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Conroe Montgomery Edition VOLUME 11, ISSUE 8 NOV. 20 DEC. 19, 2025
Honoring veterans
INSIDE
30
Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission unveils name for new center, eyes future expansions
both Montgomery County and across the nation and rst responders. The MCVMC is also working to open two more memorials next year—one honoring women of war and one honoring Gold Star Families. “[The park will] never be really done,” Woods said. “I think that the fact that we are adaptable, exible and visionary all go hand-in-hand.”
Woods, executive director of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission—the nonpro t organization that oversees and manages the park. “More excitement than anything. Anxious to move in and … be greeting people in our home.” When the building o cially opens to the public next spring, it will join the park’s other features, including memorials that honor fallen veterans from
BY LIZZY SPANGLER
The Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park, located at the intersection of I-45 and Hwy. 105, is now home to the Honored Mission Veterans Museum and Jimmie C. Edwards III Education Center. The name for the new building was unveiled during a Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 8. “How do I feel about it? Excited,” said Elizabeth
Also in this issue
Impacts: Learn about The Links at West Fork’s renovations to its golf course (Page 6)
Community: Read about volunteering opportunities at 17 local nonpro ts (Page 32)
Commission founder, chairman and veteran, Jimmie C. Edwards, right, is the namesake of the new center.
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Impacts
an updated clubhouse and a full-service pro shop. • Opened Aug. 29 • 1 Golf Ridge Drive, Conroe • www.thelinksatwestfork.com 4 Charm Taphouse & BBQ The restaurant features a fusion of Texas barbecue with the flavors of Thai cuisine alongside a tap wall. • Opened Oct. 25 5 Fellowship Baptist Church The church offers Sunday school for all ages, a main worship service and midweek Bible lessons. • Opened Nov. 16 • 1304 Wilson Road, Conroe • www.fellowshipbaptistconroe.com 6 Wildflower Park The park, located inside the Magnolia Springs master- planned community, features a pickleball court, playground, walking trails and a community pavilion. • Opened Oct. 28 • 525 Woodland Square Blvd., Conroe • www.charmtaphouseandbbq.com 7 Gangnam BBQ and Sushi The restaurant serves all-you-can-eat Korean-style barbecue with meats that can be grilled at the table, including chicken, brisket, fish and pork. • Opened Aug. 15 • 215 S. Loop 336 W., Ste. 300, Conroe • www.gangnamkbbqsushi.com 8 Blast Swim Academy The swim school offers personalized swimming lessons with small class sizes in a facility that includes a heated indoor teaching pool, viewing areas and a play space. • Opened Sept. 17 • 759 Pine Market Ave., Ste. 300, Montgomery • www.blastswim.com/pages/woodforest 9 Smalls Sliders The restaurant is known for its cheeseburger sliders, • 12507 S. FM 1486, Montgomery • www.magnoliaspringstx.com
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2 7 Brew The drive-thru coffee stand offers a variety of drinks, including lattes, cold brews, energy drinks and teas. • Opened Nov. 3 • 16968 Concord Drive, Conroe • www.7brew.com 3 The Links at West Fork The public golf course, which is now under new ownership and management, features renovated greens,
Now open
1 Lucky Strike The business offers bowling, an arcade, billiards and a sports bar. • Opened Sept. 17
• 27000 I-45 N., Conroe • www.luckystrikeent.com
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specializing in fresh, cooked-to-order sliders. • Opened Nov. 11
Relocations
In the news
• 2130 W. Davis St., Conroe • www.smallssliders.com
15 Yes to Youth Formerly located at 8701 New Trails Drive, Ste. 118, The Woodlands, the nonprofit organization relocated to a larger space. Yes to Youth provides crisis counseling, shelter programs and prevention services. • Relocated Oct. 27 • 9186 Six Pines Drive, Ste. 175, The Woodlands • www.sayyestoyouth.org
Coming soon
10 HTeaO The business offers coffee products, lemonade and tea. • Opening in late 2025 • 2450 N. Loop 336 W., Conroe • www.hteao.com 11 Arroyos Park at Colton The master-planned community broke ground on Arroyos Park, which will include amenities such as playgrounds, a splash pad and trails. • Coming fall 2026 • 42030 Texoma Way, Todd Mission • www.coltontx.com 12 Crunch Fitness The new 45,000-square-foot facility will feature amenities including red light therapy and babysitting.
