Katy - Fulshear Edition | September 2025

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Katy Fulshear Edition VOLUME 14, ISSUE 1 SEPT. 17OCT. 16, 2025

Katy, Fulshear prioritize road projects as congestion worsens A four-mile Westpark Tollway expansion is underway with plans to continue expansion all the way to Simonton and potentially Wallis, Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority ocials said. (Noah Dawlearn/Community Impact)

By Tomer Ronen

Also in this issue

Impacts

Learn more about the latest venture by Eat Local Concepts in Cross Creek Ranch

Education

Find out how Katy, Lamar Consolidated ISDs scored in the state accountability ratings

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KATY - FULSHEAR EDITION

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

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

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Jovanna Aguilar Angela Bonilla Sarah Brager Melissa Enaje Valeria Escobar Wesley Gardner Rachel Leland Emily Lincke Roo Moody Tomer Ronen Nichaela Shaheen Haley Velasco Kevin Vu Julianna Washburn Graphic Designers Richard Galvan Ellen Jackson Matt Mills

Amy Martinez General Manager

Jesus Verastegui Ronald Winters Senior Managing Editor Matt Stephens Product Manager Martha Risinger Quality Desk Editor Sarah Hernandez

Aubrey Vogel Editor

Tracy Drewa Account Executive

Correction: Volume 13, Issue 12, Page 7 Imported Decor II oers indoor and outdoor clay and ceramic pots, fountains and columns, not foundations as shown.

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KATY FULSHEAR EDITION

Impacts

CLAY RD.

GEORGE BUSH PARK 6 Local Spot The menu will feature classic bar bites and craft cocktails, while pulling menu items from Local Table. • Opened Aug. 23 • 6450 Cross Creek Bend Lane, Fulshear • www.eatatlocaltable.com 7 Threads of Grace The women’s clothing store supports women overcoming domestic violence, incarceration, poverty or trauma. • Opened Aug. 23 • 5725 Second St., Katy • www.threadsofgrace.love 8 Culvers The menu features sandwiches, chicken entrees, cheese curds and its signature butterburgers. • Opened Aug. 25 • 3133 Peek Road, Katy • www.culvers.com 9 Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Jordan Ranch The studio oers self defense and life skills classes. 3 Mockingbird Books The store sells a variety of books including bestsellers, classics, children’s books and local authors. • Opened July 17 • 24210 Westheimer Parkway, Ste. 600, Katy • https://mockingbirdbookskaty.com 4 Urban Skillet The California-based restaurant oers numerous halal burgers, wings, hot dogs, wraps and loaded fries. • Opened Aug. 22 • 23227 Mercantile Parkway, Ste. A5, Katy • www.urbanskilletla.com 5 Texas Borders Bar & Grill The menu features Cajun, American and Tex-Mex cuisine including various pastas, wings and burgers. • Opened Aug. 15 • 2100 Cane Island Parkway, Katy • www.texasbordersbarandgrill.com

PEEK RD.

MAIN ST.

PRAIRIE LAKESHORE LN.

KINGSLAND BLVD.

MORTON RANCH RD.

KATY FORT BEND RD.

99 TOLL

HORSEHERB RD.

FRANZ RD.

1 7 16

CANE ISLAND PKWY.

K I N G S L A N

Katy

STAR LN.

JORDAN RANCH BLVD.

HIGHLAND KNOLLS DR.

1463

CROSS CREEK BEND LN.

S N E R

PLYMOUTH LN.

99 TOLL

1463

SKYLINE DR.

T I L E P K W Y .

GRAND W BLVD.

1093

CROSS CREEK BEND LN.

F R Y R D .

359

1093

MAP NOT TO SCALE

99 TOLL 2 Orange Tree Oral Surgery & Implant Center The practice oers wisdom teeth extractions, traumas, IV sedation and other specialized dental care. • Opened July 15 • 1325 Main St., Ste. 702, Katy • www.orangetreeos.com

Now open

1 Katy Crossing Icehouse After closing in January, the sports bar has reopened with new owners. • Opened May 17 • 5733 Second St., Katy • www.facebook.com/katycrossingicehouse

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• Opening Sept. 6 • 2506 Jordan Ranch Blvd., Ste. 3, Brookshire • www.tigerrockmartialarts.com/jordanranch

In the news

10 BoomerJack’s The neighborhood sports bar oers menu items such as wings, nachos, quesadillas, burgers, salad and pizza. • Opened Aug. 11

