Heights - River Oaks - Montrose | June 2026

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Heights River Oaks

Montrose Edition VOLUME 8, ISSUE 2 JUNE 9JULY 13, 2026

Brought to you by our gold sponsors: 2026 Health Care Edition Growing cases of Alzheimer’s spark investment

Texas approved $3 billion in funding for dementia research as part of the 2025 legislative session. In anticipation of the rst grants, Houston institutions have begun seeding local research.

INSIDE

Key:

High activity Moderate-high activity Moderate activity

Lower activity/inactivity

Background/voids (no tissue/activity)

Fragmented metabolic "hot spots"

Symmetrical cortical prole

Cortical atrophy (brain shrinkage)

Robust high metabolic activity

Contiguous "unbroken" ow

Enlarged ventricles (tissue loss)

Normal ventricle size

Asymmetrical cortical prole

Normal control scan A healthy brain shows robust, contiguous metabolic activity across the cortex. This unbroken ow allows for seamless communication between regions, supporting sharp memory and reasoning. With intact neural pathways, individuals can easily navigate social environments and recall complex details of daily life.

This scan reveals fragmented activity and signicant tissue loss. As neurons die, metabolic “islands” form, leading to profound memory loss and confusion. In daily life, this manifests as diculty completing familiar tasks, disorientation in known places and a loss of personal independence. Alzheimer’s disease-aected brain

SOURCES: ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE EDUCATION AND REFERRAL CENTER, NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGINGCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION

Impacts

W. 34TH ST.

7 Killer Burger Hailing from Portland, this new burger chain opened in Sawyer Heights, oering unique avor combinations such as the peanut butter pickle bacon burger. The spot also serves chicken sandwiches, fries and onion rings. • Opened May 6 • 1909 Taylor St., Ste. A, Houston • www.killerburger.com 8 Paris Baguette The Parisian cafe culture reects the character of the Heights neighborhood and oers fresh-baked pastries, signature cakes and specialty coee. The global bakery already has 4,000 locations worldwide. • Opened May 18 • 1835 N. Shepherd Drive, Ste. B, Houston • www.parisbaguette.com 9 Graze HTX A 660-square-foot space oering handcrafted cheese and charcuterie boards opened in the Heights. The new location is the rst to introduce an expanded retail experience with curated gift baskets and elevated grab- 10 Ways2Well This alternative health clinic specializes in stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy, or regenerative medicine, uses stem cells to repair diseased or injured tissue to help with injuries and chronic pain. The clinic will also oer IV drips and telehealth services. • Opened May 19 • 5307 N. Main St., Ste. 120, Houston • www.ways2well.com 11 Edikted Founded in Los Angeles, the brand creates accessible streetwear-inspired looks for young women. Clothes for sale include tops, bottoms, dresses and swimwear. Accessories are also included in the store. • Opened May 2 • 5085 Westheimer Road, Houston • www.edikted.com and-go oerings. • Opened May 5 • 3417 White Oak Drive, Houston • www.grazehtx.com

W. 25TH ST.

290

610

20TH ST.

W. 18TH ST.

T. C. JESTER BLVD.

W. 11TH ST.

W. 6TH ST. 15

WHITE OAK DR.

WHITE OAK PARK

WASHINGTON AVE.

6 9

TAYLOR ST.

MEMORIAL PARK

SAWYER ST.

BUFFALO BAYOU PARK

610

BUFFALO BAYOU

P K

W. GRAY ST.

POST OAK PKWY.

S T .

527

W. ALABAMA ST.

RICHMOND AVE.

• 1111 Westheimer Road, Houston • www.1111htx.com

Now open

1 The Chef’s Table With the original restaurant established in Vintage Park, Chef Paul Friedman has expanded to a new location in River Oaks. The concept oers an entire section dedicated to African cuisine, as well as steaks and veggie-friendly options. • Opened April 23 • 2055 Westheimer Road, Ste. 180, Houston • www.chefstablehouston.com 2 Leighton’s The popular restaurant in the Third Ward expanded into Montrose with a second location. The menu includes lamb, ramen bowls, seafood dishes, wings, tacos and Cajun food • Opened May 10 • 4315 Montrose Blvd., Houston • www.leightonshtx.com 3 1111 Open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., the new internationally inspired dining concept and cocktail bar features a mix of smaller bites, larger dishes in a tapas-style presentation with empanadas, tuna tostada and guacamole. • Opened May 4

