Pearland - Friendswood Edition | February 2025

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Pearland Friendswood Edition VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 FEB. 14MARCH 13, 2025

Increasing capacity

Cities work toward upgrading water infrastructure amid growing populations, usage

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

Pearland and Manvel are working on the largest infrastructure projects in their respec- tive histories—and each of them are related to water infrastructure. Pearland is working toward building out its new Barry Rose Water Reclamation Facility, which is part of a $216 million project to build the plant and decommission two others, and Manvel began work last year after approving a new water reclamation facility for $40 million, ocials with both cities said. Meanwhile, Friendswood approved a slate of water infrastructure projects in December for roughly $10 million, city documents show. The city is also working toward its waste- water master plan, which ocials moved forward with in October. Ocials expect the projects to increase both water and wastewater capacity and position them for future growth.

Barry Rose facility

STABLE STONE LN.

CLEAR CREEK

CONTINUED ON 24

Pearland began construction of its new Barry Rose facility in late 2024. The project will result in the expansion of its wastewater capacity.

RACHEL LELANDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Also in this issue

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Government: Learn about some possible projects that could be part of Friendswood’s new parks and trails master plan (Page 8)

Education: Read what Alvin ISD is planning to do about Walt Disney Elementary after a tornado hit the campus (Page 21)

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

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Reporters Jovanna Aguilar Asia Armour Angela Bonilla Melissa Enaje Valeria Escobar Wesley Gardner Rachel Leland Emily Lincke Ryan Reynolds Nichaela Shaheen Jessica Shorten Haley Velasco Aubrey Vogel Kevin Vu Carson Weaver Graphic Designers Richard Galvan Ellen Jackson Matt Mills

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Impacts

MCHARD RD.

Pearland

521

W. BROA D W A

WALNUT ST.

BAYBROOK MALL DR.

2 8 9

Friendswood

M AGNOLIA PKWY.

288

BAILEY R D .

BAILEY AVE.

2351

MILL FOREST RD.

MCKEEVER RD.

MEDICAL CENTER BLVD.

SOUTH ST.

142

1128

153

Manvel

MAP NOT TO SCALE

3 McDonald’s The business is a global fast food chain serving burgers, fries, chicken nuggets and desserts. • Opened Feb. 2 • 2150 E. State Hwy. 6, Alvin • www.mcdonalds.com 4 Rowan The business is an ear piercing and hypoallergenic jewelry brand and is backed by a medical advisory board. • Opened Jan. 25 • 700 Baybrook Mall Drive, Ste. A107, Friendswood • www.heyrowan.com

5 Remton The Vietnamese restaurant serves Vietnamese and Asian food like pho, wonton noodle soup, lemongrass beef

Now open

1 Firehouse Subs The restaurant chain offers specialty subs. • Opened Jan. 8 • 19804 Morris Ave., Ste. 100, Manvel • www.firehousesubs.com

stew and ramen. • Opened Jan. 17 • 1635 E. Broadway St., Ste. 125, Pearland • www.remton.net

6 Eye Care for Animals The clinic offers services for animals that have corneal ulcers, dry eye, pink eye, eyelid masses, cataracts and glaucoma. • Opened Jan. 6 • 15818 S. Freeway, Ste. 150, Pearland • www.thrivepetcare.com

2 JINYA Ramen Bar The restaurant serves slow-cooked ramen, with flavors including spicy chicken. • Opened Jan. 29 • 9240 Broadway St., Ste. 140, Pearland • www.jinyaramenbar.com

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BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

7 Cherry Moon Coffee & Bakery The coffee shop serves hot, cold and frappe Central American coffee drinks, tea and smoothies. The bakery serves fresh pastries made in-house. • Opened Dec. 1 • 2920 W. Bay Area Blvd., Ste. A, Webster • cherrymooncoffeeandbakery.square.site 8 Paris Baguette The French-inspired bakery cafe offers a variety of breads, croissants, cakes, Danish pastries and Lavazza coffee. • Opened Feb. 3 • 9240 Broadway St., Ste. 130, Pearland • www.parisbaguette.com 9 Crawfish Cafe The fast-casual seafood restaurant serves dishes such as gumbo, crawfish cheese bread and snow crab legs. • Opened Feb. 1 • 9240 Broadway St., Ste. 110, Pearland • www.crawfishcafe.com 10 BeauForia Aesthetics The facility provides several beauty enhancement services. • Grand opening Jan. 19 • 3327 S. Sam Houston Parkway E., Ste. 200B, Houston • www.beauforia-aesthetics.com 11 Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply The business sells clothing, tools, sporting goods and other products to meet home and outdoor needs. • Opened Jan. 29 • 2500 S. Bypass 35, Alvin • www.murdochs.com 12 Jamburrito’s Cajun Grille The first brick-and-mortar location for this New Orleans-inspired restaurant will offer a fusion of Cajun- Creole and Mexican cuisine with burritos, tacos and bowls. • Opened Feb. 8 • 11710 Broadway St., Pearland • www.jamburritos.com

