Sugar Land - Missouri City Edition | April 2026

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Sugar Land Missouri City Edition VOLUME 13, ISSUE 8 APRIL 11MAY 11, 2026

Closings to come FBISD closes 7 elementary schools as part of boundary review

By Bradley Dountz & Aubrey Howell

"Even though I’ve graduated, I want my sisters and other kids to graduate from Austin Parkway too … Plus, no one wants to look back at their elementary years and remember how devastating transferring from a wonderful school to a crappy portable building is." SARAH WANG, FORMER AUSTIN PARKWAY STUDENT

FBISD Administration

WILLIAMS TRACE BLVD.

LEXINGTON BLVD.

Parents, teachers, students and former students spoke out against the boundary changes during the public comment portion at the March 9 meeting. (Jamaal Ellis/Community Impact)

Also in this issue

Impacts: Find out more about Pep’s Backyard coming to Sugar Land (Page 6)

Development: Learn more about the status of The Grid project (Page 23)

Business: See what’s new and upcoming at First Colony Mall (Page 25)

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

SUGAR LAND - MISSOURI CITY EDITION

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

About Community Impact

Community Roots: Founded in 2005 by John and Jennifer Garrett, we remain a locally owned business today. Texas-Wide Reach: We deliver trusted news to 75+ communities across the Austin, Bryan-College Station, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio metros.

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Jovanna Aguilar Angela Bonilla Sarah Brager Karley Cross Bradley Dountz Wesley Gardner Cole Gee Rachel Leland

Amy Martinez General Manager amymartinez@ communityimpact.com

Emily Lincke Roo Moody

Nichaela Shaheen Catherine White Kara Willis Ariel Worthy Graphic Designers Richard Galvan Ellen Jackson Matt Mills

Jake Schlesinger Jesus Verastegui Ronald Winters Managing Editor James T. Norman Product Manager Martha Risinger Quality Desk Editor Sarah Hernandez Houston Market President Jason Culpepper

Aubrey Howell Editor ahowell@ communityimpact.com

Elle Hawk Account Executive ehawk@ communityimpact.com

16300 Northwest Freeway, Jersey Village, TX 77040 • 2814696181 Careers communityimpact.com/careers Press releases slmnews@communityimpact.com Advertising slmads@communityimpact.com communityimpact.com/advertising

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SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY EDITION

Impacts

opened the strength and conditioning gym to impact the people he grew up with and their parents. • Opened March 23 • 7507 Branford Place, Sugar Land • www.stfhouston.com

W . A

Coming soon

4 7 Brew The drive-thru coffee stand offers a variety of drinks including lattes, cold brews, energy drinks, teas and lemonades. • Opening TBD • 10026 Hwy. 6, Missouri City • www.7brew.com 5 Big Air Missouri City The 30,000 square-foot adventure park will offer various attractions including a dodgeball court, obstacle course, slides and a toddler play area. The location will also host specialized programs for younger children and high- energy attractions for older children including dodgeball and cosmic nights. • Opening June 6 • 4799 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City • www.bigairusa.com/coming-soon/missouri-city 6 Majestic Developers headquarters The vertically integrated real estate development firm specializes in land, commercial and residential development with projects across the Greater Houston area. • 7627 Branford Place, Sugar Land • www.majesticdev.com 7 All Aboard ABA The business offers fast-start autism therapy with integrated communication support and built-in coaching. • Opening mid-April • 17101 W. Grand Parkway, Sugar Land • www.allaboardaba.net Kick Hot Chick’n The Nashville-inspired restaurant offers burgers, burritos, tenders and loaded fries at various spice levels.

LAKE POINTE PKWY.

SUGAR CREEK BLVD.

Missouri City

NBLVD.

MUESUM SQUARE DR.

1092

99 TOLL

W. RIVERPARK DR.

MUSTANG CROSSING

TOWN CENTER BLVD.

7 9

FREEDOM TREE DR.

Sugar Land

BRANFORD PL. UNIVERSITY BLVD.

MISTY HOLLOW DR.

COMMONWEALTH BLVD.

K W Y .

KITTY HOLLOW PARK

13 6

WESTCOTT AVE.

SIENNA RANCH RD.

SIENNA PKWY.

