Lake Houston - Humble - Kingwood Edition | December 2025

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Lake Houston Humble Kingwood Edition VOLUME 10, ISSUE 8 DEC. 30, 2025 JAN. 30, 2026

Damage control Lake Houston Dam repairs needed ahead of dam spillway improvement project

W. LAKE HOUSTON PKWY.

LAKE HOUSTON

DEUSSEN PKWY.

Lake Houston Dam

INSIDE

Also in this issue

Impacts

Page 7

Check out Kingwood’s new Trader Joe’s grocery store

Education Page 13 Learn more about Lake Houston-area private school options

A roughly $10 million project repairing concrete and voids within the Lake Houston Dam’s existing structure is set to be completed before work on the long-awaited dam spillway improvement project can begin, Coastal Water Authority o cials said. (Courtesy Coastal Water Authority)

Nonprot

Page 19

Find out more about the family behind Opera Leggera

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1960

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION

99 TOLL

VALLEY RANCH PKWY.

Impacts

FORDRD.

• 1395 Northpark Drive, Kingwood • https://rareteakingwood.square.site

494

WOODRIDGE PKWY.

4 Chipotle The new location features Humble’s rst “Chipotlane,” a drive thru lane that allows guests to pick up digital orders. The eatery o ers build-your-own burritos, bowls, salads, tacos and quesadillas. • Opened Nov. 18 • 15906 Woodland Hills Drive, Humble • www.chipotle.com

BROOK SHADOW DR.

Kingwood

SORTERS MCCLELLAN RD.

TOWNSEN BLVD.

5 Shipley Do-Nuts The bakery o ers over 40 types of doughnuts

UPPER LAKE DR.

LAKE HOUSTON

handmade daily. • Opened Nov. 15

1960

N. HOUSTON AVE.

FM 1960 BYPASS RD.

• 17155 Hwy. 59, Humble • www.shipleydonuts.com

FIRSTST.

1960

W. LAKE HOUSTON PKWY.

TIMBER FOREST DR.

Humble

6 Whataburger The eatery o ers burgers, chicken options, fries, shakes and a breakfast menu with sandwiches and taquitos. • Opened Dec. 1 • 15940 Woodland Hills Drive, Humble • www.whataburger.com 7 Golden Chick Located inside Walmart Supercenter, this restaurant is owned by franchisee Ashley Alam and o ers chicken tenders and sandwiches. • Opened Dec. 3 • 6626 FM 1960 E., Humble • www.goldenchick.com 8 Kelsey-Seybold Atascocita Clinic The clinic o ers adult primary and specialty care, as well as pediatric care. Services including preventative and sick care, comprehensive physicals, blood pressure checks, blood work and immunizations. • Opened Dec. 1 • 17814 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Humble • www.kelsey-seybold.com

WILL CLAYTON PKWY.

RANKIN RD.

Atascocita

MADERA RUN PKWY.

WOODLAND HILLS DR.

ASSAY ST.

REDEMPTION SQUARE RD.

MAP NOT TO SCALE

2 Yama Kitchen The restaurant o ers specialty rolls, sushi and sashimi, hibachi dishes, ramen and stir-fry options. • Opened Nov. 16 • 224 FM 1960 Bypass Road E., Humble • www.yamakitchenus.com 3 RareTea Kingwood The business o ers milk and fruit teas, uji matcha, tea-presso milk tea, specialty drinks, smoothies and Vietnamese co ee. • Opened Nov. 21

Now open

1 Be Humble Coee Co. Owned by Robert and Christina Capuchino, the cafe o ers drip co ee, hot or iced lattes, espresso, cappuccinos, chai tea, hot chocolate, milk chocolate and teas. The cafe recently added matcha and also serves soda, juice, water and Topo Chico. • Opened Nov. 1 • 619 First St. E., Humble • www.behumblecoffeeco.com