• 110 Grand W. Blvd., Katy • www.boomerjacks.com

Coming soon

11 Avesta Persian and Middle Eastern The eatery boasts Persian dishes including various kabobs, curries and stews. • Opening TBD • 1223 Grand W. Blvd., Ste. B-105, Katy • www.avestahouston.com 12 School of Rock The music school oers a variety of lessons including vocals, guitar, drums, bass guitar and keyboard. • Opening TBD • 6511 Skyline Drive, Ste. 100, Fulshear • www.schoolofrock.com/locations/fulshear 13 Speedway Park The park will feature a 400-foot racetrack for children, featuring a rubberized surface to reduce the Texas heat. • Opening this fall • 7303 Prairie Lakeshore Lane, Katy • www.elyson.com 14 LivSmart Studios by Hilton The extended stay hotel will feature guest rooms with kitchens, work space and storage. • Opening TBD • 25175 Star Lane, Katy • www.hilton.com/en/brands/livsmart-studios 15 Cabinet IQ The company will oer a showroom featuring kitchen displays, alternative area displays and a design studio.

Community Impact Community Impact celebrates 20 years as a company in September. Founded in Pugerville, owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched the rst Community Impact newspaper in the Round Rock-Pugerville market in September 2005 with a cover story about the rst toll roads in the Austin area. Today, the company has more

than 200 employees supporting 40 hyperlocal editions in Texas, printing and distributing more than 2.5 million newspapers a month. Community Impact has a strong print and digital presence, including a daily email newsletter, to serve readers with free news and help local businesses thrive. • www.communityimpact.com

• Opening late 2025 or early 2026 • 403 W. Grand Parkway S., Ste. R, Katy • www.cabinetiq.com/katy

In the news

17 Chick-l-A The Mason Road location is celebrating its 30th anniversary of serving chicken entrees in September. • 369 S. Mason Rd, Katy • www.cfarestaurant.com/masonroad Katy Association of Retired Educators The organization, which is a local chapter of the Texas Retired Teachers Association, celebrated its 25th anniversary in August. • https://karetechnology2019.wixsite.com/ katy-area-retired-ed

Relocations

16 Sandra V Bath & Body The small-batch skincare boutique oers bath bombs, body butters, soaps, scrubs, shower steamers, hair care and oil blends. • Relocated in June • 5729 Second St., Katy • www.sandravbathandbody.com

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KATY FULSHEAR EDITION

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Government

BY TOMER RONEN

City of Katy could implement new landscaping regulations and the number of trees required in parking lots, Lazo said. Property owners would be in charge of maintaining landscaped areas. Diving in deeper Proposed Katy landscaping requirements

Katy officials are considering implementing landscaping regulations with the goal of protecting city trees. Zooming in City Planner Rachel Lazo presented several suggestions at an Aug. 25 special meeting, which would require more landscaping at several properties across Katy. Lazo said the suggestions aim to: • Protect, preserve and enhance the city’s canopy • Promote quality development through cohesive landscaping • Encourage native and drought-resistant plants for water conservatory • Improve stormwater runoff quantity and quality • Abate environment and vehicle noise and glare The requirements would also increase the percentage of property reserved for landscaping

Trees must have a 3-inch caliper minimum Shrubs must have a 5-gallon minimum All existing trees to be barricaded during construction A 15-foot landscape buffer on private property One tree and three shrubs per 25 feet of frontage

Lazo also presented a plan to preserve trees with a circumference above 25 inches within the Old Katy District and above 60 inches within city limits. The removal of any tree would face replacement requirements and fees up to $10,000 per tree with a circumference of 36 inches or more. What they’re saying Several City Council members said the requirements seemed too stringent for city officials to be regulating. “To me, it feels like we took requirements from [a homeowners association] and now we’re trying to apply it to the entire city,” Ward A council member Janet Corte said.

SOURCE: CITY OF KATY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

What’s next While no meeting date has been set yet, City Council will revisit the landscaping ordinance discussion before potential approval.

KATY - FULSHEAR EDITION

Government

H-GAC launches clear air public survey The Houston-Galveston Area Council is inviting residents to help shape the future of clean air and climate action through a new survey. The details The Regional Clean Air, Healthy Commu- nities Survey will collect input on strategies to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions across transportation, energy, industry, waste and land use, per the release. Community feedback will guide the Regional Clean Air Action Plan, a roadmap for improving air quality and public health through 2050. Residents can take the survey at https://engage.h-gac.com/clean-air through Oct. 31.

Fiscal year 2024-25 tax rates* Fulshear had the lowest tax rate among several local entities.