MAP NOT TO SCALE

2 Artistic Impressions Tattoo Studio Described by owner Spiro Kambitsis as an “upscale studio,” the shop offers custom tattoos and piercings. The shop has other locations housed in Katy and Cypress. • Opened March 7 • 403 Hwy. 6, Ste. A, Sugar Land • www.artisticimpressionstattoo.com

Now open

1 Nuthatch Montessori School The preschool offers programs for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years in five separate classrooms. The school also has after-school care and summer camps for elementary-aged students. • Opened Feb. 17 • 5630 W. Riverpark Drive, Sugar Land • www.nuthatchmontessori.com

3 STF Houston Longtime Sugar Land resident Jay Sutaria said he

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• Opening TBD • www.kickhc.com

Coming soon

Worth the trip

What’s next PERMITS FILED WITH THE TEXAS

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION

8 Chipotle The $1 million project is expected to begin construction in mid-August and finish by the end of November. • West Airport Boulevard and Hwy. 6, Sugar Land • www.chipotle.com 9 Playa Bowls The $230,000 project was slated to begin construction April 1 with completion expected July 1. The New Jersey-based franchise offers various acai bowls. • 2735 Town Center Blvd. N., Unit R, Sugar Land • www.playabowls.com

14 Pep’s Backyard The family- and pet-friendly entertainment venue will offer a variety of activities including music acts on the main stage, sporting events on its 26-foot screen and more than 20 TVs, a 21-plus rooftop, dedicated kid zone and onsite dog park. Additionally, guests can enjoy drinks from 30 taps, a full selection of mixed and frozen drinks, as well as a variety of rotating food trucks and vendors. • Opening early fall

Taste of Gold The restaurant is a collaboration with Athlete Playmaker Group, a company that develops and operates restaurants and bars co-created with tier- one athletes in airport terminals across the U.S. The menu features salads, sandwiches, salads, desserts and appetizers. Olympic gold medalist and Spring native Simone Biles’ favorite menu item, dubbed “Simone’s Skewers,” is available with chicken, steak, shrimp and vegetable options. • Opened March 24 • 2800 N. Terminal Road, Houston • www.fly2houston.com/iah

In the news

10 Chicken Salad Chick The fast-casual chain, which offers 12 sweet and savory chicken salad flavors, celebrated its first anniversary in Sienna on March 18.

• 13111 Hwy. 6 S., Sugar Land • www.pepsbackyard.com

• 9330 Hwy. 6, Missouri City • www.chickensaladchick.com

13 Empowered Plastic Surgery The plastic surgery business is currently seeing clients in Ste 220 of the same building as the office undergoes renovations. • Completion expected in June • 7616 Branford Place, Ste. 130, Sugar Land • www.empoweredplasticsurgery.com 15 Sugar Creek Country Club The country club is undergoing several renovations including changes to its lower-level member space, a new social lounge area and renovations to its golf course. • 420 Sugar Creek Blvd., Sugar Land • www.thesugarcreek.com

11 Freedom Tree Plaza The plaza, which is housed in the city’s historic site where enslaved people in the community were informed they were no longer enslaved after the Civil War, features the Juneteenth flag and now complies with Americans with Disabilities Act standards. • 4303 Freedom Tree Drive, Missouri City • www.missouricitytx.gov/569/Freedom-Tree-Park 12 Smiles at Telfair Family and Cosmetic Dentistry The dental recently expanded its office, adding amenities including more treatment rooms and overhead TVs. • 1227 Museum Square Drive, Ste. D, Sugar Land • www.smilesattelfair.com

Worth the trip

Marel Design Mobili Operating as the first Texas showroom, the Brazil-based furniture company opened in Houston in February. The brand is known for its lacquered finishes and diverse color palette. The store also offers cabinetry and custom furnishings. • Opened Feb. 12 • 3600 Kirby Drive, Ste. G, Houston • www.marelhouston.com

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SUGAR LAND - MISSOURI CITY EDITION

67% of Fort Bend County residential properties didn’t protest their 2025 property taxes.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Government