Coming soon

13 Milano Nail Spa Manvel The 6,000-square-foot salon will have 50 spa chairs

and 25 nail stations. • Opening in March • 17221 Hwy. 6, Ste. 103, Manvel • Facebook: Milano Nail Spa Manvel

14 Parlor Doughnuts The shop will serve layered donuts with flavors including french toast, maple bacon, peanut butter cup, strawberry shortcake and lemon bar. • Opening end of February

• 15818 S. Hwy. 288, Pearland • www.parlordoughnuts.com

18 The Peach Cobbler Factory The dessert business offers a variety of cobblers blended with vanilla bean ice cream, including flavors such as caramel apple, blackberry peach, sweet potato pecan and cherry. It also sells banana puddings, cinnamon rolls, milkshakes, cookies, brownies, churro sticks with dipping sauces, Belgian waffles and various beverages. • Opening early February • 12810 Broadway St., Ste. 140, Pearland • www.peachcobblerfactory.com

Expansions

15 Changing Stories Autism Services and Consultation The new clinical facility is 9,000 square feet and provides the business room to add more clients to the

team’s caseloads. • Opened Jan. 16 • 17170 Mill Forest Road, Webster • www.changingstories.net

Closings

In the news

19 Nu’s Wood Fire Grill Banh Mi & Tapioca The business closed Oct. 7. It served pho, vermicelli and tapioca drinks. • 1635 E. Broadway St., Pearland • Facebook: Nu’s Wood Fire Grill Banh Mi & Tapioca 20 Dunn Brothers Coffee The business closed Nov. 17 after 13 years of business. • 201 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood • www.dunnbrothers.com

16 Standing Ovation Theatre The Clear Lake area-based theater announced its 2025 shows in late December.

• 17380 El Camino Real, Houston • www.standingovationtheatre.org

17 Pearland Natatorium The natatorium reopened in December after closing in July for a series of renovations.

• 4141 Bailey Road, Pearland • www.parks.pearlandtx.gov

YES, WE DO.

4 Expansion plans 4 Lines of credit *Fees could apply Loan decisions are made locally by people who share your interests. HomeTown Bank’s business lending options include: 4 Equipment loans 4 Acquisitions 4 Construction loans 4 Real estate purchases 4 Expansion plans 4 Lines of credit Sean Murphy, Senior Vice President, Loan Officer and Branch Manager OOOOO Five-Star “Superior” rating by BauerFinancial, Inc., awarded September, 2022 OOOOO 2651 Pearland Parkway • (281) 412-8000 • www.HomeTown.Bank OOOOO Five-Star “Superior” rating by BauerFinancial, Inc., awarded September, 2022 OOOOO 2651 Pearland Parkway • (281) 412-8000 • www.HomeTown.Bank OOOOO Five-Star “Superior” rating by BauerFinancial, Inc., awarded September, 2022 OOOOO 2651 Pearland Parkway • (281) 412-8000 • www.HomeTown.Bank *Fees could apply Sean Murphy, Senior Vice President, Loan Officer and Branch Manager share your interests. HomeTown Bank’s business lending options include: 4 Equipment loans 4 Acquisitions 4 Construction loans 4 Real estate purchases 4 Expansion plans 4 Lines of credit *Fees could apply Sean Murphy, Senior Vice President, Loan Officer and Branch Manager 4 Expansion plans 4 Lines of credit

commitment to serving the Pearland community.

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Sean Murphy, Senior Vice President, Loan Officer and Branch Manager 4 Free app for your smartphone 4 Send money to friends and family using their email or phone number* 4 Instant debit card transaction alerts with SecurLock Equip 4 Move money easily between external accounts* 4 Mobile deposit – Quick as a click! 4 Instant-issue debit cards 4 Online bill pay 4 Savings Made Simple – debit card transaction automatic savings tool 4 Money Management – create your own budget online! 4 Business Banking – Online cash management for businesses 4 Commercial Remote Deposit Capture for businesses* 4 Positive Pay check fraud prevention for businesses*

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We have a wide range of competitive personal and business banking services. And with that full-service convenience banking comes our HomeTown, accessible team of friendly staff members and their commitment to serving the Pearland community. Sean Murphy, Senior Vice President, Loan Officer and Branch Manager

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Loan decisions are made locally by people who

PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

Government

Friendswood officials consider master parks and trails plan EHRA Engineering, the engineering firm the city hired, recommended making several upgrades to city parks, including updated sports facilities, drainage improvements, dog park expansion, new playgrounds and enhanced lighting. 9 11 8 Friendswood parks 4

Friendswood may adopt a new parks master plan to guide development and maintenance of the city’s parks over the next five to 10 years. Officials said the plan could help the city’s chances when applying for state grant funding. The gist Friendswood City Council discussed a parks master plan at its Jan. 6 meeting, which details the renovations needed at roughly a dozen of the city’s parks and the best way to implement said strategies, according to city documents. While the document provided at the meeting doesn’t include specifics on potential costs of each project, it does offer a list of a funding sources, namely grants, the city can use to offset the costs. The plan also includes feedback from several pub- lic engagement meetings held with Friendswood residents in 2024. According to over 700 surveyed residents, improved trails and dog parks received the most support.

