Cypress Edition | November 2023 (2024)

The e-edition is an exact replica of the newspaper with interactiveand searchable articles from all your favorite sections.

Cypress Edition VOLUME 15, ISSUE 3 NOV. 2DEC. 5, 2023

Blazing new trails

Residents enjoy Cypress Park near Little Cypress Creek, where Harris County Precinct 3 ocials plan to expand the trail system and add shing piers, among other upgrades.

DANICA LLOYDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Harris County Precinct 3 aims to connect locals to nature with $758M plan for parks, trails improvements

amazing green spaces,” Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said. “Our population is expected to double by 2045, which means engineered solutions for green activity spaces are a must for future generations.”

Released Aug. 31, the Precinct 3 Parks and Trails Master Plan includes recommendations for 69 existing parks, four new parks and 225 miles of new trails spanning from Cypress to Crosby. “We needed a plan to connect residents with our

BY HANNAH BROL, MELISSA ENAJE & DANICA LLOYD

Harris County Precinct 3 recommended more than $758 million in improvements to its parks and trails over the next 20-plus years as part of a plan that will impact 1.26 million people.

CONTINUED ON 24

Also in this issue

Impacts: Craw sh Cafe opening in early 2024 (Page 6)

Education: Cy-Fair ISD considers District of Innovation status (Page 13)

Business: Milk Mustache serves handcrafted cookies (Page 27)

Nonprofit: Camp Hope supports local veterans (Page 31)

for

Congratulations to Dr. Henry on his retirement! His leadership as Superintendent of the acclaimed Cy-Fair ISD will have a lasting impact on generations of students. Our lake-loving community is proud to be zoned to schools where learning ows easily and students make a splash .

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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. About Community Impact

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Jovanna Aguilar Asia Armour Melissa Enaje Wesley Gardner Cassandra Jenkins Shaheryar Khan Rachel Leland Emily Lincke Dave Manning James T. Norman Jessica Shorten Lizzy Spangler Graphic Designers Jatziri Garcia Chad Inmon Ellen Jackson Martha Risinger La’Toya Smith Jesus Verastegui Taylor White

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Ronald Winters Copy Editors Adrian Gandara Beth Marshall Kasey Salisbury Account Executive Karen Nickerson Senior Managing Editor Matt Stephens Art Production Manager Breanna Flores

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Impacts

• Opened Oct. 1 • 17355 Hwy. 249, Ste. 980, Houston • https://marias-bridal-more.business.site

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5 Incredible Burger Willowbrook Mall’s food court has added a new burger stand that oers handmade burgers from halal and 19% fat Angus beef. • Opened in September • 2000 Willowbrook Mall, Ste. 1181, Houston • www.shopwillowbrookmall.com 6 100 Grand The restaurant and bar owned by Kendrick Henix also hosts entertainment, including live music and karaoke. • Opened in July • 17355 Hwy. 249, Ste. 600, Houston • www.100grand.info 7 Clarke Plumbing The business oers residential plumbing services. • Opened Sept. 1 • 14150 Huffmeister Road, Cypress • www.clarkeplumbing.net

L O U E T T

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8 Karma Kolache The business serves breakfast items, such as iced coee, kolaches, doughnuts and croissants. • Opening by early December • 15103 Mason Road, Ste. C5-A, Cypress • www.alwaysbekind.shop 9 Cork It The Georgia-based business features an extensive wine list as well as small plates and charcuterie boards. • Opening Dec. 1 • 6845 Peek Road, Ste. 210, Katy • www.corkitgainesville.com 10 Lone Star College-University Park A 30,000-square-foot visual and performing arts center will house classrooms, an art gallery and theaters.

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MAP NOT TO SCALE

• Opened Sept. 29 • 11411 Greenhouse Road, Cypress • www.cadencecreektownelake.com 3 Más Furniture and Mattress The store oers Latin-inspired furniture. • Opened in mid-August • 19714 Hwy. 290, Jersey Village • www.mas-furniture.com

Now open

1 Ellie Mental Health The business oers in-person and online therapy. • Opened this summer • A 8118 Fry Road, Bldg. 2, Stes. 203 and 204, Cypress; B 11301 Fallbrook Drive, Ste. 300, Houston • www.elliementalhealth.com 2 Cadence Creek Towne Lake The 55-plus community oers amenities such as a pool, dog park, theater room and movement studio.