Expansions
16 The Woodlands Methodist Church The church held groundbreaking events Oct. 4-5 for a new campus in Montgomery and an expansion project at its Woodforest campus. • Expansions’ completion set for the end of 2026 • A Corner of Clepper and C.B. Stewart drives, Montgomery • B 700 Fish Creek Thoroughfare, Montgomery • www.thewoodlandsmethodist.org
20 McKenzie’s Barbecue and Burgers The family-owned restaurant celebrated its 30th anniversary on Oct. 4, owner Colin McKenzie confirmed. The business’s menu includes items such as brisket, sausage, pulled pork and cheeseburgers, according to the website. McKenzie said the business also offers private event rooms, pickup and delivery catering as well as full-service catering for events such as weddings. • A 1501 N. Frazier St., Conroe • B 17099 Walden Road, Ste. 200, Montgomery • www.mckenziesbarbeque.com
17 Bella Mia Salon The business is expanding into a bigger space. • Expanding Dec. 1 • 14277 FM 1314, Conroe • www.bellamiablonde.com
• Opening in the spring of 2026 • 1414 N. Loop 336 W., Conroe • www.crunch.com
13 EveryBellies The Tomball restaurant’s second location will offer loaded potatoes, salads and shakes. • Opening in December • 20212 Eva St., Montgomery • www.everybellies.com
• 15895 Stonecrest Drive, Conroe • https://campbell.conroeisd.net
In the news
18 Two Step Farm Oxland Group announced Oct. 23 that Two Step Farm will feature a 55-plus community developed by Trilogy by Shea Homes, with prices starting in the $400,000s. • 3319 Wilderness Way, Montgomery • https://twostepfarm.com 19 Mittie J. Campbell Elementary School The Montgomery County Historical Commission held a dedication ceremony on Oct. 30 for a historical marker at Conroe ISD’s Mittie J. Campbell Elementary School, which opened in August.
Closings
21 Conroe Feeders Supply The business was a farm and ranch supply store specializing in agricultural needs. • Closed Oct. 1 • 100 S. Main St., Conroe • www.conroefeederssupply.com
What’s next PERMITS FILED WITH THE TEXAS
DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION
14 Dudley Sports Plaza The plaza planned to begin construction of its Elite Pickleball Club Oct. 15, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing. • 3905 FM 1488, Ste. 110-120, The Woodlands • www.sportsdevelopers.com
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Government
BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN
Montgomery’s new city administrator Brent Walker shares priorities Brent Walker, Montgomery’s new city adminis- trator, was appointed May 27 and brings municipal administration and nance experience to his new position. In an interview, Walker shared his top budget priorities and thoughts on growth. Can you share a bit about your professional background and what experiences have best prepared you to lead the city of Montgomery? I’ve spent my career in municipal administration and nance. ... This experience gives me ... under- standing of how to balance community needs with sound nancial management. What inspired you to take on this role, and what values or priorities guide your approach? I was drawn to Montgomery by the chance to
support a growing, engaged community. I approach public service with transparency, accountability, and collaboration, focusing on decisions that bene t residents today and in the long term. Since stepping into o ce, what have you learned about Montgomery’s biggest strengths and challenges that may have surprised you? Montgomery’s biggest strength is its community— people care about their city and are willing to be involved. What’s become clear is that rapid growth requires careful planning in areas like roads, utili- ties, and development to maintain quality of life. With Montgomery’s rapid development, how do you plan to balance continued growth with the city’s infrastructure capacity—particularly around water, roads and utilities? We’re focusing on long-term planning and coor- dination to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with growth. This includes water, roads, and utilities, so residents continue to have reliable services. What are your top budget priorities for the coming year, and how do they re ect your long-term vision
COURTESY BRENT WALKER
for the city’s sustainability? My top priorities are infrastructure, public safety, and essential services. My municipal nance back- ground helps ensure that investments are sustain- able, addressing long-term needs while maintaining scal responsibility.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For a longer version, please scan QR
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Government
BY ATIRIKTA KUMAR
Partnership targets human trafficking
The outlook
The DA’s office is now working to gather human trafficking data from Montgomery County for HTI as part of the agreement, officials said in October. The partnership began with a two-day training for regional law enforcement entities in September. “Our office has already engaged in training,” the DA’s office said in a statement. “Our office has also participated in operations directed at targeting human trafficking in our area.” Through this partnership, HTI and Montgomery County aim to continue holding informational and technical training sessions to increase awareness and assess key areas for enforcement, according to information from the partner agencies.
