Heights - River Oaks - Montrose Edition | April 2025

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Heights River Oaks

Montrose Edition VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1 APRIL 9 MAY 8, 2025 Houston police seek salary hike to help stagnant stang

$320 million budget shortfall. “We have to look very closely at salaries, at other incentives, at working conditions, all kinds of things that play into whether or not people want to become a police ocer in the city of Houston or not,” Public Safety Committee Chair Amy Peck said.

Despite Houston’s size, HPD ocials said the department’s salary for police ocers isn’t as competitive as smaller municipalities in Texas. Current negotiations between the city and the Houston Police Union could help solve that issue as the department prioritizes stang, but faces the challenges of rising violent crimes and the city’s

BY KEVIN VU

The Houston Police Department is facing a sta- ing shortage in a city with a growing population of 2.3 million. HPD’s Recruiting Captain Hong-Le Conn said while HPD has over 5,200 police ocers and 880 civilian sta, they have been operating under these numbers for many years without any growth.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Also in this issue

See design renderings, details for new George R. Brown Convention Center expansion Development 10

Check out how Houston intends to help stray animals with new shelter Government

Forty-one police cadets graduated March 13 from the Houston Police Academy. HPD hopes to increase ocer salaries this year to boost recruiting eorts amid an ongoing stang shortage.

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HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION

Impacts

W. 34TH ST.

8 Vestas The global wind turbine manufacturer opened a new corporate office in Downtown Houston. The sustainable energy company designs and installs wind turbines. • Opened Feb. 24 • 609 Main St., Houston • www.vestas.com 9 Camp The multi-faceted, interactive entertainment venue for kids opened at The Galleria. The store includes an immersive ‘Bluey’ experience and retail space. • Opened Feb. 28 • 5085 Westheimer Road, Second Floor, Houston • www.camp.com 10 Velocity Sim Racing Lounge This motorsports-themed social racing destination includes 16 state-of-the-art racing simulators equipped with full motion systems and panoramic displays. • Opened March 1 11 Goode Co. The classic Tex-Mex restaurant with an adjoining tequila-focused bar serves mesquite-grilled fajitas, carnitas and enchiladas. • Opened March 12 • 2002 W. Gray St., Houston • https://kitchenandcantina.com 12 The Montrose Country Club The latest venture by Jeff Harmon offers residents a day club, swimming pool, restaurant and cocktail bar. No membership is needed. • Opened March 14 • 202 Tuam St., Houston • www.themontrosecountryclub.com 13 XO Eats + Entertainment The new dining and nightlife experience has two levels, two patios, an immersive speakeasy and a dining room. • Opened March 15 • 5023 Washington Ave., Houston • www.thexohtx.com 14 Confessions Restaurant & Lounge This new restaurant and lounge in Upper Kirby offers Southern American cuisine with handcrafted cocktails. • Opened April 1 • 3200 Kirby Drive, Ste. 2A, Houston • Instagram: confessionshou • 2110 Edwards St., Houston • www.velocitysimlounge.com

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center with an on-site laboratory. • Opened Feb. 11 • 3102 Kirby Drive, Houston • www.kelsey-seybold.com

Now open

1 Paddywax Candle Bar The shop offers a candle-making experience where customers can create a custom candle with dozens of different scent options. • Opened Jan. 31 • 888 Westheimer Road, Ste. 156, Houston • www.thecandlebar.co 2 Annam The latest dining venue in Autry Park serves sophisticated Vietnamese cuisine with a French influence. • Opened in February • 811 Buffalo Park Drive, Ste. 120, Houston • https://autrypark.com 3 KWO Sushi The eatery offers traditional sushi rolls, as well as small plates, dumplings and rice bowls. • Opened Feb. 1 • 401 Franklin St., Ste. 1360, Houston • www.posthtx.com/eat 4 Kelsey-Seybold Clinic The new 36,000-square-foot health clinic offers highly specialized medical care and functions as a cancer

5 Beat the Bomb The new immersive gaming experience challenges participants to solve the codes, dodge lasers, or get blasted with colorful slime or paint. • Opened Feb. 19 • 2103 Lyons Ave., Ste. 300, Houston • www.beatthebomb.com 6 Tijon Parfumerie The French Caribbean-inspired business offers a luxury experience where customers can create their signature fragrance through an interactive perfume-making class. • Opened Feb. 22 • 600 N. Shepherd Drive, Ste. 188, Houston • www.tijon.com/pages/houston 7 Hughie’s This casual neighborhood Vietnamese restaurant opened a new location after closing in the Heights. It offers classic dishes such as shaking beef. • Opened Feb. 22

Coming soon

15 Succulent Fine Dining Inspired by California’s Napa Valley, the River Oaks restaurant will serve dishes made from fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from West Coast and Texas farms. • Opening in spring • 1180 Dunlavy St., Houston • www.succulentfinedining.com