4 Maria’s Bridal & More The store specializes in wedding dresses as well as quinceanera dresses and other formal attire.

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• Opening Dec. 6 • 20515 Hwy. 249, Houston • www.lonestar.edu/up-vpa

Now open

Coming soon

11 Chick-l-A Construction on the fast-food restaurant known for its chicken sandwiches commenced in September. • Opening in January • 14011 Spring Cypress Road, Cypress • www.chickila.com 12 Athlete Training & Health The ¥tness and training facility is under construction next to Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital. • Opening summer 2024 • 27646 Hwy. 290, Cypress • www.athletetrainingandhealth.com 13 Guardian The height safety company has secured a lease for 71,645 square feet in the Willowbrook area. • Leased Sept. 18 • 16333 Hwy. 249, Houston • www.guardianfall.com 14 ShareTea The Taiwanese drink business boasts a menu of coees, juices and teas. • Opening late December • 17355 Hwy. 249, Ste. 910, Houston • www.shareteahouston.com 15 Welch Dental Group The dental o§ce oers family and cosmetic dental care to patients of all ages. • Opening March 1

17 Launch Pediatric Therapy The space-themed business is now accepting new patients in need of speech, feeding, occupation and physical therapy services. Owner Michelle Mitcham also serves as a member of the Jersey Village City Council and co-owns Senate Avenue Brewing Co. with her husband, Andrew Mitcham. • Opened Oct. 2 • 16000 Dillard Drive, Ste. 2B, Jersey Village • www.launchhtx.com

19 Crawsh Cafe The seafood restaurant is planning to open a Cypress location early next year. The restaurant will oer a variety of seafood options, including blue crabs, snow crab legs, king crab legs, Dungeness crab, shrimp, clams, mussels and lobster. • Opening in January • 24330 Hwy. 290, Ste. 500, Cypress • www.crawishcafe.com

tacos, fajitas and burritos are on the menu. • Relocating late 2023

In the news

• 15650 FM 529, Houston • www.aguirrestexmex.com

20 Hailey’s Italian Restaurant Reyes and Yasmin Maldonado celebrated ¥ve years in business Sept. 20. The eatery serves pastas, pizzas and seafood dishes for dine-in, pickup or delivery. • 10730 Barker Cypress Road, Ste. E, Cypress • www.haileysitalian.com 21 Houston Premium Outlets Following renovations, The Cosmetics Company Store reopened Sept. 16. Swarovski and Tumi are expected to reopen soon once renovations are complete. • 29300 Hempstead Road, Cypress • www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/houston

Expansions

• 19655 West Road, Cypress • www.welchdentalgroup.com

18 Rise Gym The local gym has opened its barbell expansion and plans to open an athletic center next door in November that will include pickleball courts and a gathering space. • Expanded Sept. 23 • 11703 Spring Cypress Road, Tomball • www.risegymtx.com

Relocations

16 Aguirre’s Tex-Mex The location at 6166 Hwy. 6 N., Houston, will move to a larger location by the end of the year. Queso, street

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Government

BY MELISSA ENAJE

Harris County o cials plan to revitalize NRG Park Plans to revitalize the home of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Houston Texans are moving forward after Harris County commissioners voted unanimously Oct. 10 to task county ocials with redeveloping the NRG Park complex and surrounding region. 90 NRG Center NRG Park Houston Astrodome NRG Stadium

Harris Center opens mobile wellness clinic A new community health care initiative is taking place with the launch of a mobile wellness clinic in September. The mobile clinic will address the full wellness needs of each patient, including physical, mental and behavioral health. The details Ocials with The Harris Center said that while the mobile wellness clinic will initially partner with community centers for events in precincts 1 and 2, it won’t be limited to just those two areas. “We’ll look at what they’re currently doing with their activities because they’re already connected to the community, and then we add the mobile wellness vehicles to go to these events,” Director Stanley Williams said.

The Harris County Sports and Convention Cor- poration will develop at least two alternative plans to re-envision NRG Park, which is a 350-acre sports and entertainment complex owned by the county that hosts more than 5.5 million people annually. Digging deeper HCSCC Chair James Dixon II said the organi- zation will work collaboratively with input from tenants, the rodeo and the Texans, and ensure the greatest benet for all key stakeholders, such as county residents, and Houston’s diverse residen- tial and business communities. “If we are really methodical and strategic and collaborative and work with pure intent, we can all

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end up with something out there that becomes a legacy project for our future,” Dixon said. Ideas discussed for the project included adding more green space, replacing parts of the parking lot with economic mixed-use areas, and looking to potential developments in the surrounding area, Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said.

