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KATY EDITION
VOLUME 11, ISSUE 7 MARCH 24 APRIL 27, 2023
Continued risks In October, a decision came from one of several lawsuits between Katy-area residents and the Army Corps of Engineers about Hurricane Harvey damages. LITIGATION QUICK FACTS
Decision announced Oct. 28, 2022 Six test cases used in class action lawsuit can receive a combined $500K Corps retain owage easement , meaning it can lawfully ood homes in the area near the reservoirs Residents who saw similar damages and owned homes before Aug. 30, 2017, have until Aug. 30, 2023 , to le compensation lawsuits. Corps appealed ruling in December. Litigation is ongoing until 2024.
Local Table reopens with new Local Bar concept
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The Addicks and Barker dams are meant to hold ood waters within the reservoirs, which is both heavily populated and urbanized by concrete structures and roadways. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
SOURCE: U.S. COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS COMMUNITY IMPACT
7 events to do in the Katy area in March, April
Litigation continues to address ood impact of Addicks, Barker reservoirs A judge determined in October the Army Corps of Engineers can lawfully ood private lands to operate the Addicks and Barker reservoirs, despite the continued risk to homes in the Katy area after Hurricane Harvey. In one of several lawsuits following the storm, Presiding Judge Charles F. Lettow for the U.S. Court of Federal Claims awarded about $500,000 to homeown- ers in six test cases in an Oct. 28 ruling. Residents who saw similar damages have until Aug. 30 to le their own lawsuits for compensation. BY ASIA ARMOUR & KELLY SCHAFLER
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UHV Katy to debut STEM master’s program
Harvey caused $125 billion in damages and ooded more than 25,000 homes in the Addicks, Barker and Buf- falo Bayou watersheds, according to a post-Harvey anal- ysis from the Harris County Flood Control District.
However, Lettow also ruled the Corps is a orded a “ owage easement,” which grants the agency permanent CONTINUED ON 30
Education
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As federal rental relief fund- ing dwindles closer to depletion, Fort Bend County nonpro ts have proposed a $53.45 million plan to continue providing resources to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. On Feb. 28, executives of local nonpro ts asked Fort Bend County Commissioners Court to reallocate $13 million in federal funds given to the county for a multiphase transi- tional housing program. If approved, the program could build multifamily CONTINUED ON 32 Nonpro ts await county’s decision on housing e ort BY ASIA ARMOUR
CAMP GUIDE 2023
In February. Fort Bend County nonpro ts requested the county reallocate $13 million in federal dollars for a transitional housing program. As the COVID-19 relief funds deplete, nonpro ts said it is vital to invest in homeless prevention. DEPLETED FUNDS
Allocated spent
Allocated, not spent EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE
Total remaining
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT
HOME AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN
Local summer camps
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$1.22M
$47.45M
$2M
Pull the newest teaser from CC Libraries
Total $15.36M
Total $157.42M
Total $3.32M
$109.97M $12.14M $2M from this budget was allocated toward the transitional housing proposal. The groups vie for $11M more from other federal sources.
SOURCE: FORT BEND COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPACT
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Easter at Second All it’s cracked up to be!
EASTER CELEBRATION SERVICES
FRI-SUN • APR 7-9 Worship and celebrate the risen Savior at one of our Easter services!
Visit second.org/easter or scan the QR code for more information.
Passion Week Experience Wed-Fri • Apr 5-7
Prepare your heart for Easter as you walk through Christ's last days in an immersive, self-guided journey through the stations of the cross. Interactive guidebooks are available for preschool ages and up. 2 KATY-AREA LOCATIONS!
West Campus • 19449 Katy Fwy at Fry Rd 1463 Campus • 5757 FM 1463 at S Fry Rd
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KATY EDITION • MARCH 2023
SAT April 29 11am-3pm
AT CROSS CREEK WEST
The Art Market will showcase paintings, ceramics, woodwork, jewelry and other handcrafted items. Enjoy music, local art and delicious cuisine from some of the area’s best restaurants. Visit one of our 8 New Model Homes to pick up the newest décor.
