Bay Area Edition | November 2023

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Bay Area Edition VOLUME 6, ISSUE 4 NOV. 29DEC. 21, 2023

Horsepen Bayou widening project under review

INSIDE

Harris County Flood Control District ocials for years have proposed widening Horsepen Bayou in Clear Lake to provide ood mitigation to surrounding subdivisions. However, some neighbors don’t want the channel widened as much as proposed, prompting ocials to re-examine the plan.

JAKE MAGEECOMMUNITY IMPACT

Also in this issue

Impacts: Bonchon now open in Webster (Page 6)

Government: Galveston County appeals redistrict order (Page 9)

Election: Clear Creek ISD, Houston City Council results (Page 12)

Development: $1B-plus destination plan in the works (Page 19)

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The Lago Mar Crystal Lagoon operating schedule and availability is subject to change without notice. The “Access Now” pass is only available on homes that a buyer has signed a new home purchase agreement with a home builder in Lago Mar between now and 12/31/23. Limit one “Access Now” pass per new home purchase agreement. Buyers must agree to and sign the rules and regulations for the Lago Mar Beach Club before access will be granted. The “Access Now” pass is void if new home purchase agreement is cancelled for any reason. The “Access Now” pass can be terminated at any time by the Crystal Clear Lagoon Operator for not meeting Lago Mar Beach Club rules and regulations. Additional restrictions may apply. Please visit Lago Mar clubhouse center for full details. Restrictions apply. See your new home sales consultant for further details on how to qualify for both of these offers. This offer ends 12/31/23. Up to $20K in builder incentives varies for each builder and is subject to change without notice. See builder representative for more details on incentives currently being offered and how to qualify for them. Offers subject to change without notice. 10.23 *

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BAY AREA 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 Asia Armour Melissa Enaje Wesley Gardner Cassandra Jenkins Shaheryar Khan Rachel Leland Emily Lincke Dave Manning James T. Norman Jessica Shorten Lizzy Spangler Graphic Designers Jatziri Garcia Ellen Jackson Martha Risinger Jesus Verastegui Taylor White

Papar Faircloth General Manager

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Jake Magee Senior Editor

Jason Culpepper Publisher

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Impacts

communities of Kemah, League City and Clear Lake. • Opened Oct. 11 • 609 Bradford Ave., Ste. 108, Kemah • www.runwayandco.com

146

W. FAIRMONT PKWY. Pasadena

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER

4 The Spot The restaurant’s second location has seen

Seabrook

“overwhelming support” from the community, owner Dennis Byrd said in various social media posts. The restaurant has been in Galveston since 1998 and serves burgers, onion rings, milkshakes and alcohol. • Opened Sept. 5 • 2502 Gulf Freeway S., League City • www.islandfamous.com Wayside Coffee Working out of a trailer, the business serves different flavors and varieties of coffee, sells merchandise and hosts events open to the public. • Opened Oct. 5 • Mobile within Bay Area and Friendswood • www.waysidecoffeeco.com

2351

CLEAR LAKE

GEMINI ST.

146

GALVESTON BAY

Nassau Bay

W. MEDICAL CENTER BLVD.

528

SOUTH SHORE BLVD.

Webster

League City

646

Coming soon

517

5 Miller Dentistry Dr. Brad Miller plans to open his practice in December. He brings 30 years of experience from owning his own office in Missouri, he said. • Opening early December • 2500 Marina Bay Drive, Ste. Z, League City • www.millerdentistry.com 6 Grand Living at Tuscan Lakes The four-story facility will have over 180 units and consist of a range of amenities, including various dining options, a theater and a fitness center. • Opening Dec. 3 • 1850 E. League City Parkway, League City • www.grandliving.com 7 The Bridge for Kids The child care nonprofit is eyeing a grand opening date in early 2024 and in the meantime is preparing the interior of the building, Executive Manager Aja Hacket

League city

Kemah

146

517

2 Not Your Ordinary Cakes Owner Jessica Ewald has 14 years of experience in the cake business and makes cakes ranging from wedding cakes to “out of the ordinary, no-one-considers cakes,” she said. • Opened Oct. 5 • 189 S. Gulf Freeway, League City • www.nyocakes.com 3 Runway The business specializes in athleisure and casual dress wear. Owner Lorena Burch said the business has been trying to become more involved in the local