9 Quick Quack Car Wash The company o ers a variety of car washes with

Since 1980

WOODLANDS LOCATION 281-363-0114

HUMBLE LOCATION 281-446-7613

CarolsLighting.com

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

14 Costco The warehouse in Humble will undergo a $250,000 bakery remodel and a $270,000 food court remodel. Construction on both projects is expected to begin March 1 and wrap up by March 30, according to two Nov. 20 TDLR lings. • 21802 Townsen Blvd. W., Humble • www.costco.com

membership options and free vacuums. • Opened Nov. 24 • 12651 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Houston • www.dontdrivedirty.com

Now open

Coming soon

10 Cadence Creek Kingwood This active-adult rental community by Caldwell Companies will feature 220 residences, including one- and two-bedroom apartments as well as one- and two-bedroom cottage homes with attached garages and private yards. • Opening in 2027 • Woodridge Parkway and Northpark Drive, Kingwood (exact address TBD) • www.cadencecreekkingwood.com 11 Cheeky Monkeys The indoor playground will be geared for children ages 10 months to 8 years, franchise owner Nisar Maknojia said. The venue will also feature free wi and a cafe.

In the news

15 Shalom Baruch The Jewish cemetery in Humble is now home to the rst permanent monument in North America honoring the lives that were lost as well as the survivors and hostages of the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks in Israel. The monument was unveiled at a Nov. 2 ceremony and can be visited during the cemetery’s regular hours.

19 Traders Joe’s Located in the Kingwood Commons shopping center, the national grocery chain o ers prepared foods, owers, wine and beer. The Kingwood store will donate 100% of products that go unsold but remain t to enjoy to a range of nonprot, community-based organizations, o¢cials with the Trader Joe’s Media Department said. • Opened Dec. 5 • 600 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood • www.traderjoes.com

• 7910 Rankin Road, Humble • www.shalombaruch.com

16 Greentree Elementary School Humble ISD o¢cials celebrated the opening of a new “Wizard of Oz”-themed playground at the campus Nov. 18. The new playground is funded through the district’s $775 million bond package approved by voters in 2022, and is open to the public when school is not in session. • Opened Nov. 18 • 3502 Brook Shadow Drive, Kingwood • www.humbleisd.net/o/gte 17 Shoe Carnival Board members with the family footwear retailer announced Nov. 13 they unanimously voted to change the company name to Shoe Station, subject to approval from company shareholders ahead of its annual meeting in June 2026. • 20506 Hwy. 59 N., Humble • www.shoecarnival.com 18 Bocca Italian Kitchen In December, the restaurant celebrated ve years since opening in Generation Park. Led by award-winning chef Justin Turner, the restaurant puts a contemporary twist on classic Italian dishes featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The eatery also boasts rotating seasonal

• Opening in late January or early February • 4902 Atascocita Road, Ste. 600, Humble • www.cheekymonkeys.us

What’s next PERMITS FILED WITH THE TEXAS

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION

12 Saigon Cafe The restaurant will o er a variety of Vietnamese dishes, including banh mi, vermicelli, pho and rolls. Construction began in mid-October and is expected to wrap up in December, per a Nov. 4 TDLR ling.

menus, house-made pastas and a full bar. • 250 Assay St., Ste. 100, Houston • www.boccahtx.com

• 15906 Woodland Hills, Humble • www.saigoncafehumble.com

Closings

20 Outback Steakhouse While o¢cials from Outhouse Steakhouse could not be reached for comment, a recorded message from the Humble location’s voicemail conrmed the location has permanently shut down. Additionally, the Humble location has been removed from Outback’s website. • Closed Nov. 17 • 9753 FM 1960 Bypass Road, Humble • www.outback.com

13 Five Below The store will o er a variety of items at a ordable prices including tness items, beauty products, pet supplies, candy and snacks, home essentials and home tech items. Construction began in October and is expected to wrap up in May, per a Nov. 6 TDLR ling. • 6705 FM 1960 E., Humble • www.®ivebelow.com

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Government

BY HANNAH BROL & EMILY LINCKE

O cials hope to preserve developer-owned land Local and state ocials are working together to preserve a large tract of land poised for develop- ment along the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, per a Dec. 11 news release. What’s happening? Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner Ritch Wheeler, Harris County Precinct 3 Commis- sioner Tom Ramsey and state Rep. Steve Toth, RThe Woodlands, are working with Gov. Greg Abbott’s Oce and the Texas General Land Oce to explore state funding opportunities to purchase the land for preservation. Previously owned by RYKO Development and slated for the construction of 7,000 new homes, the land was sold to Scarborough Lane Development earlier this year. During a town hall in April, Wheeler said residents expressed concerns about the development’s potential impact on trac, ooding

