Howdy WHA Members!
As we transition into April, the West Houston Association (WHA) continues to monitor developments that impact our region’s growth and sustainability. In March, Houston faced significant financial and infrastructural challenges. The City Controller reported a projected budget deficit exceeding $200 million, prompting discussions on potential service cuts or new revenue streams to address the shortfall. Concurrently, the court ruling we mentioned last month mandated the city allocate approximately $100 million annually for street and drainage improvements, emphasizing the need for enhanced infrastructure funding. In response, Mayor John Whitmire expanded an efficiency study to include Houston Public Works and the Controller’s office, aiming to identify cost-saving measures and improve resource management.
Meanwhile, Houston METRO approved a $10 million contribution to the city’s $70 million initiative to reduce homelessness and reclaim public spaces; it’s not yet clear how these funds will be used in relation to public transit. Also not clear is the future of Congressional District 18. With the recent passing of Congressmember Sylvester Turner several campaign announcements have already been made.
Turning to what’s happening here at WHA, we had a nice crowd for our Planning for Houston’s Future forum with City of Houston Planning & Development Director Vonn Tran and City of Houston Planning Commission Chair Lisa Clark last week. Efficiency was a major theme of the discussion, and you can read more about the event in this summary.
April brings a full slate of committee meetings, providing members with opportunities to engage with key issues shaping our region. Our Flood Control & Drainage Committee is meeting April 2nd to discuss state funding challenges and opportunities. Our Sustainable Infrastructure and Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces Committees will be going on a joint park’s tour on April 8th to learn more about high-quality sustainable parks. On April 10th our Education & Workforce Committee will meet to discuss the outcomes from roundtables on how University of Houston at Katy can meet the needs of the Engineering community. Our Government Affairs Committee will meet virtually on April 14th to discuss current proposed legislation with our members on the ground in Austin. On April 17th our Quality Planned Development Committee will finalize panelists for the upcoming QPD Symposium, and in the afternoon our Water Resources Committee will discuss their five-year plan. On April 21st, our Regional Mobility Committee is working to identify the next steps on priority projects in our region and planning our fall mobility forum.
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.
I’m also excited to announce that sponsorships and teams for our Rising Leaders Topgolf Tournament set for May 8th are sold out! You can still join us for camaraderie, the silent auction, and lunch with a caddie ticket.
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