A new partnership underway in Montgomery County will bring additional training and resources to local law enforcement agencies to curb human trafficking, officials said. Following the formation of an HTI Texas program this year, Montgomery County is one of five counties in Texas to form a multiyear partnership this fall with the international Human Trafficking Institute, which aims to increase prosecution of offenders, said Tyler Dunman, vice president of programs with HTI Texas. The change in leadership in the Montgomery County DA’s office, which leads the partnership, will not affect these plans, according to a statement from the DA’s office. Brett Ligon resigned from the position to run for state Senate District 4 in 2026, he announced Oct. 2. While the program will target both child
Human trafficking cases in Texas Cases identified
900
2023
1,360
+51.1%
2024
Victims involved
1,751
2023
2,439
+39.3%
2024
SOURCE: THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
and adult trafficking, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services reported in 2024 the Houston region, including Montgomery and Harris counties, had 26 incidents of suspected or confirmed trafficking of children as of 2024, the most of any region it tracked that year.
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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION
WRAPPED IN WONDER WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS DINNER THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18 | 6:30 P.M. Woodforest Worship Center $25 per person Kick off the Christmas season with a special night for the ladies. This festive evening includes a catered dinner, entertainment and fun!
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19 | 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Oak Hills Junior High Cafeteria Bring your friends and family for a festive night of fun and fellowship! Enjoy a hot meal, a gingerbread house contest, photos with Santa, live music and Christmas stories.
Register for this free event at thewoodlandsmethodist.org/christmas or scan the QR code.
Meeting at Oak Hills Junior High 19190 Keenan Cutoff Road | Montgomery, Texas 77316
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Government
BY ATIRIKTA KUMAR, HANNAH NORTON & NICHAELA SHAHEEN
Conroe Hyatt hotel valued at 83% loss
Special election set for Senate District 4 A special election will be held May 2 to ll Texas Senate District 4, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Oct. 16. The seat became vacant when former Sen. Brandon Creighton resigned from the legislature to lead the Texas Tech University System. Senate District 4 covers all of Chambers County, a large portion of Montgomery County and parts of Je erson, Harris and Galveston counties, serving a total popu- lation of 954,803 people at the time of the 2020 census. What you need to know Prospective candidates have until March 3 to le to appear on the special election ballot, per the governor’s proclamation. On Oct. 2, Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon resigned from his position to run for Senate District 4. Whoever wins the special election will serve the remainder of Creighton’s term, which runs until January 2027.