PAINTING • CERAMICS • WOODWORK • JEWELRY & MORE
CrossCreekWestTx.com/ArtMarket 4803 Garden Crest Ln, Fulshear, TX 77441 Face Painting Balloon Artists Caricature Artist Tour 8 NEW MODEL HOMES! ACTIVITIES KIDS Food FAIR LOCAL
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THIS ISSUE
MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Amy Martinez REPORTER Asia Armour GRAPHIC DESIGNER La’Toya Smith ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Tracy Drewa METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Jason Culpepper MANAGING EDITOR Kelly Scha er 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 ktynews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING ktyads@communityimpact.com Learn more at communityimpact.com/advertising EMAIL NEWSLETTERS communityimpact.com/newsletter SUPPORT US Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 35+ localized editions across Texas to more than 2.5 million residential mailboxes.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH
FROM AMY: It’s hard to believe, but spring is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to start making summer plans. If you have kiddos, we have a great Camp Guide included in this month’s edition to help jump start your planning process. Check out Pages 20-23 for more information. Amy Martinez, GENERAL MANAGER
FROM KELLY: During Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, stormwater from the Addicks and Barker reservoirs backed up into homes in the Katy area. One of our front-page stories this month looks into the litigation that came after that and what projects are planned to identify ways to mitigate future ooding events in the area. Kelly Scha er, MANAGING EDITOR
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4747 FM 1463, Suite 1000 Katy, TX 77494 713.852.6700 TexasBayCU.org
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KATY EDITION • MARCH 2023
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
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development The Vic at Park Row to the Katy area. Residents are expected to move in by September. Located at 18210 Park Row, Houston, at the Ten Oaks master-planned development by Wolff Companies, the apartments will feature 363 units, with one-, two- or three-bedroom options. Amenities include a podcast studio, bowling alley, fitness center, pool and an integrated clubhouse. Children living here would attend Katy ISD. www.wolffcompanies.com 4 Resia Ten Oaks , a housing community targeting “middle-income” families, is expected to open to residents in Febru- ary 2024. The $96.5 million multifamily housing project has gone vertical on Park Row, just west of the Energy Corridor and adjacent to Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus. The apartments are located at 18036 Park Row, Houston. According to Miami-based real estate company Resia, the 6.6-acre, 573-unit project complex will include a five-level parking garage and amenities such as a clubhouse, fitness center and pool. www.liveresia.com 5 A new Piada is coming to Fulshear this summer. On Feb. 23, Houston-based commercial real estate firm Baker Katz an- nounced the lease of a 2,387-square-foot space at the Market at Cross Creek Ranch for the fast-casual Italian restaurant. The shopping center is located at 5102 FM 1463, Katy. The eatery’s menu features hand-rolled wraps baked on a stone grill, salads, bowls and pasta dishes. Piada opened its 50th location in Richmond on Feb. 28. This new location in Fulshear will mark the brand’s fifth restaurant in the Houston area. www.mypiada.com 6 A new retail center is under con- struction on a 12-acre site at Grand
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NOW OPEN 1 Dogtopia opened Jan. 30 at 6434 FM 1463, Fulshear. The business offers a dog day care with three primary features: education, exercise and safe socialization. The facilities include a 5,500-square-foot indoor space with boarding and spa facilities, and three playrooms—all of which are climate controlled and designed specifically for the size, temperament and play person- ality of each canine. The location also has
a 1,000-square-foot outdoor play area for dogs to romp and run. 281-606-3113. www.dogtopia.com/fulshear-katy COMING SOON 2 Utah-based company Dirty Dough Cookies will open in June at 6920 S. Fry Road, Ste. J, Katy, franchisee John Gilleland said March 9. The cookie store will offer layered and filled 4-ounce cookies that can be shared or enjoyed solo, Gilleland said. The menu boasts four
classic flavors and four flavors that change weekly. Gluten-free flavors will also be available. This is the Greater Houston-area debut for the company, which will open three additional franchise locations this summer and eight more stores coming soon after, Gilleland said. The other three stores will open in Spring, Bellaire and off FM 1960. One of the eight locations sched- uled to come after includes a Fulshear location. www.dirtydoughcookies.com 3 Real estate developer Hunington Properties is bringing multifamily
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Elyson Eye Care
Sapore Pizzeria
COURTESY ELYSON EYE CARE
COURTESY SAPORE PIZZERIA
Local Table’s renovated flagship restaurant has happy hour Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m.