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Government

BY MELISSA ENAJE

28 county libraries designated ‘sanctuaries’ for banned books

The Harris County Public Library system has o cially joined a nationwide movement that prevents book banning and censorship, and main- tains open access to information. Harris County commissioners unanimously approved the o cial resolution Sept. 19 that designated the 28 public county libraries as “book sanctuaries.” More than 2,900 book sanctuaries are estab- lished throughout the country, according to documents from the Chicago Public Library that began the initiative. HCPL Executive Director Edward Melton said in a news release that it’s important for the library to provide content and information to everyone in a community as diverse as Harris County. “The thing about books is that they are crucial not only as mirrors that reect our own experi- ences but also as windows into the experiences of others. The library must provide those opportuni- ties for all people,” Melton said.

Explained Guidelines in place for the HCPL system and its sta as book sanctuaries include: • Defending readers’ freedom to speak, think and read as they choose • Protecting library sta from harassment and intimidation • Collecting and protecting endangered books by making them available to the public • Fostering discussion about challenged and diverse books to promote understanding and mutual respect • Educating the public about current and past eorts to censor and ban books According to the HCPL news release, the book sanctuary resolution doesn’t bar library users from asking the library to reconsider items on its shelves for review or voicing concerns.

Library locations

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Fairbanks Library 2

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Education

BY DAVE MANNING

Cy-Fair ISD explores District of Innovation designation process The Cy-Fair ISD board voted 7-0 on Oct. 9 to initiate the exploration of the District of Innovation designation from the Texas Education Agency. The DOI designation allows districts to have exibility in school calendars, and the TEA’s website lists 968 districts across the state that have the designation, including neighboring Katy, Tomball, Klein and Spring Branch ISDs. The board last discussed pursuing this designa- tion in 2019 but did not move forward with it. Current situation The Districtwide Educational Improvement Council, which is made up of teachers, parents, community members and business leaders, will develop a DOI plan and, if approved, bring it before the board for approval later this year.

Cy-Fair ISD lowers property tax rate

District of Innovation exemptions

Not exempt: • Elected board of trustees • Curriculum and graduation requirements • Bilingual and special education programs • Open meetings

Potentially exempt: • Uniform start date • Class size and 22:1 student/teacher ratio • Teacher beneits, including state minimum salary, duty-free lunch and planning periods

The Cy-Fair ISD school board approved the scal year 2023-24 tax rate of $1.0811 per $100 valuation—a 16.5% reduction from FY 2022-23—during its meeting Oct. 9. District ocials said this is the lowest property tax rate in 37 years. The details The tax rate includes: • $0.6811 for maintenance and operations, or day-to-day district costs • $0.40 for servicing the district’s existing debt As part of the tax proposal adopted, CFISD also oers a local optional homestead exemp- tion of 20% of the appraised value of a home in addition to the $40,000 state exemption.

SOURCES: CYFAIR ISD, TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

What’s next • November: The DEIC will host a public meeting to discuss the plan and then vote on the plan. • December: If approved, the DEIC will present its plan to trustees who will then vote on the plan. The plan would then be posted online and shared with the TEA. • January/February: The school calendar commit- tee meeting will be held, and the board will vote on the calendar resolution.

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Transportation

BY DANICA LLOYD

GREGSON RD.

Upcoming projects

N. ELDRIDGE PKWY.

MASON RD.

G R A N T

249

3A 3B

CHAMPION FOREST DR.

SCHIELRD.

FAIRFIELD PLACE DR.

L O U E T T

99 TOLL

MIL

4 Cypress North Houston Road widening

N. BRIDGELAND LAKE PKWY.

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Segment 2 is slated for completion in less than a year. • Timeline: completion set for November 2023 (Segment 1); completion set for second quarter of 2024 (Segment 2) • Cost: $5.6 million (Segment 1); $4.9 million (Segment 2) • Funding source: Harris County Precinct 3 5 Mason Road, Cypresswood Drive intersection improvements Project: Dual left-turn lanes are being constructed on Mason Road as it approaches Cypresswood Drive, and the trac signal will be modied to accommodate lane additions. Update: The project is in progress and is slated for completion next year. • Timeline: completion set for second quarter of 2024 • Cost: $300,000 • Funding source: Harris County Precinct 3 Project: Harris County Precinct 3 will replace the two-lane asphalt road with a four-lane concrete boulevard from Perry Road to Jones Road. The project includes upgraded trac signals at Autumn Mills Road, Misty Moss Lane and Jones Road. Update: This project is in the design phase. • Timeline: TBD • Cost: $7.5 million • Funding source: Harris County Precinct 3

