTMB Health has 130+ years of expertise caring for children of all ages.

Specialized care for children of all ages At UTMB Health, our team of expertly trained pediatric specialists deliver personalized, leading-edge, compassionate care to children of all ages. We’re here to partner with you to ensure the health and well-being of your children. From routine procedures to performing life-changing surgeries, our providers are true partners in the health of your kids.

Call our 24/7 Access Services team at (800) 917-8906 , visit our website at utmbhealth.com/pedi-experts or scan the QR code to find a provider and schedule your next appointment.

knows Pediatrics

The University of Texas Medical Branch is in-network for most major insurance plans.

Mobile banking that fits you to a

All Trustmark checking accounts include mobile banking, so you can bank anywhere, anytime. And, with Plus Checking, earn exclusive benefits, like vacation discounts, cell phone coverage, identity theft protection, and more. Learn more at trustmark.com.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

TRANSPORTATION UPDATES TxDOT prioritizing Hwy. 146, FM 646 projects in Bay Area

COMPILED BY JAKE MAGEE

ONGOING PROJECTS

Widening FM 646 and another section of Hwy. 146 are among the projects the Texas Department of Transportation is prioritizing in the Bay Area. During a Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership meeting March 22, TxDOT engineer Eliza Paul shared details on some of the local projects the organization is focusing on in the coming years. The widening of Hwy. 146 through Seabrook and Kemah will be com- plete by the end of the year, but soon another section of the road will be widened. This May, TxDOT will begin accepting contractor bids for a Hwy. 146 widening project from FM 518 to Dickinson Bayou, Paul said. The project will widen the road from four to six lanes and is expected to cost $177.8 million and take three years to complete. The project includes new sidewalks and bridges, according to Paul. FM 646 from west of Hwy. 3 to Hwy. 146 will also be widened from two to four lanes with a raised median. The project will go to bid in May 2024 and will cost $72 million and take two years to complete, Paul said. The bridge connecting Pelican Island to Galveston Island will also be reconstructed at a cost of $118.4 million. The three-year project will go to bid in July 2025, Paul said. When it comes to planning future projects, TxDOT is still considering the Grand Parkway. Segment B from Hwy. 288 to I-45 has been approved for construction and is expected to go to bid in the next two or three years, Paul said. “That one is actually going to go

MAJOR INCOMING PROJECTS Over the next few years, the Texas Department of Transportation will begin two major projects in the Bay Area.

KOBAYASHI RD.

NASA Parkway improvements Webster is making improvements to NASA Parkway between Hwy. 3 to Kobayashi Road. Contractors are removing asphalt pavement and brick pavers, installing concrete pavement with raised and landscaped medians, installing new sidewalks, straight- ening and painting light poles, and improving safety where trees get close to electrical poles. The work is expected to take a year and will include some lane closures. Cost: $7.08 million Timeline: March 2023-March 2024 Funding source: city of Webster

GALVESTON BAY

HWY. 146 WIDENING Section: FM 518 to Dickinson Bayou Cost: $177.8 million Construction timeline: three years Goes to bid May 2023

FM 646 WIDENING Section: west of Hwy. 3 to Hwy. 146 Cost: $72 million Construction timeline: two years Goes to bid May 2024

518

146

646

517

DICKINSON BAYOU

528

SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

BAY AREA BLVD.

out the door pretty quick,” she said. TxDOT ocials are still looking for the best way to connect the Grand Parkway from I-45 to Hwy. 146, which would be known as Segment A, Paul said. Most of the area where Segment A could go are fully developed, so it is a challenge to nd a path for Segment A that would disrupt as few busi- nesses and residences as possible, but TxDOT is studying the problem, Paul said. Paul said these major projects are a direct response to the rapid growth in Texas and the Greater Houston area. In 2010, Texas had about 25.15 million residents. As of 2020, it was 29.15 million—a growth of 15.9%. Every day, 1,000 people are added to Texas’ population, making it one of

the fastest-growing states in terms of population, Paul said. Congestion aects travel times and costs for freight and commuters, making it a priority of TxDOT’s to reduce congestion, Paul said. “We need to do something about it,” she said. TxDOT’s Unied Transportation Program is a 10-year plan to gure out what road projects across the state have funding and are ready to move down the pipeline toward construction. This year, TxDOT’s plan includes $116.9 billion in funding, including maintenance and planning, and the 2024 plan is looking to be upward of $140 billion, Paul said. “What that means is we can put more projects in the pipeline to be funded,” she said.