RELOCATIONS 9 Sapore Pizzeria is moving back into Kingsland Shopping Center in June. The restaurant, which was temporarily oper- ating out of Pappa Gyros on 21910 Franz Road, will be located at 23445 Kingsland Blvd., Ste. 500, Katy. According to the business’s website, the Sapore Pizzeria bakes authentic, Detroit-style pizza. Known for its square shape and soft, airy crust, Detroit-style pizza is baked in a deep pan until its cheese is cara- melized and the edge pieces are crispy. www.detroitpizzeriakaty.com EXPANSIONS 10 The Geico office in Katy was select- ed to serve as the main hub to manage the company’s commercial insurance operations. The expansion of this office is expected to add hundreds of jobs to the area, officials said. On Feb. 15, executives from the insurance company hosted a ceremony to commemorate the expansion of its Katy office, located at 21420 Merchants Way, Katy. The business expects to add 250-500 new positions in Katy over the next five years, according to a Feb. 15 news release. 832-772-0592. www.geico.com NAME CHANGES 11 As of Feb. 7, Fish City Grill at La Centerra is now Half Shells . Located at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Ste. 140, Katy, the name change was solidified by a remodel of the restaurant’s inside decor and new signage. The menu and staff remains the same, however, as Half Shells
Parkway and FM 529 in Katy. The Square at Elyson , a project by commercial real estate company Excel, has plans for a 75,000-square-foot marketplace with more than 450 parking spaces. It is set to complete construction by late summer 2024, according to a March 9 news release. The retail center is bordered by a site owned by H-E-B, The Plaza at Elyson, a Target and a Burlington department store. www.excelcommercialre.com/elyson 7 Interactive gaming experience Activate Games will open a new location this fall at 20225 Katy Freeway, Katy, according to a news release from the company. In the indoor gaming space, teams of two to five people can choose from hundreds of games and difficulty levels. All games include a high-tech as- pect, including Megagrid, Hoops, Push, Hide, Laser, Trench, Pipes and Climb. A wristband tracks participants’ scores throughout the games. The games have been designed for adults, but children age 10 and younger can participate if an adult is in the games. Adults must be at the facility for children ages 11-13, an Activate Games spokesperson said via email. This is Activate Games’ second Texas location, with the first scheduled to open in Dallas in April, the spokesper- son said. www.activate.games 8 Elyson Eye Care , an optometry office, is expected to open in June at 23927 FM 529, Ste. 200, Katy. The med- ical practice, led by Dr. Sarah Hung, will offer an array of eye care services, such as comprehensive eye exams, contact lens fittings, eye allergy relief, dry eye treatment and LASIK consultations. 281-626-9885. www.elysoneyecare.com
COURTESY LOCAL TABLE
FEATURED IMPACT EXPANSION After months of anticipation, Local Table opened a larger restaurant and introduced the Local Bar concept in Cinco Ranch on Jan. 30. Local Table opened its rst restaurant at the Villagio Town Center in Cinco Ranch in April 2016. The new space—located at 24033 Cinco Ranch Blvd.—is 14,500 square feet and the rst Local Table and Local Bar combination. Co-owner Shervin Shari said in a Jan. 25 news release the eatery has become a staple for families and is known as a gathering spot in the community. “You [can] see Little League teams, birthday celebrations of all ages and customers simply having a good time,” Shari said in the release. “We are excited to expand on that notion, bringing even more space for hosting events, large parties and combining forces with Local Bar.” This new location has an extended menu still features shrimp, catfish, oysters and a variety of other seafood entrees. 281-693-3474. www.fishcitygrill.com SCHOOL NOTES 12 Starting in fall, Katy ISD will offer a commercial drivers license student
patio suitable for dining outdoors and the largest private dining room of all its restaurants with the capacity to accommodate 75 people. The Local Table menu features both gluten-free and vegetarian dishes, such as its honey ginger-roasted Brussels sprouts salad. Menu items also include wood stone pizzas, wraps, tacos, pitas and vegan options. Local Table can be found in Cypress, Fulshear and Oak Forest, and it has a location slated to open in The Woodlands in April. 832-913-6150. www.eatatlocaltable.com
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training and licensing program to 11th grade students turning 18. The program is a partnership with Katy ISD’s Raines Academy and Rio Grande Valley Ser- vices. Classes will be held at the Raines Academy campus on 1742 Katyland Drive. The training could lead to job oppor- tunities after graduation, officials said. 281-237-1500. www.katyisd.org/rhs
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KATY EDITION • MARCH 2023
TO DO LIST
March & April events
COMPILED BY JOVANNA AGUILAR
MARCH 29 SOCIALIZE THROUGH SALSA DANCING
US Dance Company will host a salsa dance club for those interested in getting a full workout while having fun and meeting new people. 7-8 p.m. $25. US Dance Company, 20621 Westheimer Parkway, Katy. 281-213-2828. www.usdancecompany.com 30 SPONSOR A GOLF CHALLENGE The Katy Area Chamber of Commerce invites community members to participate or sponsor a Top Golf Chamber challenge. Registration is required. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. $100-$2,500. Top Golf Katy, 1030 Memorial Brook Blvd., Katy. 281-391-7423. www.katychamber.com APRIL 01 WALK THROUGH HISTORIC HOMES Katy Heritage Park will o er historic home tours. It features a 1927 time capsule from Katy, a home decorated like the early 1900s, and the Katy post o ce that was in operation in the ’20s and ’30s. Noon-4 p.m. Free. Katy Heritage Park, 5990 George Bush Drive, Katy. 281-377-5710. www.katyheritagesociety.com