4 Aria Nigerian Suya Kitchen A third location of the Nigerian restaurant opened o of Westheimer Road. The establishment features items such as peppered cow skin, meat pies and goat soup. • Opened May 9 • 106 Westheimer Road, Ste. D, Houston • www.ariasuyakitchen.com 5 Wagyu House Specializing in all-you-can-eat wagyu, the new restaurant includes American and Australian full-blood Wagyu, as well as Japanese A5 Wagyu. • Opened May 1 • 5085 Westheimer Road, Ste. 2515, Houston • www.wagyuhouse.group 6 Burger-chan Operating as a popular burger concept since 2016 near the Galleria area, Burger-chan ocially opened its second location in the Heights. The new spot features customizable burger options and an extensive cocktail program. • Opened May 14

Coming soon

12 Mack Allen’s Occupying the entire rst oor of a 28-story oce tower, this new ne-dining concept in River Oaks will feature a garden-inspired design, three private dining spaces and a botanical patio. The menu will feature seafood dishes such as oysters, lobster, caviar and sushi. • Opening in July • 4400 Post Oak Parkway, Houston • www.mackallens.com 13 Je’s Bagel Run A Florida-based bagel chain is planning to open a new location in the Heights this fall. The shop will serve an assortment of bagels and specialty cream cheese spreads. • Opening this fall • 2702 Yale St., Ste. 200, Houston • https://jeffsbagelrun.com

• 506 Yale St., Ste. E, Houston • https://burgerchanhtx.com

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BY COMMUNITY IMPACT

14 McCoy Rockford Incoming CEO Mike Luna is poised to open the largest commercial furniture dealership in Texas under the McCoy Rockford brand. The full-service commercial interior company specializes in workspace solutions, oce furniture and design services. • Opening summer 2026 • 7110 Old Katy Road, Houston • www.mccoyrockford.com 15 The Swift Building Three new wellness tenants were announced in May that will open in the iconic historic building. Tenants include SweatHouz, a contrast therapy studio; Strong Pilates, a low-impact workout studio; and The Skin Clinic, a Houston-based aesthetics and skincare destination. • Opening in late 2026 • 621 Waverley St., Houston • www.theswiftbldg.com

Customers can order classic iced coee, cold brews, lattes and other beverages. • 11920 Westheimer Road, Houston • www.dutchbros.com

Now open

Relocations

17 The Kitty Bodega The cat boutique moved from Yale Street to a new location on Houston Avenue. The bodega sells unique supplies for feline animals, including grooming bags, toothpaste, nutrition and vitamins. Additional services also include a grooming space and a cat apothecary. • Opened May 2

• 3217 Houston Ave., Houston • www.thekittybodega.com

19 Bar Daphne Inspired by secret drinking clubs that thrived during the neighborhood’s dry days, the new bar opened inside Hotel Daphne. The cocktails are named after original paintings displayed throughout the bar and hotel. The art-driven program coincides with a selection of natural, organic and biodynamic wines, beer, zero-proof oerings and bar bites. • Opened May 4 • 347 W. 20th St., Houston • www.bunkhousehotels.com/hotel-daphne/ bar-daphne

In the news

18 Sweet Paris The bistro-style shop celebrated 14 years in business in May. The original location opened in Rice Village in 2012. The shop oers sweet and savory crepes, as well as coee, salads, Belgian waes and paninis. • 2701 Drexel Drive, Houston • www.sweetparis.com

What’s next PERMITS FILED WITH THE TEXAS

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION

16 Dutch Bros Another location of the drive-thru coee chain will open inside Houston’s inner loop. A TDLR project ling shows that construction will start on the new building in 2027.

NEW VETERINARY CLINIC IN RIVER OAKS

URGENT CARE

EXTENDED HOURS

GENERAL PRACTICE

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

1707 W. GRAY ST., STE. 4A HOUSTON CITYVET.COM • 713-493-0255

HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION

Health care

BY ARIEL WORTHY

Health Care Edition

2026

Readers, welcome to Community Impact’s annual Health Care Edition. This annual guide explores the many factors shaping the health care landscape across Houston’s Inner Loop communities. In this edition, readers will nd coverage examining how local hospitals, health care providers and community organizers are responding to the evolving needs of residents.

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committed to connecting patients with advanced, personalized and innovative care. That is our promise of leading medicine.

