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SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY EDITION
VOLUME 10, ISSUE 7 MARCH 9 APRIL 13, 2023
Corridor Changes
Mobile co ee business to open Missouri City shop
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Sugar Land airport makes headway on $40.9M upgrades
Shopping districts such as the Missouri City Central Shopping Center on Texas Parkway act as incubators for smaller businesses and as attractive venues for customers once completed.
News briefs
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JACK DOWLING COMMUNITY IMPACT
CAMP GUIDE 2023
Improvements increase along Cartwright Road, Texas Parkway More than a year after Missouri City promised to revi- talize one of its oldest and most important areas through a series of economic programs, business is strong along Cartwright Road and Texas Parkway, city o cials said. Herman Rodriguez, Missouri City economic devel- opment director, said in an email that Missouri City stands, as it has many times before, is “on the cusp of many innovative projects.” BY JACK DOWLING & KELLY SCHAFLER
With $1.5 million set aside for improvement projects, the city has targeted beauti cation projects, such as median improvements and a facade improvement partial reim- bursement program, as well as direct economic incentives, such as the restaurant incentive program to attract and maintain businesses. These programs have been rolled out since the facade program was approved in November 2021. The corridors Missouri City City Council Member Je rey Boney said Cartwright Road and Texas Parkway made up a founda- tional part of Missouri City’s economic infrastructure at
Local summer camps
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Energy Corridor eyes street upgrades, adjusts tenant focus
BY ASIA ARMOUR
Get to know Sugar Land Police Chief Mark Poland
The Energy Corridor, a more than 2,000-acre business district, contin- ues to draw employees from Sugar Land and Missouri City as well as attract Fortune 500 companies. Now, a rebrand launched in November aims to position the corridor to lead Houston’s push toward clean energy and cater to a workforce in a recov- ering economy, o cials said. The Rede ning Energy rebrand
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Pull the newest teaser from CC Libraries
Energy Corridor o cials said projects planned in 2023 will further cement the business district as a leader in Houston’s energy transition. COURTESY ENERGY CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
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COMPLEX NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS Treated in Sugar Land
At Houston Methodist Neuroscience & Spine Center at Sugar Land, our physicians collaborate across specialties to diagnose and treat common to complex neurological disorders. With innovative and advanced treatment options, we provide personalized comprehensive care — close to home.
Our team of physicians treats a variety of conditions, including:
• Alzheimer’s disease and memory disorders • Aneurysms • Brain tumors • Multiple sclerosis • Neuropathy
• Parkinson’s disease and tremors • Sleep disorders • Spinal disorders • Stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA)
SCAN HERE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT To schedule an appointment, scan the QR code , visit houstonmethodist.org/neuro-sl or call 281.274.7979 .
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SUGAR LAND - MISSOURI CITY EDITION • MARCH 2023
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FROM AMY: It’s hard to believe, but spring is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to start making summer plans. If you have kiddos, we have a great Camp Guide included in this month’s edition to help jump start your planning process. Check out Page 12 for more information. Amy Martinez, GENERAL MANAGER
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FROM KELLY: Our front-page story this month looks at changes happening along Cartwright Road and Texas Parkway. It has been over a year since Missouri City announced it was investing in various programs such as the Facade Improvement Incentive Program to improve the corridor and attract new businesses. Kelly Scha er, MANAGING EDITOR CORRECTION: Volume 10, Issue 6 On Page 18, data was provided regarding the number of homes and population for given communities across Sugar Land. On further review, this data does not meet our criteria for trustworthiness.