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portion of Telge Road from Tuckerton Road to Wyman Gordon Drive was reconstructed. Update: This project is in the design phase. • Timeline: TBD • Cost: $2 million for this portion of the project • Funding source: Harris County Precinct 3

Upcoming projects

1 North Eldridge Parkway widening Project: Harris County Precinct 3 will replace the two- lane asphalt road with a four-lane concrete boulevard from Spring Cypress Road to Gregson Road. The project includes sidewalks along certain portions of the road. Update: This project is in the design phase. • Timeline: TBD • Cost: $9.4 million • Funding source: Harris County Precinct 3 2 Telge Road reconstruction Project: The existing four-lane concrete roadway will be reconstructed, and new roadway signage will be added from Wyman Gordon Drive to Hwy. 290. Previously, the

Ongoing projects

3 Schiel Road widening Project: Schiel Road is being widened from a two-lane asphalt road to a four-lane concrete boulevard with raised median and storm sewer. A Segment 1 is from east of the Grand Parkway to west of Faireld Place Drive, and B Segment 2 is from west of Faireld Place Drive to west of Mason Road. Update: Construction is wrapping up on Segment 1, and

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The work we do together for students at Lone Star College-CyFair is transformational – we support individuals, families, and communities in turning their dreams into realities. We’ve expanded over our 20 years so that LSC-CyFair now includes main campus, a vibrant Cypress Center supporting specialty industrial programs, homeschool, and transfer students, and our Westway Park Technology Center providing a high-tech facility preparing students for careers in programming, networking, cybersecurity, and more. For those of you who first dreamed this college, who first put a shovel in the dirt, or first excitedly became a college student on this campus in 2003, know that we have since touched the lives of nearly 320,000 students and their families through LSC-CyFair. Over two decades, we have celebrated over 37,000 credentials being awarded to people whose families and personal trajectories are forever changed because of each of you in the community who have supported them. No better illustration of this exists than to reflect on the nurses, paramedics, and other health care professionals who had graduated from LSC-CyFair and joined the fight against COVID-19. I could not be more honored than to join my colleagues in service to over 23,000 students this fall and all who will follow them. Happy 20 th Anniversary, LSC-CyFair!

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Real estate

BY SHAHERYAR KHAN

Buyers face challenges as loans resume

The breakdown

Poll: Have student loans aected your decision to buy a house?

Losey said student loans make it harder for households to save for buying a home. Data from the Texas Real Estate Research Center shows stu- dent loan debt nearly doubles the time it takes to save for a 5% down payment on a $217,000 home, for example, from 1 1/2 years to three years. According to a 2021 survey from the National Association of Realtors, 60% of millennials who do not own a home reported delays of at least three years in purchasing a home due to student loans.

Yes

No/don't know/don't wish to buy a house

Gen. X (Born 1965-1980)

Baby boomers (Born 1946-1964)

Millennials (Born 1981-1996)

Student loan payments resumed Oct. 1 after a three-year forbearance. As such, local real estate experts said rst-time homebuyers in the Houston area are facing challenges alongside rising home prices and interest rates as well as limited housing inventory. Student loan payments were paused in response to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in March 2020. On average, Texans owe $26,273 each in student loan debt, according to Clare Losey, assistant research economist at the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University.

60%

53%

37%

SOURCE: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

What experts say

Houston median home sales price

Cathy Trevino, chair of the Houston Association of Realtors, said resuming loan payments, rising home prices and limited inventory are causing a “trifecta of obstacles” for aspiring homeowners. However, Steven Craig, professor of economics and associate dean of faculty and research at the University of Houston, said he believes student loan payments resuming did not directly reduce housing demand, as borrowers were aware of their nancial commitments.

+25.66%

$343,950

$333,000

$300,000

$265,000

Annual household income

10.9%

$30K

See Also

Cypress Edition | May 2023

Sept. 2020

Sept. 2021

Sept. 2022

Sept. 2023

Numbers are based on the average monthly student loan payment of $273 in Texas.

8.2%

$40K $50K $60K $70K $80K $90K $100K

6.6% 5.5% 4.7%

SOURCE: HOUSTON ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSCOMMUNITY IMPACT NOTE: SEPTEMBER DATA IS THE MOST RECENT MONTHLY DATA AVAILABLE.

4.1% 3.6% 3.3%

Looking ahead

Tricia Turner, a Houston-based Realtor and owner of Tricia Turner Properties, said she recommends prospective homebuyers

renegotiate student loan payment plans for lower monthly payments and consider a 40- year mortgage to lower payments.