Read six recent updates from local hospitals (Page 7)

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Use of AI in health care rising in Houston

How AI is being used As for Baylor at St. Luke’s Medical Center, Scott Packard, a spokesperson at its parent company CommonSpirit, said AI is already being deployed in many ways, including: Using AI to spot strokes faster to help doctors save over 80 minutes in treatment time

“This is not ChatGPT for surgeons,” Davis said. “This is about allowing the physician to make the best possible clinical choices at the point of care.” Dr. Gustavo Oderich is the chief of vascular surgery and endovascular therapy at Baylor College of Medicine and the director of its aortic center. He said trying to do complex surgeries with regular imaging systems can be dicult because the imaging is not as clear, which could make the procedures go longer. “Ultimately, it results in bad outcomes,” Oderich said. “At the end of the day, by having sophisti- cated systems like this one, we can do things at a very high level, performance and quality.” For GE HealthCare, Davis said they will continue to look at AI as an opportunity to make complex tasks simpler and more routine. “Our approach is purpose-built, responsible, clinically relevant and designed to make clinicians the most eective...” she said.

Articial intelligence in health care may sound futuristic, but doctors at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center are already using it behind the scenes to help improve performance during minimally invasive surgeries. How it works GE HealthCare’s Allia Moveo acts as a high-tech imaging machine that doctors use during surgery, which helps them see blood vessels and other structures more clearly, according to a news release from GE HealthCare. The machine uses AI to help improve image quality by reducing visual distortions caused by things such as breathing or blood ow. Those improvements use AI, not as a replace- ment for doctors, but as practical technology to help them work more condently and eciently, said Kat Davis, vice president and general manager for GE HealthCare’s interventional solutions business.

Monitoring patient data for early signs of critical conditions

Using AI to better detect cancer, including improving breast cancer detection by nearly 30% Creating 3D models of patients’ hearts to determine treatment

SOURCES: BAYLOR AT ST. LUKE’S MEDICAL CENTER, COMMONSPIRITCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Something to note AI still has governance that is ruled by a commit- tee, said spokesperson Scott Packard. The com- mittee regulates AI use to ensure there is always a clinician between AI and the patient, and that it never makes decisions without clinician approval.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

6 health care updates from local hospitals in Houston

1 Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital

2 River Oaks Hospital & Clinics In late 2025, the River Oaks Hospital & Clinics became a home base for Provecta Research Network, a clinical research organization based in Houston. The company focuses on comprehensive drug studies and strong trial infrastructure across multiple studies, including nephrology, cardiology and neurology, according to an Oct. 1 news release on the clinic’s website. The unit is designed to accommodate the demands of clinical research, including exam rooms and infusion sites, on-site laboratories, refrigerated centrifuges, ultra-low freezers and secure investigational drug storage. Due to the partnership, patients at the River Oaks hospital will have the opportunity to participate in therapies not yet widely available.

3 Houston Methodist Hospital A transformational $25 million commitment from The Duncan Fund was awarded to Houston Methodist in mid- 2025 to support the hospital’s department of medicine. In recognition of the gift, hospital ocials renamed the largest department in its system “the Houston Methodist Charles W. Duncan Jr. Department of Medicine.” The department comprises 14 clinical programs, with specic clinic and research areas the commitment will target, including programs that leverage data and articial intelligence to tailor treatments and preventive strategies. It will also go toward the addition of ve endowed fellowships.

Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital began a $7.3 million investment to renovate and modernize its Family Birthing Unit. This major project supports the hospital’s signicant growth in delivery volumes and provides an enhanced, state-of-the-art experience for growing families

in the community. About the project

The renovation brings clinical and aesthetic upgrades to the unit. Key enhancements include the creation of a new four-bed Obstetric Emergency Department, fully ADA-compliant labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum rooms, as well as dedicated procedure and lactation spaces. In addition to expanding capacity, the project features a complete refresh of the unit to meet the modern expectations of patients and their families. This includes upgraded ooring, modern nishes, new furniture and refreshed bathrooms across all 29 patient rooms and nurses’ stations. Also of note The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers also granted accreditation to the Memorial Hermann Imaging and Breast Care Center in the Greater Heights. The center provides comprehensive care from a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals. Patients are able to have access to the latest clinical trials, new treatment options, genetic counseling and support services such as rehabilitation and survivorship care.

UNIVERSITY BLVD.

RICHMOND AVE.

TWELVE OAKS PL.

4200 Twelve Oaks Place, Houston www.rohc.care

6565 Fannin St., Houston www.houstonmethodist.org

4 Harris Health-Ben Taub Hospital The Level 1 trauma facility received the green light to expand the hospital in early 2026. The $410 million expansion will include building a new facility connected to Ben Taub Hospital. The project will add approximately 100 new patient rooms and expand surgical capabilities. The expansion is expected to break ground by late 2027 and take 10-12 years to complete.