“We have clearly identi ed the problem, and I look forward to how we remedy this issue.” DUKE COON, CONROE MAYOR
The Hyatt Regency Conroe and Convention Center has an independent valuation placing the property’s current worth between $22 million and $24 million—a fraction of its original approximated $134 million cost, as shared during an Oct. 23 Conroe City Council meeting. Explained The hotel’s cash ow and performance have fallen well short of initial projections, according to Jones Lang LaSalle, the rm commissioned by the city to evaluate the property. If sold, JLL estimated, “the value is somewhere between $22 [million] and $24 million.” “In 2024, the occupancy was 42.8%. ... The original projection was ... a 70% occupancy,” the rm’s representative said, sharing that the hotel made a pro t of about $1.5 million this year. Diving in deeper City Administrator Gary Scott said the hotel has lost 83% of its original value and would require a “refresh” of about $15 million in 2028 for repaint- ing and new furniture, per its contract. Council members expressed frustration over the loss.
“This hotel has become the worst and most expensive nancial investment in Conroe’s history,” council member Harry Hardman said. Council members and sta reiterated that current leadership was not involved in approving or managing the project. “Councilman [Shana] Arthur and I ran for this o ce to uncover the truth, report the facts to the citizens and hold those responsible accountable,” council member David Hairel said. Hairel also said the city’s total indebtedness is $166 million when including bonds issued through the Conroe Industrial Development Corp. While no action was taken, Mayor Duke Coon said the council would work toward solutions. County allocates nearly $70M of road bond funds Montgomery County commissioners have allo- cated almost $70 million to road bond projects, which is more than half of the rst issuance from the county’s $480 million road bond program, per an update presented during the Oct. 28 Commissioners Court meeting. The breakdown Budget O cer Amanda Carter told commis- sioners the rst round of funds is already more than 50% allocated within just a few months. O cials said they are preparing for the next round of the bond issuance to provide more funding for road bond projects. Of that amount, about $60.1 million remains to be distributed. As of October, the county reported $129 million in total income from the 2025 road bond pro- gram—$128 million in bond proceeds and about
Governor appoints Mike Holley as DA
Allocations as of October
$31M
$17.6M
$15.7M
Gov. Greg Abbott appointed First Assistant District Attorney Mike Holley as the new Mont- gomery County district attorney on Oct. 29, per an Oct. 29 news release. Holley has been a part of the county’s DA o ce
$4.5M
Precinct 2
Precinct 3
Precinct 4
Precinct 1
SOURCE: MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPACT
Mike Holley
$1 million in interest earnings—according to the October nancial report. How we got here Montgomery County voters approved the $480 million road bond in May 2025, authorizing major transportation investments to address regional congestion and support growth across the county. This bond was the rst county voters had considered in 10 years, and it will fund 76 projects across the four precincts.
since 2012, and was promoted to the rst assistant district attorney in 2016, per the DA’s website. The details Holley will serve as Montgomery County’s DA until Brett Ligon’s current term expires on Dec. 31, 2026, per the release. Ligon resigned Oct. 2 to run for state Senate District 4.
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CONROE MONTGOMERY EDITION
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Election
BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN
Conroe voters approved nine of the city’s 15 pro- posed charter amendments on Nov. 4, per unofficial voting results from Montgomery County. Per the results, propositions B, F, G, H, I, J, K, L and O passed, unofficial results show. Propositions A, C, D, E, M and N failed. How we got here Conroe City Council approved the 15 amendments to appear on the Nov. 4 ballot during its Aug. 14 meeting, per prior reporting. Unofficial voting results show Conroe voters approve 9 of 15 charter amendments The city charter, originally adopted in 1965, was last updated following an election in May 2014, as previously reported. More details In early voting, there were 34,350 ballots cast countywide, which represents 7.38% of registered voters, as previously reported. Before you go Under Article 11 of the Texas Constitution, because at least one amendment passed, the city must wait two years before holding another charter election. Approved amendments take effect once results are canvassed. All results are unofficial until canvassed. Conroe City Council was scheduled to canvass the results during its Nov. 13 meeting after press time. The graphic below does not include all 15 charter amendments’ results. To see the full election results, scan the QR code.