BY AUBREY HOWELL

Sugar Land begins $1.9M design for Public Safety Training Facility Phase 3

More improvements are coming to Sugar Land’s Public Safety Training Facility. At a March 17 meeting, Sugar Land City Council approved a nearly $1.9 million design contract with Martinez Architects LP for the third phase of the city’s Public Safety Training Facility. The project aims to transition the police and re departments from training facilities in other communities to Sugar Land, said Lane Wolf, senior manager of vertical construction for Sugar Land. The third phase will be funded by the city’s $350 million general obligation bond approved by voters in November 2024, Community Impact reported. The bond allocated $30 million for the project. “It’s great that the city of Sugar Land is seen as a regional leader in police, re, [Emergency Medical Services] emergency training and preparedness,” council member Robert Boettcher said. “The continued investment in it is a great way to continue that.” The city rst purchased the Central Prison Unit property in 2016 followed by site demolition and asbestos

Public Safety Training Facility phases Phase 1 Completed

Phase 2 Interim gun range Conex re prop Phase 2

Completed

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SOURCE: CITY OF SUGAR LANDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Looking ahead

training and an academy to host training—will be brought to City Council for future consideration, likely after the next general obligation bond, Wolf said.

Phase 3 design is expected to take one year to complete followed by a year for construction, Wolf said. Phases 4 and 5—which will include driving pad for vehicle

Brookewater

SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY EDITION

Government

Commissioner Grady Prestage named presiding officer for Fort Bend County

The background

Commissioners said Prestage will step into the role in the event George is “suspended or removed ... and/or ineligibility to serve” based on his felony conviction. The commissioners also named Prestage the signatory on behalf of the county in the circumstances when documents need to be signed by the county judge. Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers said the county received formal notification from the Office of the Governor that the county judge is no longer eligible to be the authorized official for any grants from the office due to previous indictments. Following this notification, commissioners directed the county auditor to “investigate, identify, research and provide the commissioners court any exposures or risks that said events surrounding the county judge have exposed or potentially exposed to the county.”

Sitting County Judge KP George was convicted March 20 on two third-degree felony money laundering charges—totaling $46,500—tied to campaign funds, said Wesley Wittig, Fort Bend County second assistant district attorney.

Fort Bend County officials have named Precinct 2 Commissioner Grady Prestage as presiding officer “in anticipation of the finalization of the conviction of the county judge,” according to statements at a March 26 Commissioners Court meeting.

KP George case timeline

May: Trial scheduled for misdemeanor charges

June: George announces reelection campaign as Republican

2018: George first elected as Fort Bend County judge

Sept. 26: George indicted on charges of misrepresenting his identity

2018

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

April 4: George arrested on money laundering charges

March 20: George convicted on two counts of money laundering

June 16: George sentencing

2022: George reelected as Fort Bend County judge

Sept. 17: Search warrant issued for George’s communication devices

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BY AUBREY HOWELL & NICHAELA SHAHEEN

What it means

Looking ahead

Fort Bend County judge Republican primary

Wittig told Community Impact that George was convicted on both counts “as indicted” and is being held on a $20,000 bond—$10,000 for each charge. Each money laundering charge is punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Wittig said George will not be removed from office immediately. Instead, removal language will be included in the judgment once sentencing is complete. However, if George appeals, that could pause the removal and allow the court to consider suspending him while the appeal is pending. Wittig said the appointment of a interim county judge would likely fall to commissioners, but said that question is outside the district attorney’s office and could depend on whether George is ultimately removed or suspended. The conviction comes after George received 8.43% of the Republican vote—the least of all candidates—in the March primaries. He was initially indicted last March for money laundering, where prosecutors claim he tampered

Prestage will serve in this capacity until a “qualified successor is duly appointed or elected,” commissioners said at the meeting. George’s term is set to expire following the November 2026 election, when Republican Daniel Wong and the winner of the May 26 Democratic runoff between Dexter L. McCoy and Rachelle Carter will face off. Sentencing is scheduled for June 16.

54.06%

Daniel Wong

12.75%

Daryl Aaron

12.52%

Kenneth Omoruyi

12.25%

Melissa M. Wilson

KP George

8.42%

SOURCE: FORT BEND COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT ALL RESULTS ARE UNOFFICIAL UNTIL CANVASSED.

Important election dates May 26 primary runoff election • April 27: Last day to register to vote • May 18-22: Early voting • May 26: Primary runoff election day November 3 uniform election • Oct. 5: Last day to register to vote • Oct. 19-30: Early voting • Nov. 3: Uniform Election Day

with campaign finance reports for personal financial use between January and April of 2019, according to court records. He was also indicted in the fall of 2024 on charges of misrepresenting his identity with intent to injure a candidate or influence the November 2022 election. That case is scheduled for court in May. Wittig said prosecutors have not decided whether to proceed or push the misdemeanor trial back until after the felony case is finished.