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SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY EDITION • MARCH 2023
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
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5 James Avery opened Feb. 19 at 10407 Hwy. 6, Ste. 120, Missouri City, in the Fort Bend Town Center II devel- opment. James Avery is a retail chain that sells jewelry for both men and women online and in more than 240 stores located in shopping districts and malls across four states. The Missouri City location employs 12 associates, a James Avery spokesperson said Feb. 20. 346-245-5490. www.jamesavery.com 6 DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks , a Texas-based pizza franchise, is set to open March 6, after press time, at 4875 Hwy. 6, Ste. C, Missouri City, franchise owner Alex Sowell said. The eatery’s menu features hand-tossed pizzas, sandwiches, appetizers and desserts. The Missouri City location offers dine-in, delivery, curbside pickup and carryout for customers. www.doubledaves.com COMING SOON 7 Craft cocktail bar The Perfect Round is now scheduled to open by mid-March at 18730 University Blvd., Sugar Land. The business offers craft cocktails, food items and golfing simulators. Michael Downing, president of The Perfect Round, said Feb. 23 the Sugar Land loca- tion has run into permitting setbacks, and the location is otherwise complet- ed. The business has two other locations in the Houston area in Fulshear and Conroe. www.theperfectroundgolf.com 8 Crumbl Cookies is set to open in late spring or early summer at 2735 Town Center Blvd. N., Ste. E, Sugar Land. However, the opening could change depending on construction, PR Strate- gist Candyce Paige said via email. The
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NOW OPEN 1 New Hampshire-based fitness club Planet Fitness opened Feb. 14 at 13831 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land. The gym offers weight training equip- ment, strength machines and cardio equipment, such as treadmills and ellip- ticals. The gym is open 24/7, and plans start at $10 a month. 346-450-6450. www.planetfitness.com 2 Pho Viet & Seafood held a soft opening Feb. 9 at 11420 Dairy Ashford Road, Ste. 100, Sugar Land, and plans are in place to hold a grand opening March 4, after press time, manager Athena Tran
said. The restaurant is owned by Athena’s mother, Trang Tran, and father, Quoc Tran, who serve as head chefs at the eatery and have owned a restaurant in Vietnam for 23 years. The Sugar Land restaurant serves Vietnamese cuisine fused with Cajun influences. The menu features traditional pho, banh mi, fried rice, fresh crawfish and other boiled seafood. 346-874-7167. https://bit.ly/3IKWMNy 3 Mystros Barber Academy opened in Missouri City at 2420 Cartwright Road on Feb. 10. The barber college has served North Houston and Spring ISD for more than 12 years and is now looking to make an impact in the “show me city,” a
Feb. 8 news release said. 832-286-4248. www.mystrosbarberacademy.org 4 Cypress Elite Dance Studio opened Jan. 6 at 11110 S. Hwy. 6, Sugar Land. The business offers classes for numerous dance styles, including ballet, jazz, acrobatic tumble, hip-hop and tap, for young girls and boys, Director of Operations Shannon Rhodes said. The studio offers various classes for a range of age groups, including ages 2-3, ages 3-6, and age 7 and older. Owner Kim Davis launched Cypress Elite Dance Studio in 2006 in the Tomball area, Rhodes said. The Sugar Land location is Davis’ second location. 832-717-6017. www.cypresselitedance.com
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
COMPILED BY JACK DOWLING & KELLY SCHAFLER
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Crumbl Cookies
Red Circle Ice Cream
COURTESY CRUMBL COOKIES PHOTO TEAM
COURTESY RED CIRCLE ICE CREAM
Utah-based cookie shop will bring its weekly rotating menu of specialty flavors as well as the signature milk chocolate chip and chilled sugar cookie. Cookies can be purchased individually or in a four-, six- or 12-pack box, according to the website. www.crumblcookies.com 9 Popshelf , a retail concept from Dollar General, is scheduled to open in early spring at 2581 N. Town Center Blvd., Sugar Land, a Popshelf spokesperson said via email. The concept first debuted in Nashville in 2020. The concept offers sea- sonal and home decor, health and beauty products, home cleaning supplies, and party goods, with most items being under $5. Popshelf has 100 standalone locations and 40 in-store locations nationwide, with plans to operate roughly 1,000 total stores by early 2026, the spokesperson said. The Popshelf store will employ about 15 workers, and interested candidates can apply at https://careers.popshelf.com. www.popshelf.com 10 International Italian restaurant chain Olive Garden will open in April at 10327 Hwy. 6, Missouri City, in the ongoing Fort Bend Town Center II devel- opment, an Olive Garden spokesperson said via email. The eatery serves various Italian dishes, salads and soups as well as appetizers and desserts. Olive Garden offers numerous pasta dishes, including fettuccine, ravioli, lasagna, and chicken and eggplant parmigiana, according to the website. www.olivegarden.com 11 McAlister’s Deli is set to open in late 2023 in Fort Bend Town Center II at the intersection of Hwy. 6 and Fort Bend Parkway Tollway Road, a McAlister’s rep- resentative said via email. The fast-casual
restaurant will offer various sandwiches, salads, soups, loaded spuds and its famous sweet tea, according to the website. The restaurant chain has hundreds of locations across the U.S., including 100 in Texas alone. www.mcalistersdeli.com RELOCATIONS 12 Love is N the Hair Salon , a locally owned hair studio, opened Feb. 11 at 18806 Noble Seven Lane, Sugar Land. The business, owned by Meaghan Ledet, specializes in color services, including balayage, highlights, all-over color and vivid colors. However, Ledet said she and her team also offer haircuts, extensions and bridal styles. Before this salon, Ledet operated Love is N the Hair Salon out of a rented suite in Sugar Land Town Square for seven years. 832-567-5296. www.vagaro.com/loveisnthehair ANNIVERSARIES 13 Red Circle Ice Cream celebrated the one-year anniversary of its Sugar Land location Feb. 19. Located at 3595 Hwy. 6, the franchise shop serves handcrafted ice cream with fresh churros and egg waffles. In February, the ice cream shop also debuted its new Churro Stix and Churro Bites, which can be dipped in various sauces, owner and founder Nickey Ngo said in an email. The shop’s new ice cream flavor, boba milk tea, was set to debut March 3, after press time. The Sugar Land location is one of three locations across the Houston area, including in Pearland and the original location in China Town near Bellaire. 281-903-7074. www.redcirclefranchising.com
Fellowship Coffee Co. will serve fresh-roasted coffee at its first brick-and-mortar storefront in Missouri City.
