Howdy WHA Members!
As we move into March 2025, the West Houston Association (WHA) reflects on significant developments in the Houston region during February that align with our mission of fostering quality growth and sustainable development. The City of Houston released a report by Ernst & Young highlighting financial and resource management issues within the city. This came on the heels of a court ruling mandating the allocation of $100 million for street and drainage improvements the city has not budgeted for. Meanwhile, Houston METRO has committed millions of dollars to support Mayor Whitmire’s initiative to reduce homelessness and reclaim public spaces as part of its “METRONow” rebranding, emphasizing reliability, cleanliness, safety, and accessibility in public transit.
Yesterday, on March 5th, we mourned the passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner, who recently concluded eight years of service as Mayor of Houston. Turner’s leadership played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s growth and resilience, leaving a lasting impact on infrastructure investment, flood mitigation, and development. His dedication to Houston will be remembered as a cornerstone of his legacy.
Moving forward, March brings a full slate of committee meetings, providing members with opportunities to engage on key issues shaping our region. Our Flood Control & Drainage Committee is meeting March 5 to discuss state funding challenges and opportunities and our Government Affairs Committee meets virtually on March 10 to accommodate our members on the ground in Austin. Then on February 11, our Sustainable Infrastructure and Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces Committees will be meeting back-to-back, they are planning a joint park-tour in April. On March 17 our Regional Mobility Committee will be working to identify priority projects in our region. Then on March 20th our Quality Planned Development Committee will be finalizing the upcoming QPD Symposium agenda. Our Education & Workforce Committee has been holding a series of roundtables to discuss how University of Houston at Katy can meet the needs of the Engineering community, these will be continuing in March and if you have interest in participating, please reach out to directly to the committee chair/vice-chair.
On March 27th we are hosting a forum entitled Planning for Houston’s Future featuring Vonn Tran, Director of Planning for the City of Houston, Lisa Clark, Chair of the Houston Planning Commission, and moderated by WHA Board Chair and Executive Vice President of Midway David Hightower, the event will explore the strategies shaping the city’s growth and development. Then on April 24th our Sustainable Infrastructure committee is hosting Building Resilience Through Sustainable Infrastructure. This forum will delve into the use of durable materials, efficient resource management, and adaptable designs, such as green infrastructure to mitigate flood risks and purple pipes for water reuse. By reducing vulnerability to disruptions like droughts and floods, sustainable infrastructure promotes environmental, social, and economic stability, ensuring our communities thrive long into the future. Join us to learn how these innovative strategies are shaping resilient, sustainable growth.
We are starting off 2025 strong and I am excited about the discussions that lie ahead to improve quality growth for the Greater West Houston region.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our shared vision!
Alan Steinberg
President & CEO
West Houston Association