Now open

1 Pharaoh Health and Rehab Services offered to treat pain and aid in muscle recovery at the business include dry needling, cupping and kinesiology taping—the act of using a specialty tap to increase circulation and facilitate drainage in muscles that are swollen or inflamed due to injury. • Opened Sept. 14 • 2905 E. League City Parkway, Ste. 300, League City • www.pharchiro.com

We are so excited to announce our newest location at Pineloch and Hwy 3 will be opening next fall! Make plans now to enroll your Pre-K - 8th grade child at Odyssey Academy. Use the QR code to learn more about us and to reserve your spot today! NEW LOCATION OPENING FALL 2024!

14650 Galveston Rd Webster, TX 77598

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

said. The building is awaiting licenses. • Grand opening expected in mid-February • 685 W. Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena • www.tbotw.org

Now opem

Now open

8 That VR Place The business allows customers to play motion-tracking virtual reality games in groups. While awaiting the business’s grand opening at its permanent location, officials said they are doing pop-up events. • Planned opening early next year • 2100 E. NASA Parkway, Ste. 100, Seabrook • http://thatvr.place 9 HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake Early Childhood Education Center Officials broke ground on a facility exclusively for all HCA Houston Healthcare employees. According to a Sept. 22 news release, the program will help employees balance work and family and support child development. • Opening in the spring 10 Slate Table + Bar The restaurant will provide Italian fusion food, such as garlic knots, lobster beignets and brick-oven pizzas with toppings such as crawfish. Desserts, such as funnel cakes with vanilla ice cream, will also be on the menu. • Opening in February • Corner of Calder and Link roads, League City • www.slatetableandbar.com • 200 Medical Center Blvd., Webster • www.hcahoustonhealthcare.com

15 Bonchon The restaurant serves Korean fried chicken that is fried twice to make it extra flavorful. Chicken comes as bone-in or boneless wings, drumsticks, or strips. Other menu items include house- fried rice, pork buns, Korean tacos and Korean doughnuts. • Opened in September • 300 W. Bay Area Blvd., Webster • www.bonchon.com

13 Pinoy Fiesta Food Market The market serves Filipino food products, snacks and produce alongside other Asian food specialties. Specifically, the market sells a collection of spices and seasonings, noodles, fish, canned goods, cookies, ice cream, fruits and vegetables that are typical ingredients in Asian and Filipino dishes. • Opened Oct. 8

• 1101 W. Main St., Ste. D, League City • www.instagram.com/pinoyfiestaas

16 Healthy Paws Nutrition and Health Spa In August, the business celebrated 10 years of business. The business is a pet grooming operation with an eye on also providing nutritious food to pets.

to be ready for move in soon but has hit supply chain issues just ahead of the finishing work, President Brian Freedman said in a Sept. 5 letter to BAHEP members. • Relocating late 2023 or early 2024

11 James Avery Construction on the jewelry store will begin in December. • Opening in 2024 • 3010 Gulf Freeway S., Ste. I, League City • www.jamesavery.com

• 600 Gemini St., Houston • www.bayareahouston.com

• 2640 E. League City Parkway, League City • www.healthypawsnutritionandpetspa.com

In the news

17 HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake The hospital has been redesignated as the only Level II trauma center in the Bay Area, according to a Sept. 21 news release. The redesignation recognizes the hospital’s capabilities in providing critical care to trauma patients. • 500 W. Medical Center Blvd., Webster • www.hcahoustonhealthcare.com

14 First Impressions League City’s latest art exhibit, “First Impressions,” features art by members of the League City Patrons of Parks and Art Foundation. The exhibit runs until Nov. 26. • 400 W. Walker St., League City • www.lcparksandarts.com

Relocations

12 Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership The nonprofit’s new office location in Houston is expected

BAY AREA EDITION

Government

BY RACHEL LELAND

League City officials will soon expand one of the city’s biggest wastewater treatment facilities as they seek to update infrastructure to meet the demands of a growing population. League City officials will invest up to $90 million to expand the Southwest Water Reclamation Facility, doubling its capacity from treating 4 million gallons of wastewater per day to 8 million. The facility was built in 2012 and serves the southwest area of League City. The city’s current population nears 118,000. “It’s going to really blow up in the next five to 10 years, and that plant will provide adequate treatment capacity for that growth,” Director of Public Works Jody Hooks said. City to expand water facility

Plant expansion conceptual layout The expansion for the Southwest Water Reclamation Facility will double the plant’s capacity.