Percent of monthly income spent on student loan payment

100%

SOURCE: CLARE LOSEY, TEXAS REAL ESTATE RESEARCH CENTER AT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Newland is proud to be a part of Brookfield Properties. We are one of the largest developers of mixed-use communities in the United States. With our partner, North America Sekisui House, LLC, we believe it is our responsibility to create enduring, healthier communities for people to live life in ways that matter most to them. newlandco.com | nashcommunities.com

Homes at Elyson ® are built and sold by home builders (“Builders”) unafliated with NASH FM 529, LLC (“Owner”), Newland Real Estate Group LLC (“Newland”) or their related entities. Buyers should review the purchase agreement, public offering statement., and other offering materials provided by the seller prior to signing any contract to purchase a home. Details on the prospective development are provided for informational purposes only and there is no guarantee that the nal development will match the developer’s vision. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. Copyright © 2023 NASH FM 529, LLC (“Owner”). All Rights Reserved. No reproductions, distribution, or unauthorized transmission of any portion is permitted without written permission of Fee Owner. (3/23)

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Real estate

BY SHAHERYAR KHAN

Active-adult communities continue to expand in Cypress, o ering low- maintenance living for those 55 and older. Cadence Creek at Towne Lake, Arella on Jones and Ivy Point Cypress have all opened in the past three years with amenities such as pools, arts and crafts studios, dog parks, theaters, and game rooms. Active-adult communities grow in Cypress

The details

The main dierence between conventional living and active-adult apartments is the latter is age restricted, according to the American Seniors Housing Association. Active-adult communities do not oer services such as assisted living or memory care as the residents are independent. Active-adult communities have a minimum age requirement of 55 for at least one resident in the home and do not allow residents age 18 or younger with some exceptions allowed by law. Caldwell Cos. opened the newest 55-plus community in Cypress—Cadence Creek at Towne Lake—on Oct. 5 at 11411 Greenhouse Road, Resi- dential Rental President Todd Johnson said. Cadence Creek oers one- and two-bedroom apartments, ranging in size from 760-1,230 square feet, as well as one- and two-bedroom cottage homes, which are 900-1,200 square feet.

Active-adult communities

PARK CREEK ACTIVE RETIREMENT

MUESCHKE RD.

249

IVY POINT CYPRESS

HUFFMEISTER RD.

ARELLA ON JONES

CADENCE CREEK AT TOWNE LAKE

290

1960

Houston's 65+ population

SOLEA COPPERFIELD

300,000

255,619

250,000

200,000

What they’re saying

150,000

Ivy Point Cypress on Mueschke Road is an active-adult community with one- to two- bedroom oor plans that opened in 2020. Another aspect the people who move to the community enjoy is the quietness compared to the city, Sandoval said. Ivy Point Cypress resident Anna Perry said she chose to live in an active-adult community in Cypress because she is closer to her family as well as hospitals, shopping centers and Hwy. 290.

Local senior living ocials said seniors desire living in a place that promotes a sense of community. Eva Sandoval, assistant manager at Ivy Point Cypress, said many seniors move to the active-adult community for the social aspect in which they can relate to others. “They want to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who are in a similar stage of life, allowing them to share common experiences and build relationships,” she said.

106,848

100,000

50,000

2012

2022

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU’S ANNUAL COMMUNITY SURVEY 5YEAR ESTIMATESCOMMUNITY IMPACT

CYPRESS EDITION

Real estate

Number of homes sold

September 2022

September 2023

Residential market data

44 65 64 87

21 22 32 24 30 21 39 36

Homes spent more time on the market in all Cy-Fair ZIP codes this September compared to last September. About 58% of homes sold in September were in the $200,000-$399,999 price range.