GRISSOM RD.

ABIGAIL LN.

CLEAR CREEK

ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF MARCH 29. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT BAYNEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. divided highway with accompany- ing drainage improvements. Work is ongoing on the eastbound lanes, and overall, the project is about 65% complete. Cost: $8.53 million Timeline: April 2022-June 2023 Funding source: city of League City Grissom Road widening Grissom Road east of Bay Area Bou- levard and just north of Clear Creek is being converted from a two-lane rural road with an open ditch to a four-lane

Kimberly Harding, Broker/Owner 281-554-7653 Kimberly@KimberlyHarding.com 2490 Calder Dr, League City, TX 77573 www.TheKimberlyHardingGroup.com

BAY AREA EDITION • MAY 2023

ENVIRONMENT Exploration Green nal phase set to be completed this summer

BY JOVANNA AGUILAR

This 20-year exemption saved around $50 million. Without those savings, Exploration Green may not have been possible, Branch said. The authority is planning a grand opening event for Phase 5 on Sept. 30 to celebrate the completion of the project, Branch said. According to Branch, one of the main reasons the project was split into ve phases was to prevent tax increases. Allowing bonds to expire over time gave the authority the opportunity to issue new bonds at the same tax rate throughout the project, he said. According to Branch, Exploration Green will provide the community with 500 million gallons of stormwater storage. After the project is completed, the authority plans to work with the Harris County Flood Control District and FEMA to re-evaluate the ooding potential in the Clear Lake area. The authority expects Exploration Green to improve ood risk zones and reduce ood insurance rates in the area, Branch said. According to Branch, over 15,000 hours of volunteer hours have been recorded during the span of the project. Community members’ contribution toward the project saved taxpayers $6.5 million, Branch said. “They’ve done a fantastic job,” Branch said regarding volunteers. “And it really has built community spirit.” The entire project, including the cost of the land, will be almost $43 million upon completion, according to Branch.

The nal phase of Exploration Green, a project to convert a Clear Lake golf course into a nature conservatory with a series of detention ponds, will be nished this summer. The Clear Lake City Water Authority, an entity that provides water services to the Clear Lake area, began the Exploration Green project in 2005. Phase 5, the nal phase, was originally projected to be completed by the end of 2022 but was delayed due to weather, said John Branch, vice president of the authority’s board. “They had a lot of rain for a while, and we do give them credit for rain day work and getting on dirt when it’s all wet out there,” Branch said, referring to the contractors. Branch explained the contractor is penalized $800 per day after the timeframe of the project is exceeded. Contractors now have an incentive to nish the project before they incur too many penalties, Branch said. Phase 5 cost $9.2 million. Due to a large pipeline that had to be moved in order to maximize the stormwater storage capacity, this parcel was more expensive than the others, Branch said. Branch added that although Houston enacted a drainage fee on residential owners near Exploration Green around the time the project ocially started, the authority was able to negotiate a 10-year exemption for the properties in the area. After the 10 years passed, they received an extension for an additional 10 years.

The nal phase of Exploration Green is scheduled to wrap up this summer.

JAKE MAGEECOMMUNITY IMPACT

EXPLORATION GREEN THROUGH THE YEARS

The project to convert a golf course into a series of detention ponds has been ongoing for nearly eight years.

In progress Completed

1B 1A

RESEDA RD.