$0.8

$0.636791

$0.6

$0.425

$0.35321

$0.32

$0.4

$0.161856

$0.2

*PER $100 VALUATION

Richmond

Rosenberg Sugar Land

Katy

Fulshear

SOURCE: CITY OF FULSHEAR/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Fulshear increases tax rate by 3.74% after delay At a Sept. 2 meeting, Fulshear City Council unanimously approved $87.5 million in expendi- tures for fiscal year 2025-26 with a $19.4 million general fund, which includes $6.2 million for police services. Council also approved a tax rate of $0.167903

per $100 valuation for FY 2025-26, a 3.74% increase from last year although still lower than neighbor- ing cities in FY 2024-25. The approvals come after City Council post- poned the budget and tax rate adoption Aug. 18, where council decided against a 1-cent tax

rate increase. Looking ahead

Fulshear’s budget will start Oct. 1, the first day of FY 2025-26, according to budget documents.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY TOMER RONEN, NICHEALA SHAHEEN & AUBREY VOGEL

Katy proposes flat tax rate for FY 2025-26

Fort Bend County adjusts meeting day Fort Bend County Commissioners Court will now meet on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 1 p.m. starting Oct. 9, county officials said. The Sept. 23 meeting is expected to proceed as scheduled. House Bill 1522 was passed June 20 during the 89th Texas Legislature to increase the current 72-hour notice requirement for public meetings to three business days, meaning weekends and holidays no longer count toward the minimum posting period. What’s next The court will begin the new meeting schedule in October with an exception for Nov. 20 and Dec. 18 due to holidays.

2025-26 capital improvement plan The budget also lays out $5.56 million in capital improvement investments for FY 2025-26, including:

Katy’s property tax rate is expected to stay the same as city officials work to finalize the fiscal year

2025-26 budget. What happened?

$1.8 million for a firetruck

City staff have proposed a $74.54 million budget for FY 2025-26, a 5.2% decrease from last year’s budget. The budget includes $55.04 million toward the city’s general fund, with 47.01% allocated to public safety services. Additionally, council proposed maintaining its tax rate at $0.425 per $100 valuation for the second consecutive year. What’s next? The budget and tax rate will be adopted at the Sept. 22 meeting following a public hearing.

$1.5 million for substations at Texas Heritage Marketplace

$438,800 for four new police Tahoes

$110,000 for two new fire department vehicles

An additional $1.45 million for improvement projects will be funded by the city’s enterprise fund, which is paid for by the city’s water utility fees.

SOURCE: CITY OF KATY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Government

BY TOMER RONEN

Fulshear bringing utilities in-house resulting in $1.5M in cost savings

Hired technician duties

The new city of Fulshear technicians will take on a multitude of tasks including:

Fixing fences

Cutting grass

Fulshear is bringing utilities in-house, allowing the city to control every aspect of the process, Fulshear Utilities Director Ben Glynn said. Zooming in With Fulshear expanding at such a rapid speed, working through their contractor—Inframark—has become more difficult, Glynn said. By moving utility work in-house, Glynn can over- see every step of the process when things go wrong, he said. Currently, the city will call Inframark if something goes wrong. By the numbers Moving utilities in-house will save the city $2 million. Of the savings, $500,000 will go to hire eight technicians during fiscal year 2025-26, Glynn said.

Meanwhile, Glynn said the additional $1.5 million will go back to utility farms, with projects including: • Improving water lines • Improving lift pump efficiencies • Adding a supervisory control and data acquisi- tion system, allowing the city to run the system from a centralized location during emergencies Looking ahead Glynn said residents can expect response time to improve once processes go in-house. Additionally, he said it will help improve the city’s water quality with plans to better the ranking of the city’s water system within two years. “We’re gonna do this, this is definitely in the best interest of the city,” Glynn said. “Financially, but more importantly, for the quality control.”

Running water quality control

Pulling electrical boards

Changing chemicals

Sampling water and wastewater

Changing tubing

Cleaning tanks

Pulling manhole lids to make sure sewer lines are flowing clean

SOURCE: CITY OF FULSHEAR/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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KATY - FULSHEAR EDITION

Lamar CISD 2025 Bond During the August 12, 2025, Special Called Board Meeting, the Lamar CISD Board of Trustees called for a bond election to be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The bond package, totaling $1.99 billion, includes four propositions.