• 633 Heidrich St., Houston • www.hughiesgrille.com

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BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

16 Training Mate The high-energy, Australian-inspired fitness concept will provide 45-minute, high-intensity training sessions with cardio and resistance exercises. • Opening in spring • 600 N. Shepherd Drive, Houston • www.trainingmate.com 17 Pokeworks The Hawaiian-inspired eatery brings fresh flavors of poke with more than 50,000 ways to customize an order in a build-your-own bowl-style menu. • Opening in May 18 Queen Bee’s The new Heights spot will offer a British afternoon tea experience with vintage tea cups and pastries. At sunset, the spot will transform into a lively cocktail lounge. • Opening this summer • 201 W. 15th St., Houston • www.queenbeestearoom.com 19 Trill Burgers American rapper Bun B is opening a new Houston location of this popular burger establishment, which • 919 Milam St., Houston • www.pokeworks.com

sells smash burgers, fries and soft drinks. • Opening this summer • 7616 Westheimer Road, Houston • www.trill-burgers.com

Now open

What’s next

20 Insomnia Cookies The Pennsylvania-based eatery specializes in late- night delivery of cookies and ice cream. According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, a new location is anticipated to open in the Heights in late 2025.

• 508 W. 19th St., Houston • www.insomniacookies.com

22 Chardon Restaurant The French Bistro located inside the Thompson Hotel creates rich dishes such as Hudson Valley Foie Gras Torchon, a two-pound Maine lobster pot pie and a ranch Wagyu ribeye, and for dessert, The Le Grande Macaron au Chocolate topped with raspberries and hazelnut gianduja mousse. • Opened Feb. 21 • 1711 Allen Parkway, Ste. 101, Houston • www.chardonhouston.com

Closings

21 Forever 21 The clothing store declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 16 and will begin to slow business while conducting liquidation sales at its stores. • Closing TBD • 5085 Westheimer Road, Ste. B8020, Houston • www.forever21.com

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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION

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Government

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS & KEVIN VU

Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner died at 70 years old on March 5 in Washington, D.C. Turner was visiting the state capitol to watch President Donald Trump’s Joint Address to Congress at the time, and according to a statement from his family, he was taken to the hospital after the address on March 4. He later died in his Washing- ton, D.C. home at 5:45 a.m. after “enduring health complications.” Looking back Turner was a native Houston resident and served his hometown as a public servant. He was born in Acres Homes in 1954, a historic neighborhood that was once considered to be the South’s largest unincorporated African American community, according to Visit Houston. He went on to receive his high school diploma from Klein High School, a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Houston and a doctorate from Harvard Law School. Turner then served in the Texas House of Representatives for 27 years, spent 21 years on the House Committee on Appropriations and six years as speaker pro tempore before serving as Houston’s Mayor, according to his campaign website. His nal role was serving as the Democratic chair for Texas’ 18th Congressional District. Turner was in his rst term as congressman after replacing former Houston icon Sheila Jackson Lee in November, who died from pancreatic cancer. Sylvester Turner dies, leaves lasting legacy in Houston

Gov. Greg Abbott said Turner left behind a “legacy of service” to all of Texas. “Congressman Turner was a man of character who served his fellow Texans for more than 36 years,” he said. In their own words After his death was announced in early March, several Houston and Harris County leaders shared their memories and thoughts on Turner’s life. Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis thanked Turner in a March 5 statement for all he gave to serve Houston and the state of Texas. “We, the people, are all better o because you chose to dedicate yourself to a life of public service,” Ellis said. “You also advanced the continuous struggle to make this nation as good as its promise of freedom and justice for all.” Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said Turner’s passing is a tremendous loss. “Sylvester Turner was a mentor, a friend and a partner in delivering progress,” Briones said. “He didn’t just serve—he united. He didn’t just lead—he inspired. He knew that real change doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens when people come together, roll up their sleeves and do the hard work. And that’s exactly what we did.” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said he and Turner were a “tremendous inuence” on each other. “We’ve lost an outstanding public ocial,” he said. “No one will be able to step into Sylvester’s shoes and carry on his duties because there’s only one Sylvester Turner.” Final takeaways As of press time, Abbott had not called a special election to ll Turner’s empty seat in Congress. However, he missed the deadline to call for a May election. Abbott can now wait until November or hold an emergency election beforehand.

Sylvester Turner 1954-2025

1954

September 27, 1954: Born in Acres Homes, Texas 1973: Graduated from Klein High School 1976: Graduated from the University of Houston 1980: Received his J.D. degree from Harvard Law School 1983: Co-founded the Barnes & Turner Law Firm in Houston 1988: Elected to the Texas House of Representatives 2003: Became the speaker pro tempore in the Texas House 2015-2024: Served two terms as Mayor of Houston 2024: Selected as the U.S. Representative for the 18th Texas District March 5, 2025: Died in Washington, D.C.