COURTESY SHAIDER DIVINA
FEATURED IMPACT COMING SOON Fellowship Coffee Co., a mobile espresso bar , will open its rst brick-and-mortar shop this summer at 3340 FM 1092, Ste. 350, Missouri City, in the Township Square Shopping Plaza. The shop will be run by owner and lead barista Ryan Borinaga and his wife and co-owner, Janice Chiu, who Borinaga said have been longtime co ee connoisseurs. While Borinaga worked for a bit at Starbucks, it was not until 2021 when he started roasting his own co ee beans from his home that the idea sparked to open a co ee business. “That hobby became kind of a rabbit hole into specialty co ee, and just the nuances and the science behind bringing out avors within co ee,” he said. This launched into the traveling co ee cart concept in October 2021, with Borinaga and Chiu o ering fresh beverages at events across Houston with their Fellowship Co ee Co. cart. “I love the co ee scene, and I love when people come together just for a cup of co ee, just talking and bonding together,” he said. “We wanted to bring that co ee shop experience to your special event, wedding and corporate o ce.” Fellowship Co ee Co. will o er various
handcrafted co ee beverages as well as pastries from local vendors. Just like the mobile espresso bar, the shop will o er fresh-roasted co ee sourced from all over the world, Borinaga said. Growing up near Sugar Land, Borinaga said he spent a lot of time visiting Asian businesses in the area. Borinaga, who is Filipino, said he wanted to infuse some Filipino ingredients into the co ee at Fellowship Co ee Co. The shop will o er a biko co ee drink, inspired by the sweet dish from the Philippines made with dark brown sugar and coconut milk over sticky rice. “We’re excited to bring this type of co ee culture to the Sugar Land and Missouri City area,” Borinaga said. “You see a lot of this specialty, or what you called third-wave co ee companies, more in the city. So it’d be nice to have something in the Sugar Land area.” 832-427-7363. www.fellowshipco eetx.com
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SUGAR LAND - MISSOURI CITY EDITION • MARCH 2023
TRANSPORTATION UPDATES Traffic signal coming to Lake Olympia, Fort Bend parkways
COMPILED BY JACK DOWLING
UPCOMING PROJECTS
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In an effort to combat traffic concerns at the intersection of Lake Olympia Parkway and Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road, Missouri City City Council unanimously agreed to fund a traffic signal during its Feb. 20 meeting. A traffic impact analysis showed signifi- cant traffic numbers that warranted the signal, city documents show. The Specialty Company, or TSC, was the firm that won out over three competitors during the bid process for a total
construction cost, which equals about 21% of the total cost. Shashi Kumar, Missouri City public works direc- tor, said the amount of funding from MMD No. 2 is based on a prior agree- ment and is proportional to traffic generated. “We did a study on the actual traffic counts,” Kumar said. “Based on that study, about 21% of volume came from MMD No. 2” Construction on the project is expected to begin in either May or June, and
construction is set to be fully completed by October, Kumar said at the Feb. 20 City Council meeting. “Because it will take time for them to order the parts to actually complete the signal, it is likely you won’t see any construction outside of staking for about three months,” he said. Signal materials are on back-order, which has lengthened the timeline of the project, Kumar said. Funding from the
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Intersection improvement project Sugar Land agreed to enter into an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to rework the inter- section at Hwy. 6 and First Colony Bou- levard/Brooks Street. The project will include two left-turn lanes on north- bound First Colony and southbound on Brooks to alleviate traffic congestion and improve the flow of traffic. Cost: $2.46 million Timeline: summer-TBD Funding source: Sugar Land Capital Improvements Fund
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projected construction cost of $738,386. However, the city will not pay for the entire project. Municipal Management District No. 2 will pay $155,064 of the estimated
city comes from the Capital Improvement Projects funds.
MCLAIN BLVD.
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METRO considering lease agreement for new Missouri City park and ride The Metropolitan Transit Authority
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Director George Fotinos said at the Joint Development and Land Use Committee meeting Feb. 15. Under Option A, METRO would pay $325,000 in annual property rent with a 5% increase every five years, as well as a lump $51.7 million facility lease buyout, meaning METRO would own the facility but not the land. Option B would see METRO rent the facility for $3.1 million annually and pay the property rent, meaning METRO would not own the facility or land. Fotinos said Option A is the more attractive option, in part because U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, has com- mitted to providing $5 million toward the project. Once approved, it will take approximately 18 months to complete the park and ride parking garage.