UPCOMING TOWN HALLS (6:00 – 7:30 PM) Learn more about the 2025 Bond by attending one of the Lamar CISD bond town hall meetings open to the public. SEPTEMBER 24 Terry High School Blue & Red Tracks 5500 Ave N, Rosenberg, TX 77471 SEPTEMBER 30 Fulshear High School Purple Track 9302 Charger Way, Fulshear, TX 77441 OCTOBER 1 Tomas High School Gold & Green Tracks 24945 Easton Ramsey Way, Richmond, TX 77406 OCTOBER 6 George Ranch High School Maroon & Silver Tracks 8181 FM 762 Rd, Richmond, TX 77469

Lamar CISD has experienced significant growth within the last few years and has been identified as a “hypergrowth” district in the most recent demographic studies. The district added more than 2,000 students during the 2024-2025 school year. The growth shows no signs of slowing down, projecting to enroll 61,406 students in five years and nearly 70,000 in 10 years.

FAQs

Why is Lamar CISD proposing a bond election? Our district is experiencing hyper-growth and evolving educational needs. The bond is designed to allow us to: • Build schools to meet the needs of our growing community • Invest in land and land development for future sites • Improve safety and security measures • Make repairs to Traylor Stadium • Refresh and expand classroom technology What happens if enrollment slows down? If fewer students enroll than expected, the district will delay building new schools and adjust construction and other project timelines. A successful bond election results in an authorization for the district to incur debt by selling bonds. Even if voters approve the bond, Lamar CISD won’t rush into spending. We will carefully monitor enrollment trends and make smart financial decisions.

How were the propositions determined? The 2025 Bond propositions were developed through a months long process involving community input, enrollment growth projections, facility assessments, and financial analysis. The Board of Trustees appointed a Bond Citizen’s Committee made up of parents, staff, and community members to review district needs and priorities. The committee reviewed student enrollment trends, building capacity, and technology needs and provided recommendations to the Board. The Board reviewed data that the Administration presented, the committee’s recommendations, and results from the community survey, and ultimately voted to call the bond election with the specific propositions presented to voters. Projects were prioritized based on: • Enrollment projections

• Facility condition assessments • Educational program needs • Community feedback

What would make the district’s I&S tax rate increase? The district’s I&S tax rate might increase if the economy shifts in a big way before or after the district sells its bonds. The current tax rate estimates rely on predictions about taxable property values, interest rates, and financial help from the state. If those predictions turn out to be wrong—like if property values don’t grow as expected, interest rates rise, or state funding goes away, the district may need to raise the tax rate to cover its debt. On the flip side, if property values grow faster, interest rates drop, or the state offers more support, the tax rate could decrease.

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Education

BY VALERIA ESCOBAR & HANNAH NORTON

Katy ISD, Lamar CISD receive B ratings for 3rd straight year

New data shows Katy ISD earned a B rating, or a score of 88 out of 100, for the 2024-25 school year, according to the Texas Education Agency’s A-F ratings. In 2023-24, the district earned a 87 out of 100. State law requires that scores be issued by Aug. 15 each year; however, the 2024 ratings were blocked for early a year after 33 school districts sued the TEA last August. Texas schools are rated by the TEA on an A-F scale based on three criteria: student achievement, school progress and closing the gaps. KISD Chief Academic Officer Christine Caskey said state standardized test scores are only one of several metrics to access the academic readiness of students. “These impressive results demonstrate the daily commitment of Katy ISD educators, support staff, parents and leaders working collectively to ensure all students receive a high-quality education,” she said. Meanwhile, Lamar CISD also received a B for the

Katy ISD A-F ratings

Lamar CISD A-F ratings

2023-24

2024-25

Rating

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

campus in its journey to success,” LCISD Chief Learning Officer Christi Cottongame said. “We will continue to analyze the data to identify areas of growth and ensure every students has access to an elite education.

2024-25 school year with 88 out of 100 possible points and 85 out of 100 possible points for the 2023-24 school year, according to the TEA. “While we celebrate strong overall performance, we remain committed to supporting every

Put in perspective

Statewide district performance

2024-25

2023-24

“Telling a parent today how well their school did in 2024 doesn’t help them with the supports they need to provide their kid [now],” Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath told reporters Aug. 14. “It is great now to have this tool back to help support our families [and] also support our educators.”

Across the state, most school districts and campuses maintained or improved their A-F ratings between the two school years. Of the 1,208 school districts across Texas, data shows 24% received a higher rating, 64% kept the same rating and 12% received a lower rating. Of the state’s 9,084 campuses, 15% received a lower grade, according to the data.