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2010

2020

2025

SOURCE: SYLVESTER TURNER CAMPAIGNCOMMUNITY IMPACT

HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION

Government

Houston hiring freeze to help cut city expenses Mayor John Whitmire implemented a hiring freeze in early March to improve Houston’s efficiency and chip away at a $320 million budget shortfall, Chief of Communications Mary Benton said. Explained Benton said the hiring freeze is an opportunity to cut expenses and make the city more efficient. She said the move comes following Ernest & Young’s citywide efficiency study conducted in late 2024. The report laid out the city’s spending habits and efficiency issues, finding that Houston lags behind peer cities in areas such as average response time for police and fire priority calls. The study also found the city is operating with over 4,000 vacant positions, predominantly in the police, public works and fire departments. Additionally, 40% of supervisors oversee fewer

City controller launches audit plan Houston City Controller Chris Hollins announced during the March 19 City Council meeting that his office is starting a fiscal year 2025 audit plan to help identify cost savings and eliminate waste amid the city’s $320 million budget shortfall. The details Hollins said the audit plan will enhance financial accountability, optimize city resources and maximize taxpayer dollars. The FY 2025 audit plan will focus on: • Efficient city operations

Current situation

$320M budget shortfall

23,000+ total city employees

2,700 retirement- eligible city employees

$54,030 average annual salary

SOURCES: HOUSTON, OPENPAYROLLS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

than four employees. However, Benton said public safety departments such as the fire and police departments won’t be affected by the

hiring freeze. More details

• Financial policies and regulations • Vendor agreements and spending • Preventing fraud, waste and abuse Hollins said the plan also includes follow-up audits.

In mid-March, Whitmire also started offering voluntary retirement incentives to 2,700 retire- ment-eligible city employees. If all 2,700 accept the incentive, that would equate to nearly 9% of city employees.

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BY MELISSA ENAJE & KEVIN VU

Harris County seeks 5 additional district courts Harris County commissioners will move forward with a request to Texas lawmakers for the creation of five additional civil district courts by 2027 to address the county’s longstanding court backlog. The move comes after commissioners voted 3-1 in favor of the resolution during a Feb. 27 Commis- sioners Court meeting. Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis dissented while Judge Lina Hidalgo abstained from the vote. How it works Should the additional courts receive legislative approval, county officials said they would plan to keep the courts located in the judicial complex in Downtown Houston. The provisional plan commissioners approved would be a two-year process, including:

$100M earmarked for at-risk programs At least $100 million in previously budgeted Harris County funds are being redirected toward certain grant-funded programs that could be impacted by federal funding freezes. Harris County commission- ers passed the motion unanimously during a Feb. 27 meeting. The plan The funding plan includes creating a strategic planning committee that will streamline a process for recommending at-risk federally funded programs. Should there be federal funding freezes, county commissioners also approved by a 3-1 vote a process in place to guide depart- ments to avoid layoffs of grant-funded employees unless approved by the Office of County Administration.

“We can’t continue to advertise that Harris County is an economic beacon without investing in a robust justice system where disputes are resolved timely and thoughtfully.” LAUREN REEDER, HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, 234TH CIVIL COURT

The cost Additional courts are estimated to cost the county at least $2.5 million-$3.5 million for each court, Engineering Department Executive Director Milton Rahman said. Looking back Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said county officials worked with state legislators in 2023 to secure six additional criminal district courts and a probate court to address the court backlog. While the 2025 motion called for nine additional courts, only five were approved.

• Adding three civil district courts in 2026 • Adding two civil district courts in 2027

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Government

BY KEVIN VU

BARC animal shelter officials proposed starting construction for a new animal shelter and looking into nonprofit partnerships to help the organization’s operations during the March 17 Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee meeting. During the meeting, BARC Director Jarrad Mears said Houston’s animal shelter does not have the funding or space to adequately achieve desired outcomes such as public safety and live releases. Voters approved a $47 million bond in 2022 to construct a new nearly 61,000-square- foot shelter with an additional 150 kennels and new staff. Mears said the design for the project is finished and BARC is starting the process to begin construction. However, as of March 19, there is no set start date for the project. BARC proposes new shelter, funding source

Also of note

Assessing the need

According to a March 1 update, BARC officials said the shelter saw nearly 2,000 more animal intakes in 2024 than in previous years. BARC’s Director of Communications Cory Stottlemyer said that the shelter is nearly at full capacity with 396 animals. Stottlemyer said the reasons for less intake but higher euthanasia rates last year have to do with a drop in rescue outcomes and a rise in more feral and aggressive strays. BARC Animal Shelter intake, release rate* Total intake Adoption Euthanasia 27,048 7,722 2,952 20,323 4,854 909 17,914 3,387 966 17,533 3,912 2,284 19,209 4,393 2,890 20,875 5,316 3,541 SOURCE: BARC ANIMAL SHELTER/COMMUNITY IMPACT *CHART DOES NOT INCLUDE NUMBERS FOR OTHER CATEGORIES, SUCH AS RETURN TO OWNERS, LIVE RELEASES OR TRANSFERS.

