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New apartment inspection program passes in Houston after almost a year of discussion

Houston City Council members unanimously approved an amendment to the city’s code of ordinances May 6 that officially establishes an apartment inspection program intended to address unsafe living conditions and repeat offenders across multifamily units.

About the program: Former council member Letitia Plummer originally proposed the ordinance in July 2025. Since then, city officials and council members have gone back and forth to tweak the ordinance and receive feedback from residents and property owners.

The final ordinance approved establishes a High-Risk Rental Building Program to identify and address certain properties through enhanced registration, inspection and enforcement measures, according to the agenda item. 

How it works: Properties with 10 or more citations in six months will be designated as a high-risk rental building and will be required to register the property in the program for at least six months from the date the notice of designation is issued.

Property owners who violate the ordinance can receive a fine of between $500 to $2,000 per day for each violation.

 
Local Eats
Nigerian restaurant opens third location near Montrose

The Nigerian restaurant Aria Suya Kitchen is planning to open its third location in the Houston area.

On the menu: With locations already established in the Galleria area and Pearland, the restaurant serves items cooked with flavorful spices used in Northern Nigerian dishes. The spices are also used to coat meats, including ram, goat, fish and shrimp. 

One more thing: Aria Suya Kitchen serves alcoholic beverages, including cocktails with fruit juices and tequila, bourbon, vodka and rum. 

  • 106 Westheimer Road, Ste. D, Houston
 
CI Business
Sweet Paris Creperie to celebrate 14 years with new birthday-themed menu items in May

Sweet Paris Creperie and Cafe opened in 2012 in Rice Village as a fast-casual, bistro-style shop serving sweet and savory crepes in a European-inspired setting.

Now, founders Allison and Ivan Chavez are celebrating 14 years at their flagship location in May.

What's on the menu: Sweet Paris offers sweet crepes layered with fresh fruit, chocolate and house-made fillings as well as savory options like smoked salmon, chicken and melted cheese. The menu also includes coffee, salads and light fare such as Belgian waffles and paninis.

The celebration: To celebrate the milestone, the bistro will offer a lineup of celebratory, birthday-themed offerings throughout May at all locations, according to a May 4 news release.

On May 16, the first 100 customers to visit in-store will also receive a complimentary Sweet Paris swag bag, per the release.

  • Locations vary
 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Panda Fest

Passport to Play

May 8-10, times vary
Houston

May 9, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sugar Land

Learn more.

Learn more.

 

Mother’s Day Market

Jazz Night

May 9, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Houston

May 9, 6-10 p.m.
League City

Learn more.

Learn more.

 
To submit your own event, click here.

New Development
Margaritaville Resort in Galveston debuts model home

The Margaritaville Beach Cottage Resort in Galveston is continuing development, with the construction of a model cottage unit designed to give prospective buyers an early on-site experience by the summer, according to an April 22 news release from RREAF Holdings.

The details: Full construction of the resort is expected to be completed in July 2027, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, or TDLR, listing.

  • 401 E. Beach Drive, Galveston
 
CI Texas
Q&A: John Cornyn and Ken Paxton face off in May Republican runoff for US Senate

On May 26, Texas Republican voters will choose their nominee for the U.S. Senate in a runoff election between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The big picture: The Republican race for U.S. Senate is one of several statewide contests that advanced to May runoffs after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the March 3 primary election.

Cornyn and Paxton were the two highest-performing candidates in the eight-way primary race, with Cornyn securing 42% of the vote to Paxton's 41%.

At the polls: Early voting in Texas' runoff elections runs from May 18-22, and runoff election day is May 26.

Looking ahead: The winner of the May 26 overtime round will face the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate—state Rep. James Talarico of Austin—in the November midterm election. Third-party and independent candidates may also appear on the November ballot, and the winner of that election will be sworn in to the U.S. Senate in January 2027.

 

Your local team

Cassie Jenkins
Editor

Chloe Mathis
General Manager

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