SUGAR LAND - MISSOURI CITY EDITION

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Government

BY BRADLEY DOUNTZ & AUBREY HOWELL

Inaugural Fort Bend Restaurant Weeks underway Fort Bend County foodies are invited to dine out for a cause April 6-19 with 13 restaurants participating in the inaugural Fort Bend Restau- rant Weeks.

Sugar Land opens FIFA volunteer headquarters Sugar Land ocials have opened a volunteer headquarters ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The details The headquarters will serve as the central hub for volunteer coordination, training and engagement for World Cup-related events, ocials said. The space will provide: • Volunteer recruitment, onboarding and training • Daily briengs and shift coordination • On-site activation support and visitor information • Volunteer rest and recovery space

Fort Bend Restaurant Weeks 1 Soliz Casa de Tacos & Café 2 LA Cajun Table 3 Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar 4 Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar 5 Parry’s Pizzeria & Taphouse 6 Pho Saigon

7 Avenida Brazil Churrascaria Steakhouse 8 Thai Cottage Sugar Land 9 Talyard Brewing Co 10 Fish City Grill

The event—which is sponsored by UpClose Magazine, inKind and Amaro Law Firm—will benet the East Fort Bend Human Needs Minis- try, a nonprot organization dedicated to easing hunger, preventing homelessness and uplifting the community. What residents need to know Participating restaurants will oer various spe- cials such as three-course meals, free appetizers or specic menu items with various giveback options, according to its website. “We are thrilled to join forces with UpClose Magazine and dozens of local restaurants that support the food pantry,” said Stacey Williams, executive director for the East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry. “EFBHNM feeds thousands of families each year, and partnerships like these help ensure that the food pantry can continue serving our neighbors in need.”

11 Half Shells Seafood 12 Berryhill Baja Grill 13 Aling’s 14 Johnny Tamales

N Visit www.fortbendrestaurantweeks.com to see oerings for each restaurant.

Sugar Land ocials held a ribbon-cutting March 25.

BRADLEY DOUNTZCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Sugar Land launches start-up innovation fund Sugar Land is launching a new economic develop- ment initiative designed to attract and incentivize startups to relocate to the city, ocials announced in a March 4 news release. The big picture

Sugar Land-Missouri City news 3 stories we’re following online

from a bank or venture capital and must relocate at least three full-time employees to the city for at least three years with an average annual salary of $61,240, per the release. The program will be available through two path- ways including Phase 1 and Phase 2 incentives both with varying requirements, per the website.

1 Sugar Land could change regulations for city boards

Sugar Land ocials are considering making some regulation changes to city boards and commissions to create a more consistent, transparent and ecient process. 2 Missouri City updates right-of-way maintenance requirements Beginning June 1, property owners will now be required to maintain the public right-of-way along their property including mowing and edging the grass up to the curb line. 3 Houston to provide $4M for playground improvements Houston City Council approved $4 million for playground improvements at 11 parks around the city during the March 18 City Council meeting. Nearby parks include South Main Estates Park and Windsor Village Park. Playground improvements are expected to take place throughout the year.

The Sugar Land Starts Innovation Fund aims to support the city’s long-term vision by building an innovation ecosystem while revitalizing empty oce space, according to the release. How it works To qualify, companies must generate at least $250,000 in revenue or have $500,000 in backing

“By focusing on revenue-generating startups and performance-based incentives, we are creating a clear pathway for innovative companies to scale while re-energizing existing oce space.” COLBY MILLENBRUCH, BUSINESS RECRUITMENT MANAGER

Phase 1 incentives are available for smaller startups with less than 15 employees. Phase 1 incentive requirements

Requirements

$50,000 incentive

$100,000 incentive

$150,000 incentive

Local full-time employees 3+

Product stage

Market ready

Product is live in market

Demonstrates quarter-over- quarter growth

Market demand

Demonstrated demand Considerable market demand Clear roadmap for scaling

Job creation

15+

25+

30+

SOURCE: CITY OF SUGAR LANDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY EDITION