Mears said BARC needs to increase fundraising, citing that the shelter receives less funding per capita than any other Texas city. BARC’s budget is nearly $16 million, but with a 2.3 million population that’s growing every year, BARC only receives $6.75 funding per capita, while other cities get more: • San Antonio receives $14.44 per capita.

• Dallas receives $14.07 per capita. • Austin receives $17.92 per capita. • Fort Worth receives $11.84 per capita.

According to the presentation, BARC explored two different funding models through a feasibility study: local government corporations, also known as LGCs, and public/nonprofit partnerships. An LGC is a corporation created to act on behalf of one or more local governments to accomplish any governmental purpose of those local governments, according to the state’s transportation code. The Houston Zoo and Houston First are LGCs. However, Mears said this funding model isn’t ideal for BARC, as the shelter would need seed money—initial funding to begin operations—to operate as an LGC, with that money having to come out of BARC’s “already insufficient budget.” Mears said there are no shelters in Houston that run as an LGC, but instead, run as nonprofits. Mears recommended the shelter pursue part- nerships with nonprofit animal welfare shelters through multiple phases: • Phase 1: Find an experienced nonprofit animal welfare partner for an outreach retail center to provide pet services to the public such as groom- ing, wellness and accessories. • Phase 2: If successful, BARC could transition to an LGC.

BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions

C O L L I NG S W O R T H

BARC Houston Foster & Surgery Pickup

EVELLA ST.

New Shelter

BARC Houston Foster Pickup

SOURCE: BARC ANIMAL SHELTER/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION

Houston police seek salary hike to help stagnant stang From the cover

Zooming in

The big picture

offering higher salaries. “As a young person, you would want to go to the city that would offer you more money,” she said. “Compared to other local police depart- ments, ... we are on the low end.” She also cited generational differences as more people aim for a work-life balance.

Conn said the number of officers leaving HPD has outpaced the number of new officers joining for years. She said the staffing shortage could be attributed to many things, including some “negative attitude” from the public toward law enforcement and competing against other cities

Negotiations between Houston and the Houston Police Union began in late January, Union President Douglas Griffith said. As of April 1, 90% of negotiations were already complete with hopes that a new contract would be signed soon, he said. Griffith said the goal of these negotiations is to make the Houston Police Department more marketable and to offer salaries comparable with other city police departments. “Last year, we lost 86 officers with less than 10 years on,” Griffith said. “They’re going to smaller municipalities that are around us or other organizations where they’re paying more. Pasadena, Pearland, Baytown—they all pay more than we do.” The last time the union and the city agreed to a new contract was in 2022 when police officers saw a 10.5% pay increase, $6.7 million in special pay and funding for new crime reduction technology. However, Houston is at a $320 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2026-27. City Controller Chris Hollins said raising salaries would increase the deficit, but he believes police should be well-compensated regardless. He said with HPD’s $1 billion budget and 90% of it going toward salaries, if salaries were raised 5%, for example, the city could be facing an additional $40 million to $50 million deficit.

HPD officers: 2020-2024

1.34% decrease over the past five years

5,282

5,211

5,185

5,147

5,081

2021

2022

2023

2024

2020

SOURCE: HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Offering input

Looking back

Houston Mayor John Whitmire appointed Noe Diaz as the new police chief in August, citing the department’s need for the former Texas Rangers’ experience and reputation in combating crime, investigations and recruit- ment. Diaz previously served as Katy’s police chief for five years and also served as a state trooper for the Texas Department of Public Safety for 23 years. During Diaz’s appointment in August, he said Houston has a diverse community and he hopes to recruit more young people as officers.

Whitmire campaigned in 2023 on improving the city’s public safety, and throughout 2024 and early 2025, he announced multiple initiatives to crack down on crime in Houston: • A two-night initiative where Whitmire and Diaz drove throughout the Washington Avenue Corridor to ensure clubs and people followed city ordinances and did not cause noise violations. • A monthlong human trafficking initiative in January involving multiple counties nearby, including Houston resulted in the arrests of 15 traffickers with 21 trafficking-related charges filed and 29 victims rescued. Council member Willie Davis also presented the Police, Pastors and People initiative on Feb. 13, to bring law enforcement and faith leaders together to help reduce juvenile crimes. “Public safety is our highest priority, and if we don’t make people feel safe and be safe, [and] hold bad actors accountable, probably nothing else matters,” Whitmire said at the Dec. 13 Washington Avenue Corridor initiative announcement.