WEIGHING OPTIONS
of Harris County is considering a 40-year lease agreement with NewQuest Properties, a real estate developer, to fund a $50 million park and ride facility near Hwy. 6 and Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road. The commuter park and ride will be located in Newquest’s Fort Bend Town Center III development. The item was pulled from METRO’s Feb. 23 meeting, but it may be dis- cussed as early as the March 23 board meeting, METRO Public Information Officer Monica Russo said. If approved, the board will have a three-year window in which to decide whether to move forward with options A or B for financial and funding options, METRO Chief Financial
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Missouri City drainage improvements The Texas General Land Office approved Missouri City for $5 million in funding for eligible projects. The city has identified two sites that require drainage improvements to ensure safety and traffic flow. Those areas include Gregory and McClain boulevards as well as South Cravens Road and Pine Meadow Drive.
METRO has two options for its leasing agreement with Newquest. One allows METRO to buy the facility, while the other pays rent over time.
OWN RENT
Annual cost
$325K $325K
Owning vs. renting facility
$51.7M once Can receive
$3.1M annually
Cost: $5 million Timeline: TBD Funding source: GLO
Grants Cannot receive Vending rights Exclusive to METRO Property lease 40 years
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF FEB. 24. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT SLMNEWS@COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.
SOURCE: METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
NEWS BRIEFS
Fort Bend ISD calls largest bond in district’s history at $1.26B for May
BY RENEE FARMER
BOND PROPOSITIONS Fort Bend ISD voters will get to decide on the largest bond in the district’s history this May.
The $1.18 billion Proposition A encompasses construction, security and transportation upgrades, along with a $19.2 million transportation facility. Proposition B would cover nearly $52.5 million for technology updates, and the $22.9 million Proposi- tion C would fund a new district natatorium. “This is when [our public] gets to actually have a serious say in what our school district looks like,” Trustee Angie Hanan said. The bond election will be held during the 2023 general election May 6. Early voting runs April 24 to May 2, and the last day to register for a mail-in ballot is April 25, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s O ce.
Fort Bend ISD voters will get to decide on the largest bond in the district’s history in May. After postponing a decision at a Feb. 13 meeting, FBISD’s board of trustees voted to call an election for a nearly $1.26 billion bond during a Feb. 16 special meeting. A survey of 350 voters presented during the Feb. 13 board meeting found 52% supported a $1.2 billion bond when given no initial information, and 68% supported it when given information. Of the four options presented, district sta rec- ommended the largest package to the board, which will be split into three propositions on the ballot.
Proposition A: $1.18B Construction, security and transportation upgrades Proposition B: $52.5M Technology updates Proposition C: $22.9M New natatorium
TOTAL $1.26B
SOURCE: FORT BEND ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
Sugar Land airport sees development, looks to future
Maternal mortality report highlights gaps in Texas
BY KELLY SCHAFLER
The Sugar Land Regional Airport will open a new feature, while airport o cials are determining future uses for the airport’s unused land. Construction will be completed this spring on the airport’s new community hangar, and construction began in December on the nal phase of the new parallel taxiway. The taxiway and hangar project costs $40.9 million. Work on the hangar portion of the project began in January 2021, and a ribbon-cutting for the new hangar will be held in April, said Elizabeth Rosenbaum, director of aviation at the Sugar Land Regional Airport. “The hangar is going to be some- thing really exciting—something you don’t see a hangar usually look like,” she said. “It emulates our terminal building; it’s going to stand out and
M
BY HANNAH NORTON
In 2019, at least 118 Texas women died while pregnant or within one year after childbirth, leaving over 180 children without mothers. Nearly half of these deaths were caused by pregnancy-related complications. But 90% of pregnancy-related deaths that occurred in 2019 were pre- ventable, per a report released Dec. 15 from the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee. The committee recommended improving behavioral and mental health care before, during and after pregnancy; expanding state programs to address partner violence; and increasing coordination between maternal and emergency services.
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Sugar Land Regional Airport began work in December on the last phase of its parallel taxiway project. (Courtesy Sugar Land Regional Airport)
Rosenbaum said she hopes can be used for commercial developments to help diversify revenues to fund future air eld development. The airport surveyed airport customers, tenants and residents in December and January to gain insight on what residents would like to see on the sites. There were over 200 responses, Rosenbaum said.