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY BRADLEY DOUNTZ, AUBREY HOWELL & HANNAH NORTON

FBISD projected shortfall lessens to $38.5M Fort Bend ISD ocials said the district is expected to face less of a shortfall than projected. What you need to know At a March 30 board of trustees meeting, Chief Financial Ocer Bryan Guinn said the district is now expected to face a $38.5 million shortfall for the 2026-27 school year, down from the $56.4 million gure predicted at the board’s February meeting. However, the number is still up 46.95% from the district’s initial $26.2 million projection shared last summer, Community Impact reported. The details Guinn said the decrease comes after an expected $7 million in increased revenues and a $10.9 million in strategic stang reductions made at the central administration level. The budget outlook shows revenues at $855 $7.11M approved for consolidated center At a March 30 meeting, Fort Bend ISD board of trustees approved a $7.11 million construction contract with JR Thomas Group Inc. for a Special Education Trans- portation Center for Excellence aimed to provide specialized transportation opera- tions as well as rene sta eectiveness, coordination and service delivery. Ocials previously said the center would support the district’s growing special educa- tion population by consolidating sta across three sites into one centralized location. Next steps Work on the new center is expected to begin in April, per agenda documents.

FBISD creating local designation system Fort Bend ISD is in the progress of gathering data to create its own district local designation system as part of the state’s Teacher Incentive Allotment. The gist The Teacher Incentive Allotment, which was funded by House Bill 3 in 2019, has been implemented in districts across the state as a pathway for teachers to earn a six-gure salary, according to the TIA website. What’s next? In October, the district will turn in the data for state review and validation. By February 2027, FBISD will nd out if they acquired full system approval with Cohort 1 teachers to receive bonuses by August 2027.

FBISD 202627 budget shortfall projections $60M

$56.4M

$38.5M

$40M

$26.2M

$20M

Summer 2025

February 2026

March 2026

SOURCE: FORT BEND ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

million, which is $66.7 million less than the 2025- 2026 year-end estimate due to disaster pennies expiring and the loss of property value audit gains. The budgetary reductions for next year are currently $10 million. However, Guinn said there are several factors that can alter these numbers including unknown reve- nue from alterations to special education weighted allotments, savings from the school consolidation and the aftermath of health benets solicitation. Next steps Two additional updates are scheduled before the public hearing and nal vote on the budget in June.

FBISD one of leading districts for savings accounts Fort Bend ISD is one of the top districts across the state with over 8,000 students applying to receive funds for private education or homeschooling under Texas’ education savings account program, accord- ing to the state comptroller’s oce. Texas education savings account applications by school district

Some of Texas’ largest public school districts were home to the highest numbers of applications to the state’s new education savings account program. Houston ISD

The state received a total of 274,183 applications following the March 31 deadline extension, ocials said in a April 1 social media post. By the numbers As of March 31, Fort Bend ISD saw 8,429 students who live in the district’s boundaries apply for the program led only by Houston ISD and Dallas ISD with 12,267 and 8,617, respectively, data shows. About the program State lawmakers created the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program in 2025, and accepted students will receive funding for the 2026-27 school year. Funding is capped at $1 billion for the rst year of the program, meaning between 90,000 and 100,000 students will likely be accepted. Accepted students who are enrolling in private schools are set to receive $10,474 to spend on tuition and related expenses. Meanwhile, homeschool students are eligible for $2,000 each, and students with disabilities can receive up to $30,000 each.

12, 267

Dallas ISD

8,617

Fort Bend ISD

8,429

Northside ISD

6,955

Cy-Fair ISD

5,858

North East ISD

FBISD transportation facilities

5,414

1 FBISD Transportation Central 2 Hodges Bend Transportation Center 3 Lake Olympia Transportation Center

Plano ISD

5,206

Katy ISD

5,108

SOURCE: FORT BEND ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY EDITION

SOURCE: TEXAS COMPTROLLER'S OFFICECOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Election

BY HANNAH NORTON

Races to watch Some races at the top of the Republican runoff ballot include: U.S. Senate: Incumbent John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton Texas attorney general: State Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin Texas railroad commissioner: Incumbent Jim Wright and former Tarrant County GOP chair Bo French Texas’ new 9th Congressional District: Army veteran Alex Mealer and state Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park Texas’ new 35th Congressional District: State Rep. John Lujan, R-San Antonio, and Air Force veteran Carlos De La Cruz Some runoff contests on the Democratic side are: Texas attorney general: State Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas, and former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski Texas lieutenant governor: State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, and union leader Marcos Velez Texas’ new 18th Congressional District: Incumbent Christian Menefee, D-Houston, and U.S. Rep. Al Green, who currently represents District 9 Texas’ new 33rd Congressional District: Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, and U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson, who currently represents District 32