Population vs. police salary

Salary Population P

Houston | P 2,314,157 $62,574

Jersey Village | P Population: 7,653 $66,000

Austin | P 979,882 $70,644

Sugar Land | P 108,515 $75,605 Pearland | P 127,736 $72,000 Pasadena | P 146,716 $76,379 Baytown | P 84,067 $77,529

“This is our home, and who better to ll the ranks than the young people we have in our community? We have some fabulous universities here in

town. We have great high schools. We need to pull from this group of kids.” NOE DIAZ, HPD POLICE CHIEF

SOURCES: HOUSTON, PEARLAND, SUGAR LAND, JERSEY VILLAGE, PASADENA, BAYTOWN AND AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENTS; UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY KEVIN VU

Why it matters

Looking ahead

HPD Assistant Chief Megan Howard said during a Feb. 11 Public Safety Committee meeting that violent crime increased nearly 5% from 2023 to 2024. However, violent crimes and total crimes are down from 2020. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery, human trafficking, aggravated assault and kidnapping.

Howard said HPD’s No. 1 priority this year is to increase staffing and help combat rising crime. “We should be very optimistic about our potential to grow and fill our ranks,” Howard said. “The key here is to plug the hole [and] to slow down departures.” Conn said HPD will continue to push recruiting efforts through hiring events at community centers, expos and even mentor programs where officers bring in interested candidates and mentor them throughout the hiring and academy process. “We need people who have a heart of public service and want to contribute to their community as a whole and better the community that we live in,” Conn said. “That requires people who are willing to step into the life of policing and public service and serve with a purpose.” An additional goal for HPD, Howard said, is

New central station

LUBBOCK ST.

RIESNER ST.

R .

Old central station

Violent Nonviolent Houston crime rates: 2020-2024 2020 30,227 99,794

Total crimes

to construct a new central station by midyear that will be located next to HPD’s Property Room at 1202 Washington Ave. The original station at Riesner Street was damaged by Hurricane Harvey, leaving multiple divisions displaced and not in workspaces properly designed for their work such as the vehicular crimes division, she said. No cost estimate was available at press time for the new station.

130,021

2021 29,141 2022 26,946 2023 25,648 2024 26,819

97,600

126,741

106,358

133,304

106,036

131,684

125,944

99,125

SOURCE: HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION

Development

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

George R. Brown Convention Center unveils expansion details

More details

Additional phases will include renovating the existing GRB building and creating a pedestrian promenade that will connect the future East Downtown Cap Park project over Hwy. 69 with Discovery Green. According to the EaDo Houston website, the 30-acre cap park project will create green spaces above I-45 and Hwy. 69 that could include pedes- trian-friendly sidewalks, retail and entertainment spaces, or hike-and-bike trails.

• A multipurpose hall • An atrium flex hall • The largest ballroom in Texas • Dedicated ground level spaces for retail and restaurants • A central atrium with natural light The expansion is also anticipated to include a 100,000-square-foot pedestrian plaza that will connect the convention center to the Toyota Center, as well as a southward extension of the Avenida Plaza that will connect Discovery Green to George R. Brown’s new Central Plaza, according to the release.

Houston ocials unveiled a new master plan March 6 that is intended to transform Downtown Houston and its East End into a more walkable convention and entertainment district. The $2 billion multiphase plan will be one of the largest development projects in Houston in nearly 50 years, according to a news release by public relations rm Dancie Perugini Ware. The rst phase will include a 700,000-square- foot expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center. According to the release, the new building is intended to feature additions such as: • Two exhibition halls

George R. Brown Convention Center 1 Daikin Park 2 Shell Energy Stadium 3

DISCOVERY GREEN

30-acre cap park

Pedestrian promenade

SOURCE: EADO HOUSTONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Before you go

The $2 billion project will be paid through the state’s portion of incremental hotel occupancy tax gathered by Houston First, which manages the venue. Construction on the rst phase of the project will begin this year with an opening date in May 2028. The full campus transformation is anticipated to be complete by 2038.

Design elements of the new convention center are inspired by Houston’s bayous and native prairie landscape.