be a beautiful facility.” The parallel taxiway project, which has been in the works for more than 10 years, was split into four phases. Construction on the fourth and nal phase will wrap up in spring 2024, Rosenbaum said. Meanwhile, airport o cials are still determining the use of ve tracts of land at the airport, which
Fort Bend ISD trustees approve attendance boundaries for Travis, Austin, Kempner high schools
BY RENEE FARMER
The district’s School Boundary Oversight Committee created iter- ations of the attendance map and conducted a survey before bringing its nal map to the board. Their goal was to relieve overutilization of schools and balance enrollment. The Brazos Bend Elementary School attendance community will move from Travis High School to Austin High School. Students will still attend
Sartartia Middle School. All students in the Fleming Elementary School atten- dance community will feed to Hodges Bend Middle School and Kempner High School, absorbing the 15% that were fed to Garcia Middle School and Austin High. The Holley Elementary School community will now feed all students to Hodges Bend Middle and Bush High School. The 2% who fed to Garcia
Middle and Austin High will be moved to Oyster Creek Elementary. The 40% of Patterson Elementary School students who were previously fed to Bowie Middle School and Travis High will now join the other 60% who attend Crockett Middle School. Sartartia Middle students will no lon- ger be fed to Travis High but instead be split solely between Austin High and Clements High School.
In an e ort to relieve overutili- zation, Fort Bend ISD has changed attendance boundaries for three of its Sugar Land-area high schools. The board of trustees approved an update to attendance boundaries for the Travis, Austin and Kempner high schools’ feeder patterns during its Feb. 13 meeting. The updates will take e ect in the 2023-24 school year.
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SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY EDITION • MARCH 2023
On February 16, 2023, the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees called for a bond election to be considered by the community in the May 6, 2023 election. The bond will fund major projects throughout the district, enhancing every campus in Fort Bend ISD except schools that are newly constructed. The district has not had a bond in five years, and as a result, some of its 82 campuses are rated in “critical condition” due to outdated mechanical, plumbing, roofing, electrical and HVAC systems that are beyond reasonable repair. Projects included in the bond are: • Rebuilding Clements High School • Rebuilding Briargate Elementary • Rebuilding Mission Bend Elementary • Construction of Middle School 16 in the southeast area • Construction of Elementary 55 in the northwest area • Renovations and additions at Ferndell Henry Center for Learning for conversion into an elementary school • New Buses • Transportation Smart Tag System to allow parents to track bus riders • New security cameras at schools • New IT network and replacement of aging classroom technology and devices • Police vehicles
Did You Know… School districts do not receive state funding for building schools, renovating them or replacing things like worn-out roofs, heating and air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems. Bonds approved by voters pay for the projects.
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
APRIL 25 EARLY VOTING 7:00am - 7:00pm
APRIL 26 EARLY VOTING 7:00am - 7:00pm
APRIL 27 EARLY VOTING 7:00am - 7:00pm
APRIL 28 EARLY VOTING 7:00am - 7:00pm
APRIL 29 EARLY VOTING 8:00am - 5:00pm
APRIL 24 EARLY VOTING 7:00am - 7:00pm
APRIL 23
APRIL 30 EARLY VOTING 12:00pm - 6:00pm
MAY 1 EARLY VOTING 7:00am - 7:00pm
MAY 2 EARLY VOTING 7:00am - 7:00pm
MAY 6 ELECTION DAY 7:00am - 7:00pm
MAY 3
MAY 4
MAY 5
For polling times and locations: fortbendisd.com/2023bond
Natatorium Total Proposed $22.9M
Info. Technology Total Proposed $52.47M
Technology devices (students and staff)
General Total Proposed $1.18B New schools, renovations, and rebuilds Safety and security Transportation Technology infrastructure Upgrades to mechanical, electrical, plumbing and other structures that are past their useful life
Early Voting April 24 - May 2 Election Day May 6 For more information, please visit fortbendisd.com/ 2023bond
AGES 65 & Older
Ballot Language Passage of the bond will not cause an increase in property taxes for Homeowners 65 and over or disabled who have applied for and received the Over 65 Homestead Exemption. OVER FROZEN DOLLAR AMOUNT
CAMP GUIDE
GUIDE
A noncomprehensive list of camps in the area
Parents looking for camps for their children have a number of options to choose from in the Sugar Land, Sta ord and Missouri City area. This list is not comprehensive.
chemistry and physics. Ages: 6 12 Dates: May 30 Aug. 7 Cost: $208-$765 A+ DAY 13016 University Blvd. 281 313 2277 www.hmns.org
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A+ Academics ART Arts DAY Day NIGHT Overnight SP Sports
SUGAR LAND 1 Code Ninjas o ers camps that allow kids to learn how to code at a young age. Camp topics include how to become a YouTuber, car- toons about coding and learning about video games, such as Minecraft and Roblox. Ages: 5 14 Dates: April 7 Aug. 7 Cost: $225-$499 A+ DAY 18318 University Blvd., Ste. 100 17101 W. Grand Parkway S., Ste. 65 281 456 3010 www.codeninjas.com 2 Cordovan Art School will host multiple art camps this summer. There will be more than 40 di erent camps for children to choose from. The camps are divided into three age groups, with camps tailored toward those skill levels. Older campers can enjoy themes such as oil painting and ceramics, while younger groups can enjoy art camp themes such as space and animals.