Texas held its primary elections March 3, with Republican and Democratic voters selecting their parties’ nominees for scores of federal, state and local seats. Yet some candidates aren’t done campaigning— dozens of primary races are headed to runoff elections May 26. In Texas primaries, state law requires that a candidate receive more than 50% of the vote to win their race outright. When no one meets that threshold, the two highest- performing candidates advance to a runoff. The winner of each runoff election will appear on the November ballot. What to know about May 26 runoff elections

More details

Texans who voted in a political party’s primary this March can only cast ballots in the same party’s runoff, per state law. Those who did not participate in the primaries can vote in either party’s runoff. Individuals who participate in third-party nominating conventions may not vote in another party’s primary or runoff.

Dates to know

Deadline to register to vote in the runoffs

April 27

May 15

Last day to apply to vote by mail

May 18

Early voting begins

May 22

Early voting ends

May 26

Runoff election day

SOURCE: TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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SUGAR LAND - MISSOURI CITY EDITION

Transportation

BY AUBREY HOWELL

See 3 transportation updates in Sugar Land and Missouri City

Upcoming projects

WILLIAMS TRACE BLVD.

MCKEEVER RD.

VD.

1 Industrial Boulevard panel replacement

2 Williams Trace Boulevard reconstruction

3 Trammel Fresno Road reconstruction

Project: The road is set to see the replacement of street panels on its northern side following reconstruction to the southern portion in 2018. Update: At a March 17 meeting, Sugar Land City Council approved a construction contract with Teamwork Construction Services Inc. • Timeline: completion expected by December • Cost: $2.27 million • Funding source: capital improvement program

Project: The four-lane divided road will be reconstructed from Oyster Creek to Hwy. 6. Update: At a March 17 meeting, Sugar Land City Council approved a design contract with Edminster, Hinshaw, Russ, and Associates (EHRA) Inc. • Timeline: April 2026-April 2027 (design); construction begins in July 2027 • Cost: $1.22 million (design) • Funding source: Fort Bend County

Project: The project aims to widen the roadway and install new concrete pavement as well as add sidewalks. Update: Missouri City officials said the design phase is nearing completion. • Timeline: late summer 2026-early 2028 (construction) • Cost: $11.7 million (estimated) • Funding source: Fort Bend County

Events

BY ROO MOODY

April

May

Crawfish Boil Fundraiser Talyard Brewing Co’s fifth annual crawfish boil will include adoptable puppies and a silent auction to benefit Jenny’s Rescue Ranch.

Mixers & Elixirs: ‘90s Night at Sugar Land Local 90s enthusiasts can gather at the museum for a night of neon colors, best hits, dancing and local bites. • May 15, 7-11 p.m.

• April 18, 2 p.m. • Free (admission) • 1033 Imperial Blvd., Sugar Land • www.talyardbrewing.com

• $25 (member), $30 (non-member) • 13016 University Blvd., Sugar Land • www.sugarland.hmns.org/visit/events

Water Safety Festival The Houston Swim Club is hosting the family event featuring CPR education, face painting, bounce houses and games to promote year-round water safety for kids. • May 16, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. • Free (admission) • 2711 Plaza Drive, Sugar Land • Facebook: Howey’s Third Annual Water Safety Festival The Wiener Run The day of racing at Oyster Creek Park includes rescue dog donations, adoptable pups, a live DJ and a free hot dog for every runner. • May 16, 8-11 a.m. • $25-$60 (per person) • 4033 Hwy. 6, Sugar Land • www.runsignup.com

Bloom & Brew Tea The second annual tea event celebrates connection and empowerment with inspiring speakers, unique vendors and a mimosa bar at the Missouri City Community Center. • April 25, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. • $40 (per ticket) • 1522 Missouri City Drive, Missouri City • www.fortbendcountyabwa.org “The Cat in the Hat” Experience “The Cat in the Hat” live on stage at the Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land. • April 29, 6 p.m. • $39-$187 (per ticket)

Passport to Play Celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week at the Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center with a passport scavenger hunt that takes participants around the world.