EHRA said adopting the plan would help the city’s chances for grant funding from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, as having a plan can boosts the city’s scores on its applications. Looking ahead Council member Robert Griffon thanked city staff and asked how the city could share the plan widely and make the case to Friendswood residents that the plan is a worthwhile investment for local taxpayers. “The bottom line is that these plans and designs cost a lot of money,” Griffon said. “It’s a really, I think ... great plan, but it’s very expensive.” City Council will review the plan and will vote for or against it on March 3.

MAP NOT TO SCALE

1 Lake Friendswood Park 2 Old City Park 3 Stevenson Park

9 1776 Memorial Park 10 Corporal Steven Schulz Sports Park 11 Renwick Park in Friendswood 12 Lance Corporal Wesley J. Canning Park 13 Bay Area Park

4 Friendswood Activity Building

5 Centennial Park 6 Lundy Lane Park 7 Leavesley Park 8 Forest Bend Park

SOURCE: CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

BY RACHEL LELAND

Pearland OKs 7 members for charter commission Several Pearland residents were recently appointed to the city’s charter review commission, which has the power to review and recommend changes to the city’s charter. The details Pearland City Council voted 4-3 to appoint seven Pearland residents to the charter review commission, which is tasked with reviewing and amending the city’s charter, as well as ensuring it is compliant with new state laws. Although a new commission is selected every six years, the appointees only serve a six-month term, per the city’s charter, according to agenda docu- ments. The last commission was appointed in 2019. After the six-month term is over, the commis- sion will recommend updates to the city’s charter that could appear on voter ballots in 2026, city documents show.

Filing opens for May City Council election Following the opening of the filing period for the upcoming May election, the city of Friendswood had two people file as of press time on Feb. 6. What you need to know Incumbent Robert Griffon and resident Tom Hinckley have filed for Positions 4 and 6, respectively, according to the city’s website. Position 6 is currently held by Brent Erenwert, All positions are three-year terms, according to the city’s website. The city of Manvel has had five candidates file for two positions—two for Place 4 and three for Place 6. The filing period runs from Jan. 15 to Feb. 14, city documents show. For more informa- tion on filing, visit your city’s website.

New charter commission

• Victoria Forsberg • Shelly Heuser • Jim Johnson • Gerald L. Koza Jr.

• Alexander C. Okwonna • E. Craig Slater • Travis S. Spiegelhauer

7 members

12 residents applied

6 months of service for members

SOURCE: CITY OF PEARLAND/COMMUNITY IMPACT

What they said The disagreement among City Council stemmed from some believing the geography of members did not matter. “We wanted to balance our community as much as we could, given who and where people lived that submitted applications,” Mayor Kevin Cole said.

FIRST EDITION!

A TOUR OF THE STATE, MADE ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT FEBRUARY 2025

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

EXCURSIONS: A Port Aransas Quest CRITTER: Black-Tailed Prairie Dog OUT THERE: Meanwhile, in Texas MADE IN TEXAS: A Western Wear Pair FEATURE PREVIEW: Panhandle Fires, One Year Later

Above: Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, in Port Aransas.

PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

TEXAS MONTHLY FEBRUARY 2025

Dear Fellow Texan, WELCOME

I couldn’t be prouder and more excited to bring you this special edition of Texas Monthly ’s February issue within the pages of Community Impact . One great Texas institution meets another. Community Impact and Texas Monthly have shared goals: to equip you with the news and perspectives that help you understand your state and your neighborhood and inspire you to engage with the people and places that surround you. Each month, we’ll provide you a kind of sampler of what Texas Monthly has to offer. Food, drink, travel, critters, and a taste of some of the award-winning storytelling Texas Monthly is known for. Enjoy the next few pages, thank you for welcoming us into your home, and please consider subscribing to Texas Monthly. —ROSS McCAMMON

EXCURSIONS Among the Craniacs North America’s tallest bird stalks Port Aransas once again. Its fans are back too. BY ROSE CAHALAN

I'M LEANING ON the rail of the Scat Cat, a red-and-white charter fishing boat in Aran- sas Bay, when two bottlenose dolphins leap majestically out of the water alongside our wake. The midday February sun gleams on their fins as the pair chases us. “Look!” I shout. A few of my sixty or so fellow passengers turn to watch, but this is only a warm-up for the real stars of the show: the whooping cranes. Today’s tour is part of the Whooping Crane Festival, an annual four-day winter celebra- tion of one of the continent’s rarest avian

species—and its tallest. About two thousand birders have descended on Port Aransas, a Gulf Coast town of around 2,900 residents on Mustang Island, for the twenty-seventh iteration, which is packed with more than fifty events, including birding tours and lectures by scientists. (This year’s festival happens February 20–23.) Before the arrival of European settlers, more than ten thousand of these birds soared across the continent, but habitat destruction and overhunting drove them to the brink. By