Ages: 5 16 Dates: May 30 Aug. 18 Cost: $270-$540 ART DAY 3219 Hwy. 6 281 637 0017 www.cordovanartschool.com
5 Inspiration Stage will have multiple half- and full-day summer camps where kids will audition and perform in a musical. Camp musicals include “Finding Nemo Jr.,” “Under the Sea,” “101 Dalmatians,” “Aristocats,” “Annie” and “The Jungle Book.” Ages: 4 16 Dates: May 31 Aug. 4 Cost: $275-$325 ART DAY 2210 Lone Star Drive 713 302 5329 www.inspirationstage.com 6 Pine Cove will host a weeklong summer camp at Sugar Creek Baptist Church-Sugar Land. Campers will experience activities such as a slip-and-slide, a rope spider web, a rock climbing wall, an obstacle course, laser tag and a bungee trampoline as well as Bible study classes. Ages: Grades 1 6
Cordovan Art School
COURTESY CORDOVAN ART SCHOOL
3 Cypress Elite Dance Studio o ers var- ious day camps on Thursdays for young girls and boys where they can do art, crafts and activities. Camp themes include “Paw Patrol,” “Bluey” and Lego Camp. Ages: 3 and up
Dates: June 26 30 Cost: $339 ART DAY NIGHT SP 13223 Southwest Freeway 877 474 6326 www.pinecove.com
Dates: June 15 July 13 Cost: $60 per camp DAY ART
7 School of Rock Sugar Land will o er a variety of music camps and workshops for various age groups and for musicians of any skill level. Topics include guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocals. Many of the camps are based around famous bands, such as Green Day, Nirvana, Twenty One Pilots and Imagine Dragons. Ages: 4 18
11110 S. Hwy. 6 832 717 6017 www.cypresselitedance.com 4 The Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land is o ering multiple, weeklong educational camps. Topics this year include paleontology, robotics, space, coding,
BoomChicka Pop Music Camp July 24-27, 2023 (Monday-Thursday) 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Christ Church Sugar Land Community Arts Partnership 3300 Austin Parkway Blvd.
AT CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND community arts
Open to all students entering Kinder-5th grade in fall of 2023 Tuition cost: $256 (first child) $236 (siblings)
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
2023
COMPILED BY JACK DOWLING, RENEE FARMER & KELLY SCHAFLER
4433 Cartwright Road 281 499 9622 www.ymcahouston.org
7100 Knights Court 832 321 7100 www.olympiatx.com STAFFORD
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10 iCode computer science camps encourage kids to explore di erent STEM skills through an engaging hands-on approach. iCode has in-person full- and half-day options to choose from. Children have the opportunity to learn a variety of skills throughout the sum- mer, including coding, robotics, engineering, game development and digital art. Ages: 6 18 Dates: May 29 Aug. 11 Cost: $279-$449 A+ ART DAY 4899 Hwy. 6, Ste. 113C 281 584 6618 www.icodeschool.com/sugarland117 11 Olympia Gymnastics will have ve Camp Olympias this summer. There are options to pay extra to have food provided and extended care, and the price of the camp depends on the sign-up date as well as a sibling discount. Camp activities include gym, water days, a carnival day and in atables. Ages: 4 14 Dates: June 12 Aug. 4 Cost: $220-$310 DAY SP
12 Language Kids World has two camps in the Sta ord area this year, o ering regular and extended immersion classes where kids can learn Spanish. Lessons like art and science will help kids learn the language. Ages: 3 10 Dates: June 5 July 21 Cost: $275-$320
School of Rock
Study Dorm
COURTESY SCHOOL OF ROCK
COURTESY STUDY DORM
A+ ART DAY 800 Brooks St. 281 565 1388 www.languagekids.com
Dates: May 29 Aug. 11 Cost: $199-$499 ART DAY 1935 Lakeside Plaza Drive 832 939 8788 www.schoolofrock.com 8 Spanish Schoolhouse will o er camps where kids will be immersed in Spanish language and culture. Each camp will have di erent themes and activities, such as soccer, space and history. Ages: 3 8 Dates: June 1 July 28 Cost: $229-$735 ART DAY SP
1120 Soldiers Field Drive 281 565 0390 http://spanishschoolhouse.com MISSOURI CITY
13 Study Dorm will o er weekly camps for math, reading and writing. Students who are in high school are also eligible to take SAT, ACT and PSAT lessons. Ages: 6 17 Dates: June 5 Aug. 4 Cost: Starting at $150 per week A+ DAY 609 Dulles Ave., Ste. 500 281 818 4760 www.mystudydorm.com
9 Fort Bend Family YMCA will host multiple camps this summer through the YMCA of Greater Houston. Kids who attend these camps will experience activities such as games, sports, swimming, arts and crafts, and educational activities as well as the occasional eld trip. Ages: 5 15 Dates: May 30 July 28 Cost: $155 A+ ART DAY SP
NOBODY DOES CAMP LIKE THE Y!