• May 9, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. • $15-$17 (per ticket)

• 198 Kempner St., Sugar Land • www.childrensdiscoveryfb.org

• 18111 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land • www.smartfinancialcentre.net

SUGAR LAND 3335 Hwy 6 S (281) 313-4446

SUGAR CREEK 13827 Southwest Fwy (281) 491-8628

MISSOURI CITY 5418 Hwy 6 (281) 403-0400

SIENNA PLANTATION 9034 Sienna Crossing Dr (281) 778-9959

NEW TERRITORY 5720 New Territory Blvd (281) 491-0811

Closings to come From the cover

99 1 Austin Parkway Elementary 2 Dulles Elementary 3 Arizona Fleming Elementary 4 Edgar Glover Jr Elementary 5 Mission West Elementary 6 Ridgegate Elementary 7 Sugar Mill Elementary Schools closing

What’s happening?

B L V D .

Fort Bend ISD will close seven elementary schools ahead of the 2026-27 school year. The closures—located in the district’s northwest/ central and southeast/central areas—were approved by the FBISD board in multiple 4-3 votes at a March 9 board meeting. Board members Angie Hanan, Adam Schoof and Angie Wierzbicki cast the dissenting votes. The closures come after a Feb. 23 recommendation from the district’s school boundary advisory committee following a January survey, which shows nearly half of respondents were neutral about the potential elementary school closures. However, 34% of all stakeholders were against the closures. Board President Kristin Tassin shared her past experience of rezoning her own daughter as a school board member and said she is taking into account the entire district’s future. However, Hanan said she voted based on what she thought was right, regardless of the consequences. “Some of my votes tonight reect that I know the burden that has been placed on me by the community, and my votes are based on the fact that I simply can’t surrender my judge based on this perceived threat of being on [the Texas Education Agency’s] radar,” Hanan said.

610

T .

SYNOTT RD.

S. BRAESWOOD BLVD.

1464

Sugar Land

INDEPENDENCE BLVD.

LEXINGTON BLVD.

COURT RD.

W. FUQUA ST.

INDEPENDENCE BLVD.

CHIMNEY ROCK RD.

N MAP NOT TO SCALE

Utilization rate Campuses were chosen for consideration based on campus utilization and facility index scores, ocials said.

Current enrollment

62%

527 609 411 340 482 400 524

Austin Parkway

Dulles Arizona Fleming Edgar Glover Jr. Mission West

77%

52%

40%

57%

50%

Ridgegate Sugar Mill

66%

SOURCE: FORT BEND ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Fort Bend ISD school closure survey results

The background

The nancials

Strongly oppose 24% Oppose 10% Neutral 49% Support 9% Strongly support 8%

The changes are a part of the district’s three-year boundary planning process due to stabilized enrollment patterns, resulting in under- and over- utilized campuses across the district, Community Impact reported. The consolidation of campuses focuses on seven campuses—each with enrollment under 600 students as of Aug. 29. The most recent facility condition scores indicate the campuses are less stable in terms of infrastructure, Zonda ocials previously said. Although the district was initially built for 100,000 students, Superintendent Marc Smith said the student population has not exceeded 80,000 students in several years, creating the need for the district to adjust. “The challenge that we are living with is that enrollment is a reection of a long-term shift that we’re seeing and is putting us in the situation that we’re in, having to make these decisions,” Smith said.

The closures come as district ocials in March predicted a $38.5 million budget shortfall for the 2026-27 school year—a 46.95% growth from the $26.2 million initial shortfall projection last summer. This comes after the district saw 1,801 fewer students enrolled in the 2025-26 school year than were budgeted, Chief Financial Ocer Bryan Guinn said.

Only 17% of all stakeholders support the closure of schools.

SOURCE: FORT BEND ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Projected enrollment scenarios vs. actual enrollment

Reduced scenario

10-year forecast

Accelerated scenario

Actual

By the numbers

81K

$26.2 million initial projected shortfall for 2026-27 $38.5 million March projected shortfall for 2026-27

46.95% increase

80K

80,206

79,663

79K

$2 million in expected savings from the closures in the rst year $5 million-$7 million in estimated annual savings from the closures

The district has seen fewer students year over year.

78K

78,150

2023-24

2024-25

2025-26

SOURCE: FORT BEND ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY BRADLEY DOUNTZ & AUBREY HOWELL

What they’re saying

What else?

