Pearland - Friendswood Edition | January 2024

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Pearland Friendswood Edition VOLUME 10, ISSUE 2  JAN. 18FEB. 14, 2024

2024 Annual Community Guide

Christine Parker Fraser, an elementary school teacher at Pomona Elementary in Alvin ISD, helps a student. Pomona is one of many schools in AISD expected to be overcapacity in the coming years.

JAMES T. NORMANCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Alvin ISD sets new boundaries as enrollment grows

its boundaries to account for growing enrollment. “We rearrange and make things work, and do what you have to do for the kids,” Executive Director of Communications Renae Rives said.

for those kinds of plans is expected to continue. In December, the district approved a new set of campus feeder boundaries to account for the opening of two new schools—Barbara Bennett Elementary and Iowa Colony Junior High—in 2024. It was the second year in a row the district rezoned

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

To account for its growing number of students, Alvin ISD has built new schools, reimagined its boundaries and converted areas such as teachers’ lounges to classrooms in recent years—and the need

CONTINUED ON 15

Also in this issue

Impacts: Shake Shack opens in Webster (Page 6)

Government: How Brazoria County spent its ARPA funds (Page 10)

Transportation: Work on Green Tee Bridge to start (Page 11)

Annual Community Guide: Local census data (Page 17)

2024 Annual Community Guide Sponsor

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

HAPPINESS where life streams

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PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

OPEN HOUSE ENROLLMENT FOR 2024�2025 Sunday, January 28, 2024 Join us for Mass at 9am. We will offer school tours from 10:30am-12:00pm. Light refreshments and registration information will be available.

2213 Old Alvin Rd. • Pearland, TX 77581 For more information call our front office at 281-485-2845

are you prepared?

Text PLTXALERTS to 888777 to receive emergency weather alerts in Pearland

4

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

About Community Impact

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Jovanna Aguilar Asia Armour Melissa Enaje Wesley Gardner Cassandra Jenkins Shaheryar Khan Rachel Leland Emily Lincke Dave Manning Jessica Shorten Lizzy Spangler Haley Velasco Graphic Designers Jatziri Garcia Ellen Jackson Martha Risinger Jesus Verastegui Taylor White

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ONE CITY. ONE VISION . FAMILY MAN | PROVEN BUSINESS LEADER | FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE PROVEN LEADER | FISCAL HAWK | FAMILY MAN

ENDORSED BY GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT

For Texas House District 29 in March 2024 Republican Primary FOR PEARLAND CITY COUNCIL POSITION 3 IN NOVEMBER 2020 WWW.ALEXKAMKAR.COM ENDORSED BY: WWW.ALEXKAMKARFORTEXAS.COM

POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID FOR BY THE ALEX KAMKAR CAMPAIGN, TREASURER: Nikki Kamkar POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID FOR BY THE ALEX KAMKAR CAMPAIGN, TREASURER: JEFF BARRY

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PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

Impacts

AIRPORT BLVD.

Now open

45

9 10 11

MCHARD RD.

35

45

Pearland

6

8 NASA BYPASS

1

W A L N UT ST.

Friendswood

MEMORIAL HERMANN DR.

14

5

16

7

3

15

288

8 Mclntyre’s McIntyre’s opened its fifth location in Webster and features a 600-foot LED screen on the lawn of its dog-friendly patio; indoor video walls; a full- service bar offering over 50 beers, a selection of wine and specialty cocktails; as well as an exclusive whiskey and scotch list. The location also has an indoor food hall with two food vendors adjacent to the bar. • Opened Dec. 8

12

4

MCKEEVER RD.

13

528

ODYSSEY DR.

35

2351

288

K W Y .

2

• 806 E. NASA Parkway, Webster • www.mcintyresusa.com/webster

SIERRA VISTA BLVD.

