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Proposed ordinance to require fencing of vacant Houston buildings faces resource challenges
Houston City Council member Tarsha Jackson, District B, introduced a new ordinance during a Sept. 16 Proposition A committee meeting that would require property owners to fence the perimeters of a vacant building.
Current situation: Jackson said she is proposing this ordinance because of what she and her constituents see, which are empty buildings that are often littered with crime.
“In my district, when a commercial building is vacant, it becomes a magnet for illegal dumping, graffiti, squatting, [and] drug dealing—it’s all types of crime,” she said.
Christopher Shannahan, the interim deputy assistant at Houston Permitting Center’s community code enforcement team, said the ordinance would require property owners to install fences that are at least 6 feet tall within 10 days of a commercial building’s vacancy. Some exceptions include:
If the building is undergoing an active permitting project to rehabilitate the building
Code enforcement determined that there is work underway to improve the building
Council or mayoral unanimous determination to make an exception
Second outpost of Tex-Mex restaurant Candente to open in Bellaire
The owner of Sambrooks Hospitality, Michael Sambrooks, announced in a Sept. 16 news release that he has taken over the lease at Mandito's Tex-Mex in Bellaire, which closed over the weekend, and intends to rebrand it as Candente.
What we know: Candente is an industrial-style Tex-Mex restaurant that opened in Montrose in 2019. It is known for fajitas, carne asada, chicken and seafood cooked over a wood-fired grill. The spot also provides classic cocktails, such as margaritas, tequila flights and ranch waters.
Sambrooks said that the Bellaire location will serve the same menu of handcrafted Tex-Mex staples and classic cocktails as the Montrose location.
Something to note: Sambrooks Hospitality also owns both locations of The Pit Room, a barbecue joint that earned a Bib Gourmand distinction in 2024.
Houston-area veteran organizations awarded more than $7.9M in grants
More than $7.9 million of Funds for Veterans’ Assistance, or FVA, grants have been awarded to 38 organizations in the Greater Houston area, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Sept. 12.
The gist: Abbott said the grants are part of the Texas Veterans Commission Grants Across Texas Tour. The grants support a wide range of services, from emergency financial assistance to transportation and home modification, according to a news release.
Quote of note: “This over $7.9 million in grants will provide crucial services and financial support for our veterans and their families in the Gulf Coast and Houston so they can lead successful lives in our great state,” Abbott said.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo won't seek third term ahead of 2026 election
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo formally announced she will not seek reelection for a third term as judge of Texas’ largest county. Hidalgo said in a Sept. 15 news release that she is keeping her promise not to serve more than two terms.
Quote of note: “I ran for office as a change maker to challenge the establishment and bring a fresh perspective to a Harris County government," Hidalgo said. “I’m so proud of our community and all of the progress that we’ve achieved together, from expanding early childhood education to making our community safer.”
Also of note: The announcement comes just weeks after addressing a crowd of Houston business leaders and constituents Sept. 5 about her reelection status during the 2025 State of the County keynote address. Hidalgo hinted she would announce “soon” whether or not she would run in 2026.
Hidalgo has served as county judge since 2019 and was reelected after winning the county seat during the November 2022 general election. Her current four-year term ends Dec. 31, 2026.