Humble police chief placed on leave Humble’s Police Chief Daniel Zientek was placed on paid administrative leave during a closed executive session at Humble City Council’s Dec. 11 meeting, Humble City Manager Jason Stuebe conrmed via email Dec. 11. In a nutshell The leave is e ective pending an indepen- dent third-party review that pertains to police department “management and operations,” Stuebe said. No further information was provided on why the decision was made. “Because this is an ongoing investigation, the city has no further comment,” Stuebe said in the email. The investigation will likely not be com- pleted until after Jan. 1 due to the holiday season, he added.

RAYFORD RD.

SHADY HILLS LANDING LN.

WEST FORK SAN JACINTO RIVER

SPRING CREEK

and drainage. “We want to ensure that actions taken within Montgomery County do not create increased ooding risks for neighboring communities in Harris County,” Wheeler said. Houston City Council unanimously passed a resolution Dec. 17 opposing the proposed develop- ment, which is located in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. If the joint e ort is successful, Wheeler said the land could be used for regional detention, parks, trails and natural green space. Scarborough ocials could not be reached by press time.

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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION

Education

Consecutive ‘F’ ratings prompt turnaround plan for Fields Elementary

Jack M. Fields Elementary School AF Accountability Ratings

School year

Rating

2020-21

Rating not available due to COVID

“In compliance with state and federal requirements, campuses that received a second consecutive unacceptable rating from the preliminary 2024-25 AF Accountability Ratings are required by state law to develop a campus turnaround plan,” Wilson-Rodgers said. A closer look Wilson-Rodgers said the district’s improvement strategy will focus on instructional leadership, data-driven practices and the implementation of high-quality instruction. “Curriculum and instruction will focus on providing consistent, high-quality instruction in every classroom,” Wilson-Rodgers said. Wilson-Rodgers said campus ocials have already implemented Bluebonnet mathematics across every grade level. She noted campus

Humble ISD trustees received an overview of the district’s turnaround plan for Jack M. Fields Sr. Elementary School after the school received its second consecutive failing rating in the Texas Education Agency’s AF Accountability Ratings. The details HISD Director of Accountability Sherita Wilson- Rodgers presented trustees with the overview during the board’s Nov. 11 meeting. Fields Elementary received an “F” rating in the 2022-23 school year, a “D” rating for the 2023-24 school year and an “F” rating in the 2024-25 school year, TEA data shows. While the campus received a “D” rating for the 2023-24 school year, “D” ratings only pause the count for consecutive “F” ratings, according to the TEA’s website.

2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25

B (85) F (59) D (62) F (58)

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY COMMUNITY IMPACT

leadership is also obtaining new instructional material to boost student literacy scores. She said the district has also allocated additional resources, such as academic support teachers, to the campus to improve student outcomes. Additionally, Wilson-Rodgers said student outcome data will be collected in real-time while the turnaround plan is in eect, allowing ocials to quickly assess whether improvement strategies are working.

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BY WESLEY GARDNER

Dance studios, CTE projects take next steps Humble ISD ocials are moving forward with several projects associated with the district’s $775 million bond approved by voters in 2022. The details During the Dec. 9 board meeting, trustees approved the selection of Houston-based AUTOARCH Architects to provide design services for planned career and technical education, or CTE, renovations at Kingwood and Atascocita high schools; and a roughly $3 million contract with Houston-based Jamail & Smith Construction for the construction of new dance studios at Autumn Ridge and West Lake middle schools. A closer look For Autumn Ridge and West Lake middle schools, the projects will include the construction of new classrooms with dance oors, mirrors and a sound

Marques Holmes elected to TASB board

Humble ISD ocials approved $45 million for technology upgrades and $730 million for school facilities in the May 2022 bond, including: The $80.8M Lake Houston Middle School A roughly $25.1M addition to Summer Creek High School An $8.7M installation of turf elds at every high school