MAP NOT TO SCALE

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TM; © 2024 COMMUNITY IMPACT CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

4 Scotty’s Sports Grille The fast casual neighborhood bar and restaurant in Webster is the third concept from owners Scott Sexton Jr., Scott Sexton III and Craig Sexton—a family of restaurateurs. The eatery offers scratch-made American food, including homemade barbecue, specialty burgers, and a unique tater tot nachos entrée. On the bar side, Scotty’s sells beer, wine and a selection of cocktails. • Opened Oct. 20 • 1416 FM 528 Road, Ste. D, Webster • www.scottyspubhouston.com 5 Water Oak Cafe & Bakery The business opened its doors in the southern suburb of Webster just before Thanksgiving. The eatery offers a variety of desserts, including peach crumb pie, banana nut bread and carrot cake, as well as brunch and lunch entrées, such as avocado toast, brisket hash, chicken kale Caesar salad and steak frites. • Opened Nov. 20 6 Taqueria Los Agaves The business celebrated its soft opening in Pearland on Nov. 20. The restaurant has a main, breakfast and lunch menu. Some of what it serves includes tacos, burritos, gorditas, tostadas and burgers. • Soft opened Nov. 20, grand opening Dec. 9 • 19325 Gulf Freeway, Ste. 110, Webster • www.wateroakcafeandbakery.com

into a full-sized furniture store with new and unique items, owner Christian McCormick said. • Opened Nov. 18 • 1130 Broadway St., Ste. 102, Pearland • www.selectlivingfurniture.com

Now open

1 Jax Burgers Fries & Shakes Located in Old Town Pearland, the spot reopened after a three-year hiatus, rehiring most of its original staff, an employee said. Opened in 2019, the original owner of the location suffered health complications, leading to the restaurant’s closure. The restaurant was first established in spring 2010, and has since expanded to include seven locations in the Greater Houston area and one in San Marcos. The burger restaurant is known for its “special” blend of beef, crispy fries and full menu of shakes, including blueberry, peanut butter and pineapple. • Opened Nov. 27 • 3320 E. Broadway St., Pearland • www.jaxburgers.com 2 Dominos Local franchise MAC Pizza Management opened its 100th store in Rosharon on Nov. 15. MAC Pizza Management owners Mike and Cindy Cunningham have operated their franchise since 1978, opening their first store in College Station, according to a news release. • Opened Nov. 15 • 3244 Meridiana Parkway, Rosharon • www.dominos.com 3 Little Woodrow’s The familiar Texas ice house opened a new location in Webster on Nov. 13. The Webster location joins 23 other spots across the state to offer more than 50 beers on tap, which are poured in an outdoor patio environment outfitted with games like cornhole, giant Jenga, Connect 4 and a slide. • Opened Nov. 13 • 20251 Gulf Freeway, Webster • www.littlewoodrows.com

Coming soon

9 Fat Cat Creamery After originally being planned to open in the fall, officials with Houston Airports said in an email they are looking at the winter as a possible opening date for the sweets shop, along with other businesses. Serving a variety of ice creams, the business is set up inside several other businesses around Houston, and has one brick-and-mortar store, according to the website. • Opening in January • 7800 Airport Blvd., Houston • www.fatcatcreamery.com 10 Velvet Taco Located at Hobby Airport, the restaurant is slated to open this winter, officials with Houston Airports said in an email. Describing itself as a “one-of-a-kind” taco concept, the business serves food in a “unique and funky fast-casual setting,” according to its website. The company has dozens of locations across the country, with the bulk of them being in Texas, according to its website. • Opening in January • 7800 Airport Blvd., Houston • www.velvettaco.com 11 Dunkin’ Donuts The chain is looking to open a location in Hobby Airport this winter, officials with Houston Airports said in an email. Dunkin’ is known for serving both doughnuts and

• 3505 Broadway St., Pearland • www.taqueriaslosagaves.com

7 Select Living Furniture The business offers living room, bedroom and dining room furnishings for customers in Pearland and the surrounding areas. The business started with a couch on the side of the road in 2021 and has since developed

6

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY ASIA ARMOUR, RACHEL LELAND & JAMES T. NORMAN

Now open

Relocations

12 The Shard Yard The arts studio closed its location in Friendswood and debuted at a new space in Webster in mid-October. The DIY studio lets guests from beginner- to professional-level experience use crushed or reclaimed pieces of glass to create original art pieces. The venue hosts events such as birthday parties, date nights, company team building exercises and school field trips, and can accommodate guests from ages 4 and older. • 315C Odyssey Drive, Webster • www.theshardyard.com coffee, and has thousands of locations across more than 30 countries, according to its website. • Opening in January • 7800 Airport Blvd., Houston • www.dunkindonuts.com 13 Altitude Trampoline Park The business is an entertainment center for families and offers trampolines with a number of activities, including basketball and dodgeball. Its newest location in Webster will be the fourth one opened in the Greater Houston area and the 14th in Texas, according to the business’s website. • Opening TBD • 20810 Gulf Freeway, Webster • www.altitudetrampolinepark.com