+4.8%

+47.73%

77040

77095

-25%

+35.94%

77064

77429

99 TOLL

144 202

-30%

+40.28%

77065

77433

290

1960

-7.69%

77070

249

529

Median home sales price

2022

2023

2022

2023

77040 77064 77429 77095

77065 77433

77070

77040

77095

-1.7%

+2.99%

$291,000

$345,000

$296,000

$335,000

Homes sold in Cy-Fair area by price point

77064

77429

+4.32%

-3.72%

$277,500

$375,000

$266,000

$389,500

77065

77433

-9.72%

-3.45%

$280,000

$420,000

$310,157

$435,000

September 2023

$800,000+

77070

-0.63%

$315,500

$317,500

$600,000-$799,999

Average days on market

$400,000-$599,999

133

+81.8%

+39.13%

+176.92%

+4.8%

+36.84%

+32%

+52.5%

$200,000-$399,999

267

<$199,000

NEIGHBORHOOD DATA PROVIDED BY BOUTWELL PROPERTIES 17506 BOBCAT TRAIL, CYPRESS. 2813058533. OFFICETHEBOUTWELLTEAM.COM

77040

77064

77065

77070

77095

77429

77433

New! ACommunity Impact Print + Digital Advertising Package

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Occupancy vs. vacancy

Occupancy rate

Vacancy rate

Commercial market data

Oce and retail building vacancy has remained fairly steady since the fourth quarter of 2022, while industrial occupancy is slightly down year over year.

11%

23.8%

4.2%

4.4%

23.1%

6.8%

Oce

Retail

Industrial

Under construction in the Cy-Fair area

Square feet

Buildings

Q4 2022

As of Oct. 16

Q4 2022

As of Oct. 16

76.9%

76.2%

95.8%

95.6%

93.2%

89%

543,548

498,700

Q4 2022

As of Oct. 16

Q4 2022

386,166

165,597

Rental rates (per square foot)

2,403,741

859,551

Featured project

Q4 2020

$18.67

$23.49

$8.80

Retail

Q4 2021

$16.99

$21.87

$9.74

Q4 2022

$15.67

$22.47

$10.44

As of Oct. 16

$15.40

$21.23

$11.77

20725 Tuckerton Road, Cypress • Square feet: 13,487 • Rent: undisclosed • Percent leased: 89.7% • Timeline: April2024 completion

CYPRESS PLAZA PKWY.

CYPRESS CREEK BEND DR.

SOURCE: CALDWELL COMPANIES’ ANALYSIS OF COSTAR GROUP INC. DATA 9955 BARKER CYPRESS ROAD, STE. 250, CYPRESS, TEXAS 77433 COLLEGE STATION HOUSTON THE WOODLANDS ALTHOUGH EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THE TIMELINESS AND ACCURACY OF THIS REAL ESTATE DATA, COMMUNITY IMPACT AND CALDWELL COS. ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS.

et s e our oliday elper

Providing solutions to make your holiday affordable.

9212 Fry Rd., Suite 100 Cypress, TX 77433 713.852.6700 TexasBayCU.org

CYPRESS EDITION

Events

BY JOVANNA AGUILAR & DANICA LLOYD

‘Disney’s Newsies’ Cypress Ranch High School’s theater program presents a performance of “Disney’s Newsies.” • Nov. 9-11, 7 p.m.; Nov. 12, 2 p.m. • $20-$25 • Cypress Ranch High School, 10700 Fry Road, Cypress • https://cyranchtheatre.ludus.com Festival of Trees fundraiser Cy-Fair Helping Hands is holding its second annual Festival of Trees fundraiser with an auction of decorated Christmas trees and wreaths, a meal, live music, a wine pull, and a silent auction. • Nov. 11, 7-10 p.m., 6-7 p.m. (VIP hour) • $50 (admission) • Cy-Fair Helping Hands, 9606 Kirkton Drive, Houston • www.cyfairhelpinghands.org/fot2023 tournament and will use a portion of the proceeds to supply a meal kit and other items to families in need for the holiday season. • Nov. 20, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. • $250 (per player), $1,000 (team of four) • Sterling Country Club, 16500 Houston National Blvd., Houston • www.steppingfwd.org Charity golf tournament Stepping Forward Ministries is holding a golf

• Nov. 4: James Roosa • Nov. 10: Pete Sca§idi • Nov. 11: Mike Casey • Nov. 17: Mike Casey • Nov. 18: Dirks Michael • Nov. 24: Pete Sca§idi • Nov. 25: JP Lee Creekwood Grill 12710 Telge Road, Cypress www.creekwoodgrill.com

November

Live music

Family FallFest Local nonprot Shield Bearer hosts a fall festival featuring food trucks, vendor booths and activities. • Nov. 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Free (admission) • Windwood Presbyterian Church, 10555 Spring Cypress Road, Houston • www.shieldbearer.org Cy-Hope Gala Cy-Hope will host the annual Bourbon & Bow Ties gala featuring dinner, drinks, an auction and live music. • Nov. 4, 5-11 p.m. • $300 (individual), $550 (date night for two) • Cypress Alamo at Cy-Hope, 12715 Telge Road, Cypress • www.cy-hope.org/events Bach to Rock music camps Children play instruments and perform. Themes include Rock City, Rock Band, Glee Club and Recording Arts. • Nov. 6-7 and 20-22, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 12:30-4 p.m. (half-day camp); 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (full-day camp) • $57 (half-day camp), $85 (full-day camp) • Bach to Rock, 13215 Grant Road, Ste. 1300, Cypress • www.bachtorock.com/cypress