Next steps

Since water treatment plants generally consist of separate units, to double the capacity, developers can simply duplicate the existing infrastructure, said Ron Bavarian executive director of capital projects. “There will basically be another process train built. … Different stages of the treatment process will be built on-site,” Hooks said. “It’s almost like building another plant that’s already there, in a sense.” On Aug. 8, League City City Council approved a $6.01 million contract with consultant Freese and Nichols to design and bid out the facility’s expansion. The city hopes to complete the project’s design process by the end of 2025 and have the plant operational by 2028, Hooks said.

Southwest Water Reclamation Facility

The Southwest Water Reclamation Facility will double its capacity to pump 8 million gallons per day. League City expects to invest up to $90 million in the project. With a population of 118,000 , League City is Galveston County’s largest city and is expected to grow exponentially over the coming decades.

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BY JAKE MAGEE

Galveston County ocials have been ordered to redistrict Commissioners Court precinct boundaries after a judge ruled the county’s 2021 redistricting map was discriminatory against minority residents, according to the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. County ocials appealed, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Nov. 10 armed the original ruling with some caveats. On Oct. 13, the SCSJ and the Texas Civil Rights Project held a brieng on the outcome of Petteway v. Galveston County. In the case, U.S. District Court Judge Jerey Brown ruled in favor of the plaintis, who argued that when Galveston County ocials redistricted in 2021, they intentionally discriminated against the county’s Black and Latino residents, particularly in Precinct 3, in an attempt to dilute their votes. County appeals redistrict order

What they're saying

What's next

In the appeal ruling, three circuit court judges requested a poll on whether all 17 circuit court judges should rehear the case. “The district court appropriately applied precedent when it permitted the Black and Hispanic populations of Galveston County to be aggregated for purposes of assessing compliance with Section 2 [of the Voting Rights Act],” the ruling reads. “But the members of this panel agree that this court’s precedent permitting aggregation should be overturned. We therefore call for this case to be reheard.”

“For Galvestonians, this is monumental.” MARY PATRICK, PRESIDENT OF THE GALVESTON NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE

“We live in such a great country, where the right to vote is fundamental. ... This win today marks the end of a long ght for our community to be represented in our government.” JOE COMPIAN, PLAINTIFF IN THE CASE

Redistricting events

October 2021: Galveston County redistricts its Commissioners Court precincts, splitting Precinct 3. Oct. 13, 2023: Southern Coalition for Social Justice announces U.S. District Court Judge Jerey Brown ruled Galveston County must redistrict by Oct. 20. Meanwhile, Galveston County ocials announce they will appeal the decision. Oct. 20, 2023: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit suspends Brown’s ruling. Nov. 10, 2023: Suspension expires. Court of appeals arms Brown’s ruling and requests a poll on whether all the justices of the court should rehear the case.

“The community is delighted. Everybody’s been real pleased. It’s just so good that all our hard work paid o.” PATRICIA TOLIVER, GALVESTON NAACP MEMBER

County commissioner precincts

“The county followed redistricting law and did not engage in any racial discrimination.” MARK HENRY, GALVESTON COUNTY JUDGE

GULF OF MEXICO

SOURCE: GALVESTON COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCES: SOUTHERN COALITION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, GALVESTON COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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BAY AREA EDITION

Government

BY RACHEL LELAND

Houston-Galveston Area Council polls community on biking trail safety

Project timeline

June 2023

1 Project initiation • Initial data collection • Public engagement • Stakeholder outreach 2 Needs assessment • Existing conditions • Project prioritization • Identify community needs and preferences 3 Recommendations • Network mapping • Project recommendations • Conceptual designs 4 Implementation • Action plan • Cost estimates • Project implementation