14 Shake Shack Burger chain Shake Shack, which also offers fries, shakes and hot dogs, opened in the newly constructed Shops at Baybrook. The location is 3,000 square feet and includes a drive-thru. Shake Shack has more than 500 locations across

the world, and more than 300 across the United States, according to a Dec. 12 news release from the company. • Opened Dec. 21 • 19677 Gulf Freeway, Webster • www.shakeshack.com

Relocations

Closings

15 Sun and Ski Sports The business moved a couple spaces down from its old location in November, officials with the store said on Dec. 4. The company as a whole is going for a new store layout, and the Webster location is one of the first to carry out the change. The new space is 20,000 square feet, according to a social media post from the Webster Economic Development Corporation. The business specializes in bike, ski and snowboarding gear, according to the company’s website. • 1301 Bay Area Blvd., Webster • www.sunandski.com

16 ShareTea After five years of business in Pearland, ShareTea closed shop on Jan. 7, according to a Facebook post the business made Dec. 31. “It has been a pleasure being a part of Pearland’s great list of small businesses to serve the community. We thank all our customers for choosing us for your boba fix,” the post said. • Closed Jan. 7 • 10904 Memorial Hermann Drive, Pearland • www.1992sharetea.com

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Government

BY RACHEL LELAND

Two newcomers join Pearland City Council Special election results from Dec. 9 show Pearland voters chose candidates Mona Chavar- ria and Chad Thumann to fill council member positions 3 and 6, previously held by Alex Kamkar and Jeffrey Barry, respectively. The gist Chavarria, who ran unchallenged, was the top vote receiver of the group with 1,934 votes, according to results from Brazoria County. Thumann received 1,354 votes, or 62.54% of the vote, while his challengers Diana Antezana and Veronica Kreuder Longoria received 235 votes, or 10.84%, and 576 votes, or 26.61%, respectively. Chavarria is a member of several boards in the area, according to the city’s website. Thumann is the CEO of a real-estate develop- ment and investment company, according to the city’s website.

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Voting results While Mona Chavarria ran unchallenged for city council seat 3, three candidates ran for city council position 6.

62.54% Chad Thumann 26.61% Veronica Kreuder Longoria 10.85% Diana Antezana

SOURCE: CITY OF PEARLAND/COMMUNITY IMPACT

One more thing The special election was triggered when Kamkar and Barry announced their bids to fill the open Texas House District 29 seat vacated by outgoing state Rep. Ed Thompson, R-Pearland. According to the Texas Constitution’s resign-to- run law, Pearland City Council members cannot serve on council while seeking election to a state office, resulting in the pair having to resign from their positions. Kamkar was first elected to Pearland City Coun- cil in 2020, and Barry was elected in 2022.

We have a wide range of competitive personal and business banking services. And with that full-service convenience banking comes our HomeTown, accessible team of friendly staff members and their commitment to serving the Pearland community. We have a wide range of competitive personal and business banking services. And with that full-service convenience banking comes our HomeTown, accessible team of friendly staff members and their commitment to serving the Pearland community. YES, WE DO. We have a wide range of competitive personal and business banking services. And with that full-service convenience banking comes our HomeTown, accessible team of friendly staff members and their commitment to serving the Pearland community. We have a wide range of competitive personal and business banking services. And with that full-service convenience banking comes our HomeTown, accessible team of friendly staff members and their commitment to serving the Pearland community. YES, WE DO. YES, DO.