APRIL 15
SIP AND STROLL THROUGH KATY THE ARK BY NORRIS EVENT CENTER
APRIL 15 16
ATTEND A SPRING MARKET THE KATY MERRELL CENTER
The 25th annual Katy Sip N Stroll event gives attendees access to food, dessert and beverage stations. The event also features live music, a wine pull, a ra e and vendors. Proceeds bene t The Ballard House, which provides rooms for patients and their caregivers undergoing treatment for life-threatening illnesses. 6-9 p.m. $75-$125. The ARK by Norris Event Center, 21402 Merchants Way, Katy. 713-557-5732. www.sipandstroll.com
The Katy Merrell Center will host its 15th annual spring market made up of 130 small businesses. This shopping event will include handmade crafts, home decor, jewelry, holiday accessories, children’s gifts and clothing boutiques. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (Sun.) $5. Leonard E. Merrell Center, 6301 S. Stadium Lane, Katy. 281-396-2562. www.katyisd.org/lmc
22 CELEBRATE EARTH DAY The Katy Area Chamber of Commerce invites the community to celebrate the third annual Earth Day with “Shredding on the Go,” a nationally recognized disability-owned shredding company. The business employs 15 team members with disabilities, each bringing their own gifts and unwavering determination to the business. For many
and architecture. The event includes paintings, ceramics, woodwork, jewelry and other handcrafted items for sale. Music, face painters, balloon artists, children’s crafts and caricature artists will also be available. Eight model homes will also be open for exploration with free food samples. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. 4803 Garden Crest Lane, Fulshear. 903-433-2516.www.crosscreekwesttx.com
of them, this is their rst chance to earn a paycheck. This event is open to anyone looking for a secure way to shred their documents. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Katy Area Chamber of Commerce, 814 East Ave., Ste. G, Katy. 281-391-5289. www.katychamber.com 29 VISIT AN ART MARKET Cross Creek West celebrates local artists by displaying their art
Find more or submit Katy events at communityimpact.com/event-calendar. Event organizers can submit local events online to be considered for the print edition. Submitting details for consideration does not guarantee publication.
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TRANSPORTATION UPDATES Cities recognized as mobility hubs in TxDOT study
COMPILED BY ASIA ARMOUR & RENEE FARMER
In the next year, the cities of Katy, Brookshire and Pattison will be the subject for a Texas Department of Transportation mobility study. The study will actualize the agency’s Regional Express Access Lane—or REAL—concept, identify transporta- tion improvements, evaluate trends, and develop a list of strategies for short-, medium- and long-term projects in the area. The suggested improvements—such as vehicle eligibility-based roadways with an uninterrupted ow of people and goods—will address safety, mobility, resiliency and accessibility, said Emily Black, public information o cer for the TxDOT Houston District, in an email. The study will conclude in the rst quarter of 2024, she wrote in an email. The REAL plan aims to provide more mobility options than getting around by car, keeping in mind disadvantaged communities who rely on public
The Katy Brookshire mobility study area includes clusters of residential and employment activity centers and freight centers located in the western section of the Texas Department of Transportation Houston District’s service area. STUDY AREA
TxDOT identi ed mobility hubs Areas incorporated in study
Study boundary
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President and CEO Tom Lambert has spent 45 years with METRO in various roles. (Courtesy METRO)
PATTISON BROOKSHIRE
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ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF MARCH 14. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT KTYNEWS COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. more time with his family,” METRO Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran said in the release. “I have been blessed to have worked with talented sta , a dedicated board and a wonderful community of part- ners to provide outstanding multi- modal transit options to this region,” Lambert said in the release. “But after nearly 45 years at METRO, now is the right time to retire.” Lambert joined METRO in its rst full year of operation in 1979 and later be- came the METRO Police Department’s rst chief of police. He has also served as the agency’s chief administrative o cer and executive vice president. “METRO and the region have bene t- ed tremendously from Tom’s leader- ship and service. I certainly under- stand his desire to close out his very successful career at METRO and spend METRO president, CEO announces December retirement After 45 years working for the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, President and CEO Tom Lambert has announced plans to retire from the agency at the end of 2023. Lambert stepped into his current role in 2013, making him METRO’s longest-serving president and CEO. He will continue with the agency until Dec. 31, according to a Feb. 2 news release.
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transit. The ongoing plan will spur eco- nomic development, improve travel times and enhance transit reliability throughout the region for both people and freight movement, Black said. The Katy Brookshire mobility study area includes clusters of residential, employment, and freight centers in the western section of TxDOT Houston District’s service area, Black said.