Pass
Fail
Unofficial results for select Conroe charter amendments Proposition A : create city-manager government Proposition C: specifying what constitutes a quorum
For
Against Final result
40.12% 59.88% 43.42% 56.58% 38.51% 61.49% 58.96% 41.04% 63.32% 36.68% 55.62% 44.38% 52.52% 47.48% 21.79% 78.21% 61.24% 38.76%
Proposition E: specifies board and commission members are nominated by the mayor or a council member
Proposition F: specifies the salaries for the mayor and council members don't exceed $400/month and $300/month, respectively
Proposition G: specifies council members have no individual authority to direct administrative activities Proposition H: in times of disaster, the mayor will serve as the emergency management director
Proposition L: requires a recall petition to be signed by 15% of the number of qualified voters registered to vote at the last general city election Proposition M: decreases the number of council members who are necessary to call a special meeting from three to two
Proposition O : limits the amount of debt that can be issued without voter approval
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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION
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Models are not an indication of racial preference. Floor plans, maps and renderings are artist’s conception based on preliminary information, not to scale and subject to change. This is not an offer of real estate for sale, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, to residents of any state or province in which registration and other legal requirements have not been fulfilled. Pricing does not include options, elevation, or lot premiums, effective date of publication and subject to change without notice. All square footages and measurements are approximate and subject to change without notice. Trademarks are property of their respective owners. School enrollment and boundaries subject to change. Equal Housing Opportunity. 9/25. CM
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY ANGELA BONILLA & JULIANNA WASHBURN
Montgomery ISD opened its resource center for district sta and students in November 2024.
COURTESY MONTGOMERY ISD
Willis ISD’s resource center, named the Wildkat Resource Center, opened during the 2020 21 school year.
The Wildkat Resource Center sees around 80 visits per month for clothing assistance and around 300 visits per month for food assistance.
COURTESY WILLIS ISD
COURTESY WILLIS ISD
MISD, WISD resource centers supporting families
Montgomery ISD opened its resource center to supply students and families with necessities in November 2024. One year later, MISD o cials said they’ve helped about 350 families. The center was made possible after MISD partnered with the Montgomery County Food Bank, the Montgomery County Community Foundation and the American Heart Association, per prior reporting. Meanwhile, Willis ISD also has a resource center, named the Wildkat Resource Center, which is located in what was once the rst Willis High School. The center opened during the 2020-2021 school year to serve students and sta , and is led by Michelle Bischo . As part of the Wildkat Resource Center, the Kat’s Closet provides shoes, underwear, socks, coats, school supplies, clothing and personal hygiene items for district families. More details MISD’s Director of Community Service Courtney Dyer said the resource center, which is set up like a store, has basic food items, refrigerated and frozen food items, shelf items, along with some basic hygiene cleaning products and school supplies. The center at MISD is open to come in and shop for free once a month by appointment for any sta member or any family who has a student or students who are currently enrolled in the district. WISD’s center sees around 80 visits per month for clothing assistance and around 300 visits per month for food assistance, Bischo said. There
are also around 1,200 visits for school supply and backpack assistance each year and around 1,000 visits for Christmas assistance each year. “We’re always looking for wish-granters. We’re always looking for toy donations, new socks, new underwear, new shoes for our families that are in need,” Bischo said. The impact 60% of Willis ISD students are economically disadvantaged, while 28% of MISD students are economically disadvantaged, according to data from the Texas Education Agency based on the 2024-25 school year. “We will serve mostly our economically disadvantaged population, which varies from year to year, but it ranges around 60% of our popula- tion of almost 10,000 kids served on the free and reduced lunch list,” Bischo said. Quotes of note “If they’re able to save a little bit on groceries, they can put that extra money toward gas ... or maybe to even put toward a bill to keep the utili- ties on.” —Courtney Dyer, director of community service, Montgomery ISD “A lot of families don’t know about us, so we’re working really hard to kind of get the word out to our families about what it is we do.” —Michelle Bis- cho , Wildkat Resource Center director, Willis ISD
MISD’s resource center is open once a month by appointment.