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PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

Government

BY MELISSA ENAJE, RACHEL LELAND & JESSICA SHORTEN

Local governments are now looking to obligate and use any remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds before an upcoming December 2024 federal deadline. Counties received lump distributions of federal funding in 2021 to ll public revenue losses, invest in broadband and other infrastructure projects, and provide additional pay for essential workers, according to the U.S. Department of Treasury in a news release. Any funding not obligated by December 2024 and spent by the end of 2025 must be returned to the U.S. Treasury. County ocials must decide how to use remaining funding and if they want to continue supporting programs and employees that were funded from ARPA money. “You’ve got to nd some other source to cover that cost. It’s basic budgeting,” said James Thurmond, a professor at the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Aairs. ARPA fund deadlines looming for counties

ARPA funding allocations

Unallocated

Allocated

AS OF NOVEMBER

Harris County

Galveston County

Brazoria County

$158M

$670K

$5.8M

$72.6M Total

$915.5M Total

$66.5M Total

$66.8M

$757M

$65.8M

Jobs and education

Housing

Health

Justice and safety

County operations

Other

Remaining

$227.3M

$192.8M

Harris County

$141.5M

$147.5M

$47.5M

$158M

$2.9M

$14.9M

$960K

Galveston County

$45.3M

$200K $1.5M $670K $1.7M

County ocials divided ARPA funding to meet the prioritized needs of each county.

$39.8M

Brazoria County

$24.3M

$1M

$5.8M

NOTE: SOME ALLOCATIONS MAY NOT EQUAL THE TOTAL AMOUNT DUE TO ROUNDING. SOURCES: BRAZORIA, HARRIS, GALVESTON COUNTIESCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Zooming in

What the experts say

Stay tuned

One of the major expenses counties may need to cover are employees funded by ARPA. In several counties, a number of employees were hired for positions on mental health teams, law enforcement and general infrastructure projects, such as a contract to expand the Harris County jail-based competency restoration program. During scal year 2023-24 budget workshops, county ocials outlined how to spend the remain- ing funds on new projects and infrastructure eorts, while also considering the salaries which may need to be absorbed by the counties or eliminated once funding is depleted. According to ocials in each county, Harris County’s remaining funds are being targeted toward additional aordable housing eorts. Galveston County hired ARPA-related positions, such as a grant administrator and accountant. Brazoria County, meanwhile, has no current employees being paid using ARPA funds, spokesperson Sharon Trower said in an email.

Thurmond said the one-time federal pay- out was historic for counties and provided an easy way to ll budget holes. While ARPA funding was intended to help replace lost public sector revenue to counties, the responsibility of budget de- cits with county funds fell to the counties themselves, Thurmond said.

During the FY 2024-25 budget workshops next year, ocials with Harris County said they will need to discuss employee and program needs to determine whether positions and programs have to be cut or if they can be sustained on county budgets or grants.

ARPA funding deadlines

December 2024 Deadline to allocate remaining funds December 2025 Deadline to spend remaining funds December 2026 Deadline to have all unused funding returned to Treasury

“You just need to be aware when you create a new demand or a new service, is it sustainable with your current revenue? If it’s not sustainable, then

what do you cut?“ JAMES THURMOND, PROFESSOR, UH HOBBY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY RACHEL LELAND

Work on Green Tee Bridge in Pearland to start in January

The construction of Green Tee Bridge in Pearland will begin in January—once the city removes a conflicting utility line from the area. The gist Green Tee Bridge will replace the existing Coun- try Club Drive bridge, which is aging and function- ally obsolete, said Danny Perez, Texas Department of Transportation public information officer. The plan will improve driver safety, according to the city of Pearland’s website. While TxDOT will be responsible for the bridge’s construction, the project’s $2.5 million cost will be a split of federal, state and local funds, according to the city of Pearland’s website. The scope of work for the bridge replacement includes: • Demolition of the existing bridge • Constructing new bridge structure • Removing existing pipes attached to the existing

bridge structure TxDOT officials estimate the project will take one year from its start date to complete, Perez said. By the numbers TxDOT accepted the Country Club Drive bridge replacement in July 2019 with a funding split of 80% federal funds, 10% state funds and 10% city of Pearland funds. Design for the bridge began in 2021 and was completed in 2022. In 2022, TxDOT awarded Aranda Brothers Construction Co., Inc. as the general contractor. One more thing A temporary traffic signal will be placed just southwest of Blackhawk Boulevard, at the inter- section of Scarsdale Boulevard and Bogey Way. The area will serve as an alternate route during the time that construction is going on, Perez said.

During construction, a temporary traffic signal will be placed at the intersection of Scarsdale Boulevard and Bogey Way.

SCARSDALE BLVD.

Green Tee Bridge will replace the existing Country Club Drive bridge.