Phase 1A Started: November 2015 Completed: April 2016 Phase 1B Started: June 2016 Completed August 2017 Phase 1C Started: March 2017 Completed: February 2018 Phase 2 Started: May 2018 Completed November 2019

Phase 3A Started: November 2019 Completed: May 2021 Phase 3B

Started: October 2021 Completed: March 2023 Phase 4 Started: July 2020 Completed: September 2022 Phase 5 Started: April 2022 Estimated completion: summer 2023

SOURCE: CLEAR LAKE CITY WATER AUTHORITYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

ENVIRONMENT Planned projects will protect area green spaces

ecosystems as development can dam- age, fragment or remove them entirely. Conservation incentive programs, such as tax credits, oer developers more reasons to better plan the use of their land and conserve when possible. Severe storms—such as Hurricane Ike, which is estimated to have cov- ered 60% of Galveston Bay’s oyster reef habitat in September 2008—can damage ecosystems through erosion and sediment deposition, accord- ing to the report. Mitigation eorts include “living shorelines,” which mix stone and vegetation, in place of typical infrastructure like armored shorelines, which use seawalls and bulkheads that can eliminate habitat space for local species. Furthermore, invasive plant and animal species can quickly eliminate native species until the invasive species are all that remain. Conservationists like Pylate recommend local residents be careful about what they plant. The Bay Area already has some tools in place, such as the Houston-Galves- ton Area Council’s “Eco-logical Map- ping Tool” that has data on ecosystem types, land use and planned develop-

Potential future acquisition

The Armand Bayou Nature Center recently made an oer to acquire land to its north in hopes of expanding. NATURE CENTER EXPANSION

BY SAAB SAHI

A multitude of projects related to parks, trails and nature preserves in the Bay Area are in various stages of progress from early development to recent completion in 2023. Projects include the possible expansion of the Armand Bayou Nature Center and other ecological projects related to parks in League City. The preserva- tion of native Bay Area ecosystems are also among such projects. These areas, such as the coastal prai- rie and coastal wetland, oer ood mitigation and erosion control in addi- tion to acting as recreation spaces, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the University of Houston Coastal Center. “The reason that these forests and these prairies are so important to all of us are the ecosystem services that they

Current boundaries

SOURCE: ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTERCOMMUNITY IMPACT

PLANNED EXPANSION If the Armand Bayou Nature Center expanded, it could increase its footprint by up to 47%.

acres of land to preserve from the Port of Houston, Pylate said. “Armand Bayou Nature Center is one of the largest urban wilderness preserves in the United States,” Pylate said. “Our mission here is twofold: rst of all, to preserve the habitats with which we’ve been entrusted, and secondly, to educate the public about why these habitats are so important for all of us.” The nature center contains three ecosystems: riparian forest, coastal wetland as bayou and about 900 acres of coastal prairie. Riparian forests are woodlands adjacent to bodies of water like bayous and oer many ecological benets such as ltration, ood mitigation and stabilization of eroding banks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “[Native ecosystems] act as a giant ltration system for [the Bay Area],” Pylate said. The nature center also oers edu- cational opportunities for the local community on native ecosystems via guided tours and programs for chil- dren. Plus, the center keeps animals, such as the bobwhite quail and Amer- ican bison, as animal ambassadors to showcase animals that live or histori- cally lived in local habitats. “Over the last four years, we’ve almost entirely lost our bobwhite quail population,” Pylate said. “These are actually ghosts of our past; they’re no longer here.” Other projects worth more than $50 million proceed across the Bay Area. League City’s Parks and Recre- ation Department has many in prog- ress, such as the $115,000 Clear Creek Master Plan; the upcoming Bay Col- ony Park; and an update to the Parks, Trails and Open Space Master Plan.

2,500 acres is how large the Armand Bayou Nature Center is today. 1,000 acres could be added due to a land acquisition deal with Exxon Mobil Corporation. 175 acres could come from a land acquisition deal with the Port of Houston. 3,675 would be the center’s total acreage if both deals go through.

provide,” said Tim Pylate, executive director of the Armand Bayou Nature Center. “A single acre of prairie can hold a million gallons of water.” Native Bay Area ecosystems also provide economic value by bolster- ing local sh pop-

ments. Addition- ally, education eorts also con- tinue via local green spaces, organizations and government agencies. “We are trying to raise aware- ness of conser- vation issues among the pub- lic, while also try-