Study area location

The Houston-Galveston Area Council and Har- ris County Precinct 2 officials want to improve safety on the area’s network of biking and pedestrian trails. They are asking the community to share their biggest safety concerns to advise the improvements. The gist On Oct. 18, the H-GAC hosted a public forum at Bay Area Community Center where community members could share feedback on improving public safety on the area’s trails. The feedback will be considered as county offi- cials develop the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Plan, which will serve as a roadmap to guide short- and long-term priorities for pedestrian and cyclist mobility in the area. The plan is part of Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia’s Revive2Thrive initiative, which aims to revitalize existing communities while avoiding gentrification. The study area for this plan is bounded by the Harris County line to the south, Clear Creek and Beltway 8 to the west, Spencer Highway to the north and the bay to the east. This study includes the cities of Friendswood, Pearland, Webster, Nassau Bay, League City, Seabrook, La Porte and Pasadena. In their own words Since 2018, the council has tracked 233 bicycle- and pedestrian-related crashes, resulting in 20 fatalities and 36 serious injuries, according to a

610

225

Clear Lake

GALVESTON BAY

Friendswood

League City

146

SOURCE: HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL/COMMUNITY IMPACT

study created by the council. “They need to separate bike lanes from car lanes. It’s just too crazy; the two can’t exist together,” said resident Dave Rahn, who cycles regularly in Clear Lake. Garcia said in addition to improving safety, the plan will create greater connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians throughout the area. “A bike experience should be just that: It should be an experience,” Garcia said. “You should be able to find things that you never thought about. You should be able to go to work, as I use it to go to work. You should be able to use it as a daily commute or have fun as a recre- ational opportunity.”

April 2024

SOURCE: HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL/COMMUNITY IMPACT

One more thing While additional public meetings to gather community feedback have not yet been sched- uled, H-GAC staff confirmed there will be additional meetings in the first half of 2024. In the meantime, interested parties can browse an interactive map of the area trails and share their feedback through a community survey.

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

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY MELISSA ENAJE, RACHEL LELAND & JAKE MAGEE

As part of new regulations approved by League City, short-term rental owners in the city will now pay a $300 renewal fee and a hotel occupancy tax. The overview Following League City’s city auditor investiga- tion into the city’s short-term rental regulations, last set in 2019, League City City Council on Oct. 10 voted to change the city's policy for regis- tering short-term rentals and collecting taxes from them. Notable quote City ocials said they hoped the changes would make short-term rentals in the city easier to regulate. League City will be able to inform platforms such as Airbnb if the city revokes a permit on rentals that are not in compliance. “What [the auditor] proposed closely mirrors Short-term rentals required to pay new tax

Commissioners award $18.8M for child care Harris County commissioners have awarded ve organizations a combined $18.8 million in grants to improve child care quality over the next three years. The new initiative is called Early Learning Quality Networks and was fully funded through the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds. Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said in a news release the ELQN initiative will ensure every child in Harris County has access to quality early education. “This program will focus on our high- est-need neighborhoods and bring families together with providers to collaborate on needed support for early childhood education,” Ellis said.

Short-term rental changes Major changes to League City’s short-term rental regulations include: Short-term rental operators, such as Vrbo and Airbnb, are required to collect and remit a hotel occupancy tax to the city and submit quarterly reports to League City. The application fee for short-term rental renewal has increased from $25 to $300. The annual renewal of short-term rentals will be required by Dec. 1, and all required inspections must be completed by Dec. 31. Listing or advertising a short-term rental will be illegal without a valid permit. Tax records must be maintained for three years.

SOURCE: CITY OF LEAGUE CITYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

what’s in Kemah and Galveston and gives us more uniformity with the people that are next to us,” Mayor Nick Long said.