The Backyard Grill 9453 Jones Road, Houston www.thebackyardgrill.com All performances begin at 7 p.m. • Nov. 3: MD Hamilton • Nov. 10: Randy Hulsey • Nov. 17: Cody Taylor The Barn at Frio Grill 16416 Mueschke Road, Cypress www.friogrill.com All performances begin at 6 p.m. • Nov. 11: 1999—The Legacy of Prince • Nov. 17: Tonight Tonight • Nov. 18: Hurry Sundown • Nov. 24: The Common Ground Band • Nov. 25: MD Hamilton Crafthouse Grill 12910 Malcomson Road, Cypress www.crafthousegrill.com All performances begin at 8 p.m. • Nov. 3: Austin Bradshaw

• Nov. 3: Jeff Canada, 6:30 p.m. • Nov. 4: Brett Axelson, 6:30 p.m. • Nov. 10: Frank Martin Gilligan, 6:30 p.m. • Nov. 11: Cody Taylor, 6:30 p.m. • Nov. 12: John Ebdon, 6 p.m. • Nov. 17: Mark Childres, 6:30 p.m. • Nov. 18: Nate Gordon and Daryl Skeeters, 6:30 p.m. Hidden Cellar 16518 House & Hahl Road, Cypress

Mark Childres is performing at Creekwood Grill on Nov. 17.

Light the Towne The Boardwalk Towne Lake is hosting a holiday event with a 40-foot Christmas tree lighting, a boat parade, hot chocolate, face painting, balloon artists, a fashion show, a DJ and Santa. • Nov. 29, 6-8 p.m. • Free (admission) • Boardwalk Towne Lake, 9955 Barker Cypress Road Cypress • www.boardwalktl.com

• Nov. 24: Duane Dulane • Nov. 25: Mike Casey • Nov. 30: Stacey Steele Lambeau’s Sports Bar & Grill 13131 Louetta Road, Cypress www.lambeaus.com All performances begin at 6:30 p.m.

www.hiddencellarcypress.com All performances begin at 7 p.m.

• Nov. 9: Juba Normand • Nov. 10: Bryan Scott • Nov. 11: Pete Sca§idi • Nov. 16: Leo Mendoza • Nov. 17: Mike Amabile • Nov. 18: James Roosa

• Nov. 7: Matt Sebastian • Nov. 14: Juba Normand • Nov. 21: Ryan Pinnick • Nov. 28: Leo Mendoza

CYPRESS ROSEHILL 14315 Cypress Rosehill (281) 373-2999

SPRING CYPRESS 22508 Hwy 249 (281) 379-7383 BARKER CYPRESS 17996 FM 529 (281) 656-4200

HUFFMEISTER 8945 Hwy 6 N (281) 859-5879

Harris County Precinct 3 plans for $758M in parks, trails improvements From the cover

How we got here

What you need to know

Following redistricting in 2022, Harris County Precinct 3 encompasses 555 square miles includ- ing 4,200 acres of parkland and 3,400 acres of greenway—the most of any precinct countywide. To maintain and improve upon the precinct’s existing green space and prepare for anticipated population growth, Precinct 3 ocials began working on a parks and trails master plan in 2022. As part of the master plan, Precinct 3 ocials held six meetings and conducted an online survey to receive community input. “[The residents] know their parks and trails better than anyone, so we’re condent in the infor- mation incorporated into the plan,” Ramsey said. Community feedback included how greenways may connect to parks, requests for additional athletic elds, and more trails for pedestrians and bicyclists. The parks and trails master plan will inform the recommendations process that has a baseline framework for the next 30 years.

to meet current national standards. Northwest Cycling Club President Geo Donnelly said he cycles about 6,000 miles a year to stay mentally and physically healthy. He said the Houston region is not known for being cycling-friendly, so he is excited to see improvements to the local trails. The plan recommends 73 miles of trail projects totaling $166.5 million in the Cypress service area, many of which aim to build upon the existing Cypress Creek Greenway. “It’s so important, I think, as these areas are developing to be getting the parkland now so that you can have large, beautiful parks in the future,” said Jim Robertson, chair of the Cypress Creek Greenway Project.