5 Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center In February 2026, the Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center location became the rst hospital in the United States to use an innovative new imaging system designed to enhance precision and eciency in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

BEN TAUB LOOP

RICHARD J. V. JOHNSON AVE.

HOLCOMBE BLVD.

1504 Ben Taub Loop, Houston www.harrishealth.org

1101 Bates Ave., Houston https://locations.stlukeshealth.org

The Family Birthing Unit was renovated at the Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital.

ROSS STERLING AVE.

6 Kindred Hospital Houston Kindred Hospital Houston Medical Center, which specializes in oering long-term acute care and rehabilitation to medically complex patients, expanded its renal care services with the addition of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy, considered ideal for patients in critical condition.

N. LOOP W.

610

JOHN FREEMAN BLVD.

W. 26TH ST.

1635 N. Loop W., Houston www.memorialhermann.org

6441 Main St., Houston www.kindredhospitals.com

HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION

Growing cases of Alzheimer’s spark investment From the cover

Growing challenges

Current situation

most families have to use their life savings or sell a home or property to help pay for long-term care. “Low-income options are limited,” Bailey said. “That in-between gap … that’s a big problem.” Memory care in Houston generally costs between $5,200-$5,500 per month. The average monthly household income in Houston is $5,401.

Alzheimer’s is also a major factor in rising health care costs, according to experts. The average total lifetime cost of care for a person living with dementia is estimated at around $405,262 , accord- ing to the Alzheimer’s Association. Amanda Bailey, founder of Help for My Parents, a free assisted living search firm in Houston, said

Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that gradually damages and destroys nerve cells in the brain, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the care, support and research of the disease. The disease often causes memory loss, cognitive decline and behavioral changes. Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede, a chemistry professor at Rice University researching neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, said there isn’t any real medicine to treat these diseases. While research is ongoing, the number of patients continues to increase throughout the world. “The largest risk factor is age, and we all live longer today in general,” she said. “That means we are getting more patients.” Texas ranks third in the nation in the number of Alzheimer’s cases and second in the number of deaths caused by the disease, according to the Texas Dementia Initiative. As of 2023, in Harris County, approximately 12.2%, or 64,800 people, ages 65 and older, live with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The growing cost of health care

Cost of care by payment source, 2025 Medicare: $174B

$3.9 billion is the cost of Alzheimer’s to the Texas Medicaid program

Medicaid: $72B Out of pocket: $97B Other: $41B *

Roughly 70% of the cost for dementia care is borne by family caregivers Dementia costs families over $20.6 billion per year

$384B total

*NOTE: OTHER PAYMENT SOURCES INCLUDE PRIVATE INSURANCE, HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS, OTHER MANAGED CARE OR UNCOMPENSATED CARE.

By 2050, costs are projected to reach more than $1 trillion

SOURCES: ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES, NIHCM FOUNDATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

What’s being done

The goals of DPRIT

Percent of residents with dementia in Harris County, 2021

Dementia is an umbrella term for disorders that impact memory, thinking and behavior, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most well-known.

Last year, over 2 million Texas voters approved state Proposition 14 to create the Dementia Prevention Institute of Texas, or DPRIT. The vote, leaders said, was driven by a desire to accelerate cures for Alzheimer’s. The $3 billion initiative will grant up to $300 million each fiscal year in competitive grants over the next decade, making it the largest state-funded research program in the nation. “With a steadfast commitment, Texas has the potential to become a world leader in combating dementia through the search for effective treat- ments and, ultimately, a cure,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a 2025 news release after state senators passed the DPRIT legislation. DPRIT will be modeled after the Cancer Preven- tion and Research Institute of Texas, or CPRIT, which was created in 2007. Since its inception, CPRIT has surpassed $4 billion in total grants, funded over 2,200 projects, recruited 344 top researchers to Texas and enabled 11.2 million prevention services, according to the institute’s website. “DPRIT is really important for us to recruit more people to Texas,” Wittung-Stafshede said. “We have stellar researchers in this field, but we don’t have enough. Recruiting people is important.”