Humble ISD board Pres- ident Marques Holmes has been elected to serve on the Texas Association of School Boards board of directors, per a Dec. 10 news release. The details

SOURCE: HUMBLE ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Marques Holmes

system at each campus, according to the district’s dedicated bond website. Planned CTE improvements at Atascocita High School will include a lab for students to practice skills in industry settings with simulation manne- quins, hospital beds and monitoring systems. Kingwood High School’s CTE improvements will include a classroom and lab with examination tables, monitoring systems, grooming equipment and simulation mannequins for Vet Tech students. Each of the projects are expected to be complete by the end of 2027.

Holmes—who will still serve as an HISD trustee—will serve as Region 4, Position A Director on TASB’s board through October 2026, per the release. TASB directors serve as representatives of the school boards in their regions with the aim of promoting educational excellence through good governance, educational expe- riences for school leaders and public-school advocacy, per TASB’s website.

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Education

BY HANNAH BROL, WESLEY GARDNER & EMILY LINCKE

Private School Guide

2025

Kingwood

The Little Montessori School Type: Montessori Grades served: pre-K-8th grade Religious orientation: N/A Extracurricular activities: chess club, soccer, dance, art, family scouting Enrollment: 20 Tuition: $957 monthly (early childhood education), $1,056 monthly (elementary), $1,180 monthly (middle school) • 3059 Woodland Hills Drive, Kingwood • www.littlemontessorischool.com

St. Martha Catholic School Type: religious-based Grades served: pre-K3-8th grade Religious orientation: Catholic

vocations, National Jr. Beta Club, Legos, student ambassadors, student council, choir Enrollment: 390

Tuition: $6,800-$10,200 annually • 2411 Oak Shores Drive, Kingwood • www.stmarthacs.org

Extracurricular activities: cheer, volleyball, cross- country, basketball, track, baseball, Spanish, chess,

Enrollment: 125-200 Tuition: $710-$785 monthly • 530 Ferguson St., Humble • www.smmcs.org

Pines Montessori School Type: Montessori Grades served: 6 weeks-8th grade Religious orientation: N/A Extracurricular activities: culinary Enrollment: 260 Tuition: $13,560-$17,520 (12-month contract); $11,300-$14,000 (10-month contract)

Humble

Humble Christian School Type: religious-based Grades served: K-12th grade Religious orientation: Christian

Kingwood

Extracurricular activities: Spanish; music; art; computer class; athletics, including cheerleading and ag football Enrollment: 220-250

Christian Life Center Academy Type: religious-based, college preparatory Grades served: K3-12th grade Religious orientation: Christian Extracurricular activities: basketball, cheerleading Enrollment: 100 Tuition: $8,500-$9,500 annually

• 3535 Cedar Knolls, Kingwood • www.pinesmontessori.com

Tuition: $8,000-$9,300 annually • 16202 Old Humble Road, Humble • www.humblechristianschool.org

Porter

Joshua 1:9 Learning Center Type: religious-based Grades served: preschool-8th grade Religious orientation: Christian Extracurricular activities: physical education, music, art, Bible, STEM, chess, basketball Enrollment: 120 Tuition: $7,800 annually • 901 Wilson Road, Building B, Humble • www.joshua19lc.org St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School Type: religious-based Grades served: pre-K-8th grade Religious orientation: Catholic Extracurricular activities: volleyball, soccer, baseball, chess club

Acton Academy Kingwood Type: Montessori Grades served: pre-K4-8th grade Religious orientation: N/A Extracurricular activities: N/A Enrollment: 30 Tuition: $9,000-$9,500 annually • 23979 Wildwood Road, Porter • www.actonkingwood.com

• 806 Russell Palmer Road, Kingwood • www.clc-church.com/pages/school

The Covenant Preparatory School Type: religious-based, classical, college preparatory Grades served: pre-K4-12th grade Religious orientation: Christian Extracurricular activities: swimming; tennis; music; art, including painting and sculpture Enrollment: 350

Tuition: $12,500-$16,340 annually • 1711 Hamblen Road, Kingwood • www.covenantknights.org

This list is not comprehensive. For a longer version, visit communityimpact.com .

LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION

494

Transportation

Events

BY EMILY LINCKE FORD RD.

BY JOVANNA AGUILAR

OLD SORTERS RD.

Kingwood’s Back to the 80’s Fest This throwback celebration will feature a hula-hoop contest, a best dressed contest and a biggest hair contest, as well as live music, food and cocktails. • Jan. 17, 2-7 p.m. • Free (admission) • Town Center Park, 8 N. Main St., Kingwood • www.jg-events.com Hops n’ Hot Sauce Festival This event will feature over 75 vendors, craft beer, a hot pepper eating contest, live music, food trucks, and a kids’ play area and coloring contest. • Jan. 24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. • $10 (at the door admission), free (age 16 and younger) • Humble Civic Center, March of Remembrance Houston This annual march honors the memory of Holocaust victims while amplifying the voices of survivors, World War II veterans and liberators. • Jan. 25, 1-4 p.m. • Free (admission) • Holocaust Garden of Hope, 1660 W. Lake Houston Pkwy., Houston • www.holocaustremembranceassociation.com 8233 Will Clayton Parkway, Humble • www.hopsnhotsaucefestival.com

Upcoming projects

Ongoing projects

December

SORTERS MCCLELLAN RD.

New Year’s Eve Celebrate the New Year with live music and reworks. • Dec. 31, 7 p.m.-midnight • Free (admission) • Redemption Square, 250 Assay St., Houston • www.redemptionsquare.com

1 Humble multi-road repair project Project: Improvements will be made to McDugald Road, Sharon Drive, Carolyn Court and Kingsher Drive, according to Nov. 13 Humble City Council meeting documents. The project will replace or add: asphalt and concrete pavement with curb and gutters; storm sewer and water lines; and re hydrants along McDugald Road. Update: Ballast Point Construction was chosen for the project Nov. 13. • Timeline: early 2026-TBD • Cost: $2.9 million • Funding source: city of Humble 2 South Houston Avenue widening Project: South Houston Avenue will be widened between Will Clayton Parkway and Atascocita Road, turning the existing two-lane asphalt roadway into a three-lane concrete roadway with curb and gutter. A new trac signal system and drainage improvements are also included in the project. Update: Engineering is 85% complete as of the December monthly report from the city of Humble’s Public Works Department. • Timeline: January 2026-January 2028 • Cost: $1.13 million • Funding source: city of Humble

1960 3 Mills Branch Drive asphalt overlay project Project: Houston Public Works will upgrade Mills Branch Drive, including improving the mill and asphalt overlays, according to a Nov. 25 news release from the Houston City Council District E oce. Update: Construction is expected to take about 40 days. • Timeline: Dec. 8-Jan. 17 • Cost: $1.2 million • Funding source: city of Houston 4 Meek and Manning roads upgrades Project: Existing asphalt streets—including Meek and Manning roads—will be repaved under this project between North Houston Avenue and Townsen Boulevard. Construction will include installing new roadside drainage culverts, new water lines and re hydrants along Meek Road. Update: Engineering is 75% complete, according to the December report from Humble’s Public Works Department. • Timeline: August 2025-January 2026 • Cost: $241,750 (engineering/design services) • Funding source: city of Humble

MILLS BRANCH DR.

W. LAKE HOUSTON PKWY.

Kingwood

TOWNSEN BLVD.

LAKE HOUSTON

N. HOUSTON AVE.

January

TOWNSEN BLVD.

Humble

MANNING RD.

Elvis Tribute Concert The Charles Bender Performing Arts Center is presenting a concert by Elvis tribute artist Travis Powell. • Jan. 11, 3-5 p.m. • $45-$50 (admission) • 611 Higgins St., Humble • www.charlesbendertheater.com Partnership Lake Houston Chairman’s Ball Partnership Lake Houston is hosting its annual Chairman’s Ball featuring a casino royale theme. • Jan. 16, 7-11 p.m. • $150 (individual ticket) • Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Pkwy., Humble • www.lakehouston.org

F I RSTST.