“OUR MISSION HERE IS TWOFOLD: FIRST OF ALL, TO PRESERVE THE HABITATS WITH WHICH WE’VE BEEN ENTRUSTED, AND SECONDLY, TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT WHY THESE HABITATS ARE SO IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US.” TIM PYLATE, ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ulations, providing habitat for oysters and generating ecotourism, according to a report by the EPA. The coastal center estimates less than 1% of the 6.5 million acres of coastal prairie estimated to originally have been on the Texas Gulf Coast remains. Ocials said these native eco- systems face risk of disappearing due to environmental stressors. Nurturing nature Major stressors aecting native eco- systems include land development, severe storms and invasive species, according to the EPA report. However, there are tools and strategies being implemented that can be further devel- oped to combat these stressors. Land development can impact native

ing to build a large list of volunteers,” League City Parks Coordinator John Orsag said. Largest local preserve The Armand Bayou Nature Center, which is located between the Bayport Industrial Area and Johnson Space Center, has raised nearly $17 million over the last ve years for the purchase of a former oil eld north of its prop- erty. In late March, the nature center made a purchase oer to Exxon Mobil Corporation in competition with devel- opers, Pylate said. If the sale is approved, the nature center would add 1,000 acres of the eld to its multiecosystem 2,500-acre urban wilderness preserve. The center is also trying to obtain an additional 175

The Armand Bayou Nature Center is home to various wildlife.

PHOTOS COURTESY ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER

Prairies are critical ecosystems to the Bay Area, yet only about 1% of the original land coverage of coastal prairies remain.

BAY AREA EDITION • MAY 2023

You are the focus of neurological advancements. We find innovative ways to keep your brain working the way it should. Like coordinating stroke care while you are in transit so treatment plans can start before you even get to the ER. All so you can go on living like you. This is neurological care designed for you. memorialhermann.org/neuro

Advancing health. Personalizing care.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

SPACE

NASA announces astronauts going to the moon on Artemis 2

BY JAKE MAGEE

2 will be Hansen’s rst trip to space, according to a NASA news release. Many NASA astronauts live in the Clear Lake area of Houston and train at the Johnson Space Center. During Artemis 2, Koch said she and her three teammates will ride in the Orion spacecraft atop the Space Launch System, NASA’s most powerful rocket to date, for eight minutes and then stay high in orbit, tens of thou- sands of miles above the Earth, testing various systems. If everything checks out, they will begin a four-day journey nearly 250,000 miles to the moon and y around it, Koch said. On the return to Earth, they will reach speeds of 25,000 mph in Earth’s atmosphere before splashing down in the ocean, Koch said. In total, the mission will last 10 days. According to a NASA news release, the Artemis 2 mission will test Orion’s life-support systems as well as the capabilities and techniques necessary for humans to live and work on and around the moon. “This is a global eort, Artemis 2,” Wiseman said while thanking several organizations and people during the event. The Artemis 1 mission, which com- pleted in December, was an uncrewed test mission around the moon. The last crewed mission to the moon was Apollo 17 in 1972. NASA’s goal is to send humans to live and work on the moon and on the Gateway, a space station that will orbit the moon, to prepare for the next goal: sending humans to Mars.

Aerospace leaders often say the race to space is a marathon, not a sprint. Astronaut Victor Glover lik- ened it more to a series of sprints—a relay race—and now, he said, the baton has been passed to a new generation of astronauts. During a livestreamed event April 3 at Ellington Field near NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Clear Lake, Houston, NASA ocials announced the four astronauts who will be part of Artemis 2, a 2024 mission that will take humans around the moon. The four astronauts are Reid Wise- man, mission commander; Glover, mission pilot; and Christina Hammock Koch and Jeremy Hansen, mission specialists. Hansen, Glover and Koch are NASA astronauts, and Hansen is a Canadian Space Agency astronaut. From all the missions from the 1960s to today, to all the teams around the world that contribute to the aerospace industry, countless others have made the next step possible, Glover said. Now these four astronauts have the baton, and they will make the world proud, Glover said. “This is a big day. We have a lot to celebrate,” he said. Wiseman previously lived aboard the International Space Station from May through November 2014. Glover previously served as pilot of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 mission to the ISS. Koch served as ight engineer on the ISS on several missions, spending a total of 328 days in space. Artemis

Clockwise from top, astronauts Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, Reid Wiseman and Christina Hammock Koch will crew the Artemis 2 mission around the moon in 2024.

COURTESY NASA

ARTEMIS 2 FLIGHT PATH Artemis 2 will take four astronauts around the moon.