A: 23% B: 33% C: 24% D: 10% F: 4% Not rated: 6%

A: 18% B: 31% C: 25% D: 14% F: 8% Not rated: 6%

NOTE: PERCENTAGES MAY NOT ADD UP TO 100% DUE TO ROUNDING. SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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KATY - FULSHEAR EDITION

Education

BY VALERIA ESCOBAR

Houston City College proposes new bachelor’s degree programs

Diving in

Andrea Burridge, vice chancellor of strategy, planning and institutional eectiveness, said the proposed degrees are expected to be aordable, workforce-aligned and accessible to people across the Greater Houston area, with estimates for the cost for the articial intelligence degree at $15,000. She said top factors of students selecting HCC include high-quality programming, aordability and the accessibility of location, serving as “critical information” for the institution moving forward. To implement any program before fall 2027, administrators must follow a detailed approval process from now through early 2027, ocials said. The process includes faculty planning, internal and board approvals and submissions to state and accrediting bodies.

With the recent name change from “Houston Community College” to “Houston City College,” the institution is positioning itself as a workforce-driven college that still oers aordable access—but with a growing list of four-year degree options, ocials said at a July 31 Community Partnership meeting at the Southwest campus. Miguel Ramos, associate vice chancellor of curriculum and learning initiatives, said the new three proposed degrees are designed to expand student opportunities in business, information technology and health care, building on the college’s recent success with its inaugural bachelor’s programs in articial intelligence and health care management launched in fall 2023.

Proposed degrees include:

Bachelor degree in computer information , to include specialties such as cybersecurity and articial intelligence

Bachelor degree in business , a program with a focus on nance, marketing and real estate and management

Bachelor of Science in nursing , which prepares students for careers as registered nurses

SOURCE: HOUSTON CITY COLLEGECOMMUNITY IMPACT

Education

BY VALERIA ESCOBAR

Katy ISD, Lamar CISD approve FY 2025-26 budgets

LCISD calls $1.99B bond for November Lamar CISD residents will weigh in on four bond propositions totaling $1.99 billion in the Nov. 4 election following unanimous board approval at the Aug. 12 meeting. The details The bond election aims to support district growth, evolve educational environments and replace aging infrastructure with no impact to the tax rate, officials said. Lamar CISD 2025 bond proposal Proposition A: $1.9B for new campuses and improvements Proposition B: $26.74M for Guy K. Traylor Stadium improvements Proposition C: $44.13M for technology refresh Proposition D: $10.69M for student devices

Katy ISD will see a $24.9 million shortfall, while Lamar CISD is anticipated to see a $875,000 surplus in fiscal year 2025-26. Zooming in KISD officials approved the district’s $1.15 billion budget at an Aug. 25 meeting with an expected $24.9 million shortfall expected for FY 2025-26. Although the district received $28.9 million in state funding, district officials said the relief was largely offset by inflation, rapid enrollment growth and years without state-funded cost adjustments. Meanwhile, LCISD approved its $534.1 million budget at an Aug. 26 meeting with officials noting extra funds will be used to revive previously-cut projects including facility improvement projects, transportation-related expenses, classroom materials and campus security upgrades. Both budgets assume retaining the districts’ current tax rates of $1.12 and $1.15 per $100 of valuation for KISD and LCISD, respectively.

Historical tax rates (per $100 valuation)

Katy ISD

Lamar ISD

$1.50

$1.00

$0.50

2021- 22

2022- 23

2023- 24

2024- 25

2025- 26*

Fiscal year

*PROPOSED

SOURCE: KATY ISD, LAMAR CISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Looking forward LCISD officials approved the district’s tax rate at an Aug. 26 meeting, while KISD officials are expected to approve the tax rate in September.

SOURCE: LAMAR CISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

MASON ROAD 1640 S Mason Rd (281) 395-6262 KATY MILLS 24417 Katy Fwy (281) 394-5780

FALCON LANDING 9722 Gaston Rd (281) 574-3008

FULSHEAR 24940 FM 1093 (281) 391-4008

CINCO RANCH 3050 W Grand Pkwy (281) 392-5554

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SAT, OCT 18 8am-11am 31427 CROSS CREEK WEST BLVD | FULSHEAR, TX 77441 Lace up your running shoes and get ready to run for fun and a good cause during the CURE-Ageous 5K in Cross Creek West.

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR MENTAL WELLBEING THROUGH FAITHBASED CARE INDIVIDUAL THERAPY Align your mental health with your spiritual values and embark on a path toward greater balance and fulfillment.

COUPLES/FAMILY THERAPY Strengthen your relationships by fostering understanding and love grounded in your faith.