1960

Humble BBQ Cook-O Attend a showdown of smoky ¦avors and competition at the Humble BBQ Cook-O©. The event will also feature live entertainment and kid- friendly activities. • Jan. 30-31, 4-9 p.m. • $20 (weekend wrist band), free (ages 5 and younger) • Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Pkwy., Humble • www.humblerodeo.com

WILL CLAYTON PKWY.

S. HOUSTON AVE. RANKIN RD.

ISAACKS RD.

Atascocita

CAROLYN CT. SHARON DR.

KINGFISHER DR.

WINDSWEPT DR.

ALDINE BENDER RD.

ATASCOCITA RD.

MCDUGALD RD.

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

PORTER 23611 Hwy 59 (281) 354-0733 HUMBLE 19322 US-59 (281) 540-7202

KINGWOOD 1420 Kingwood Dr (281) 359-7115 ATASCOCITA 7034 FM 1960 E (281) 812-3100

Damage control From the cover

The overview

spillway improvement project is continuing and is expected to begin in summer 2028. The spillway improvement project was initially proposed after Hurricane Harvey brought to Harris County more than 47 inches of rain over the course of four days in August 2017, according to previous reporting. Additionally, Huberty said the CWA is partnering with the city of Houston to conduct a study that aims to provide options and cost analysis for future potential repair projects to the dam.

dubbed the Lake Houston Dam Void and Concrete Repair Project—were deemed “vital” after an inspection conducted in the second quarter of this year. “Regular inspections and prompt repairs are vital for maintaining dam stability and longevity, which is why these repairs are being implemented immediately,” Huberty said. While Huberty said CWA o cials are still in the process of preparing a design for the void and concrete repair project, CWA Chief Engineer Greg Olinger said design work on the dam

After the $160 million Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Project was delayed until at least summer 2028, Coastal Water Authority o cials are looking to make repairs to the existing dam structure in preparation for the work. The work, which will total roughly $10 million, will consist of lling voids beneath the dam structure, repairing areas where the concrete has degraded and adding additional drainage downstream of the dam. CWA Board Director Dan Huberty said the repairs to the existing structure—which the agency has Lake Houston Dam Void and Concrete Repair Project The project will consist of lling voids in the concrete below and around the dam structure and repairing areas where the concrete has degraded. • Cost: $10 million • Timeline: second quarter of 2025-2027 • Funding source: Federal Emergency Management Agency Legislative Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant

Cracked concrete in one of the Lake Houston Dam support beams shows rebar wire beneath the surface.

Cracks formed in the wall will be repaired through the Lake Houston Dam Void and Concrete Repair Project.

Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement project

Existing

Future

The project will add 11 gates to the existing dam structure, increasing the dam’s discharge capacity from 10,000 cubic feet per second currently to 79,000 cfs upon completion. • Cost: $160 million • Timeline: summer 2028-winter 2030 • Funding sources: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Texas Legislature, city of Houston, Harris County

SOURCES: COASTAL WATER AUTHORITY, HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT E COMMUNITY IMPACT

A closer look

Lake Houston Dam funding

$50M: 88th Texas Legislature $30M: 87th Texas Legislature $23.4M: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Phase 2 $20M: Harris County $20M: City of Houston $11.7M: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Phase 1 $10M: FEMA Legislative Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant $165.1M: Total

come after that project, so we have a long-term roadmap,” Huberty said. Olinger said the preliminary design on the spillway improvement project was completed in August, noting CWA ocials are aiming to complete the nal design for the project by the end of 2026. Olinger noted the spillway improvement project is expected to wrap up around winter 2030. Huberty said the trio of projects is being funded by a variety of federal, state and local sources.