65+

10.8%

Create and expedite dementia research

65-69

3.4%

70-74

5.9%

Drive the commercialization of dementia research

75-79

10.9%

80-84

19.5%

85+

Enhance the research superiority of Texas

35.7%

White

Over 2.9 million Texans voted on Proposition 14

10.5%

13% African American 11.2% Asian/Pacific Islander 10.2% Hispanic 10.1% American Indian/Alaskan Native 4% Unknown 7.7% Other

For

Against

2.02M

924.05K

SOURCES: ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION, TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

“With DPRIT, we can become the leader in the U.S. and in the world on dementia-types of disease.

NOTE: THE 2021 DATA FOR THE BREAKDOWN OF PERCENTAGES IS THE LATEST NUMBERS AVAILABLE.

Male (65+)

But more than that, the funding also puts a lot of hope back into the field.” PERNILLA WITTUNG- STAFSHEDE, CPRIT SCHOLAR

12.2%

Female (65+)

9.2%

SOURCE: DEMENTIA DATAHUB/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

The local perspective

Getting help

Available resources

SOURCES: ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION, HELP FOR MY PARENTS, AMAZING PLACE, CAREPARTNERS/COMMUNITY IMPACT 3 Alzheimer’s Association A nonprofit that helps families and patients with support groups, education and local resources. • www.alz.org/texas 2 CarePartners A nonprofit organization that offers a dementia day center and resources for caregivers. • www.carepartnerstexas.org 1 Amazing Place An adult day care that offers day programs for dementia patients and supports families. • www.amazingplacehouston.org

As of early May, the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute has not yet awarded any of the official $3 billion in funding. However, some research institutions have started to prepare for when funds are released, especially in Houston. Rice University has already selected 12 projects that will obtain funding through the Rice DPRIT Seed Grant program, an internal initiative to help faculty launch pilot studies tied to the new state program. UTHealth Houston has also awarded 21 seed grants to advance dementia-focused research and prepare investigators for the inaugural funding cycle of DPRIT. Wittung-Stafshede said she hopes that with the funding and creation of the new dementia institute, scientists and researchers will be able to come together to eventually identify what causes Alzheimer’s and dementia and maybe even find a cure or vaccine for the disease in five to 10 years .

While researchers wait for funding to trickle down from the state, Bailey said that she hopes families with loved ones who have dementia or Alzheimer’s start to prepare a long-term care plan early on, as 85% of families are not prepared for a dementia diagnosis, according to Alzheimer’s Disease International. “When rubber meets the road, [families] are less prepared than they thought they were,” Bailey said. Detecting early warning signs can be key to preparation, she said. Early signs of dementia can include short-term memory loss, difficulty completing familiar tasks, struggling with language and conversations, or uncharacteristic shifts in mood, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. “I see the crisis mode a lot,” Bailey said. “And if people could get ahead of the crisis, that would save them a lot of stress.”

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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION

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Health care

BY ROO MOODY

The program primarily focuses on second graders because that is when permanent molars erupt.

KOEHLER ST.

HARVARD ST.

170 Heights Blvd., Houston www.houstonhealthfoundation.org

Approximately 177,000 students have received dental sealants through Project Saving Smiles.

PHOTOS BY ROO MOODYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Local partnership provides 100,000 free dental screenings Founded in 2010, the Houston Health Foundation was created to partner with the Houston Health Department to serve vulnerable individuals in the community. Robin Mansur, CEO and president of the foundation, said it was Dr. Teresita Ladrillo at the health department who founded the nonprot

Houston Heights. “[A] toothache is one of the leading reasons for absences for missing school,” Mansur said. “We don’t have to connect the dots very hard to realize that the health of children has an impact on their ability to run, their academic success and their sense of self-condence.” The local impact Once a child is screened, the dental technician can apply a dental sealant and uoride varnish to prevent cavities from forming. “Sometimes it’s just a matter of getting the children to the right place for a simple intervention that can have a life-long impact,” Mansur said.

after realizing public dollars were insucient to address the community’s needs. About the program The foundation has ve core health and wellness initiatives, including one for students called Project Saving Smiles. Primarily focusing on second graders, Project Saving Smiles is a partnership between the founda- tion and the health department to assess students’ oral health and provide oral education. The program has worked with more than 200 schools in the Houston area and has completed over 100,000 dental screenings, which are held at the school or at the department’s clinic in the

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HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION

Government

Houston Mayor John Whitmire announced May 5 the city will implement three new measures to help close a projected $209 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2026-27, including a new administration fee that will be added to homeowners’ water bills starting in July. Explained To implement the administration fee, the city had to first move the Solid Waste Department to a municipal utility under Houston Public Works. The change shifts the department’s roughly $100 million annual budget away from the general fund, which is paid by property taxes, to instead rely on user fees, city officials said. Houston to add new $5 admin fee to homeowner bills