Special League City City Council election to be held in January Voters will soon have the chance to decide who will ll a sudden vacancy on League City City Council. What’s happening? On Nov. 14, League City City Council approved a special election for Jan. 13 for Position 4 on council. The seat was held by John Bowen, who announced his resignation Oct. 31 and ocially resigned Nov. 10, accord- ing to agenda documents. A runo election will be held Feb. 17, if necessary. Eligible residents have until 5 p.m. Dec. 4 to le for candidacy at City Hall, 300 W. Walker St., League City. The details According to the state constitution, any council vacancy with an unexpired term of more than one year must be lled by a majority vote in a special election within 120

646

S. EGRET BAY BLVD.

LOBIT PARK

League City acquires Lobit Park from county League City has ocially acquired Lobit Park from Galveston County. On Nov. 1, city and county representatives, including Mayor Nick Long, celebrated a ribbon cutting denoting the ocial transfer of the park’s management from the county to the city. As part of the transfer, new trees were planted in the park. Zooming in League City City Council in 2022 voted to acquire the park, and the transfer increases the city’s total parkland by 28 acres. City ocials have already made improvements to the park’s parking spaces, roads, drainage, seating and lighting, and more improvements are planned for the future.

John Bowen resigned from League City City Council on Nov. 10.

COURTESY CITY OF LEAGUE CITY

days of the vacancy. Bowen didn’t respond to a request for comment on why he resigned. Bowen was elected in December 2020.

BAY AREA EDITION

Election

BY JAKE MAGEE

For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide. Election results breakdown Bay Area residents cast votes in several elections, including Houston mayor and various propositions in Clear Creek ISD. Results are as of Nov. 8 and unofficial until canvassed. SOURCES: HARRIS COUNTY, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, FORT BEND COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Incumbent

Winner

Headed to runoff

At-Large Position 3

Houston

Clear Creek ISD

2.13% Bernard “Bernardo” Amadi

Mayor

Prop A, VATRE

13.35% Donnell Cooper 22.08% Richard Cantu 20.69% Twila Carter

59.25% Yes 40.75% No

0.78% Annie “Mama” Garcia 6.86% Jack Christie 1.06% Robert Gallegos 0.13% Gaylon S. Caldwell

8.99% Casey Curry

Prop B, $265M bond for facility upgrades

3.21% Ethan Michelle Ganz

55.49% Yes 44.51% No

7.21% Gilbert Garcia 0.27% M. “Griff” Griffin 0.14% Naoufal Houjami 0.11% B. Ivy

6.25% James Joseph

13.13% Ericka McCrutcheon 10.17% Richard Nguyen

Prop C, $37M bond for technology upgrades

At-Large Position 4

54.06% Yes 45.94% No

2.62% Lee Kaplan 0.98% M.J. Khan 0.14% David C. Lowy 0.72% Julian Berner Martinez 0.14% Chanel Mbala 0.21% Kathy Lee Tatum 0.43% Roy Vasquez 35.7% Sheila Jackson Lee

7.99% John Branch Jr.

32.95% Roy Morales 10.88% Andrew “Drew” Patterson

Harris County Hospital District

48.19% Letitia Plummer

Prop A, $2.5B bond to improve hospitals

At-Large Position 5

72.31% Yes 27.69% No

59.84% Sallie Alcorn 16.51% J. Brad Batteau 23.75% Rigo Hernandez

42.49% John Whitmire

State

City Council District E

Controller

Prop 4, Increasing school district homestead exemption

43.05% Martina Lemond Dixon

45.17% Chris Hollins 15.47% Dave Martin 12.39% Shannon Nobles 26.98% Orlando Sanchez

56.95% Fred Flickinger

83.43% For

At-Large Position 1

16.57% Against

13.65% Kendall Baker 5.65% Eriq C. Glenn 24.95% Julian Ramirez 21.49% Conchita Reyes 9.38% Leah Wolfthal 24.88% Melanie Miles

Prop 7, Creation of fund to support construction and maintenance of electric-generating facilities

Prop A, Council members can place items on agendas

64.92% For 35.08% Against

83.09% Yes 16.91% No

Prop 9, Cost-of-living adjustment to certain annuitants of Teacher Retirement System of Texas