From day camps around the Houston area to overnight camp at YMCA Camp Cullen, your child or teen will make their mark and find adventure and fun this summer at the Y!
Learn more at ymcahouston.org.
YMCA Mission: To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Everyone is welcome.
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SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY EDITION • MARCH 2023
CITY & COUNTY
News from Sugar Land & Fort Bend County
HIGHLIGHTS SUGAR LAND Residents who want to be a city planner can now practice balancing the city’s general fund with Sugar Land’s new budget simulator. Per a Feb. 8 news release, the program aims to educate residents on the impact of incremental increases and decreases in funding for various departments. Sugar Land’s website says the program is an educational tool, but adds that comments and trends may be used to help the city understand budgeting priorities. Sugar Land City Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. March 21 at 2700 Town Center Blvd. N., Sugar Land. Meetings are livestreamed and in person. 281-275-2900. www.sugarlandtx.gov Missouri City City Council will meet at 7 p.m. March 20 at 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City. Meetings are livestreamed and in person. 281-403-8500. www.missouricitytx.gov Fort Bend County Commissioners Court will meet at 1 p.m. March 14 and 28 at 401 Jackson MEETINGS WE COVER
Sugar Land approves, opens applications for Great Homes pilot program
County begins strategic plan for economic opportunity, development
Sugar Land approves deal with fiber-optic internet company
BY JACK DOWLING
eligible for a reimbursement of up to $10,000 for a portion of their exterior home improvement costs. The minimum total project cost to be eligible is $4,000. Homes built before 1994 are eligible for up to a 25% reimbursement, while those built after 1994 are only eligible for a 10% reimbursement. A total of $500,000 has been set aside from the city’s general fund to pay for the Great Homes Update program, which city officials said will be able to help fund approximately $2 million to $5 million in residential improvements, assuming the average project costs around $15,000 to $20,000. Prior to casting the sole vote against the program, Council Member William Ferguson voiced his con- cern at the meeting about the feasibility of the Great Homes Design program. “Even though it may be in line for what we want to do, the [homeowners associations] really need to kind of build their programs around what we’re trying to do,” Ferguson said. The Great Homes program is a one-year pilot pro- gram city officials said will be re-evaluated in 2024. “This initiative is just one example of Sugar Land’s commitment to trailblazing and evolving our community to build a life for our residents that is better than they can even imagine,” Communications Director Doug Adolph said in the news release.
Pilot parameters Sugar Land residents are now eligible
SUGAR LAND Residents are now eligible to register for Sugar Land’s Great Homes program. The pilot initiative empowers homeowners to invest in their community by preserving, protecting and enhancing their neighborhoods, the city said in a Feb. 8 news release. The Great Homes program, which was approved in a 6-1 vote during the Feb. 7 City Council meeting, comprises two components: the Great Homes Design program and the Great Homes Update program. The Great Homes Design program offers a $500 rebate for homeowners who implement at least one qualifying exterior improvement on their home within six months of receiving a design through the program, according to the city’s news release. Resi- dents apply on the city’s website and if approved will receive a voucher for one of two design companies: Brick & Batten or Dzinly. Additionally, $120,000 has been set aside from the city’s general fund for the design program’s pilot, which the city said will go toward funding 250 home designs as well as potentially 40 home projects. Likewise, the Great Homes Update program is a reimbursement incentive encouraging rehabilitation and refurbishments of the exterior of single-family houses. Through the program, homeowners may be
BY ASIA ARMOUR
collected by the Fort Bend EDC from The Cannon, an entrepreneurial networking organization. The plan will also consider the county’s fast-growing population and the role of both the Greater Fort Bend EDC and the county’s eco- nomic development department. “There is a role for the [Fort Bend] EDC to continue what they do, but with the creation of this depart- ment, how can we maximize [our] resources?” Guzman said. “THERE IS A ROLE FOR THE [FORT BEND] EDC TO CONTINUE WHAT THEY DO, BUT WITH THE CREATION OF THIS DEPARTMENT, HOW CAN WE MAXIMIZE [OUR] RESOURCES?” CARLOS GUZMAN, FORT BEND COUNTY’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
FORT BEND COUNTY Fort Bend County’s Economic Development Department and the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Coun- cil have taken the initial steps for an economic strategic plan, which officials expect will be completed by late summer. At a Feb. 7 Commissioners Court meeting, the governing body of the county transferred $265,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act budget into the General Fund Revenue Replacement budget to pay for the Economic Opportunity and Development contract. Carlos Guzman, Fort Bend County’s economic development director, said the plan will be executed in six to seven months. Guzman said Austin-based planning firm TIP Strategies will begin by examining economic data from the county—some of which was recently
to register for the Great Homes program, which includes a design program and update program. Each program has their own requirements and budget.