The current dam structure, which was built in 1953, consists of a spillway with four small gates that are made to release water at a rate of 10,000 cubic feet per second, according to Houston Public Works’ website. Huberty noted the analysis with the city of Houston will not aect the design of the spillway improvement project, which will add 11 gates to the existing dam structure, increasing the dam’s discharge capacity to 79,000 cfs upon completion. “Instead, [the analysis] looks at what would

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BY WESLEY GARDNER

Why it matters

Looking ahead

Spillway improvement project

2022

December 2022: The city moves forward with its current design to add 11 gates outside the existing dam structure after discovering a previous design would not have worked. December 2025: The city and CWA begin the 30-60-90 design process, with the 30% design portion covering all conceptual sketches involved. May 2026: The city and CWA submit the 60% design documents for the project, which will include more detailed plans. December 2026: The city and CWA submit nal design plans for the project and begin the permitting process. Summer 2028: Construction begins on the Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Project. Winter 2030: Construction wraps up on the project.

Kim Fazzino, real estate agent with Imperato Fazzino Group, said she expects the planned improvements to the Lake Houston Dam to have a positive eect on property values in the area. Following Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Fazzino said most homes that were aected by ooding actually gained value. “The homes that ooded got completely redone,” Fazzino said. “Many of those homes needed a face-lift [prior to the ood].” Fazzino said she expects the improvements to the dam to increase consumer condence when purchasing homes in ood-prone areas. Fazzino also noted oods in Kingwood and around Lake Houston haven’t aected ood insur- ance rates for most homes in the area because they aren’t located in designated ood plains. “Flood insurance is based on whether you’re in the ood plain,” she said. “The majority of our homes that ooded were not in the ood plain, because we got ooded by [water from] Conroe.”

In August, Harris County commissioners authorized the issuance of a letter asking FEMA to prioritize and update ood plain maps. Updated maps were last expected in 2023, according to previous reporting, but they have been continually delayed. Fazzino said updated maps could result in new ood insurance requirements, but she said it would be dicult to discern who would be a¡ected until the new maps are approved. Concerning the dam spillway improvement project, Fred Flickinger, Houston City Council District E council member, said he was condent in the updated timeline. Huberty echoed Flickinger’s sentiment. “From start to nish, considering the size and scope, the project is moving as fast as humanly possible,” Huberty said. Olinger said construction on the project will take roughly 30 months.

2025

2026

2028

2030

SOURCES: COASTAL WATER AUTHORITY, HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS COMMUNITY IMPACT

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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION

Business

BY JOVANNA AGUILAR

Well-known clothing brands, including Miss Me Jeans and KanCan Jeans, can also be found at the shop.

The boutique carries women’s clothing and accessories made by local Humble vendors. Sizes range from small to 3XL.

PHOTOS BY JOVANNA AGUILARCOMMUNITY IMPACT

The Rowdy Chick brings comfort-chic to Humble After a decade in the entertainment industry, Humble resident Darian Ortiz turned a pandemic side hustle into a full-edged fashion venture.

Owner Darian Ortiz opened The Rowdy Chick in Downtown Humble in December 2024.

Sip & Shop and Kids Day in the Park events. She also added a vendor market to Humble’s Music & Motors event and plans to host the rst Humble Flower Festival on April 11. “When I opened the storefront, I did it with community in mind,” Ortiz said. “But once we opened ... the amount of community support that we received was a life-changing thing.” What’s special about it? Ortiz said when selecting pieces for her bou- tique, she does it with aordable prices in mind to oer the community a variety of aordable, comfortable and chic pieces. The Rowdy Chick oers everyday clothing attire for women with sizes ranging from small to 3XL.

What began with selling graphic T-shirts on social media and participating in local pop-up markets grew into The Rowdy Chick, a brick-and- mortar boutique in Downtown Humble. Named to represent her outgoing, fearless spirit, Ortiz said the clothing boutique opened in December 2024. Staying local Oering aordable casual women’s clothing with a blend of “feminine pink energy,” Ortiz said what she enjoys most about her business is the community aspect. Most recently, Ortiz helped create Humble’s

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Nonpro t

BY EMILY LINCKE

Opera Leggera puts on a variety of performances, including musical theater and live music concerts.

COURTESY OPERA LEGGERA

Opera Leggera is a nonprot community theater that holds three to four musical performances per year.

COURTESY OPERA LEGGERA

Opera Leggera celebrates 20 years of theater, music For more than 20 years, nonprot musical theater company Opera Leggera of Kingwood has brought professional musicians and local talent together to Diving deeper The theater holds three to four performances

From right, co-founders Sasha and Chris Holloway, and their daughter, Hannah Auchter, run Opera Leggera.

