Howdy WHA Members!
While July is usually a quiet month around here, this year it’s been very active. Starting with Hurricane Beryl making an unexpected turn towards Houston over the 4th of July weekend. For millions of people in the greater Houston region this resulted in days (and in some cases over a week) without power. Recovery efforts went on for about two weeks and were wrapping up just in time for the biggest computer crash in history impacting 8.5 million computers across the banking, airline, medical, and other sectors. Meanwhile, two major effects have impacted local and national politics with the passing of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and then President Biden withdrew from the 2024 Presidential race. So far rumors suggest multiple Democrats are interested in SJL’s seat including Sylvester Turner, Amanda Edwards, Letitia Plummer, Jarvis Johnson, and Dwight Boykins. On the national side, former President Trump’s selected JD Vance as a running mate while Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nomination for President is still looking into possible running mates with an announcement expected in the next few days.
While elections often dominate the news cycle, infrastructure issues like flood mitigation and roadway expansion are important topics that influence our conversations. In fact, on August 15th we will be hosting our Annual Flood Control Forum. This year it will have a different twist. Partnerships in Flood Risk Mitigation will feature short presentations by Harry Masterson (EMBER) and Mayor Andy Chan (Southside Place), with each case study discussed by a panel moderated by WHA’s Flood Control and Drainage Vice Chair Alan Black and including Scott Elmer and Steve Costello. The panel will highlight the successes and challenges of collaboration for funding and moving the projects forward. As time is available, the panel will also provide feedback to anyone in the audience with questions about forming partnerships.
Then on September 12th we will be hosting a forum entitled “Connecting Communities: The Impact of Toll Road & TxDOT Expansions in Fort Bend.” The expansion of toll roads and highways in Fort Bend County fosters development, enhances connectivity, and drives economic growth. Planned investments such as Grand Parkway Segment C, Missouri City Park and Ride, widening of US-90 and IH-10, extension of Westpark Toll Road to Fulshear, extension of Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road eventually to SH-36, and continued evaluation and planning of Highways 36A, are synergistically bolstering the greater Houston region and enhancing our economic vitality. This forum will discuss how these projects are impacting quality growth for the greater West Houston region.
We also have a handful of committee meetings over the next few weeks. Join us August 8th for our Education & Workforce Committee, August 13th for our Sustainable Infrastructure Committee with guest Lisa Lin from Harris County Sustainability, August 15th for our Water Resources Committee, August 19th for our Regional Mobility Committee, and August 22nd for our Quality Planned Development Committee which will be discussing some communities up for the QPD recognition.
Thank you for being part of the West Houston Association! Your involvement is crucial in driving quality planned development, sustainable infrastructure, and ongoing advancement for our region!