This area is experiencing residential and commercial growth, including warehouses and distribution centers along I-10 and Hwy. 90 between Brookshire and Katy. The study will consider integrating other TxDOT works in the area, such as a project to widen Hwy. 90 to four lanes and a FM 2855 extension to I-10 to improve access to freight tra c.
Houston taps county to comply with roadway, freeway plan At a Feb. 3 meeting, Fort Bend County relinquished an over 23-acre plat of land to the city of Houston for a project that will further the city’s major thoroughfare and freeway plan, or MTFP. The city aims to build “A large portion of Fort Bend County lies 10 KATY FWY. Houston will need 23.34 acres of land in Fort Bend County to construct a road thoroughfare. MOBILITY PLANNING Land acquired for road
within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the city of Houston,” Akinwande said in an email. “As such, the city, by state law, is able to extend their subdivision and [MTFP] requirements within this area outside their city limits.” The boulevard’s construction does not yet have a timeline, Houston
a boulevard through the acreage in Katy between I-10, Cane Island Parkway and Kingsland Boulevard, said Ike Akinwande, the county’s assistant engineer.
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SOURCE: FORT BEND COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPACT
Chief Transportation Planner David Fields said in an email. Akinwande said the project will
come at no cost to the county. The project will be discussed at a May 11 meeting.
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Conceptual Rendering
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KATY EDITION • MARCH 2023
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New model homes now open daily. Brookfield Residential is now in Houston, with fresh floor plans designed for the way you live. We might be new to the area, but we’re the 5th largest real estate developer in North America, and we’ve been in the Lone Star State for years, building homes with lumber, brick, heart, and soul. There are 14 floor plans to choose from, ranging from 3 – 5 bedrooms and 2.5 – 4 baths. Each was designed with the perfect blend of style and practicality; you’ll find grand entries, open living areas, and thoughtful details designed for the way you live. Come home to Elyson. Located in the heart of Katy, Elyson is the newest master-planned community by the same team that brought you Cinco Ranch and Seven Meadows. You’ll find miles of trails and parks, a gorgeous pool and cafe, tennis courts, and an onsite elementary school in the highly-sought-after Katy ISD. Houston, We’re Home!
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Explore the Norwich and Rutgers models in Elyson, or see all the floor plans at BrookfieldResidential.com/HelloHouston
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The sun is still shining on our picturesque community — there’s plenty more to come in 2023! 18 New model homes, a new amenity center, Camp Flewellen and more are on the horizon, making Cross Creek Ranch a “sun-sational” place to live! Want to greet each sunrise and sunset in Cross Creek Ranch? Talk with our builders because the best time to buy a new home in Cross Creek Ranch is now! NOW IS THE Time CROSS CREEK RANCH at
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EDUCATION
STEM MBA program featured at UHV Katy campus this fall
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BY ASIA ARMOUR
by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. “If you are [studying] biology, computer science, chemistry or some other scienti c area, we are developing a master’s degree in business, which will include courses both in the subject area and in business,” Glenn said. Je Blodgett, the interim dean and professor of marketing for UHV’s College of Business, said the faculty is already in place for this program, so investment dollars will be put toward marketing and promotion for enrollment. Blodgett said the program will be organized in cohorts, in which students will have hybrid schedules that combine online classes with biweekly in-person meetings. Blodgett also spoke to the expected community’s workforce impact. He said the program—which was recently endorsed by the DHS to increase STEM
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The University of Houston-Victoria will soon o er a master’s in science, technology, engineering and mathe- matics business program speci cally for its Katy campus. The State of Higher Education event Feb. 16 was held at the UHV Katy campus at 22400 Grand Circle Blvd. and hosted by the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce. At the event, UHV President Robert K. Glenn was one of three presenters from local colleges to provide updates on what the institu- tions are working on in 2023. Glenn said this STEM program will be of particular interest to the Katy area. O cials with the College of Business, wherein the STEM MBA degree is o ered, said they expect the program to be available for enrollment by this fall. First, it must go through internal university and external processes—which include approval
O cial with University of Houston-Victoria at Katy said the city is a prime location to introduce its STEM master’s program this fall. (Courtesy University of Houston-Victoria at Katy)
A NEW PROGRAM
training and attract more professionals in this eld to the U.S.—will help propel its students into leadership roles within their organizations. Blodgett said the degree program will provide more in-depth, tailored teachings for professionals within the STEM elds who want both to improve their technical knowledge of these intensive concepts and receive business training. Due to this more intensive training and the unique opportunity the program will provide, Blodgett said students will be required to have a STEM background. “When you are teaching somebody about cybersecurity [who] does not have an IT background, you are
The University of Houston-Victoria at Katy’s STEM MBA aims to impact the city’s workforce.