BY JACK DOWLING
SUGAR LAND SiFi Networks, a New Jersey-based telecommunications company, was approved for a 30-year agreement with Sugar Land to estab- lish fiber-optic infrastructure during a City Council meeting Feb. 7. Design and construction are expected to take a combined two years. The privately funded network is purported to be open-access, meaning any internet service provider can sell internet via the company’s infrastruc- ture once they have purchased the wholesale data access. While council members agreed the project is a strong proposition, several council members voiced concerns, including that the contract was much too binding in favor of the company and how lines would impact trees. The City Council approved the contract in a 5-2 vote.
Design program
Update program
$120,000 set aside from general fund
$500,000 set aside from general fund
Will fund 250 home designs , possible 40 home projects $500 rebate for homeowners who implement at least one qualifying exterior improvement within six months of receiving a design in the program
Can be reimbursed up to $10,000 for exterior improvement costs Homes built before 1994 are eligible for up to a 25% reimbursement. Homes built after 1994 are eligible for a 10% reimbursement.
St., Richmond. Meetings are livestreamed. 281-342-3411. www.fortbendcountytx.gov
If design is approved, they receive a voucher
Minimum project cost must be $4,000
SOURCE: CITY OF SUGAR LAND/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SUGAR LAND 3335 Hwy 6 S (281) 313-4446 MISSOURI CITY 5418 Hwy 6 (281) 403-0400
SUGAR CREEK 13827 Southwest Fwy (281) 491-8628 SIENNA PLANTATION 9034 Sienna Crossing Dr (281) 778-9959
NEW TERRITORY 5720 New Territory Blvd (281) 491-0811
GOVERNMENT Judge urges budget adjustment to assist homeless youth
Fort Bend County nonprofits asked commissioners on Feb. 28 to reallocate $13 million from three federal funding pots to a multifaceted program to counter homelessness. requesting funds
BY ASIA ARMOUR
these federal funds, which could be exhausted as early as the end of March. This does not include families who receive assistance from nonprof- its in the county, he said. The primary reason for this issue is what Groff called a lack of diversified housing stock, with prices that are unaffordable to families who are at risk of homelessness. In Fort Bend County, Groff said rent for a one-bedroom apartment will cost over $1,500 per month, and two- bedroom units usually exceed $1,800 per month. According to RentCafe, a national apartment listing service, the average rental price in the county is $1,497 per month. The project will provide a long-term solution for residents experiencing homelessness in Fort Bend County, Groff said. It would offer both short- and long-term housing; a centralized resource center to provide housing identification, rent, move-in assistance and case management services; and affordable homeownership.
those students, 193 were unaccompa- nied by a parent or guardian, he said. “How did we miss that,” George said. “We [have spent] money ... [in] so many places; how did we miss the children?” At the following Feb. 14. meeting, the court reserved $2 million from its Emergency Rental Assistance budget. On Feb. 28, the nonprofits asked for a combined $13 million from three federal funding pots to be reallocated toward this multifaceted program. In May 2021, the county was appropriated $157.42 million in ARPA funds, said Pamela Gubbels, director of finance and investments. All but $47.5 million of those funds remain unspent, she said. “At this time, 100% of those funds have been allocated to various projects,” Gubbels said in an email. “If commissioner[s] choose to add more projects, they would have to reduce funding from other projects.” Groff said there are 900 families receiving rental assistance through
On Feb. 28, Fort Bend County commissioners tabled the decision to reallocate funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act budget for a transitional housing program to address homelessness in the county. Judge KP George implored the court on Feb. 7 to consider amending the budget by the end of February. At the same Feb. 7 meeting, Fulshear Mayor Aaron Groff addressed the court on behalf of several area nonprofits— including Attack Poverty, Abigail’s Place and Parks Youth Ranch—that named affordable permanent housing as one of the county’s greatest needs. “Fort Bend ISD and Lamar CISD have identified over 1,600 students in [the] 2021-22 [school year] who were homeless,” Groff said. “Some of our numbers suggest that in Fort Bend County alone, there are as many as 6,500 kids who are at risk of being homeless at any given moment.” As of Nov. 17, there were 803 home- less students in FBISD, George said. Of
Lamar CISD students were homeless in the 2021-22 school year. Fort Bend ISD students were identified as homeless as of Nov. 17. children are at risk of being homeless in Fort Bend County at any given moment. Fort Bend ISD homeless students were identified as unaccompanied youth.
682
803
193
6.5K
SOURCES: LAMAR CISD, FORT BEND ISD, TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
“[A] diversionary project like this will make a meaningful difference for those [who are] facing or are on the verge of homelessness,” he said.
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