Looking ahead

The district launched seven new programs ahead of the 2026-27 school year as a part of its Fort Bend Redesign program aimed at retaining and recruiting students and sta. The new programs encompassing both primary and secondary schools that will go into eect this fall include: • High school virtual learning • Middle school choice programs • Two-way dual language program • Mandarin immersion program • Limited open enrollment The program also caters to faculty by launching an employee child care program and leadership pipelines, said Jaretha Jordan, FBISD’s deputy superintendent of teaching and learning. Jordan said the seven programs are the rst phase of a multiyear process.

The district will be prioritizing communication with students, families, sta and the community at large as these changes are implemented ahead of the 2026-27 school year, ocials said. Following the primary school boundary review, FBISD is set to begin secondary concept development in March and April. Final recommendations are expected this fall.

“We’re very distraught and we need time to grieve this, but they’re not going to stop hearing from us. As long as we live, we will remember what they did tonight.” JOHN STRADER, AUSTIN PARKWAY ELEMENTARY PARENT AFTER MARCH 9 FBISD BOARD VOTE

2026 Timeline March 9 Board votes to close seven elementary schools

March/April Secondary boundary concept development

August Students begin at newly assigned elementary schools

“This was a decision that I made, even knowing some of the challenges our students are going to face, because I think the alternative is untenable.” KRISTIN TASSIN, FORT BEND ISD BOARD PRESIDENT

March-August Elementary changes implementation

September/October Final secondary boundary recommendations

SOURCE: FORT BEND ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Development

BY BRADLEY DOUNTZ

Development at The Grid continues

Zooming in

The initial plan was to convert the center of the development into oces and have a surrounding gathering space. However, due to the lack of nanceable oce market, Murphy said they have had to adapt, bringing in a hotel group, a multifamily group partner to construct 250 multifamily units, restaurants and other forms of entertainment. With TGB Partners working on a plan, Murphy said he believes construction on this area will commence by the beginning of next year. “Our goal is to do it as soon as possible. It’s not a ve year out thing, it’s not a three year out thing, it should be way more immediate than that. It’s really as fast as we can go,” Murphy said.

StreetLevel Investments, got involved with The Grid almost 10 years ago. Since Staord is dependent on sales taxes because they do not have property taxes, Murphy said he knew they had to produce “an economic engine” in order for The Grid to succeed. “What we wanted to create was a place where people could live and dine and be proud to show o their city,” Murphy said. Seeds for the $500 million project were rst sown when the Texas Instruments campus, once one of the driving forces in the area, relocated to Sugar Land in 2012, leaving the site ripe with potential. However, Murphy said nothing has been nalized for what will go into the former TI campus.

Plans are being made to see Fort Bend County’s The Grid development to completion, ocials said. The 192-acre undertaking, located in Staord’s Innovation Corridor o Hwy. 59, has seen a growing number of retail, restaurants, apartments, oces and recreation options within walking distance since construction began in 2018. After navigating a pandemic, a costly demolition of the former campus, political maneuvering and preserving as much infrastructure and nature as possible, the county and its partners were deliberate in the choices they made, said Grady Prestage, Fort Bend County Precinct 2 commissioner. Brian Murphy, the managing principal of

The Grid development

Key:

MCALISTER'S, GREAT CLIPS, & EYELABS

Under development Executed LOI/contract

VERIZON & CHIPOTLE

AMEGYBANK ENERGY DENTAL

What’s next?

7ELEVEN

LAZY DOG

CAVA

FIVE GUYS PANDA EXPRESS

PORTILLOS PANERA BREAD AT&T

Target, Portillo’s and Cava have opened in the last six months with Panera Bread joining the area soon, Murphy said. Additionally, JLB Partners is tackling a construction project of 350 residential units. However, Prestage and Murphy said it could take three to ve years for The Grid to be fully realized. “It’s just putting all the pieces together—we’re working on that and we’re really excited about it,” Murphy said.

SALAD AND GO

AIRPORT BLVD.

PLUCKERS

OUTBACK

Future development

WHISKEY CAKE

CYCLONE ANAYA'S KELSEY SEYBOLD CLINIC

INNOUT

TARGET

CANE'S

COSTCO

SOURCE: THE GRIDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY EDITION

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