Enrollment to start this fall Students must have STEM background
Hybrid class schedule SOURCE: UHV KATY COMMUNITY IMPACT
teaching about the [broader] issues,” Blodgett said. “When you are teaching somebody who has a computer sci- ence background, you are extending their technical capabilities. That is the di erence.”
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KATY EDITION • MARCH 2023
GOVERNMENT County begins strategic plan for economic growth, development
CARLOS GUZMAN, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR FOR FORT BEND COUNTY, ON DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMIC STRATEGIC PLAN “WE CANNOT KEEP CALLING THE SAME PLAY FROM 20 YEARS AGO, OR EVEN 10 YEARS AGO. WE HAVE TO EVOLVE.”
BY ASIA ARMOUR
so what can we do to help that?” Commissioners approved the transfer of $265,000 from its federal American Rescue Plan Act budget to pay for the economic opportu- nity and development contract with Austin-based planning rm TIP Strategies at a Feb. 7 meeting. This contract informs the fund- ing agreement between the two county-based economic organiza- tions—which is a 50/50 split, Guzman said—and the consultant agreement between Fort Bend County and TIP Strategies. Guzman said the rst phase of the plan will kick o in the second week of April with a focus group between workforce and education leaders and elected o cials. These initial conver- sations are meant to determine where to dedicate the county’s resources for successful economic development. “We do not have unlimited
Fort Bend County’s Economic Development Department and the Fort Bend Economic Development Council have taken the initial steps for an eco- nomic strategic plan, which o cials expect will be completed by fall. This is one of the rst projects from the county’s newly appointed eco- nomic development director, Carlos Guzman, who started in early October. The goal of the plan, Guzman said, is to form a consensus between com- missioners, businesses, educational partners and stakeholders on the county’s highest economic priorities and forward direction. “We cannot keep calling the same play from 20 years ago, [or even] 10 years ago. We have to evolve,” Guzman said. “Now, we have remote and hybrid work. We have some folks who are very highly educated, [and some who are] very entrepreneurial,
for consulting contract with planning rm TIP Strategies $265K
6 7 month timeline for the strategic planning process
split for the cost of the plan between Fort Bend County and the Fort Bend Economic Development Council 50 50
SOURCE: CARLOS GUZMAN COMMUNITY IMPACT
resources,” he said. “Whatever has the most support from the community is the thing that goes to the top of the list.” Based on his previous work with TIP Strategies in his former role with the Pasadena Economic Develop- ment Corp., Guzman said he expects preliminary indications to come by summer. The county will then proceed with public discussions. The entire planning process will span six to seven months,
Guzman said. At conclusion, Guzman said the county will receive speci c, action- able recommendations to align with when considering initiatives for economic growth. “We will have deliverables, some- thing to benchmark that we will know a year from now, or two years from now, we said was important to us,” Guzman said. “We will say, ‘Did we do what we said we were going to do, and how successful were we?”
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Katy ISD & Lamar CISD
HIGHLIGHTS KATY ISD Alejandro Avedano, a parent and volunteer
15 candidates file for May school board elections KATY ISD & LAMAR CISD In May, both Katy ISD and Lamar CISD will hold elections for three positions each. Candidates submitted applications for seats on both school boards. Filing forms had to be submitted by prospective candidates by Feb. 17 to be considered for the races. BY ASIA ARMOUR Both Lamar CISD and Katy ISD will hold elections for three positions each on their boards of trustees. Across the positions, 15 candidates are running. BID FOR SEATS *INDICATES INCUMBENT
in Katy ISD, has been chosen to lead the 2023 Community Bond Advisory Committee. The 150-member
NOW OPEN Country club style craft cocktail bar, high-end spirits, first class atmosphere, and state of the art golf simulators. FULSHEAR candidates Mary Ellen Cuzela and Shana Peterson. Meanwhile, LCISD is hosting elections this year for single-member districts 4, 5 and 7. These positions are held by Joy Williams in District 4, Jon Welch in District 5 and Alex Hunt in District 7. All three have held their seats since 2019. Welch will run against Brian Moore, and Hunt—who serves In KISD, positions 3, 4 and 5 are up for election. In LCISD, candidates will vie for board member seats in single-member districts 4, 5 and 7. In KISD, Position 3 is held by Ashley Vann, who serves as the board of trustees secretary. Vann—who was elected to the board in May 2014, May 2017 and November 2020—will not run for re-election. Instead, candidates Amy Thieme, Bruce Bradford and Shawn Miller are running for the position. Position 4 is held by Trustee Leah Wilson, who also opted not to run for re-election. Candidates Morgan Calhoun, Erica Brettell and Cicely Taylor will run for Wilson’s seat. Greg Schulte, the board president, will run for re-election as the incumbent for Position 5. He will face off against