EDITOR IN CHIEF, TEXAS MONTHLY

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Its Reputation As a Ranch Pest Is Changing. The most common of the five species of prairie dogs in North America, these charismatic creatures today inhabit only about 2 percent of their native range, which once covered roughly 100 million acres of the Great Plains. Agriculture and urban development have consumed much of that habitat, and some ranch- ers, worried that these prairie dogs were competing with cattle for grass, exter- minated them. It turns out, though, that they are beneficial for grasslands. SO HOW DO THEY HELP? Prairie dogs nibble down the woody shrubs that could hide their predators and that often take over grasslands. This preserves habitat for birds and animals such as pronghorn. Plus, the rodents’ digging mixes and aerates the soil, and their scat provides nutrients. HOW DO WE KNOW FOR SURE? Scientists collected data from a group of GPS collar–wearing cattle that grazed on three pastures within a pre- serve. In warm seasons, the herd spent more time on the prairie dog colony than in areas outside it. I HEARD THEY CARRY PLAGUE. IS THAT TRUE? Prairie dogs are susceptible to the syl- vatic plague, caused by the same bac- terium as the bubonic plague. But it’s primarily fleas, not rodents, that spread it. At a respectful distance, you can en- joy them without fear. —Robyn Ross CRITTER BLACK�TAILED PRAIRIE DOG

early efforts to revive whooping cranes with captive breeding. During several breeding seasons in the late seventies and early eight- ies, he even lived in a shed with a female crane named Tex, who had imprinted on humans after hatching at the San Antonio Zoo. “Cranes require a great deal of space,” Ar- chibald said. “Each species selects a different type of wetland or grassland.” Unfortunately, those are some of the most easily destroyed habitats: With no trees to cut down, develop- ers can simply pave them over. Captive breed- ing has played a crucial role in the comeback of the species. In the past decade, the Dallas Zoo has picked up the baton, as one of seven organizations in the U.S. and Canada to carry on Archibald’s legacy of breeding baby whoop- ing cranes to release in the wild.

1941 only 21 whooping cranes were left in the wild. Today, after decades of extensive conservation work, there are about 700 wild whoopers left. Wherever there are cranes, there are crani- acs. The birders who visit Port Aransas—“We estimate the economic impact to be near $1 million,” says Brett Stawar, president and CEO of the town’s tourism bureau—bring with them an intense enthusiasm. The undisputed king of the craniacs is George Archibald, the 78-year-old cofounder of the International Crane Foundation. Archibald was a leader in

A birder at Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, in Port Aransas, on December 14, 2024; birders in Port Aransas; a sign at the preserve.

PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

January 18-February 14

Give your loved one the ultimate symbol of endless love… a hissing cockroach.

Stop by the Museum Store to visit our Valentine's Roach Motel!

Endless Love supports conservation efforts of the Cockrell Butterfly Center

Purchase and dedicate a cockroach at hmns.org/endlesslove

TEXAS MONTHLY FEBRUARY 2025

MADE IN TEXAS

All Loud on the Western Wear Front With its bold colors and modern designs, the Kennimer label is drawing the attention of pop stars and New York Fashion Week.

Meanwhile, In Texas OUT THERE

BY TAYLOR PREWITT

A video of a horse riding in the back seat of a pickup truck in Fort Worth went viral on social media, with one viewer commenting “living in fort worth this normal to me at this point.” A woman in Dallas booked a rental car for one day, then drove to Wash- ington State and continued to use the vehicle for 46 days , telling Spokane authorities that she didn’t return the car because she was too busy. Claiming to be a member of the U.S. Army’s Delta Force special opera- tions unit, a man from Manor de- frauded victims of more than $12 million by falsely telling them that they were at risk of violence from drug cartels and offering “protec- tion” in exchange for money. A Richardson resident was named CNN’s 2024 Hero of the Year for running a nonprofit in North Texas that helps people going into treat- ment for addiction find temporary homes for their dogs. Billionaire Tilman Fertitta became the first restaurateur in Texas to of fer A5 Wagyu bone-in ribeyes from the Kagoshima region of Japan, which he sells at one of his Houston steakhouses for $1,000 each. Researchers at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi detect- ed low levels of fentanyl and other pharmaceuticals in the blubber of dolphins swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. —Meher Yeda

while Ben, who hails from the small East Tex- as town of Latch and previously worked in graphic design, handles the hats. They jump in to help each other with tedious tasks such as adding rhinestones or handsewing when needed. “We’ve always just worked well to- gether,” Ben says, recalling early collabora- tive projects that included a hot dog–cart side hustle and a screen-printing business. They work as a team to conceive a collection’s overarching look and theme. The couple are motivated by their network of musician friends, many of whom have be- come clients. “We’re excited to show people it’s not a trend,” says Bonnie of Western style. “It’s a staple.” They’re looking forward to de- buting a few couture looks in New York. Some of the pieces, which incorporate subtle nods to the Victorian era (such as high collars and covered buttons), are so intricate that they required around seventy hours of detailed handsewing.