Prop B, Greater Houston representation on Houston Galveston Area Council

At-Large Position 2

83.73% For 16.27% Against

8.48% Marina Angelica Coryat

65.04% Yes 16.91% No

32.16% Willie Davis 22.69% Nick Hellyar

Prop 12, Abolition of office of Galveston County treasurer

7.69% Obioha “Obes” Nwabara 10.55% Holly Flynn Vilaseca 18.43% Danielle Keys Bess

52.94% For 47.06% Against

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BAY AREA EDITION

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

KEMAH 243 FM 2094 (281) 538-9095

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

SEABROOK 3126 Nasa Pkwy (281) 326-5127

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

CCISD renews deal with local college Up to seven Clear Creek ISD students will soon have a chance to participate in the College of the Mainland’s Collegiate High School, which allows high school students to earn a college degree at the same time as their high school diploma. The overview On Oct. 23, the CCISD board of trustees renewed a partnership with the college. Through the Collegiate High School program, CCISD students can enroll as full- time college students at the College of the Mainland but still remain in their local high school, according to the district’s website. The overall outcome can result in a stu- dent obtaining both a high school diploma and an associate degree, according to the district’s website.

CCISD to oer ‘personal skills’ class to students Sixth graders in Clear Creek ISD will have a new class to take after the board of trustees approved this year’s new secondary courses on Oct. 23. Two-minute impact CCISD ocials each year consider new second- ary courses to add to the district’s class catalog. With no new legislative requirements this year, the district considered just one course, according to district documents. The course is titled “Launch” and is part of the district’s Vision 2030, said Susan Silva, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning for the district. It will focus on tools and habits for “personal eectiveness,” such as: • Time management

“I know we’ve implemented this [on other campuses], and it’s been

very successful, so I am very excited to be able to oer it to all our sixth-grade students.” JESSICA CEJKA, CCISD BOARD TRUSTEE

• Prioritizing tasks Half of the yearlong course will focus on the seven habits of highly eective teens, which was popularized by author Sean Covey. The second half will focus on careers and future interests. What else? This year saw fewer courses recommended than others, Silva said. Starting last year, district ocials opted to streamline some of their recom- mendations due to budget constraints.

• Study skills • Social skills

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BAY AREA EDITION

Transportation

BY RACHEL LELAND

Segment B of Grand Parkway slated for 2027 construction

Diving deeper Since the project plan was approved in 2016, land use has changed along the corridor, triggering a design change proposal, on which TxDOT officials seek resident input. The changes are as follows: • Two diamond interchanges and four overpasses added between I-45 and Hwy. 35 • A shift of the alignment to the north between Hobbs and Calder roads to avoid 26 homes built within the previous plan’s alignment • Updates to the right of way needs for the south- bound direct connector at I-45 • Design modifications at the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe railroads • The inclusion of 43 stormwater detention ponds along Grand Parkway Segment B1 project limits TxDOT has hired a general engineering consul- tant to help develop a contract and preliminary design for the project.

Construction for sections of the Grand Parkway, or Hwy. 99, to run through Galveston and Brazoria Counties is scheduled to begin in 2027. The big picture Tagged as Segment B, the 28-mile toll road to be built will run from League City to just south of Alvin. Two key connections will be built at I-45 and Hwy. 35, creating a new route west of the interstate. Construction for Segment B will be divided into two phases, with the first phase connecting I-45 to Hwy. 35 and the second phase connecting the parkway to Hwy. 288. Texas Department of Transportation officials estimate the first phase will cost $1.03 billion, which includes utility relocation and right-of-way acquisition in addition to construction costs. In fiscal year 2021-22, the open sections of the Grand Parkway generated $246.6 million in toll revenues, which was $57.1 million or 30.1% more than what was generated in the previous fiscal year.

1960

290

610

288

Segment B

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Development

BY SHAHERYAR KHAN

$1B-plus plan to revive Chester L. Davis Sportsplex area in the works

The details

A portion of the state’s sales and liquor taxes would contribute to the development of the project. A provision from a bill from this year’s legislative session allowed for this contribution, Long said. Long said city officials are committed to developing the site and determined to keep a sports center in League City. A new sportsplex would be developed in anticipation of the existing sportsplex’s demolition and the incoming new development. The project is still in its early stages, and city officials are conducting extensive studies and planning, Long said. Long, Middleton and Bonnen’s team declined to give statements due to the project being in its infancy. Long said more updates on the project may be provided sometime before the end of the year.