Launch

Another maneuver to climb higher into space Yet another maneuver to climb higher still

Jettison solid rocket boosters, fairings and launch abort system

12 Return to Earth

Crew module separation from service module Entry into Earth’s atmosphere

Core stage main engine cut o

Burn by Orion’s main engine to put Orion on a path to the moon

Maneuvers to raise Orion’s orbit

Outbound transit to moon

Another maneuver to reach high-Earth orbit

Splashdown in the ocean

Lunar yby

6 Orion separation followed by demonstrations of its capabilities

SOURCE: NASACOMMUNITY IMPACT

NOW ENROLLING

Please join us! PARENT PREVIEW NIGHT Meet Administrators. View Curriculum.Tour Classroms.

May 11th and June 8th

(832) 452-6708 18220 UPPER BAY RD, HOUSTON, TX 77058 Premier Classical Christian Education in the Bay Area

BAY AREA EDITION • MAY 2023

CITY & COUNTY

News from League City & Harris County

League City City Council will meet at 6 p.m. May 9 and 23 at council chambers, 200 W. Walker St., League City. Meetings are streamed at www.facebook.com/leaguecitytexas and http://leaguecitytx.swagit.com/ live-chambers. MEETINGS WE COVER HIGHLIGHTS LEAGUE CITY During a March 28 workshop, League City City Council discussed possible changes to a food truck-related ordinance concerning special events and proximity to brick-and- mortar commercial properties at a workshop meeting March 28. Possible changes to the current ordinance discussed at the meeting included increasing the annual license fee for food trucks, limiting special events to 72 hours max duration, registration with League City and the possibility of food truck parks. Council Member Chad Tressler said he does not believe food trucks steal business from brick-and-mortar restaurants but that he does not want to give food trucks an advantage over traditional eateries. City staff will prepare suggestions for the council to take action on during a future session.

City Council blocks way for state-run facility

Harris County commissioners approve $7.4M for jail staff bonuses, body cameras

Council considers pay raises for EMS

DETENTION DILEMMA The Harris County Jail is experiencing issues retaining staff. According to a March 14 presentation from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez:

BY EMILY LINCKE

BY JAKE MAGEE

assurance; and • The hiring of a third-party expert to improve retention efforts for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Quote of note: “We hope this helps convince some [employees] to stay around longer to stabilize our workforce until the Commissioners Court is able to implement more significant pay raises that we all agree are needed,” Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. What’s next: On March 14, commis- sioners also heard a presentation from Harris County Public Health on needs at the jail, such as: • Expanded virtual care for cardiology and neurology, which were expected to be implemented in March; • Adding a mobile computed tomography scan unit, which is to be implemented this fall;

BY JAKE MAGEE

One-third of the county’s detention staff leave their jobs annually. 150 detention officer positions were unfilled as of March 14. 100 sheriff’s office deputy positions assigned to the jail were vacant as of March 14. $19.75 per hour is the rate being paid to Harris County detention officers.

LEAGUE CITY On April 11, City Council postponed a vote that would have granted a $3 an hour raise starting July 3 to emergency medical service positions not included in a rate increase City Council passed last fall. The move would cost League City $42,437 and, going forward, $169,746 annually. On Sept. 27, City Council granted raises to 347 city employees at a cost of $1.26 million. About $134,000 of that amount was for further City Council-proposed raises of $3 an hour for EMS and telecommunica- tion employees. Council Member Chad Tressler said the new item was brought for- ward to address a mistake. Accord- ing to Tressler, an EMS employee hired just before City Council’s Sept. 27 vote would be locked into a lower rate than someone hired just after the vote.