COURTESY MONTGOMERY ISD
Willis ISD resource center
ROGERS RD.
45
N. CAMPBELL ST.
75
N
204 W. Rogers Rd., Willis www.willisisd.org/students-families/ wildkat-resource-center
CLEPPER DR.
Montgomery ISD resource center
105
N
20774 Eva St., Montgomery www.bit.ly/3C3BJ86
17
CONROE MONTGOMERY EDITION
LIC # 308565/104865
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY ANGELA BONILLA & HANNAH BROL
YES Prep launches expansion campaign YES Prep Public Schools has launched a new four-year, $80 million campaign dubbed “The Power of YES,” o cials announced in an Oct. 23 news release. The gist The campaign will allow the Houston charter school system to invest in technol- ogy and facilities while working toward becoming an “A”-rated district. According to the news release, the initiative will add 5,000 new school seats; complete YES Prep’s full pre-K-12 feeder pattern; fund the con- struction of six new schools; rebuild three of YES Prep’s oldest campuses; and invest in innovative programs, bilingual education and tools that prepare students for college, careers and leadership. Conroe ISD approves policies following new state legislation The Conroe ISD board of trustees on Oct. 21 approved 11 new district policies as a result of legislation passed by the 89th Texas Legislature earlier this year. The setup The slate of new education laws at the state level includes updated requirements from Senate Bill 12 that aim to expand parental authority on students’ moral, religious, educational and medical decisions, per prior reporting. Among the updated policies adopted in October in accordance with SB 12 are one providing guid- ance on teaching controversial subjects, requiring instruction to be objective and based on Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills requirements, according to meeting materials. CISD Superintendent David Vinson told the board and public at the Oct. 21 meeting there are two types of policy—legal policy to comply with Texas laws and local policy adopted by trustees that can be clari ed or expanded.
LSCS hires chancellor for alumni relations
Adopted policies include:
Board Policy EA: The policy covers where the district will post class syllabuses. Board Policy BED: The policy requires that parents of enrolled students can speak rst during public comment. Board Policy FM: The policy pertains to student participation in student activity groups, establishing certain prohibitions and guidelines.
Lone Star College System appointed its rst associate vice chancellor of Alumni Relations and Engagement on Oct. 20. Per the release, Carolyn Donovan will be charged with the development of the Lone Star College
Carolyn Donovan
SOURCE: CONROE ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
Alumni Association. Explaining the role The initiative aims to celebrate the
Conroe ISD developing 2026 27 calendar Conroe ISD is in the process of developing a calendar for the 2026-27 school year, which o cials expect will be presented for approval to the board of trustees in January. What to know Hedith Sauceda-Upshaw, the district’s assis- tant superintendent for teaching and learning, discussed the calendar at an Oct. 21 board of trustees meeting. As a District of Innovation, the district has the exibility for the rst day of school to occur before Aug. 25. Even with this exibility, there is a minimum of 75,600 instructional minutes in the school year, Sauceda-Upshaw said. She said the calendars a ect planning for families and the region. “Our calendar greatly a ects all family schedules [and] it a ects the county as a whole. If Conroe He said the cellphone ban, which was adopted at the Aug. 22 meeting to take e ect this school year, is another example of a legal policy based on state law, as previously reported by Community Impact . “I think it’s important for the public to know when you pass a policy, it’s not just, ‘Here’s a group of stu ’ and you approve it, but that you actually have ve steps that we take,” Vinson said. Those steps include determining policy needs; research and drafting; legal review; and rst and second readings, he said. The board adopted 11 policies at the Oct. 21 meeting and 12 more are in process to potentially be adopted in November, Vinson said.
achievements of LSCS graduates, foster professional and personal connections and create opportunities for alumni to give back through mentorship, advocacy and community engagement. The college system has a network of more than 150,000 alumni, according to the news release. What else? Per the release, Donovan previously led the alumni relations program at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island.