D

N

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PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

Education

Real estate

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

Districts work on 2024-25 calendars Alvin ISD, Friendswood ISD and Pearland ISD are considering approving their respec- tive 2024-25 academic calendars in January. The gist For Friendswood, the district is consid- ering three options, according to district documents. One option in particular has the support of roughly two-thirds of staff. Alvin ISD’s board approved its calendar on Jan. 9, and held a survey in November for stakeholders to voice their opinions, according to district documents. Pearland ISD sought feedback on its cal- endar until Jan. 5, according to the district’s website. It is considering two calendar options. For more information on each calendar, visit the district websites.

Pearland ISD sees majority pass each benchmark

Number of homes sold

PISD benchmark exam results

November 2022

November 2023

Residential market data

Students who approached grade level, or passed.

48 29

117 65

-39.6%

-44.44%

77546

77583

The real estate market data for Pearland and Friendswood in November 2023 saw fewer homes sold, while prices went up when compared to November last year.

79.85%

Grade 3 math

Grade 3 math (Spanish) 65.22%

75.68%

Grade 4 math Grade 5 math Grade 5 reading Grade 6 math Grade 6 pre-AP math Grade 6 reading Grade 7 math Grade 7 pre-AP math Grade 7 reading Grade 8 math Grade 8 reading Grade 8 social studies

51 31

62 55

-39.22%

-11.29%

77578

77584

89.73%

Pearland ISD officials released benchmark data in December for its students and saw a majority of students across each grade level pass their respective subjects. The gist In October and November, PISD gave bench- mark exams to students in grades 3-8 on a number of subjects, as well as Algebra 1, English 1 and English 2, which are high school courses, according to district documents. The results showed the majority of students for each exam approached grade level, or passed, the benchmark, according to the data. In some cases, such as eighth grade social studies, the majority of students showed mastery of the subject, according to the data.

45

72.85%

521

518

81.64%

25 25

0%

77581

95.9%

35

82.12%

6

288

Median home sales price

79.47%

N

98.85%

2022

2023

79.09%

77546

+35.2%

$534,000

$395,000

77546 77583

77584 77578

77581

86.43%

77578

+12.5%

$495,000

$440,000

81.55%

77581

+7.69%

$350,000

$325,000

87.78%

86.31% 87.52% 86.58%

Algebra 1 English 1 English 2

77583

-0.85%

$344,885

$347,845

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY ALINA ROGERS SPARROW REALTY • 281-961-2944 ALINAWROGERS@YAHOO.COM

77584

-11.95%

$339,000

$385,000

SOURCE: PEARLAND ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SHADOW CREEK 11023 Shadow Creek Pkwy (281) 977-1027

PEARLAND 10555 Pearland Pkwy (713) 987-9205

ALMEDA 11130 Gulf Fwy (713) 910-3941

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

From the cover

Alvin ISD sets new boundaries as enrollment grows

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

New elementary school boundaries

The context

The overview

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19

Unaected A ected New

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17 14

Enrollment growth is expected to cause seven of the district’s schools to hit capacity by the 2024-25 school year with the current boundaries, documents show. The boundaries—along with the new schools— are part of the plan to help remedy that challenge.

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To keep up with an expanding district, AISD ocials approved a new set of boundaries for the 2024-25 school year. The new boundaries, which were approved in December, changed the district map for elementary and junior high schools to account for a pair of new campuses opening in the upcoming school year. Those new schools are Barbara Bennett Elementary School and Iowa Colony Junior High School. Meanwhile, a number of AISD campuses are either reaching or have surpassed capacity, said Wil Kennedy, Iowa Colony’s mayor and a member of the district’s boundary advisory committee, at a November board meeting. The new map will replace a set of boundaries approved just one year ago, as the district has continued to see growth, Assistant Superintendent Rory Gesch said. That growth has included more than 1,000 new students in each of the last several years— and projections show not much in the way of slowing down. Projections from demographer Zonda Education presented at an October board meeting show AISD could add 5,000 more students by 2030—meaning the district could total more than 34,000 students. The new maps will aect nine schools across the district, documents show. High schools will not be impacted. “We’re trying to maximize the use [of our facilities],” Gesch said. “Even through [the pandemic in recent years], we were able to stay steady, even when several districts lost enrollment.”