HARRIS COUNTY Employee retention bonuses and new body cameras for detention officers are key components of the $7.4 million initiative approved by Harris County commissioners March 14. The details: The $7.4 million package—to be funded by the county’s general fund and American Rescue Plan Act money—was approved unanimously and will pay for: • $2,000 retention incentives for all detention officers at a total cost of about $3 million; • The purchase of new body cameras, which will include a panic button, to be worn by detention officers; • The creation of new leadership positions for the jail, such as jail population specialists and a director of health care quality

Property in question

LEAGUE CITY With League City City Council’s vote, The Meadows subdivision has been spared from increased traffic and drainage concerns—at least for now. On April 11, City Council unanimously voted against rezoning an 8.88-acre plot of land at the southwest corner of FM 270 and Abilene Street from residential to commercial. The applicant wanted the rezoning to create a Department of Public Safety building on the property. Several residents spoke against this idea, citing increased traffic to the already-congested FM 270 and flooding problems as concerns. An attorney hired by the applicant made arguments in favor of the rezoning, saying the parcel in question was originally zoned commercial and fits into the city’s comprehensive plan as commercial land. The attorney said the facility would add an extra 300 vehicles to FM 270 every day, but only during normal business hours Mondays through Fridays. A residential development on the property, however, would add 240 to 400 vehicles per day, he said. After residents spoke against the project, Mayor Nick Long agreed the development would only add to the neighbors’ traffic problems.

270

“[FM] 270 in the morning is horrendous, and it’s possi- bly even worse in the afternoon,” Long said. Adding a Department of Public Safety building in what is predominantly a neighborhood does not make sense, he said. The city desires its own Department of Public Safety facility, but it would make more sense close to the freeway, Long said. Council Member Chad Tressler said he does not want to see any development on that parcel until FM 270 is widened from two to four lanes. “Until that’s done, we don’t have the capacity to support this here,” he said. Still, denying the rezoning would not prevent another developer from attempting to build residences on the property, which could make traffic and flooding even worse for neighbors than the proposed facility, Tressler said.

SOURCES: SHERIFF ED GONZALEZ, HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

• New facilities, such as a medical unit, a central clinic and a dental clinic, which will be considered in the fiscal year 2023-24 budget; and • Funding for more medical officers and additional substance use help, which will be considered in the FY 2023-24 budget.

BAY AREA 1033 Bay Area Blvd (281) 486-9558

KEMAH 243 FM 2094 (281) 538-9095 SEABROOK 3126 Nasa Pkwy (281) 326-5127

LEAGUE CITY 196 Gulf Fwy S (281) 316-2140

A NEW BRANCH EXPERIENCE

Our Clear Lake City Branch presents a new high-tech banking experience with Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs) in our drive-thru, which gives our members the option of both an ATM and live teller assist in one machine! The ITMs allow members the flexibility to perform more services from the comfort of their vehicles.

CLEAR LAKE CITY BRANCH NOW OPEN! 1150 Clear Lake City Blvd, Suite 101, Houston

For hours, visit AMOCOfcu.org/locations. Subject to membership eligibility.

Visit or stop by our Clear Lake City Branch and experience our new branch! John Herman, Clear Lake and Clear Lake City Branch Manager

800.231.6053 | AMOCOfcu.org

REMARKABLE SENIOR LIVING

GRAND LIVING AT TUSCAN LAKES Join us to learn more about Grand Living at Tuscan Lakes, where we bring the joy of living in a first-class resort to our truly remarkable communities. Find out how we can bring First Class Happiness ® to your life. Lakewood Yacht Club 2322 Lakewood Yacht Club Dr, Seabrook, TX 77586 WEDNESDAY, MAY 17 TH AT 12:00 PM

AL LICENSE PENDING

Seating is limited! Kindly RSVP by May 12 th : 346.646.7850

Enjoy lunch and a drink with us!

INDEPENDENT | ASSISTED | MEMORY CARE 1850 E League City Pkwy, League City, TX 77573 | GrandLiving.com

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

EDUCATION BRIEFS

News from Clear Creek ISD

QUOTE OF NOTE

Vision 2030 plan to help address Clear Creek ISD’s declines in enrollment

FUTURE GOALS Clear Creek ISD’s Vision 2030 plan aims to make the district the No. 1 choice for learning, discovery, creativity and innovation by the end of the decade. According to CCISD, students under this plan will be: • Creators