How it works The change also allows the city to implement the $5 monthly fee, which Whitmire said is projected to generate approximately $24 million in revenue annually. The fee will remain at $5 for two years and could increase each year until it reaches the full cost of service at $25 per month by 2032. This fee will be added to city water bills to cover trash and recycling services. However, Whitmire said the fee is not yet considered a traditional garbage fee. “There is a tremendous source of revenue that other cities are using, that, for whatever reason, the city of Houston didn’t,” Whitmire said. In related news The city will also implement a right-of-way fee on the water and sewer system, set at 5% of gross reve- nue, which will transfer approximately $110 million annually from the city’s combined utility system to the general fund, city officials said. In FY 2026-27, it will help generate roughly $104 million.

SOURCES: CITIES OF HOUSTON, AUSTIN, DALLAS, SAN ANTONIO, FORT WORTH, EL PASO, PASADENA, SUGAR LAND/ COMMUNITY IMPACT Garbage/administration fees across major Texas cities Houston is the last major city in Texas to implement an administration/garbage fee as a source of revenue. Houston $5 Austin $64 Dallas $40 San Antonio $25 Fort Worth $26 El Paso $36 Pasadena $34 Sugar Land $24

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS & ARIEL WORTHY

Apartment inspection program passes Houston City Council members unanimously approved an amendment to the city’s code of ordinances May 6 that officially establishes an apartment inspection program intended to address unsafe living conditions and repeat offenders across multifamily units. About the program Former council member Letitia Plummer orig- inally proposed the ordinance in July 2025. Since then, city officials and council members have gone back and forth to tweak the ordinance and receive feedback from residents and property owners. The final ordinance approved establishes a High-Risk Rental Building Program to identify and address certain properties through enhanced reg- istration, inspection and enforcement measures, according to the agenda item. Specifically, the ordinance establishes criteria

Properties with 10 or more citations within six months will be required to register in the program. Violations can include:

Government news 3 stories we’re following online

Nonfunctional smoke detectors, fire alarms or sprinkler systems Failure to maintain or obtain a valid certificate of occupancy

1 Houston to consider repealing cam- paign finance rule Houston City Council will revisit its campaign finance reimbursement ordinance to decide whether or not to eliminate the city’s campaign loan repayment caps. 2 Houston residents can now register online to speak at City Hall City Council approved an ordinance May 20 that will add online registration as an option to sign up to speak during council meetings during the public comment session. 3 Abbie Kamin reflects on time as Houston City Council member District C council member Abbie Kamin’s last day on the council was May 27, which also marked the day the election winner Joe Panzarella took his seat.

Inadequate sanitation, plumbing or waste disposal

Any other condition indicating neglect, inadequate maintenance of threat to the welfare of occupants or the public

Fines can range from $500 to $2,000 per day for each violation.

SOURCE: CITY OF HOUSTON/COMMUNITY IMPACT

for the designation of high-risk rental buildings, requires registration and inspection of designated properties, provides enforcement mechanisms and penalties for noncompliance and creates procedures for appeals, ownership transfers and repeat offenders.

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Education

BY EMILY LINCKE

Houston ISD to limit special education classes under new model in 202627

school year. The new programs will reorganize classrooms for about 5,000 students who were enrolled in self-contained special education programs, which pro- vide learning settings for students who need more support. However, the programs are not oered at all HISD campuses, and some programs will be moving to new campuses. Reach out HISD has set up a call line for families in special education who are impacted by the changes planned for the 2026-27 school year. Parents can call 713-556-7042 with questions.

Houston ISD will be implement- ing a new approach to special education in the 2026-27 school year that district leaders say will better student and teacher experi- ences through reduced class sizes, narrowed age groups for classes and improved adult-to-student ratios. However, during a May 14 board of managers meeting, some par- ents expressed concern that the changes could be a detriment to special education students’ learn- ing and emotional well-being. What’s happening? HISD’s revamped Special Education Success Programs are slated to roll out in the 2026-27

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Classroom changes Houston ISD’s self-contained special education classes will feature key changes in the 2026-27 school year such as: 15 students per class at maximum

Tour 18 new model homes in a variety of sizes and designs, with pricing starting from the $300s.

