In a Dec. 1 update, Bellaire City Council member Cindy Cohen-Taylor shared that the final conceptual design for Evergreen Park is expected to be voted on by City Council in January.

The project includes creating an all-inclusive and accessible playground, renovating the pool complex, and providing a green space with flexible uses.

Latest update: Redeveloping the park has been a topic of discussion for the city since late 2024, when a public survey was launched to gather residents' feedback on the process. The redevelopment was also later adopted in April 2025 as part of the city’s fiscal year 2026-28 strategic plan.

As of Dec. 1, the project has garnered close to $700,000 in proceeds. Cohen-Taylor said the overall cost of the project is slated to cost approximately $6 million to $8 million. The final estimate will depend on the final design plan chosen, she said.

Next steps: After council approval, the committee will kick off a capital campaign in 2026 to raise funds for the rest of the redevelopment.

Global wellness and yoga brand Alo Yoga is now open in the Rice Village area, marking the third Greater Houston-area location for the Los Angeles-based brand.

The details: Renovation on the 5,273-square-foot store began in August 2025 with construction completed in November, according to project registration information from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

What they offer: Alo Yoga sells a variety of athletic clothing options for both men and women, including matching leggings, sweatpants, skirts, tops, sweatshirts, accessories, footwear and beauty and wellness products.

• 2433 University Blvd., Houston

In a Dec. 2 news conference, officials with Airbnb announced that Houston will receive a $1 million investment that will go toward supporting major community initiatives, expanding green infrastructure and increasing youth access to soccer.

Airbnb's sponsorship will specifically help support two major initiatives—The Green Corridor and Grow the Game.

The Green Corridor: The Green Corridor will be a 14-mile sustainable transit loop that connects key FIFA World Cup 26 venues, including the FIFA Fan Festival site in East Downtown and NRG Stadium.

Grow the Game: Part of Airbnb's $1 million sponsorship will go toward the Grow the Game program to renovate soccer fields in underserved communities, launch free or low-cost youth clinics and tournaments, and create certification pathways for coaches and referees.

One more thing: The 2026 World Cup draw is set for Dec. 5 in Washington, D.C., at noon Eastern Standard Time. The draw will determine the groups and matchups for next summer's tournament.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County was awarded more than $100 million in federal funding for several low-emission initiatives aimed at significantly improving air quality across METRO’s service area.

“This funding represents a major step in our effort to transition METRO’s fleet to cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles,” interim President Tom Jasien said in a Nov. 24 news release. “These improvements will strengthen our commitment to sustainability while ensuring we continue to deliver reliable service for the Houston region.”

Zooming in: METRO officials said the $100 million grant will allow for the following projects to be completed:

• Replacing at least 100 aging diesel buses with new compressed natural gas buses
• Building a new CNG fueling station
• Upgrading maintenance facilities to support expanded CNG operations