Clear Creek ISD board of trustees will meet at 6 p.m. May 22 at the Education Support Center, 2425 E. Main St., League City. Meetings are streamed at www.ccisd.net/ thestream. MEETINGS WE COVER increased compared to the 2020-21 school year, according to the Texas Education Agency. The Vision 2030 plan, in part, aims to address the fact that CCISD is no longer a fast- growing school district, according to district officials. 95 “I THINK THIS IS A VERY GOOD PLAN, AND I THINK THAT THE GOALS IT SETS FORWARD ARE ACHIEVABLE AND PRECISE.” SCOTT BOWEN, CLEAR CREEK ISD TRUSTEE, ON THE RECENTLY PASSED VISION 2030 PLAN NUMBER TO KNOW is how much Clear Creek ISD’s total enrollment for the 2021-22 school year

• Risk takers • Team players • Leaders

• Critical thinkers • Problem solvers

BY SAAB SAHI

SOURCE: CLEAR CREEK ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

CLEAR CREEK ISD The board of trustees approved the district’s Vision 2030 plan at its March 27 meeting. The plan aims to address declining enrollment following the COVID-19 pandemic at the elementary and intermediate school levels along with underutilized and aging school facilities, Chief Communications Officer Elaina Polsen shared as part of a March 6 presentation. Facility renova- tions could lead to a bond to pay for costs, Trustee Scott Bowen said. “We’re not a fast-growing school district any longer; our demographic projections show us steady for the next 10 years,” Polsen said. As part of the now-approved plan, the district is consid- ering expanding its tuition-based prekindergarten offer- ings, scaling up its Leader in Me program to a districtwide level, modifying learning spaces and expanding student programming, according to a presentation by Superinten- dent Karen Engle. “[The plan was] months of work focused on students,” Engle said. “Students have really driven our work.” Following the approval, the district will now begin to

develop action plans, and the CCISD Facility Advisory Committee will consider necessary facility modifications throughout meetings in the spring. “I think this is a very good plan, and I think that the goals it sets forward are achievable and precise,” Bowen said. “I think that’s a hallmark of good planning.” The district plans to conduct a market study to gauge whether it is feasible to expand tuition-based prekinder- garten offerings and will also seek legislative support to fully fund prekindergarten for each 4-year-old in Texas. “We know the demand for tuition-based prekindergar- ten is really high,” Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education Holly Hughes said. The district also plans to develop proposals to support the creation of innovation centers at 10 intermediate schools and/or four schools of innovation. Furthermore, the district also plans to expand career exploration options for students in sixth to eighth grades and develop additional high school career and technical education programs.

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

SUMMER MEMORIES .

With a variety of engaging activities for youth and families, motivating fitness programs and affordable membership options, a picture perfect summer is waiting for you at the YMCA!

• Swim Lessons and Swim Team • Day Camp and Teen Camp • Overnight Camp • Sports Leagues and Clinics • Group Exercise Classes

E nroll anytime in UT's online high school courses to catch up or get ahead. Full-time d iploma p rogram and single courses available including Honors and A P TM subjects .

Learn more at ymcahouston.org.

For more informatio n visit highschool.utexas.edu /hs_courses

YMCA Mission: To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Everyone is welcome.

BAY AREA EDITION • MAY 2023

Start your next chapter with our weight loss surgery team. If you’re considering weight loss surgery, our team at St. Luke’s Health is ready to help you on your path to success. You will have the support of our doctors, nurses, and nutritionists every step of the way. Our weight loss program is built to fit your individual needs. Many have gone before you to experience spectacular success. It’s your turn now. Start a new chapter, with a new you. Learn more at StLukesHealth.org/WeightLoss .

STRONG SUPPORT If mom or dad need assistance with their activities of daily living, now’s a great time to introduce them to Reunion Court of Clear Lake. Our beautiful new community serves as your family extension in the care of loved ones. They’ll thrive in a place that’s: EXCEPTIONAL – surrounded by our 24/7 care. ENRICHING – with amenities and services they will enjoy each day... like nutritious chef-prepared meals, transportation, housekeeping and more! ENCOURAGING – by living in community with uplifting daily activites and many wonderful opportunities to socialize with friends and family. FOR THE ONES YOU LOVE!

14101 BAY POINTE CT HOUSTON, TX 77062 281-823-8322 ReunionCourtClearLake.com The Place Where Seniors Thrive ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE

SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY OR VISIT US ONLINE FOR MORE INFORMATION

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14-15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28

communityimpact.com