IN LESS THAN a decade, Ben and Bonnie Kennimer have gone from teaching them- selves hat making and clothing design to cus- tomizing looks for some of music’s biggest stars. Their eponymous Western wear label, which they founded in Houston in 2017, is fa- vored by Fort Worth songwriter and soul sing- er Leon Bridges, the Houston trio Khruang- bin, DJ and producer Diplo, and pop star Joe Jonas. One of Bonnie’s dresses, for renowned songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jenee Fleenor, is housed at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame. And this February the couple will take their creations to a New York Fashion Week runway for the first time. Now based in Bonnie’s hometown of Aus- tin, the married couple splits the work down the middle: Bonnie, who has a background in costuming and tailoring, designs the clothes,

Ben and Bonnie Kennimer.

PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

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TEXAS MONTHLY FEBRUARY 2025

An estimated 15,000 head of cattle were killed in the Panhandle fires of February 2024.

flag warnings, an alert the National Weath- er Service issues a few dozen times a year in the Panhandle when a combination of strong winds and low humidity increases the risk of extreme wildfire. Though rain had been plentiful that winter and grass was thriving, unseasonably warm February temperatures had dried it out quickly. What should have beenarancher’sblessing—bountifulfieldsfor grazing—had instead turned into something ominous: “fuel load.” Adam, a 31-year-old with a slight build, shag- gy brown hair, and bright blue eyes, has the plumb posture of a man who takes pride in his work.He’dstartedpreppingforfireseasonthe week before, securing insurance for most of the 712 cattle he owned with his wife, Aubrie, a 30-year-old with sympathetic brown eyes and strawberry blond hair. They’d decided against paying the higher premiums to cover the full herd, largely because they’d made it through the previous five seasons unburned. Adam was no stranger to fire risks. The youngest of two boys, he’d known he want- ed to be in the cattle business since he was a five-year-old playing with a toy Ford pickup that was identical to the one his dad drove around their family’s ranch in Canadian, an almost utopian hamlet of 2,300 in the rolling sand hills and caprocks northeast of Amarillo. Adam earned a degree in ranch management at Texas Tech University. That’s where he met Aubrie, the daughter of an accountant and a rodeo competitor turned professor who’d given up horses when his children were born. To read the full story, please subscribe to Texas Monthly .

WHEN THE TOWERING black plume first sprouted on the western horizon, it wasn’t much cause for alarm. The sky in the north- eastern Panhandle is near-boundless, and from his Hemphill County ranch Adam Isaacs often spottedsmokefromfiresthatwereahundred miles away. Few of them ever threatened his property. This one, he knew, had gotten started roughly seventy miles west, and though the winds were blowing his way, the flames had a lot of ground to cover before Adam would allow himself to get concerned. His land, his livestock, his loved ones—none were at risk. Not right away. But the potential was there. That Monday morning, February 26, had brought one of the 2024 fire season’s first red

FEATURE PREVIEW

Where There’s Smoke After last year’s historic Panhandle inferno, Adam and Aubrie Isaacs are among the many ranchers in the region weighing how—and whether—to carry on. BY EMILY McCULLAR

READ THIS FEATURE AND MORE IN THE FEBRUARY ISSUE TK AUDIENCE SPACE

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PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

Transportation

BY RACHEL LELAND & JAMES T. NORMAN

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

Blackhawk Boulevard north of Friendswood to see roadwork

Manvel approves new speed limits

Pearland OKs utility work for FM 518 project Pearland City Council approved a $1.6 million contract on Jan. 13 to relocate utility lines related to the widening of FM 518 between Cullen Park- way and McLean Road. The work, which will consist of relocating water and wastewater infrastructure, will be handled by engineering firm Cobb, Fendley & Associates, which was awarded the contract. The gist The widening project is a partnership between the city and the Texas Department of Transpor- tation. While the newest contract covers utilities for a section of the widening, the project in its entirety, broken up into an eastern and western segment, will run from Hwy. 288 to Hwy. 35. As part of the partnership, TxDOT will fund the widening construction, while the city is responsible for costs related to design and construction of

288

entity working on the project, and no others will contribute money, Kris Banks, deputy chief of staff for public affairs for Harris County Precinct 2 Com- missioner Adrian Garcia, said in a Jan. 29 email. The impact The purpose of the project is to increase traffic safety and mobility for pedestrians, as well as those riding bicycles, documents show. Banks said there will be one lane of traffic open in each direction during construction with no anticipated detour. Construction is expected to take about a year and should wrap up by 2026, Banks said. What else? The project runs close to the southeast border of Harris County. Just south, in Friendswood, the city is also working toward other improvements along Blackhawk Boulevard within the city limits, Community Impact previously reported.