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10

13

6

12

9

11

4

5

8

6

2

1

3

Annual districtwide enrollment change 2018-19 2019-20 *2020-21 -16

288

+1,093 +1,077

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1 Stevenson/Disney 2 Alvin 3 Nelson

8 Nichols Mock 9 Bennett

15 Savannah Lakes

+1,079

2022-23 2021-22 2023-24

16 Duke

11 Meridiana 12 Sanchez 10 EC Mason 13 Jeter 14 Pomona

+1,103

17 Brothers

6 Hood-Case 4 Hasse 5 Passmore

+1,052

18 York 19 Marek 20 Wilder

*AISD ENROLLMENT DECLINED IN FIRST FULL YEAR OF COVID19 PANDEMIC. SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

7 Twain

New junior high school boundaries

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9

What they're saying

Unaected A ected New

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“The purpose of revising school boundaries is to optimize school facility usage and to accommodate growth patterns. ... Alvin ISD has campuses that are currently at or overcapacity, while some have available capacity.” WIL KENNEDY, IOWA COLONY

4

3

6

2

1

288

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MAYOR AND MEMBER OF AISD SCHOOL BOUNDARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

1 Alvin 2 Fairview

4 Ca ey 5 Harby 6 Manvel

8 Ryan 9 McNair 7 Rodeo Palms

3 Iowa Colony

SOURCE: ALVIN ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Looking ahead

will meet up to ve times in the coming months leading up to that deadline. The rst meeting will take place Feb. 12, with following ones scheduled in March, April and, if needed, May, Rives said. They will be open to the public. “It’s going to be listening to the community voice about what we need and if we need another bond, and when that would be timingwise,” Gesch said.

Among something that could come out of the group is the recommendation for a bond, which would be presented to the board “no later than June,” documents show. However, whatever the recommendation, the district’s board will maintain the nal say in any projects, funding or structure of a potential bond, if it were proposed. In the meantime, the committee, which will be made up of between 75 to 100 citizens,

The two new schools are the last projects from the district’s 2018 bond, Rives said. AISD’s board in December also approved the creation of a new citizen’s advisory committee, which will conduct a review of several aspects within the district, according to district documents. Those include: • Educational programs • Enrollment trends • Current facility capability and conditions

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Community

BY RACHEL LELAND

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2024 Annual Community Guide

Friendswood, Manvel and Pearland were founded each in some capacity in the 19th century. All three cities increased in population over the last ve years. Located south of downtown Houston, Pearland and Manvel are primarily in Brazoria County, while Friendswood is in Galveston County. Pearland, Friendswood, and Manvel snapshot

Pearland Friendswood Manvel

521

518

45

288

35

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SOURCES: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU 2022 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY 5YEAR ESTIMATESCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Age analysis

Population change

30.1% 26.8% 26.8% 13.9% 2.3% 36.2

28.9% 29.2% 26.9% 12.5% 2.4% 35.7

29.7% 22.6% 26.9% 17.6% 3.5% 38.7

0-19

113,619

38,811

8,224

2017

2017

2017

20-39

124,748

40,888

11,265

2022

2022

2022

40-59

60-79

5-year population change

80+

+9.8%

+5.35%

+37%

Median age

Brazoria County: +8.27%

Texas: +6.65%

Local demographics*

2022 26.4%

2017

2022

2017 28.9%

2022 25.1%

2017

Hispanic or Latino White Black or African American American Indian or Alaska native Asian Native Hawaiian or other Pacic Islander Some other race Two or more races

14.6%

16.8%

21.7%

44.7%

37.1%

73.8%

70.7%

49%

40.1%

17.5%

18.2%

2.5% 0.5%

4.2%

17.7%

25.2%

0.2%

0.3%

0%

0%

0%

4.8%

2.2%

7.5%

13.4%

15.7%

4.8%

0%

0%

0% 0%

0%

0% 0%

0% 0%

0.2% 2.2%

0.1% 2.3%

0.5% 3%

1.8%

2.2%

2.1%

*ALL CATEGORIES LISTED ARE RACES, EXCEPT FOR HISPANIC OR LATINO, WHICH IS NOT A RACE. HOWEVER, THE PERCENTAGES OF THE RACES LISTED DO NOT INCLUDE HISPANIC OR LATINO RESIDENTS.