STOP. Contact 811 two days before digging.

The race benefits the IBC Network Foundation, dedicated to raising awareness of Inflammatory Breast Cancer and funds for life-saving research to cure the disease. Celebrate crossing the finish line with engaging activities for all ages, and healthy street eats for purchase from food trucks. Participants will receive a T-shirt, runner’s bib, and medal. Be sure to wear your pink and honor the survivors and fighters in your life!

It’s free and it’s the law. Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring some help, stay safe and check for buried utility lines.

Face Painting

Food Trucks Yard Games

$40 $25 free! Registration fee includes t-shirt, bib and medal past runners Refer 5 additional runners, your registration is free!

CROSSCREEKWESTtx.COM/cureageous

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Development

BY AUBREY VOGEL

12 businesses conrmed for Texas Heritage Marketplace

Leasing is underway for Texas Heritage Marketplace, a 165-acre mixed use development in Katy from developer NewQuest Properties. The $400 million development, located at the southeast corner of Texas Heritage Parkway and I-10, is anticipated to have more than one million square feet of retail, restaurants, medical oce space and self-storage, ocials previously said. The development, anchored by Target, will consist of: • 750,000 square feet of retail and restaurants • 300,000 square feet of medical ofice space and self-storage The area will also boast a walkable green space centered around a heritage oak tree that was relocated from the path of Texas Heritage Marketplace. Additionally, the site is set to bring 550 apartments with two multifamily communities. “It’s rare to see a project of this magnitude being built today,” NewQuest Senior Vice President Bob Conwell said.

Conrmed businesses 1 Whataburger 2 The Kebab Shop 3 Target

7 Aji Izakaya 8 Escalante’s 9 EoS Fitness 10 Lowe’s 11 Tony C's 12 James Avery

4 America’s Best 5 Milano Nail Spa 6 Kilwins

NOTE: BUSINESSES WERE CONFIRMED USING A NEWQUEST PROJECT BROCHURE.

SOURCE: NEWQUESTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Zooming out

Looking ahead

The project was originally supposed to break ground in 2020 upon the completion of Texas Heritage Parkway, Community Impact reported. The development, which broke ground in early 2025, is at the center of several ongoing mas- ter-planned communities.

Once operational, the city of Katy is expected to receive roughly $3 million in sales tax revenue annually from the development, city ocials previously said.

Community Impact reached out to NewQuest to learn more about the project timeline but a response was not received ahead of press time. However, according to a brochure on its website, the site has a proposed delivery date in the third quarter of 2026.

4747 FM 1463, Suite 1000 Katy, TX 77494 713.852.6700 TexasBayCU.org

Power Your Business

KATY FULSHEAR EDITION

Transportation

BY AUBREY VOGEL

TxDOT proposes 8 alternatives for southern portion of Hwy. 36A

36A South project study area

Alternative route 1 Alternative route 2 Alternative route 3 Alternative route 4

Alternative route 5 Alternative route 6 Alternative route 7 Alternative route 8

direction separated by a grassy median, docu- ments show. Additionally, a 10-foot-wide shared use path is proposed for pedestrians and cyclists. Why it matters As the Fort Bend and Waller communities con- tinue to grow, TxDOT Public Information Officer Kristina Hadley said the agency is looking for ways to reroute crowded interstates. “As the communities grow, we’re going to have to expand mobility and make it safer,” she said. “This will be an important [route] because if people don’t need to get on I-10, they don’t need to get on 1463. … They can just cut through [Hwy. 36A].” Going forward A final route for the south portion is expected by summer 2028, followed by the north section.

Texas Department of Transportation officials are seeking public input on eight proposed routes for the southern portion of the Hwy. 36A project. The proposed route aims to provide congestion relief and an alternative route for large trucks to travel from Port Freeport to reach major highways and distribute freight in North Texas, Fort Bend County Precinct 3 commissioner Andy Meyers

WP TOLL

previously said. Breaking it down

The southern portion of the project is expected to run from FM 1994 south of Needville to I-10 West in Katy, an approximately 35-mile study area, per project documents. The proposed $2.5 billion project—with a funding source to be determined—includes a new highway with four lanes with two lanes going each

SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY TOMER RONEN

H-GAC regional plan backed by $140B

What’s next?

Feedback will be collected ahead of the 2050 plan’s approval in fall 2026, Senior Planner Florence Buaku said. “We understand transportation extends beyond county boundaries, and so we want to make sure that we have a collaborative approach towards transportation,” she said.