The plan divides Precinct 3 into four areas: Cypress, Spring, Humble and Crosby. Recommended parks projects in the Cypress service area total $74.6 million and include upgrades to existing parks as well as a new regional park spanning more than 100 acres. Based on the National Recreation and Park Association’s averages of residents per facility, the Cypress region is already lacking in several recreational options and needs even more to keep up with the anticipated 131% population increase by 2045. The Cypress service area would need to add 22 baseball elds, 57 basketball courts, two cricket elds, 11 dog parks, 28 football elds, 104 tennis courts, 83 playgrounds, 24 soccer elds, 37 softball elds and six nature centers by 2045

Cypress service area recommendations

Cost breakdown

Number of projects

Trails: $166.5M

Short-term

Medium-term Long-term

Precinct 3 service areas • Existing parkland: 1,102 acres • Existing greenway: 46 acres • Population growth by 2045: +131% Cypress service area • Existing parkland: 779 acres • Existing greenway: 1,456 acres • Population growth by 2045: +59% Spring service area • Existing parkland: 778 acres • Existing greenway: 0 acres • Population growth by 2045: +294% Crosby service area • Existing parkland: 1,572 acres • Existing greenway: 1,911 acres • Population growth by 2045: +95% Humble service area

Parks

New park facilities: $55.2M Park renovations: $15.1M

Total: 102

Total: $241.1M

Trails

Total: 41

Natural parks features: $4.3M

Cypress service area parks projects

1 Harris County Deputy Darren Goforth Park: adding shing piers and more shade trees; replacing picnic tables 2 Cypress Park: expanding nature trail system; adding o - road biking paths and shing piers; replacing picnic tables 3 Russ Poppe Family Park: improving trails, drainage and wetlands access; adding bird blind, frisbee golf, picnic pavilions, adventure course or outdoor gym, pickleball courts, and restrooms; providing overlook of Cypress Creek 4 A.D. Dyess Park: adding parking, sports elds and playground; improving drainage; renovating restrooms; increasing tree canopy 5 Telge Park: replacing playground climbers and drinking fountain; repairing boardwalk; painting pavilions; converting gravel trail to asphalt; adding aquatic planting at wetlands 6 100 Acre Wood Preserve: extending trails to YMCA and Faulkey Gully; adding covered benches and restrooms; relocating parking lot; vegetating detention pond 7 Fritsche Park: adding shade structures, restrooms, multiuse trails, equestrian trails and trailer parking

249

99 TOLL

SPRING CYPRESS RD.

249

TELGE RD.

290

1960

249

99 TOLL

W E S T R D

HARRIS COUNTY

NOTE: PRECINCT 3’S CYPRESS SERVICE AREA INCLUDES SEVERAL SMALLER PARKS THAT ARE NOT SHOWN ON THIS MAP. SEE THE FULL PLAN AT WWW.BIT.LYPRECINCT3PLAN.

SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 3 PARKS AND TRAILS MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 3 PARKS AND TRAILS MASTER PLANCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY HANNAH BROL, MELISSA ENAJE & DANICA LLOYD

What they’re saying

“Our ability to provide access to green spaces … is an incredibly important part of what we do as a county.” TOM RAMSEY, HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 3 COMMISSIONER

“Any organized trail that’s going to have a lot of connectivity is good from our perspective.” GEOFF DONNELLY, PRESIDENT, NORTHWEST CYCLING CLUB

“There needs to be a balance of [stormwater] detention, public access and use, and preservation for habitat and refuge.” JIM ROBERTSON, CHAIR, CYPRESS CREEK GREENWAY PROJECT

What's next

will partner with local municipal utility districts and nonprots, and apply for state and federal grants to help bring the recommendations to life.

bond included a $200 million proposition for parks and trails to be distributed among the county’s four precincts. Additionally, Ramsey said the precinct

To fund these recommended projects, Ramsey said Precinct 3 would use some of the funding it received through Harris County’s $1.2 billion bond passed by voters in November 2022. The

Dec 7 - 9 • free thu & Fri • Dec 7 & 8 • 5 : 30 & 7pm Sat • Dec 9 • 10 & 11Am , 1pm Experience the Christmas story through singing, dancing, and puppets! This show is a ton of fun, a tad bit of crazy, and it’s absolutely FREE for the entire family. The Kids Crazy Christmas Show is the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season!

Second Baptist Church • Cypress Campus 29900 Hwy 290 at the Grand Pkwy second.org/cypress

CYPRESS EDITION

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