A $1 billion to $1.2 billion development is planned for League City with hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, a convention center and an arena where the Chester L. Davis Sportsplex is today, League City Mayor Nick Long said in a video from the city. Long said he worked with Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, and Rep. Greg Bonnen, R-Friendswood, to come up with a bill for the development, which was proposed years ago but abandoned later in 2020. The initial development was dubbed Epicenter with Western Spherical Developers as the developer. The developer’s predevelopment agreement

CHESTER L. DAVIS SPORTSPLEX

with the city expired due to uncertainties in city and state incentives as well as a decision to consolidate the project’s hotels into one large hotel, Community Impact previously reported.

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Business

BY JAKE MAGEE

Galveston Bay Brewing sells original beers in grocery stores across the Bay Area.

COURTESY GALVESTON BAY BREWING

Joel Purdom (right) owns Galveston Bay Brewing with two others. Skyler Forshage (left) has been brew master since 2014.

JAKE MAGEECOMMUNITY IMPACT

Galveston Bay Brewing oers beers for every palette To expand and innovate, Galveston Bay Brew- ing relocated this spring from Dickinson to Clear Lake Shores, and co-owner Joel Purdom hopes the business will continue to listen to customers. The backstory The drink menu Galveston Bay Brewing tries to run the gamut in terms of the beers served. With 30 taps, the brewery oers something for everyone and every palette, Forshage said.

The brewery’s new location is larger than its original Dickinson location.

JAKE MAGEECOMMUNITY IMPACT

CLEAR LAKE RD.

Purdom said the business is always listening to customers and trying to respond to their wants. For instance, the brewery now serves wine, which is the one of the most requested items from customers, he said. “It really is a community eort,” Forshage said. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Galveston Bay Brewing started serving food and still does today. However, those behind the business don’t consider it a restaurant or a bar. “We’re a brewery,” Forshage said. “We craft here.”

146

Purdom bought Galveston Bay Brewing with two other owners not long after the brewery originally opened o a farm road in Dickinson in 2014. The new location is near other businesses and can feed o each other, Purdom said. Additionally, the new location is on the water, and customers can kayak up to the brewery, said Purdom and Skyler Forshage, the business’s brew master. Finally, the new location is bigger, allowing for more brewing, Forshage said.

GALVESTON BAY

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902 Marina Bay Drive, Clear Lake Shores www.galvestonbaybeer.com

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Real estate

Number of homes sold

October 2022

October 2023

Residential market data

6 5

3 10

-16.7%

+233.33%

77058

77565

The real estate market for October 2023 versus October 2022 had more variance between ZIP codes than other months. The median days on the market especially varied by ZIP code.