Harris County is planning to start work in Febru- ary on a stretch of Blackhawk Boulevard totaling more than two miles in length. What readers need to know The stretch, which sits north of Friendswood and runs about two-and-a-half miles from Scars- dale Boulevard to South Sam Houston Parkway East, will include a removal and reconstruction of the road’s damaged pavement, according to Jan. 23 Harris County Commissioners Court documents. In addition, new sidewalks on both sides will be constructed, as well as new curb ramps at street crossings, according to agenda documents. Removal and replacement of driveway pavement for sidewalk crossings, manhole adjustments and other utility elements, as well as new pavement markings, will be included, documents show. The project will cost nearly $2.7 million and come from the county’s mobility fund, according to agenda documents. Precinct 2 will be the only

518

Manvel City Council approved a 45 mph speed limit along the new frontage road for Hwy. 288 at its Jan. 6 meeting. The full story The ordinance affects two sets of frontage roads within Manvel, according to city documents. The first set intersects with Hwy. 6, while the second is further north near County Road 58, according to city documents. The boundaries for each range from a little less than a mile to half a mile. The ordinance was approved with no discussion from City Council. City documents state those who violate the ordinance could be subject to a fine. The fine could also double if construction workers are present.

BLACKHAWK BLVD.

moving the utility infrastructure, documents show. Community Impact previously reported the work and total cost for the widening project, which is expected to be $65 million for the western segment and $62 million for the eastern segment, will be covered by an 80% and 20% split of federal and state funding, respectively. What’s next? Cobb, Fendley & Associates is expected to complete the project by February 2026, according to agenda documents.

DIXIE FARM RD.

Pearland

2+ miles or 12,000+ linear feet

$2.7 million in cost

1 year of work

SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

LOWER PRICES on HUNDREDS OF WINES In-Store ONLY 2/1 - 3/1 No Limit on Quantities While Supplies Last

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ALMEDA 11130 Gulf Fwy (713) 910-3941

FRIENDSWOOD 3126 FM 528 (281) 648-5473

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Offering Curbside, In-Store Pickup & Delivery

Development

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

New electric supply warehouse to open

PEDC elects new ocers for 2025

A supply distributor is building out a new warehouse in the Lower Kirby District that ocials hope will open up by the summer. The company, Lonestar Electric Supply, will use the warehouse to provide industrial electrical supplies to various industries, according to the Pearland Economic Development Corporation. What you need to know Lonestar is expected to bring dozens of jobs into the city and will oer supplies for industries such as petrochemical, and oil and gas, among others, as well as for large-scale solar projects, according to a December newsletter from the PEDC. “We’re excited to welcome Lonestar Electric Supply to Lower Kirby,” PEDC President Matt Buchanan said in a Jan. 16 email. “It will be another great addition to the growing list of businesses located in the district.”

As part of the new year, the Pearland Economic Development Corporation elected new leaders for its board of directors. The board members began their respec- tive duties on Jan. 16 and will serve through- out 2025, according to a Jan. 9 news release from the PEDC. The full story According to the release, those on the board who were elected ocers include: • Michi Bruns Clay, who was elected chair • Dena Hanks, who was elected vice chair • JW Washington, who was elected secretary All three are or have been members of local and regional committees throughout the Pearland area.

Lonestar Electric Supply will look to occupy its new building in the Lower Kirby District by the summer.

COURTESY PEARLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Lonestar Electric Supply

80 approximate new jobs in Pearland

114K+ square feet in size

SOURCE: PEARLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

MOODY GARDENS

Camp includes attraction experiences per day (weather dependent) ; with different program activities, ambassador animal presentations,

games, crafts, and experiments making every camp day unique! Feb 14, 17, 18; Mar 10, 11, 12, 13, 14; Mar 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24

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Before & After Camp Care Available

409.744.4673 moodygardens.org

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY HALEY VELASCO

After extensive tornado damage hit Walt Disney Elementary School on Dec. 28, demolition could be a possible option if insurance assessments deem the campus “a total loss,” Alvin ISD ocials said at the board of trustees meeting on Jan. 14. In the meantime, ocials are still waiting on insurance assessments from the tornado damage, and Disney Elementary students are attending classes at the former Alvin Elementary School site, located at 1910 Rosharon Road, Alvin. Ocials said they are uncertain of how long students will be at the temporary school site. The tornado was classied as an EF2 and caused substantial damage to the school, as previously reported by Community Impact. AISD continues recovery eorts

The action taken

“So many people came together, and we never imagined the donations we would get.” CAROL NELSON, ALVIN ISD SUPERINTENDENT

Following the tornado, the district received donations in the form of money and supplies, among other forms of support, district documents and social media posts show. Those donations in large part stemmed from supply drives hosted by the AISD Education Foundation and Pearland Mayor Kevin Cole. As donations rolled in, ocials also began to clean and x minor construction issues at the former Alvin Elementary site, where students from Walt Disney were placed following the end of winter break in early January.

An EF2 tornado damaged classrooms and other parts of Walt Disney Elementary on Dec. 28.

COURTESY ALVIN ISD

What's next

Eects from the tornado

$147K+ in donations collected through the Alvin ISD Education Foundation

That new combination school will be paid through the $380.1 million bond that passed in November, according to district documents. “There’s a lot of things that go in before you start constructing a school, so there’s processes that are in place, but know that we will be as transparent ... and share everything we can as we get more information,” Nelson said.