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PEARLAND  FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

Community

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

Pearland New health facilities The following stories are based on trends Community Impact sta identied through monthly Impacts section reporting in 2023.

Friendswood Essential Speech and ABA Therapy

The clinic opened Jan. 9, 2023 and oers therapy for children ages 18 months to 6 years old with autism, according to its website. Sessions are one on one but take place in classrooms. • 1313 W. Parkwood Ave., Ste. 101, Friendswood • www.speechandaba.com HCA Houston Healthcare Oering a 24/7 ER service, the clinic opened Jan. 10, 2023. In addition to emergency services, it provides on-

site lab testing, according to its website. • 225 E. Parkwood Ave., Friendswood • 281-816-8400

MyCHN Silverlake Pharmacy Services at the pharmacy include birth control, family planning, well woman exams, pap smears, prenatal care and a list of pediatric services, such as newborn care, according to the business’s website. The pharmacy opened June 12. • 9430 Broadway St., Pearland • www.mychn.org/locations/mychn-silverlake Memorial Hermann Sports Park-Pearland The center held a ribbon-cutting Nov. 4 and includes a 50,000-square-foot facility that addresses the needs of professional athletes, young athletes and active adults. In addition to oering sports medicine, the facility has a training center, too. It

represents a $15 million investment in the Pearland community and is part of the Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital campus. • 111049 Memorial Hermann Drive, Pearland • www.memorialhermann.org/locations/ sports-park-pearland

Houston MRI and Diagnostic Imaging The business opened July 10 and oers medical imaging, including digital X-ray services, ultrasound, MRIs and MRAs, according to its website. • 1505 E. Winding Way, Ste. 110, Friendswood • www.houstonmri.com

Manvel

Pearland

Perk Dental The oce opened July 24 and oers dental services from root canals, cleanings and extractions. • 10237 Bailey Road, Ste. 107, Manvel • www.perkdental.com This list is not comprehensive.

Little Tickles The maternity center opened March 27 and oers many dierent ultrasound services, including early ultrasounds and sex determination. • 3129 Kingsley Drive, Ste. 710, Pearland • www.mylittletickles.com

11555 Magnolia Pkwy., Suite 170 Pearland, TX 77584 713.852.6700 TexasBayCU.org

APY=Annual Percentage Yield. APY accurate as of 01.01.24. Minimum opening deposit of $1,000. Minimum to earn advertised APY is $50,000. Rate subject to change without notice. Fees could reduce earnings. Early withdrawal penalties apply to all certificate accounts. Insured by NCUA.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Community

BY RACHEL LELAND

LONGWOOD DR.

CASTLEWOOD AVE.

ECHO AVE.

Hero Cha 802 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood www.herocha.com

Viet Cafe Express Eat & Treat 1510 E. Broadway St., Unit 108, Pearland 832-889-0097

Hero Cha serves boba tea and pastries.

Several new shops serving boba tea open in Pearland, Friendswood The boba tea trend shows no sign of slowing down several new cafes and restaurants in the Pearland-Friendswood area opening in 2023. Also known as bubble tea, this sweet drink features tapioca balls and became one of Taiwan’s most famous cultural exports in the 1980s. Some of the newest oerings in the area include the rebranded Fusion Oasis, which serves horch- ata, smoothies and lite bites. Oh My Tea! serves coee, snacks and fruit bowls. Viet Cafe Express Eat & Treat also serves frozen yogurt.

R D R D .

288

KIRBY DR.

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Fusion Oasis 11401 Broadway St., Ste. 101, Pearland 281-741-9709

Oh My Tea! 1909 N. Main St., Ste. 115, Pearland www.ohmytea.com

SM ASK ABOUT QUICK MOVE-IN HOMES 713.357.6071 HoustonSoutheastOSC@drhorton.com WHY LIVE IN WATERMARK IN ALVIN?

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drhorton.com/texas/houston/alvin/watermark

notice or obligation. Square footage is approximate only. Additional restrictions may apply. Furnishings and decorative items not included with home purchase. Artist renderings only. Subject to change. Schools, districts and zoning are outside of D.R. Horton, Inc.’s control and subject to change at any time. Buyer should conduct his or her own investigation of the present and future availability of school districts and school assignments. Seller has no control or responsibility for any changes to school districts or school assignments should they occur in the future. 12/2024.

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PEARLAND  FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

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PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

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