RENDERING COURTESY HOUSTON FIRST

Good Friday Reflective Service • April 18 • 12PM Saturday • April 19 • 5PM (with Easter Egg Hunts to follow) Sunday • April 20 • 9:30 & 11:11AM + 11AM (Español) WORSHIP WITH US THIS EASTER

ON THE THIRD DAY HE CHANGED EVERYTHING

second.org/easter

Ben Young, Senior Pastor 6400 Woodway Dr at Voss Rd

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Events

BY ASIA ARMOUR

entertainment from more than 40 of the city’s top chefs, restaurants and mixologists. • April 24, 6-9 p.m. • $150 (general admission)

April

The City Market This shopping experience featuring boutique gifts, art, food, clothing and jewelry will take place at downtown space POST Houston. The market is presented by the women-organized nonprofit Houston Junior Forum. • April 11, 2-8 p.m.; April 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • Free (admission) • 401 Franklin St., Houston • www.thecitymkt.org Houston Heights Association Mahjong Tournament This first-ever Mahjong tournament takes place at the Heights Fire Station. Sixty competitors will play to win prizes. Tickets include drinks and food, and proceeds benefit the Reimagine Donovan Park renovation project.

• 2000 Edwards St., Houston • www.events.nokidhungry.org

May

Houston Center for Photography Workshop The workshop at Levy Park will focus on art as creative expression and teach its basic skills. Attendees will learn and practice various aspects of photography. All skill levels and camera types are welcome. • May 3, 10 a.m. • Free Sip & Stroll This accessible hike for ages 21 and older at the Houston Arboretum trails consists of a half-mile trek through boardwalks, trails and concrete. The stroll includes two glasses of wine or beer, and cheese and charcuterie. • May 16, 5:30-7 p.m. • $40-$45 • 3801 Eastside St., Houston • www.levyparkhouston.org

Houston Art Car Parade This 38th annual weekend of events is presented by The Orange Show Center for Visionary Arts. The main event—an art car parade—will start on Allen Parkway at the I-45 overpass and circle around City Hall in Downtown Houston, and feature more than 250 mobile masterpieces, food trucks and an after- party at Market Square Park. • April 12, 2 p.m. • Free (admission) • Between Allen Parkway and Downtown Houston • www.thehoustonartcarparade.com

• April 17, 6-9 p.m. • $100 per person

• 107 W. 12th St., Houston • www.houstonheights.org

Houston’s Taste of the Nation This culinary event supports the No Kid Hungry campaign. It takes place at Silver Street Studios and features gourmet bites, cocktails, games and

• 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston • www.houstonarboretum.org

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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION

Education

Transportation

BY WESLEY GARDENER

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS & KEVIN VU

Houston ISD moves closer to a balanced budget Houston ISD is getting nearer to producing a bal- anced budget by the 2026-27 school year, officials announced during a Feb. 27 budget workshop. The details Balancing a budget: FY2025-26 Revenue source increases ($87M) $44M: Potential basic allotment

HISD to consider campus closures

Amtrak seeks partner for high-speed rail Amtrak officials are seeking a partner to help lead and manage the Texas high-speed rail project from Dallas to Houston, marking the next step in a project that was first proposed a decade ago, according to a notice released Feb. 25. What we know Amtrak said the company is looking to find the most qualified applicant to be a delivery partner for the project. The delivery partner will be responsible for ensuring the project is completed on schedule, provide advice, leadership and support to allow Amtrak to successfully deliver the project. Amtrak did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and a timeline has not been released for the project.

Montrose Boulevard lanes to close for reconstruction

Reconstruction work on Montrose Boulevard started on March 31. Breaking it down The $17.9 million road project includes fully reconstructing the boulevard from Allen Parkway to West Clay Street into a four-lane concrete roadway with a median, sidewalks, trees, signals and a pedestrian bridge. According to a March 24 update from the Mon- trose Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, one lane in each direction between Allen Parkway and West Clay will be closed until 2026 due to construction. Phase 1, between Allen Parkway and West Dallas, will be under construction until October. Construction from West Dallas to West Clay Street will begin in the fall and run through Spring 2026. According to the TIRZ website, here is what residents can expect to experience during the construction phase: • Minimum one lane of traffic in each direction

Houston ISD board managers will likely consider the closure of an undisclosed number of campuses that would go into effect beginning in the 2026-27 school year, officials announced Feb. 27. What we know Superintendent Mike Miles said the closures are being considered due to the dis- trict’s declining student population, which has dropped by more than 30,000 students in the last decade. Miles said he believed the district was effectively subsidizing schools with fewer than 300 students. Miles said the budgetary impact of closing a small school within the district could save between $1.5 million to $2 million annually.

MONTROSE BLVD.