Whatever funds the district does receive from insurance on the building will be put back into the site, Superintendent Carol Nelson said at the district’s Jan. 14 meeting. The insurance outcome could also speed up the process for building the district’s new combination school, which will combine Walt Disney and Steven Primary, Nelson said.

449 students moved to old Alvin Elementary campus

125 mph winds from Dec. 28 tornado

SOURCE: ALVIN ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

Education

Pearland ISD reviews student benchmark data Pearland ISD students improved overall academ- ically in the rst semester of the 2024-25 school year compared to the previous year, based on data from benchmark exam’s taken in December. The data was reviewed at the PISD board of trustees’ Jan. 14 meeting. The overview At the end of the fall semester, students partici- pated in benchmark testing that allows teachers to track student progress and make necessary adjust- ments, according to district agenda documents. The 2024 data is compared to 2023 December benchmark data, district agenda documents note. Students in grades ve through eight improved from 2023 to 2024 in both math and English, language arts and reading, according to the data. Benchmarks for high school exams, however, varied.

Districts approve 202526 calendars Alvin, Friendswood and Pearland ISDs each approved their respective academic calendars for the 2025-26 school year in January. The full story While some dates vary, all three school districts will begin classes on either Aug. 12 or 13 and have a fall break scheduled in mid-October, according to each district’s respective agenda. Thanksgiving Break will run from Nov. 24-28 for each district, while each will begin winter break on Dec. 22, according to the new calendars. The last day of school for Friendswood and Pearland ISDs falls on May 21, while Alvin ISD will let students out for the summer on May 22, calendars show.

PISD students who met grade level

2023

2024

English, language arts and reading

100%

50%

Grade 5

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8

Math

100%

50%

High school exam benchmark data

100%

84 81

74 76

50%

Algebra I

Biology U.S. History

SOURCE: PEARLAND ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Friendswood ISD forming new cellphone policy Friendswood ISD board of trustees at its Jan. 13 meeting discussed a new district-wide cellphone policy amid new data showing high usage among students during school hours. Current situation

Student cellphone usage at FISD

97% of students admitted to using their cellphones during school hours 72% of high school teachers said cellphones are a “major distraction” 35% of teens admitted to using their cellphones to cheat on school work 41% of teens with the highest social media usage rated their overall mental health as poor or very poor

is taken to the principal, who decides either to give it back to the student after school or contact their parents to pick it up. Next steps District ocials said they are gathering data and information on possible policies. FISD ocials said the board could discuss a possible policy in March and move to vote on it in April.

Currently, cellphone use is prohibited during the school day at FISD unless a teacher permits their usage, ocials said. If conscated, the cellphone

SOURCE: FRIENDSWOOD ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

• Full Day PK3 and PK4 • Google Platform with 1:1 Chromebooks, grades 4-8 • STREAM (STEM) LAB and classes, K-8 • NJHS Honors and CTE Courses • Numerous enrichment activities after school • Counselor on campus • Intervention Specialist to assist struggling learners Accredited by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, TCCB-ED and recently named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School, we are mission driven to promote high academic standards within a Christ-centered, spiritual environment. Growing Children in “Wisdom, Age, and Grace” • Before and After School Care • Weekly School Mass PK3-8th grade For more than 25 years, St. Helen Catholic School has proudly served our parish and our communitites by educating the mind, heart and spirit. Accredited by the Archdiocese of Growing Children in "Wisdom, Age, and Grace" An Accredited School in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

• Dance and Cheer Squad • Athletics Programs • Big/Lil Buddies Program • Spanish 6th-8th • Fine Arts Programs • Religion is infused into every class • Before and After School Care • Weekly School Mass

Open House Jan. 26, 2025 • Full Day PK3 and PK4 • Google Platform with 1:1 Chromebooks, grades 4-8 • STREAM (STEM) LAB and classes, K-8 • NJHS Honors and CTE Courses • Counselor on campus • Intervention Specialist to assist struggling learners • Dance and Cheer Squad NOW ENROLLING PK3-8th GRADE for 2025-2026

• Athletics Programs • Spanish 6th-8th • Fine Arts Programs • Religion is infused into every class • Before and After School Care • Weekly School Mass

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Founded in 1997 Galveston-Houston, TCCB-ED and recently named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School, we are mission driven to promote high academic standards within a Christ-centered, spiritual environment. • Full Day PK3 and PK4 • Google Platform with 1:1 Chromebooks, grades 4-8 • STREAM (STEM) LAB and classes, K-8 • NJHS Honors and CTE Courses • Numerous enrichment activities after school • Counselor on campus • Intervention Specialist to assist struggling learners