The $140 billion plan backed by local state and federal entities includes hundreds of projects for roads, transit, freight, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure throughout the Greater Houston area. The regional plan is updated every four years. Katy-Fulshear area projects The updated 2045 plan consists of 116 proposed road projects in Fort Bend County, totaling $5.46 billion. 1 FM 1489 widening Cost: $325 million | Timeline: 2042 2 I-10 widening from Snake Creek to the Harris County line Cost: $374.51 million | Timeline: 2027-2040

The Houston-Galveston Area Council hosted 14 public meetings throughout Houston to gather community input on the organization’s Regional Transportation Plan 2050 throughout July and August, including two meetings in Fort Bend County on Aug. 6.

Regional Transportation Plan 2050 process

Katy

99 TOLL

Summer 2025: Public meeting Phase 1 Fall 2025: H-GAC goes over goals and objectives; Public meeting Phase 2 Spring 2026: Call for projects; Public meeting Phase 3 Fall 2026: Approved final draft

2025

1093

2026

Fulshear

3 Westpark Tollway Park and Ride parking space expansion Cost: $12.5 million | Timeline: 2040

1489

SOURCE: HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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KATY - FULSHEAR EDITION

Katy, Fulshear prioritize road projects as traffic congestion worsens From the cover

Katy-Fulshear area road projects

What’s happening?

DIXON RD.

FREEMAN RD.

As Katy and Fulshear experience increasing population growth—with Fulshear more than doubling their population since the 2020 census—several construction projects are planned to help alleviate congestion in the area, including a planned widening of I-10 from Snake Creek to Mason Road. Anticipated to be bid in 2027, the project will widen the six-lane road to 10 lanes, according to project documents from Fort Bend County. This ties into city ocials’ goals of funneling drivers to I-10 through expansion projects at Pin Oak Road and Pederson Road, City Administrator Byron Hebert said. “[Our priority is] mobility, and it’s getting people through the city because of all the growth that’s happening,” Hebert said. “We’ve got to widen all our north-south roads to alleviate the trac that’s coming through.” The Texas Department of Transportation is also set to begin a $157 million project in mid-2026 to widen Grand Parkway from I-10 West to Hwy. 290. The project aims to address growing congestion levels by adding one main lane in each direction, as this section of the roadway has exceeded its capacity to support a steady ow of trac, TxDOT Public Information Ocer Leo Flores said. Meanwhile, Fulshear City Council approved a nearly $50,000 contract with Gannett Fleming Inc. in May for a vertical alignment study to determine the feasibility of an underpass for future segments of Westpark Tollway. The proposed bowtie method would allow cars to cross Main Street and Fulshear Trace via a roundabout, while toll road trac passed underneath. Currently, the Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority is underway with a four mile expansion to bring the roadway’s end to Charger Way. Additionally, Fulshear ocials are focusing on revitalizing downtown with several projects on downtown streets, including Harris Street. The $3.75 million project set to complete in Nov. 2025 will replace the street’s asphalt with concrete paving, add street parking and a pedestrian plaza. In May, Fulshear City Council also approved about $750,000 to reconstruct streets in West Downtown and add asphalt overlays on the east side with the goal of making the area more walkable and business-friendly to promote economic development, Fulshear ocials said. “Ultimately, [the projects are] going to help congestion,” Fulshear City Manager Zach Goodlander said.

HUGGINS DR.

KATY HOCKLEY CUT OFF RD.

HARRIS ST.

2855

CLAYRD.

1093

MORTONRD.

Fulshear

90 PEDERSON RD. Katy

FRANZRD.

1463

KATY FORT BEND RD.

359

PIN OAK RD.

1093

359

99 TOLL

TEXAS HERITAGE PKWY.

• Timeline: January 2026-January 2027 • Cost: $5.15 million • Funding source: City of Katy 9 Pin Oak Road widening Adding travel lanes to include three-lanes in each direction plus left turn lanes • Timeline: July 2026-September 2027 • Cost: $11.21 million • Funding source: City of Katy, Fort Bend County 10 Pitts Road realignment Traffic signal and permanent roadway improvements • Timeline: November 2026-November 2027 • Cost: $1 million • Funding source: City of Katy 11 Katy Fort Bend Road expansion Expanding the road from four to six lanes • Timeline: January 2026-March 2027 • Cost: $28 million • Funding source: TBD 12 Westpark Tollway extension Extending the tollway four additional miles to Charger Way • Timeline: August 2024-August 2026 • Cost: $72 million • Funding source: Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority 13 Harris Street improvements Replacing street asphalt with concrete paving • Timeline: October 2024-November 2025 • Cost: $3.75 million • Funding source: Fulshear Economic Development Corps 14 FM 1463 widening Widening almost seven miles of the road to up to six lanes • Timeline: February 2022-end of 2026 15 Huggins Drive widening and extension Extending the road to FM 359 with center lane • Timeline: April 2025-first quarter of 2026 • Cost: $6.5 million • Funding sources: City of Fulshear, Fort Bend County bond • Cost: $108.36 million • Funding source: TxDOT

GREENBUSCH RD.