65% of HISD self-contained special education classes contained students in three or more dierent grade levels in the 2025-26 school year

5 students per adult at maximum

2 grade levels or less for 95% of classes

SOURCE: HOUSTON ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Learn more at Bridgeland.com

Houston ISD’s board of managers opted to request an exemption May 14 to a new state law requiring three-point seat belts on school buses that would cost the district about $29.1 million to comply with. Current situation Senate Bill 546 requires public HISD to opt out of new school bus seat belt law

school districts to add three-point seat belts to all school buses by Sept. 1, 2029. HISD currently has about 773 buses, with about 64% of them in compliance with SB 546, according to a May 14 presentation. That leaves about 278 buses that would either need to be retrotted or replaced. Trustees unanimously voted to le a petition with the state stating that the district can’t aord to meet the seat belt requirements by the deadline.

Homes within Bridgeland are constructed and sold by builders not affiliated with Howard Hughes Communities (HHC) or any of its affiliates, companies, or partnerships. Neither HHC nor any of its affiliated companies or partnerships guarantees or warrants the obligations of, or construction by, such builders. Prices and specifications subject to change.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

3 separate road projects in Houston to benefit local neighborhoods with upgrades

610

Upcoming project

Ongoing project

E. 26TH ST.

W. 26TH ST.

RICHMOND AVE.

W. ALABAMA ST.

527

OAKLEY ST.

MKT TRL.

WOODROW ST.

1 West Alabama Street Project: This project by the Montrose TIRZ along West Alabama Street from Shepherd Drive to Spur 527 includes installing new 6-foot sidewalks, street lighting, traffic signals and storm sewers. Update: As of late April, the project is in the first phase. An updated design is expected to be submitted by September, with construction set to start in late 2026. • Timeline: 2026-2028 • Cost: $11 million • Funding source: Montrose TIRZ

2 Nicholson and MKT Trail Project: The Memorial Heights project will make improvements along Nicholson Street from the A MKT Trail to West 26th Street and the B MKT Trail from North Shepherd Drive to Yale Street. Proposed updates include more visible crosswalks, accessible ramps and better sidewalk connections. Update: The authority held its first public meeting

3 Roseland Area Paving and Drainage Project: This project includes bringing pavement, storm sewer and waterline improvements to the Roseland community, as well as removing and replacing pavement, curbs and driveways along the road and installing wheelchair ramps. Update: The project’s scope has been adjusted to encompass additional sidewalks along Oakley and Woodrow Street. • Timeline: 2026-TBD • Cost: $9.1 million • Funding source: city of Houston

in early May to receive community input. • Timeline: March 2027-December 2027 • Cost: $3.4 million • Funding source: TxDOT

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Community

BY SARAH BRAGER

Houston-area residents identify biggest economic concerns

9,000 responses between January and February from the Greater Houston Community Panel, which includes residents from Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. The 45th annual Kinder Houston Area Survey provides a snapshot of the changing attitudes and experiences of Greater Houston communities.

concern about extreme weather and pollutants, indicates residents across the region are feeling more discouraged compared to this time last year, according to the study. However, researchers found that strong community relationships and social cohesion could pave the way for progress. Rice University researchers collected nearly

In a one-year snapshot of changing attitudes in Greater Houston, residents expressed the largest drop in condence about regional job opportunities in more than four decades, according to survey results released April 27 from the Kinder Institute for Urban Research. Increased nancial pressure, coupled with

Top 3 identied “biggest problems” facing the Houston area in 2026 Overall, more concern shifted toward the economy and away from other challenges, such as crime and safety and trac, compared to the same time in 2025.

Percent of residents concerned about the environment’s effect on their health, by income level A greater percentage of low-earning residents indicated they are moderately, very or extremely concerned about the environment’s eects on their health compared to the high end of the income spectrum, survey results show.

Economy Crime & safety Tra c Cost of housing

24% 21% 14% Harris County

24% 17% 17%

28% 18% 16%

Fort Bend County

Montgomery County

Income group

SOURCE: KINDER INSTITUTE FOR URBAN RESEARCHCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Less than $25,000

81%

Changes in nancial pressure over past year by income level

Respondents answered the question, "Compared to 12 months ago, would you say that you and your household are better o, about the same, or worse o nancially?"