Upcoming plans Dec. 8-17: Additional community survey Jan. 14: Consider feedback Jan. 20: Board could adopt calendar Suggested 2026 27 holidays Election Day: Nov. 3, 2026 Spring holiday: March 26, 2027 Memorial Day: May 31, 2027
SOURCE: CONROE ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
ISD is not in session, neither are most daycares,” Sauceda-Upshaw said. She later clari ed there are several area preschools that follow the CISD calendar. Digging deeper The calendars can work as a recruitment tool, especially with the exibility for work days for the teachers to meet the required 187 days, Sauceda-Upshaw said.
19
CONROE MONTGOMERY EDITION
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Transportation
BY JULIANNA WASHBURN
Ron Papsdorf, H-GAC’s chief transportation officer, discusses priorities in Greater Houston area
Community Impact interviewed Ron Papsdorf, the chief transportation officer for the Houston-Gal- veston Area Council, about the current state of transportation in the Greater Houston area. H-GAC is a regional organization through which local gov- ernments consider issues and cooperate in solving problems in areas such as transportation. Papsdorf, who stepped into the role of chief transportation officer in June, spoke about the biggest priorities and challenges for transportation in the Greater Houston area as well as new trends he is seeing in mobility needs across the region. What are your responsibilities as the chief transportation officer? I have the honor of working with a group of dedicated professionals in service to the Houston region. With the Transportation Policy Council, we partner with local, regional and state agencies to plan, prioritize and invest in transportation system improvements to improve the lives of the people who live and work here. That means marshaling our resources to achieve the region’s transporta- tion goals: improve safety, keep the system well maintained, move people and goods efficiently, strengthen economic competitiveness and protect the environment. In your view, what are the biggest priorities for transportation and mobility in the Greater Houston area? I view addressing the region’s safety, congestion and air quality issues as paramount. If we can address those core issues, we will have a trans- portation system that contributes to a thriving and livable region. As an example, during the last three months of 2024, we experienced over 47,000 crashes on the region’s transportation system. Not only was each of those crashes probably the worst thing that happened that day to the people involved in them, but those crashes also make it harder for people to get to work on time, slow down the deliv- ery of goods to our stores and put our emergency responders at risk. That adds to our congestion, worsens our air quality and hurts the economy. What are some of the challenges this area has when it comes to transportation and mobility? The Houston region is large, dynamic and growing. Our population tripled over the past fifty years to 7.7 million people, and we expect to grow by another 3 million people over the next 20 years. The choices we make about how to manage and
improve the transportation system in response to that growth will have a big impact on the long-term success of the region as a desirable place to live and do business. We also have challenges with con- gestion and our ability to efficiently move freight through the region. In fact, according to a study by the American Transportation Research Institute, the Houston region has eight of the nation’s top 100 truck bottleneck locations and two of the top 10. As a port region, our economy depends on being able to move goods efficiently. The H-GAC is currently in the process of updating its Regional Transportation Plan. How will that plan guide transportation and mobility projects for the region in the near future? The Regional Transportation Plan is arguably the most important thing we do. It identifies the transportation investments we will make over the next 20 years that best achieve our region’s goals. Because we don’t have enough resources to do everything we want to do, let alone need to do, we must prioritize. Then we work together as a region to implement those improvements. Are there any new trends you are seeing in mobility needs across the region? Like most regions around the country, we’re still experiencing changes in travel patterns post- COVID, from some people working from home some of the time. E-commerce and increased home deliveries are influencing transportation needs. Finally, changing technologies like self-driving vehicles, artificial intelligence ... will change the way we use and experience the transportation system over time. What do you want people to know about the H-GAC and the role it plays in the region’s transportation and mobility projects? At our core, we are conveners. We bring people together to wrestle through difficult issues and collaborate to make the best possible decisions to address the region’s transportation problems and build a livable future.