1 Grand Parkway widening Adding one main lane in each direction • Timeline: Beginning in mid-2026 • Cost: $157 million • Funding source: Toll revenues 2 I-10 widening Widening the six-lane road way to 10 lanes • Timeline: Bidding in 2027 • Cost: TBD • Funding source: TxDOT

3 Katy Hockley Cut-off Road widening Widening the two-lane roadway to four lanes • Timeline: September 2024-September 2025 • Cost: $3.62 million • Funding source: City of Katy 4 Katy Hockley Road widening Widening from two-lane asphalt roadway to four lanes • Timeline: October 2025-December 2026 • Cost: $9.25 million • Funding source: City of Katy 5 Pederson Road reconstruction Widening from two-lane asphalt roadway to four-lane concrete roadway with turn lanes • Timeline: January 2025-October 2025 • Cost: $3.37 million • Funding source: City of Katy 6 Greenbusch Road reconstruction Reconstructing the road and adding left turn lanes • Timeline: March 2022-June 2026 • Cost: $8.4 million • Funding source: Fort Bend County bond 7 Morton Road widening Widening the existing two-lane asphalt roadway to a four- lane undivided concrete roadway • Timeline: November 2026-November 2027 • Cost: $7.6 million • Funding source: City of Katy 8 Nelson Way extension Constructing a four-lane bridge connecting Pin Oak Road and FM 1463

SOURCE: CITY OF KATY, CITY OF FULSHEARCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY TOMER RONEN

The funding

Why it matters

Sections of I-10 and Grand Parkway both ranked among the 100 most congested roads statewide in 2024, with traffic delays increasing from the year before, according to a Texas A&M Transportation Institute study. From Grand Parkway to North Eldridge Parkway, I-10 saw a total annual delay of 3.63 million hours, an annual cost of $99.1 million in time and gas, according to the TTI study. Meanwhile Grand Parkway saw a total annual delay of 1.48 million hours between South Fry Road and Morton Ranch Road, an annual cost of $37.55 million. The two ranked the 28th and 61st most congested roads statewide in the study, respectively. However, Fulshear City Engineer Cliff Brouhard said even with congestion and construction in the area, he believes he’s already seen improvements.

Of the projects, the city of Katy is funding $29.99 million in internal roads improvements, while the city of Fulshear's Economic Development Corporations is funding the $3.75 million Harris Street project as well as various other downtown road upgrades. Fort Bend County is funding the $8.4 million Greenbusch project and is partnering with Katy and Fulshear to help fund the Pin Oak Road widening and Huggins Drive extension. Meanwhile, larger scale projects such as the I-10 widening and the $108.36 million FM 1463 widening projects were funded by TxDOT to help with overall traffic flow in and out of the area. Additionally, the $157 million Grand Parkway widening and $72 million Westpark Tollway exten- sion are funded by toll revenue from area users. However, the Katy Ford Bend Road widening is still in the design phase so funding has not been determined.

Peak delay times on I-10

Average peak delay time (in minutes) from Beltway 8-West to Pin Oaks on I-10

I-10 East

I-10 West

SOURCE: HOUSTON TRANSTAR/COMMUNITY IMPACT

“Things like Texas Heritage Parkway, I think, has helped [congestion] significantly,” Brouhard said.

Going forward

McKinnon roads, Goodlander said. Texas Heritage Parkway is also expected to extend further south toward the Brazos River improving north-south mobility. Meanwhile, drivers can expect Westpark Tollway to continue extending westward toward Simonton, FBCTRA officials said.

In addition to scheduled projects, Hebert said Katy officials are also looking to make improvements on other roads, including 10th Street, Avenue C, Franz Road and Second Boulevard. Fulshear officials are also looking at improving east-west mobility with construction on Fulshear Bend and

"There’s a lot of traffic out there today, and it’s only going to get worse as more and more homes are built out to the west of Fulshear." DAVID GORNET, FORT BEND COUNTY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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