committee will assess budgets and campus capital needs for a potential November schools bond, per a Feb. 27 news release from the district. Avedano—who is an engineer by trade—has lived in Katy for eight years and has two children enrolled in KISD high schools, per the release. He often volunteers for fundraising activities at his kids’ school. Avedano said in the release he wants to ensure every child receives the best education possible and families understand how district resources are utilized. The first CBAC meeting will be held March 29. Katy ISD board of trustees meets March 27 at 6301 S. Stadium Lane, Katy. Meetings are livestreamed at www.katyisd.org. MEETINGS WE COVER
LAMAR CISD CANDIDATES
POSITION 4 Morgan Calhoun Erica Brettell Cicely Taylor POSITION 5 Mary Ellen Cuzela Greg Schulte* Shana Peterson
DISTRICT 7 Suzanne Box Alex Hunt* KATY ISD CANDIDATES POSITION 3 Amy Thieme Bruce Bradford Shawn Miller
DISTRICT 4 Jacci Hotzel Craig LeTulle DISTRICT 5 Brian Moore Jon Welch*
SOURCES: KATY ISD, LAMAR CISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
as board president—will face candidate Suzanne Box. Meanwhile, Williams serves as board vice president and did not file for re-election. Candidates Jacci Hotzel and Craig LeTulle will face off for her seat. April 6 is the deadline for voter registration, with early voting to begin April 24 and end May 2. Voting locations for LCISD will be determined by the Fort Bend County Elections Office, and KISD’s are located on the district’s election website.
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KATY EDITION • MARCH 2023
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NEWS BRIEFS
See the candidates for races in Katy, Fulshear
CITY CANDIDATES
Only one race in the cities of Katy and Fulshear has opposition this election cycle despite seven positions up for election. KATY Ward A council member Cara Bonin Janet Corte* FULSHEAR District 5 council member Abhijeet Vikas Utturkar SOURCES: CITY OF KATY, CITY OF FULSHEAR/COMMUNITY IMPACT Last day to register to vote Early voting voting location for Katy elections. The other four locations are Cinco Ranch, Seven Lakes, Paetow and James E. Taylor high schools. DATES TO KNOW APRIL 6 APRIL 24-MAY 2 *INDICATES INCUMBENT
BY ASIA ARMOUR
Cara Bonin. Meanwhile, the four seats up for re-election in Fulshear are the District 1, District 4, District 5 and at-large council positions. The at-large Position 1 seat is held by Kent Pool, and the District 1 seat is held by Sarah B. Johnson. Joel Patterson holds District 4, and Kaye Kahlich holds District 5. Kahlich did not file an application for re-election, and Abhijeet Vikas Utturkar was the sole candidate who filed for the role, making Utturkar the new council member by default. The incumbents in each of the other positions, however, will run unopposed in May. The Leonard Merrell Center is the main early
Candidates for races in the cities of Katy and Fulshear general election May 6 have been deter- mined as of Feb. 17 at the close of the application filing period. The voter registration period will end April 6, and early voting will commence April 24-May 2. In Katy, the three positions up for re-election include an at-large council member as well as one council member each for Ward A and Ward B. These positions are occupied by Ward A Council Member Janet Corte, Ward B Council Member Rory Robertson and at-large Council Member Chris Harris. Corte is the only incumbent running opposed for her position, and she will face off against candidate
New state loan to help students finish degrees in high-demand fields
Maternal mortality report highlights gaps in Texas
LOAN ELIGIBILITY
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has requirements for its loan aimed at inspiring students to finish degrees in high-demand occupations. Students must be enrolled in programs related to nursing/patient care, teaching, technology, transportation, logistics or energy. Students must complete their higher education program in two years or less. completed at least half of their coursework before they receive the loan. A nondegree credential program must last less than two years. SOURCE: TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD/COMMUNITY IMPACT A student in a degree program must have
BY HANNAH NORTON
less, according to the loan website. If enrolled in a degree program, a student must have completed at least half of their coursework before they receive the loan. If enrolled in a nondegree credential program, the program must last less than two years. Students also must be enrolled in programs related to nursing/patient care, teaching, technology, transporta- tion, logistics or energy. Only Texas residents are eligible for the FORWARD loan. Texans can apply for the FORWARD loan online. For more information about the program, visit the loan web- site or contact the THECB Borrower Services Department at 800-242-3062. Texans can also fill out an online contact form.