COURTESY HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL
H-GAC Projected population growth
Harris Brazoria
Fort Bend Galveston
Montgomery
Chambers, Waller and Liberty
2020
66.7% 11.6% 8.8% 5.2% 5% 2.7%
Total: 7.09M
2030
62.7% 12.4% 10.7% 5.6% 4.8% 3.8%
Total: 8.33M
2040
60.2% 12.9% 12% 6%
Total: 10.15M
4.6% 4.3%
2050
57.5% 13.5% 12.5% 7.2% 4.7% 4.6%
Total: 10.72M
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For a longer version, visit communityimpact.com .
SOURCE: HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL/COMMUNITY IMPACT
21
CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION
Transportation
BY LIZZY SPANGLER
Update: This project is 90% completed, according to an Oct. 10 media update from TxDOT. • Timeline: February 2023-first quarter 2026 • Cost: $90.81 million • Funding source: state funds 6 South Loop 336 widening Project: South Loop 336 is being widened from two to four lanes between I-45 and Ladera Creek Trace. Update: This project is 42% completed, according to an Oct. 10 media update from TxDOT. • Timeline: November 2024-third quarter 2027 • Cost: $20.57 million • Funding source: state funds 7 South Loop 336 lighting Project: A project related to safety lights and other electrical services is underway along South Loop 336 between I-45 and Sgt. Ed Holocomb Boulevard. Update: This project is 98% complete, according to an Oct. 10 media update from TxDOT. • Timeline: December 2024-first quarter 2026 • Cost: $518,164 • Funding source: state funds 8 I-45 LED installation Project: High-mast LED poles are being installed along I-45 between FM 830 and Shepard Hill Road. Update: According to an Oct. 10 media update from TxDOT, this project is 90% completed. • Timeline: February 2025-first quarter 2026 • Cost: $1.45 million • Funding source: state funds 9 FM 1097 widening Project: FM 1097 is being widened from two to four lanes between west of Blueberry Hills Road and Lake Conroe Hills Drive. Update: This project is 80% completed, according to an Oct. 10 media update from TxDOT. • Timeline: second quarter 2022-second quarter 2026 • Cost: $20.21 million • Funding sources: federal, state funds
Ongoing projects
LAKE CONROE HILLS DR.
1 Hwy. 75 improvements Project: Hwy. 75 is undergoing improvements such as planing between Loop 336 and Gladstell Street. Update: This project is 9% completed, according to an Oct. 10 media update from the Texas Department of Transportation. • Timeline: first quarter 2025-first quarter 2026 • Cost: $3.3 million • Funding source: state funds 2 Hwy. 242 direct connector Project: A direct connector will connect northbound I-45 to eastbound Hwy. 242. Update: According to an Oct. 10 media update from TxDOT, this project is 9% completed. • Timeline: second quarter 2025-first quarter 2028 • Cost: $42.63 million • Funding sources: federal, state funds 3 I-45 high-occupancy vehicle lane extension Project: Between FM 1488 and South Loop 336 South, the HOV lane of I-45 is being extended. Update: This project is 77% completed, according to an Oct. 10 media update from TxDOT. • Timeline: second quarter 2025-fourth quarter 2025 • Cost: $1.26 million • Funding sources: federal, state funds 4 Hwy. 105 widening Project: Hwy. 105 is being widened from two to four lanes between 10th Street and South Loop 336. Update: According to an Oct. 10 media update from TxDOT, this project is 52% completed. • Timeline: March 2023-second quarter 2028 • Cost: $52.65 million • Funding source: state funds 5 Hwy. 105 reconstruction Project: Between South Loop 336 and FM 1484, Hwy. 105 is being reconstructed and widened from two to four lanes.
1097
SHEPARD HILL RD.
BLUEBERRY HILL
9
45
LAKE CONROE
8
830
1484
105
5
75
336
4
N. 10TH ST.
1
105
LADERA CREEK TRACE
45
336
GLADSTELL ST.
6
7
3
SGT. ED HOLOCOMB BLVD.
1488
45
242
2
SHENANDOAH PARK DR.
MAP NOT TO SCALE N
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