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PK3-8th grade

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY HALEY VELASCO

Pearland ISD student to compete in Swiss ‘Olympics in Dance’ For Aubrey Daniels, it’s the love for the stage that she said keeps her coming back. “The stage is my favorite place,” she said. “I love touching the souls of audience members and impacting them, and I love just portraying our artistry and stories on stage.” Daniels, a tenth grader at Dawson High School, has been practicing ballet since she was three years old. Those years of practice have brought her to the precipice of international success, as she traveled to Switzerland in February to compete in the Prix de Lausanne, a ballet competition for those ages 15-18. Amid her busy life, which includes nding 20 hours per week to practice dance, helping advocate for educational policy at the state level and playing piano at Carnegie Hall during her winter break, Daniels said it’s all about keeping her priorities straight. The big picture For 2025, a total of 86 dancers across 42 coun- tries were picked for the competition, according to the competition’s website. In addition to being just one of 10 U.S. girls selected for the competition, Daniels is also the rst ballerina in the Greater Houston area to be selected for this competition in nine years, Daniels’ mother Kate Jiang said. “We’re denitely very proud of her,” Jiang said. “Being a ballet dancer, it takes years of dedication, and you don’t see dancers climb up that high.”

Daniels was one of 86 dancers selected throughout the world for the competition.

PHOTOS COURTESY KATE JIANG

Daniels also plays piano, participates in the rodeo and helps advocate for educational policy at the state level.

Daniels said she has to practice dancing 20 hours a week while also balancing school.

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PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

Increasing capacity From the cover

Key water projects Planned projects 1 Sewer main installation along FM 528 2 Friendswood Parkway water line installation In progress

The overview

Barry Rose reclamation facility Totaling $216M , this project will include constructing a new wastewater facility and decommissioning two others.

All three cities saw their respective population grow by at least 12% from 2013-2023, according to U.S. Census data released in December. That growth has come with plans to upgrade each city’s water infrastructure to keep up with the rising capacity needs, officials said. Pearland’s new Barry Rose wastewater facility will replace the current facility with the same name and increase the city’s overall wastewater capacity by around 400,000 gallons of water per day. In July, Manvel began building out its new water reclamation facility as well, which initially will add an additional 1 million gallons of water per day to its capacity. “[Barry Rose] positions us for some increased growth on the east end of town because it’s got a little more capacity,” Pearland Director of Utility David Sohns said. Those projects in large part are being funded through utility billing, officials said. Both cities have approved, in some cases, double digit rate increases in recent years to meet those needs. Meanwhile, Friendswood has a litany of projects both planned and underway, including its new wastewater master plan, Director of Communications Glenda Faulkner said in an email.

3 Manvel water reclamation facility 4 Barry Rose reclamation facility

5 24-inch waterline project 6 New ground storage tank and other improvements Completed 7 Pearland Surface Water Treatment Plant

2351

PENNYSTONE WAY.

BLACKHAWK BLVD.

City of Pearland Surface Water Treatment Plant Commissioned in 2024, this $175M project allows the city to treat

RICHMOND LINK

EDENVALE ST.

INDEPENDENCE DR.

528

an additional 10M gallons of drinking water per day.

FRIENDSWOOD DR.

SPREADING OAKS AVE.

WINDSONG LN.

FALCON RIDGE BLVD.

FRIENDSWOOD DR.

FRIENDSWOOD PKWY.

Manvel water reclamation facility Totaling $40M , this project will expand the city’s capacity to treat wastewater by 1M gallons per day, and could be expanded.

528

288

SOURCES: CITIES OF FRIENDSWOOD, MANVEL AND PEARLAND/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Diving in deeper

total wastewater capacity to 1.5 million gallons per day when combined with its current plant. How- ever, the long-term goal is to decommission that existing plant and have the new plant expanded, which could eventually be able to handle 4 million gallons per day, city officials said Feb. 4. Friendswood has grown in its capacity to treat water and wastewater over the past two decades, Faulkner said. Officials said they believe the city’s current capacity will be sufficient through 2040.

ways Pearland has increased its surface water and wastewater capacity in recent months, Sohns said. Last October, the city also commissioned a new surface water treatment plant capable of treating up to 10 million gallons per day for drinking water. Two new groundwater well systems also went online in January after being unavailable for around eight years, adding another 4 million gallons per day total, Pearland Water Assistant Director Zachary Lillie said. For Manvel, its new facility will bring the city’s

For Pearland, the construction of the new Barry Rose facility will include decommissioning the city’s Longwood Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is outdated and located in a flood plain, Sohns said. Despite this, once built out, the new Barry Rose facility will take the incoming water from both the old Barry Rose facility and Longwood and increase the total wastewater capacity from around 5.6 million gallons of water per day to 6 million. The new Barry Rose facility is one of several

Friendswood

Manvel

Pearland

Capacity

Demand

Capacity

Demand

Capacity

Demand

Drinking water

4.6M

14.52M

0.9M

18.5M

44.4M

0.63M

2.9M

5.5M

0.31M

0.5M

8.8M

16.55M

Wastewater

10M

15M

0 0.25M

0.5M 0.75M 1M

0 10M 20M 30M 40M 50M

Millions of gallons per day*

SOURCE: CITIES OF FRIENDSWOOD, MANVEL AND PEARLAND/COMMUNITY IMPACT *AS OF JANUARY 2025

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

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