$25,000-$49,999

75%

Better o

About the same

Worse o

$50,000-$99,999

20%

47%

33%

Less than $25,000

73%

24%

51%

25%

$25,000 to $49,999

$100,000-149,999

28%

50%

22%

$50,000 to $99,999

66%

26%

53%

21%

$100,000-149,999

$150,000+

31%

54% 15%

$150,000 or more

58%

25%

50%

75%

100%

Percentage of residents

SOURCE: KINDER HOUSTON AREA SURVEYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION

Events

BY ROO MOODY

HTX Contemporary Dance Festival The inaugural dance festival is a two-day celebration of contemporary dance and features curated master classes and community conversations. • June 24-25, times vary • $40 (performance pass), $60 (weekend pass) • 800 Bagby St., Houston • www.houstoncontemporary.org/htxdancefest Battle of the Badges The Houston Heights Association is hosting a blood drive at the Historic Heights Fire Station, where donors can vote for the Houston Fire Department or the Houston Police Department. • June 30, 2-8 p.m. • Free • 107 W. 12th St., Houston • https://houstonheights.org

June

Juneteenth at Discovery Green Discovery Green is hosting the family-friendly freedom celebration, which includes live music, 100 market vendors, food trucks and entertainment.

• June 18, 2-9 p.m. • Free (admission) • 1500 McKinney St., Houston • www.discoverygreen.com/event/ juneteenth-a-celebration-of-freedom

Roots & Rhythm Celebrate freedom, creativity and culture at the open mic night honoring Juneteenth at Five Central. • June 19, 7-10:30 p.m. • Free (admission) • 2736 Virginia St., Houston • www.eventbrite.com Wax & Words Artists of all skill levels can participate in the workshop and bring their favorite lyrics, quotes and poetry to embed in art using the ancient medium of encaustic. • June 20, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. • $105.96 (general admission)

Freedom over Texas The annual celebration at Eleanor Tinsley Park will feature performances from Keith Urban and Los Lonely Boys, as well as a Texas-sized reworks nale. • July 4, 3-10 p.m. • $16.50 (general admission), free (children 12 and under) • 18-3600 Allen Parkway, Houston • www.houstontx.gov/july4

July Run Wild 5K & K ids Run

Participants will receive a timed bib, nisher medal and a free nish video at the race, which benets Girls on the Run Greater Houston and Special Olympics Texas. • July 4, 7:30 a.m. • $25-$42 and up (registration) • 1141 Uptown Park Blvd., Houston • www.runsignup.com/runwild5K2015

• 1502 Sawyer St., Houston • www.sawyeryards.com

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Business

BY ROO MOODY

Jubilee still keeping 19th Street fun and quirky When Kristal Kirksey rst opened Jubilee three decades ago, the historic 19th Street in the Houston Heights looked a little dierent. She said it was a lot funkier, everyone knew each other and that each store was individually owned. What they oer While some of Jubilee’s merchandise has changed, the spirit of the store and the name behind the brand have stayed the same. “We never wanted to take ourselves too seriously and we’re like, ‘if you don’t have a sense of humor, don’t come in,’” Kirksey said. Nowadays, when customers walk into Jubilee, they can nd bright accessories, patterned clothes, home decor and thoughtful gifts. The approach Over the past decade, the Heights has seen both local and national boutiques pop up across the neighborhood, making the industry more competitive. Kirksey said being aggressive about being dier- ent and nding unusual items has been a dening business strategy for the store, along with always maintaining good prices. Going forward Community events are also a huge part of Jubi- lee’s identity, Kirksey said. “I’m very lucky that I picked the Heights because this neighborhood is so supportive, and I was always big in the Heights Association and knew all my neighbors and everybody that lived here,” Kirksey said.

The boutique oers a variety of products, ranging from accessories and decor to clothing.

PHOTOS BY ROO MOODYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Jubilee caters to women of all sizes.

325 W. 19th St., Houston www.jubileeintheheights.com

Owner Kristal Kirksey opened Jubilee 30 years ago.

HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION

Real estate

The median price of homes sold went down in all ve local ZIP codes, with homes around River Oaks and the Fourth Ward seeing the biggest drop at 24%. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

April 2025

April 2026

-16.2%

+7.14%

+15.07%

-38.10%

+66.67%

610

77006

77007

77008

77019

77098

77008

77007

Median home sales price

77019

April

2025

2026

77006

$675,000 $575,000 $660,000 $912,500 $800,000

$615,000 $515,000 $627,500 $690,000 $733,000

77006

77098

77007

288

77008

Homes sold by price point

77019

April 2026

77098

$1,000,000+

$750,001-$1,000,000

Average days on market

$500,001-$750,000

+7.1%

+19.35%

-14.67%

+11.50%

-2.11%

$250,001-$500,000

<$250,000

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY CB&A REALTORS 8326784770 • WWW.CBAREALTORS.COM

77006

77007

77008

77019

77098

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

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