17 18

77 79

+5.88%

+2.6%

77059

77573

225

146

24 18

-25%

77062

GALVESTON BAY

518

Median home sales price

2022

2023

77058

+16.4%

$352,000

$302,500

77565 77058

77573 77059

77062

77059

-4.92%

$369,850

$389,000

77062

+13.4%

$347,000

$306,000

Homes sold in Bay area by price point

77565

+55.96%

$421,083

$270,000

October 2023

77573

+2.82%

$384,800

$374,249

$800,000+

$600,000-$799,999

Median days on market

$400,000-$599,999

-62.8%

+5.88%

-79.31%

+48.78%

+85.71%

$200,000-$399,999

<$200,000

NEIGHBORHOOD DATA PROVIDED BY ALINA ROGERS SPARROW REALTY • 281-961-2944 WWW.SPARROW-REALTY.COM

77058

77059

77062

77565

77573

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From the cover

Horsepen Bayou widening project under review

BY JAKE MAGEE

The overview

Project limits

Armand Bayou Watershed

Bay Oaks subdivision

Channel widening limits

Ocials plan to widen a tributary in the Clear Lake area, but some residents aren’t on board. Horsepen Bayou is a tributary in the Armand Bayou Watershed. Both Horsepen Bayou and Armand Bayou ow southeast toward Clear Lake, which ows into Galveston Bay and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. During Hurricane Harvey, several homes near Horsepen Bayou took on 20 to 30 inches of water, said Jeremy Ratcli, Harris County Flood Control District coordinator for Precinct 2. In response to the storm, Harris County ocials in 2018 proposed ood mitigation projects in the form of a $2.5 billion bond, which voters overwhelmingly approved. One such project, budgeted at $12.5 million, was widening Horsepen Bayou, Ratcli said. The project includes widening the channel. Unlike some other ood projects, the plan doesn’t include a detention pond, meaning the channel has to be widened farther than it otherwise would be to compensate, ocials said. “By providing more capacity in Horsepen Bayou, the area storm sewer and tributary system will function more eciently,” HCFCD Communications Lead Sheldra Brigham said.

99 TOLL

228

Armand Bayou

146

Ellington Airport

HORSEPEN BAYOU

Horsepen Bayou

CLEAR LAKE

GALVESTON BAY

SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

The details

Those opposed

What’s next

Those in the Bay Oaks community have expressed that the channel widening is not the project they want. Ratcli said many residents in the area have yards with fences that abut Horsepen Bayou. Those fences, which are on county property, would have to be taken down and moved back to accommodate the channel widening, he said. Additionally, some residents have expressed concerns about the loss of trees and other nat- ural beauty with channel widening and instead would prefer a detention pond. “All the other [considered] projects are upstream detention ... in vacant elds that would not have disturbed residents in their neighborhoods or altered the natural habitat of the bayou, and they would provide substan- tially more relief,” resident Yee Leng Toh wrote in a letter to county ocials. However, Ratcli said a detention pond isn’t feasible due to the area’s proximity to Ellington Airport. Detention ponds attract birds, which are dangerous near active runways.

HCFCD oficials said they are taking another look at what the inal project might look like. For instance, HCFCD oficials said they are analyzing the possibility of including in the project a detention pond—which would reduce the required amount of channel widening—despite the proximity of Ellington Airport. Project timeline November 2018: Voters approve $2.5B bond for Harris County ood projects July 2020: HCFCD ocials hold community engagement meeting for Horsepen Bayou project April 2021: Ocials approve project design June 2022: Ocials hold second community engagement meeting Fall 2023: Ocials authorize study for alternative design Early 2024: Original project will break ground if alternative not chosen

$11M: Remaining budget Project budget

Total: $12.5M

$1.5M: Spent on engineering and surveying

SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

The project would widen 3 miles of Horsepen Bayou by an average of over 20 feet. Originally this was less but had to increase to avoid disturbing nearby wetlands, Brigham said. Ratcli said the project was chosen for two main reasons: • It provides ood reduction in the area by increasing the channel’s capacity. • The project is in HCFCD’s right of way. “We don’t really like displacing people if we don’t have to,” Ratcli said.

SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Events

BY ERIC WEILBACHER

New fair brings medieval fun to Central Texas The tucked-away corner of New Braunfels that comprises Heritage Village, The Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture and Conservation Plaza typically devotes its space to 19th century history. But on Dec. 8, Heritage Village will be taken back much further in time. The specics The inaugural New Braunfels Renaissance Faire will take place Dec. 8-10 and will host a variety of traditional Christmas celebrations throughout the weekend. Visitors can try their hands at archery, foam sword ghting, ax throwing and more. The faire will also have steel sword ghting demonstrations; jugglers and Circle Arts Theatre will be on hand to perform Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”; and more than 60 vendors will be on hand with unique Christmas gifts and medieval wares.

Organizers Justin and Alina Ball (left), and Izzy and Lark Mason III founded the New Braunfels Renaissance Faire.

PHOTOS BY ERIC WEILBACHERCOMMUNITY IMPACT

337

1370 Church Hill Drive, New Braunfels www.nbrenfaire.com

Raul Alvarado (left) is the ght coordinator for the New Braunfels Renaissance Faire.

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