HISD Superintendent Mike Miles said the district is projecting roughly $2.1 billion in expenditures while taking in around $2.07 billion in revenue for the 2025-26 school year. While the projected budget would still contain a roughly $33 million budget shortfall, Miles said the district is making gains toward a balanced budget. A closer look Miles noted officials calculated the current pro- jected expenditures and revenues for the 2025-26 school year budget conservatively. Per budget projections, the district is estimated to bring in roughly $243.5 million in additional revenue while losing $67 million next year due to a projected 8,000 student decline in enrollment. However, he said around $47.2 million would be

$3M: Potential teacher salary $30M: Other financing sources $10M: Security grants

Cost-cutting measures ($103.7M) $57M: Expenditures for recapture costs $30M: Cuts to department budgets $16.7M: One-time expenditures

SOURCE: MONTROSE TIRZ/COMMUNITY IMPACT

• Driveway access maintained at all times • Traffic delays • Uniformed police officers present as needed Stay tuned Regular updates on the project will be posted to the TIRZ website, according to the update.

SOURCE: HOUSTON ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

saved in funding that would have been spent if those students stayed in the district. What’s next? Board managers will be required to approve the district’s budget before June 30.

HOUSTON SUPERSTORE 2410 Smith Street (713) 526-8787

WESTCOTT AND MEMORIAL 5818 Memorial Dr (713) 861-4161

SHEPHERD 1900 S Shepherd (713) 529-4849

Dining

BY ASIA ARMOUR

The Chilean ceviche ($21) pairs well with Chardonnay, Mark Ellenberger said.

COURTESY BECCA WRIGHT

Mutiny Wine Room has its own brand of wine, called Kagan Cellars, named after the owners’ old boat.

COURTESY BECCA WRIGHT

Texas cooking meets California wine country For their rst wedding anniversary, Emily Trout gifted Mark Ellenberger the opportunity to make his own barrel of wine. Fourteen years later, the couple’s passion project would grow into a full-scale business in the Houston Heights—called Mutiny Wine Room. What to expect

Ellen Trout (left) and Mark Ellenberger started the concept for Mutiny Wine Room after years of making their own wine as a hobby.

inuence of California wine country and the culinary aspects of Houston and Texas to create some of the most popular dishes on Mutiny’s menu, including caviar hush puppies, Chilean ceviche and a charcuterie board made with cuts of

COURTESY JENN DUNCAN

wild game. What’s next

Mutiny Wine Room functions as a wine tasting room, a farmhouse restaurant and a private event space, Ellenberger said. There are typically 45-50 choices of wine on their menu. Executive Chef Eduardo Alcayaga curates a food menu to pair with the wines. What’s special about it Alcayaga draws from his Chilean heritage, the

WHITE OAK DR.

Ellenberger said Mutiny Wine Room is focused on welcoming more people into the neighborhood in 2025 by implementing some menu changes and more events that cater to a wider range of people. “Our biggest thing was to create a community, a group of people who enjoy wine, enjoy good food and just have fun with it,” Ellenberger said.

1124 Usener St., Houston www.mutinywineroom.com

JOIN THE ADVENTURE WITH GIRL SCOUTS!

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713-292-0300

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JUST FORE! YOU

A TOUR OF THE STATE, MADE ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT APRIL 2025

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

WEEKENDER: A Big Time in Big Spring CRITTER: Gray Fox MADE IN TEXAS: A Recipe for Stunning Ceramics OUT THERE: Meanwhile, in Texas FEATURE PREVIEW: The Texas Monthly Profile of Scottie Scheffler

Above: Hotel Settles, in Big Spring.

HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION

CRITTER

Gray Fox

HOW CAN I IDENTIFY ONE? Look for a black stripe, typically run- ning down the length of the animal’s back. Gray foxes also have a “bright orange patch on the side of their face and neck,” says Amanda Veals Dutt, a postdoctoral scientist at Sul Ross State University. That distinguishes the species from the slightly larger, non-native red fox (which settlers near Waco introduced for hunting in the 1890s) and two smaller species: the swift fox, found in the Panhandle, and the kit fox, which roams West Texas. WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT IT? It can thrive in a range of habitats, in part because it’ll eat almost anything —mice, small birds, insects—and it seems to enjoy living close to humans. Attacks on us (or dogs or cats) are rare, but rabbits and guinea pigs might make a tasty snack. And if you keep chickens? “They’re basically ice-cream cones running around,” says John Tomeček, a carnivore ecologist at Texas A&M University. ANY URBAN FOX TALES? In October 2021, in front of at least one hundred onlookers at the San Antonio River Walk, firefighters rescued a baby gray fox stranded on a window ledge about 25 feet off the ground. More re- cently, Bethany Snowden, a lieutenant with the city’s animal care services department, sent colleagues to scoop up a fox that had wandered into a court- house. “We enjoy saving urban wildlife,” she says, adding that both foxes were transferred to Wildlife Rescue and Re- habilitation, a local sanctuary. —Rose Cahalan