BY HANNAH NORTON
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is offering a new loan aimed at increasing the number of Texans who complete degree programs for high-demand occu- pations, such as nursing, teaching and energy. The Future Occupations & Reskilling Workforce Advancement to Reach Demand program provides “alterna- tive educational loans” to students who cannot afford tuition and other expenses, according to the THECB. Students who receive the loan will ideally be able to pay it off within 10 years, a news release said. To be eligible for the loan, students must be able to complete their higher education program in two years or
In 2019, at least 118 Texas women died while pregnant or within one year after childbirth, leaving over 180 children without mothers. Nearly half of these deaths were caused by pregnancy-related complications. But 90% of pregnancy-related deaths that occurred in 2019 were pre- ventable, per a report released Dec. 15 from the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee. The committee recommended improving behavioral and mental health care before, during and after pregnancy; expanding state programs to address partner violence; and increasing coordination between maternal and emergency services.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
News from Harris County & Houston CITY & COUNTY Harris County drainage projects on hold due to funding gap
HIGHLIGHTS HOUSTON A new interlocal agreement with Harris County will create a partnership between the Houston Health Department and Harris County Public Health. Houston City Council approved the partnership in an agreement Feb. 22. Both entities agreed to meet monthly to discuss current and future collaborations, including potentially establishing a communitywide coordinating council; planning with violence prevention and maternal and child health programs; and creating a data-sharing platform for patient- level and program-level data across both the HHD and HCPH. HARRIS COUNTY The Harris County Public Library plans to end late fee fines on books and DVDs. The HCPL has waived late fees since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of all its branch locations in March 2020, according to a HCPL news release. The decision, which Harris County Commissioners Court unanimously approved on Feb. 21, comes down to late fees hitting low- income households harder as well as collecting and processing late fees resulting in less revenue than generated. It is also ineffective at deterring late returns, officials said. Katy City Council meets on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 6:30 p.m. The next meeting is March 27 at 910 Ave. C, Katy. 281-391-4800. www.cityofkaty.com Harris County Commissioners Court usually meets on Tuesday mornings twice a month. The next meeting is April 4 at 1001 Preston Ave., Ste. 934, Houston. 713-755-5000. www.harriscountytx.gov Fort Bend County Commissioners Court meets at 1 p.m. on the first, second and fourth Tuesdays each month. The next meeting is March 28 at 401 Jackson St., Richmond. 281- 342-3411. www.fortbendcountytx.gov MEETINGS WE COVER
BY EMILY LINCKE
PROJECTS IN PROGRESS Harris County commissioners paused 33 projects totaling $303 million under the Harris County Flood Control District’s Bridge Subdivision Drainage program due to a funding shortfall.
HARRIS COUNTY Commissioners voted Feb. 21 to pause dozens of road and bridge drainage projects due to a $277 million funding gap for the Bridge Subdivision Drainage program. The program targets reducing flood risk for more than 45,000 homes across Harris County. The 33 projects com- missioners opted to pause on Feb. 21 can be resumed once funding is obtained, county officials said. These projects are estimated to cost about $303 million to complete. “Pausing the projects is not doing away with the proj- ects,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia said. When the Harris County Flood Control District’s $2.5 billion bond was approved in 2018, the 96 projects in the Bridge Subdivision Drainage program were expected to cost about $460 million. Now, with inflation and supply chain issues, the same projects are expected to cost about $832 million; the county has about $556 million. Under the Bridge Subdivision Drainage program, 13 proj- ects are almost completed, 13 are under construction and 14 are set to begin construction within 90 days. Commissioners unanimously voted Feb. 21 to fund the 26 projects that are under construction or nearly completed. Precinct 4, which includes the Katy area, is home to two paused projects.
Funding obtained: $556M Funding needed: $277M Harris County Bridge Subdivision Drainage program
Total cost: $832M
Project status Total number of projects: 96
33: Paused 23: In design process or status yet to be determined 14: Construction to begin in 90 days 13: Near completion 13: Under construction
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Houston approves annexation to Katy area
NEWLY ANNEXED LAND EXISTING HARRIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL DISTRICT LAND
BY LEAH FOREMAN
395.96 acres within the MUD. According to the meeting agenda packet, the district has a wastewater collection system, and the additional land will be provided with wastewa- ter treatment and potable water from Harris County MUD No. 495. The district provides water and wastewa- ter services to residents, according to the packet. The nearest major drainage facility for MUD No. 538 is South Mayde Creek, which flows into Langham Creek and Buffalo Bayou before reaching the Houston Ship Channel.
HOUSTON More than 154 acres were annexed from Houston to Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 538, a district that covers areas near Beckendorff and Katy Hockley Cut Off roads. Houston City Council approved this Feb. 22. currently vacant land be developed as single-family and multifamily residential property, commercial property, and detention property. This tract adds to the existing The MUD is being formed as developers are proposing the
FREEMAN RD.
BECKENDORFF RD.
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KATY EDITION • MARCH 2023
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