EMILY LINCKECOMMUNITY IMPACT

each year, which can include an annual Christmas show, live band and singing performances as well as musical theater productions. The couple’s daughter, Hannah Auchter, grew up at Opera Leggera, singing in productions ever since she was 4 years old, Sasha Holloway said. Marking a milestone Opera Leggera celebrated 20 years this season. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s very rewarding ... just seeing the joy that the audience has and that our cast has once we bring the show to life,” Auchter said.

bring joy to audiences, theater ocials said. “Our goal is to unite people through the arts, and give them an experience that they’ll not soon forget,” co-founder Chris Holloway said. The backstory Co-founder Sasha Holloway said she and her husband already had expansive music careers before they decided to open a theater of their own. The couple sang opera for professional perfor- mance companies across Europe—which is how they met—and in Houston.

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Dining

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

across the Houston metro, as recently reported by Community Impact . CI Foodie

Looking to get out of your neighborhood to try a new dining experience? Check out the following restaurant news from

Seabrook

Houston

Humble

Margarita Jones Margarita Jones opened a second location in Seabrook, with its rst in West Columbia. The Tex-Mex restaurant oers daily specials, seafood, tacos, enchiladas and other traditional dishes. • Opened Oct. 8

Maison Chinoise The upscale Chinese restaurant oers brunch, lunch, dinner and dessert menus in addition to tea service and cocktails. The restaurant debuted in Houston after operating in Dallas since 2023. • Opened Oct. 31 • 1958 W. Gray St., Ste. 102, Houston • www.maisonchinoiserestaurants.com

Yama Kitchen The eatery oers a variety of Japanese sushi and Korean barbecue dishes as well as specialty rolls, sushi, sashimi, hibachi and ramen. The restaurant’s rst location opened in Pasadena in April. • Opened Nov. 16 • 224 FM 1960 Bypass Road E., Humble • www.yamakitchenus.com

• 1818 NASA Parkway, Seabrook • www.margaritajonestexmex.com

The Woodlands

Pearland

Houston

Lankford’s Coming soon to The Woodlands, the restaurant oers a signature lineup of comfort food and classics, such as burgers, and has other locations in Houston and in Bellaire. • Opening in January • 24 Waterway Ave., Ste. 160, The Woodlands • www.lankfordsburgers.com

Barracks Bites Cafe & Snacks The eatery serves pizza, burgers, loaded nachos and other shareable snacks. Located inside the Veterans of Foreign Wars post, the cafe also oers sweets from sister company Events by Lindsay. • Opened Oct. 1 • 4202 W. Walnut St., Pearland • Facebook: Barracks Bites Cafe & Snacks

Seoulside Wings Seoulside Wings, which opened as a food truck in 2019, will open its rst brick-and-mortar store in Jersey Village in January. The Houston-based eatery specializes in Korean comfort food. • Opening in January

• 17456 Hwy. 290, Houston • www.seoulsidewings.com

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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION

Real estate

Residential market data Across the six ZIP codes combined that make up Community Impact ’s Lake Houston-Humble- Kingwood coverage area, data shows 37 fewer homes sold in November than did in November 2024. Additionally, nearly 72% of homes sold in November were in the $200,000-$399,999 price range.

Number of homes sold

November 2024

November 2025

-5.71%

-20%

-20.5%

-27.59%

-19.74%

77044

77338

77339

77345

77346

77396

Median home sales price

77339

77345

99 TOLL

77338

November

2024

2025

77346

$308,000 $244,000 $310,000 $475,000 $330,685 $265,000

$320,000 $212,500 $280,000 $379,900 $305,000 $297,000

77044

LAKE HOUSTON

77396

77338

77044

77339

77345

77346

Homes sold by price point November 2025 $800,000+

77396

4 8

$600,000-$799,999

Average days on market +27.96% +65.86%

$400,000-$599,999

+70.83%

+31.82%

-6.1%

+30.59%

133

$200,000-$399,999

<$199,999

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77338

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