WEEKENDER

A “Big” Secret in West Texas With a grand hotel and a rich history that includes oil, rail, and Midnight Cowboy , this Permian Basin town holds some surprises. BY COURTNEY BOND

a diner-style room complete with red vinyl– topped chrome stools. At the south end of town, the four-hundred- acre Comanche Trail Park is home to Big Spring’s big spring. Well, what’s left of it. The railroad, the ranches, and all the other busi- nesses of civilization long ago drained the water table, but officials utilize what they call artificial outflow, making for a nice waterfall that spills into a reservoir. Continue your educational journey during lunch at Local’s, a onetime school building down the street from the park. After lunch, fill up on the town’s more modern history at the Heritage Museum of Big Spring. For supper, pop in at J Jayz Bar and Grill (across from the Train Car) for colorful cock- tails and the kind of food—burgers, quesadillas —needed to soak them up. Or head back to home base and enjoy a whiskey sour and chicken-fried steak from Settles Grill. To read the full story, please subscribe to Texas Monthly .

FRIDAY: If you did nothing else but spend a night at Hotel Settles, your visit would be worthwhile. A dust-colored brick building rising fifteen stories, its glowing red rooftop sign visible for miles, the crown jewel of Big Spring exemplifies the word “landmark.” Catty-corner to the hotel, across Runnels Street, is what appears to be downtown’s most popular restaurant, Devour. Inside a narrow space, patrons pair giant margaritas with hearty American fare that includes burgers, pork chops, and bacon-wrapped quail with green onions and hot honey. After dinner, make tracks two blocks north and one street over to the Train Car Cigar Bar. SATURDAY: The sign outside still says Dell’s Café, but this spare restaurant with the odd name of Neutral Ways serves fat egg-filled tacos and classic American breakfast plates in

The entrance to Comanche Trail Park.

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MADE IN TEXAS

From Wheel to Table Restaurants around the country are turning to this Dallas ceramist for artful dinnerware.

BY AMANDA ALBEE

OUT THERE

was born. He attended St. Mark’s School of Texas, where he fell in love with his ceramics classes. At Southern Methodist University, he fulfilled an elective requirement with a ce- ramics course, in which he learned how to use awood-firedkiln,adays-longprocessthatem- ploys ashes to create one-of-a-kind textures and colors. Ortega turned his hobby into a side business while working in the corporate world. In 2018, when he received an order for more than nine hundred pieces to stock Beverley’s Bistro & Bar, on Fitzhugh Avenue, Marcello Andres Ceramics became a full-time enterprise. Ortega opened his current location, which also serves as an event space, two years later. Ortegafulfillsordersforrestaurantsaround the state and beyond: Tatemó, an intimate Mexican tasting menu spot, in Houston; Texas- centric Isidore, in San Antonio’s new Pull- man Market; and Juniper, an Italian bistro in East Austin. Ortega sees his art as having “a conversation with clay.” Fortunately for us, there are lingering —and beautiful—questions to answer.

YOU WON’T FIND “Do Not Touch” signs in Marcello Andres Ortega’s studio and retail space, housed in a Quonset hut just south of downtown Dallas. The ceramics artist encour- ages visitors to the showroom to feel and hold his plates, bowls, and copitas—small cups used for drinking mezcal, sherry, and other spirits. Formed out of Texas clay and natural minerals and fused in fire in one of the workshop’s five kilns, the appeal of the dinnerware extends be- yond the tactile. The primary palette of creams, taupes, and dark grays invites you to appreciate whatsitsatopeachdish:forexample,anorderof avocado toast’s shock of green against the neu- tral canvas of a plate. “The food is the art,” says Ortega of the earth tones he prefers for dishes. Ortega traces his love of dinnerware to the nightly sit-down family meals of his childhood, a ritual important to his Chilean- born parents, who moved to Dallas before he

Meanwhile, In Texas At a feedlot in Carrizo Springs, a man witnessed a group of cattle pin a coyote against a fence before it es- caped unharmed. An American Airlines flight was evac- uated and delayed for nearly five hours at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport after a passenger alerted cabin crew to a Wi-Fi hot spot titled “there is a bomb on the flight.” Upon discovering an unconventional hunting blind made from a portable toilet, Henderson County game wardens used a hidden camera to catch a man who was using it to hunt deer on private property without the owner’s consent. More than one hundred canisters of nitrous oxide were discovered in the car of a Houston dentist who had sped through town, ignored commands to pull over, led police on a brief chase, and, finally, stopped and allegedly ad- mitted to inhaling the laughing gas as he was driving. Port Arthur authorities announced that a man is under investigation for child endangerment after he posted a video on social media in which he used a baby dressed in winter clothing to wipe snow off his car’s windshield. A man in Travis County told police he “won’t press charges” and just wants his dog back after he was approached near his home by a man who shot him in the foot, grabbed his French bulldog, and fled in a car. —Meher Yeda

Marcello Andres Ortega throwing a sculpture in his studio on February 4, 2025.

HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION

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