HTX-HRM: Impact 10/15/2025

The Houston Parks Board celebrated its annual luncheon Oct. 14 outside the George R. Brown Convention Center. The afternoon program included a farewell to outgoing president and CEO Beth White, as well as the announcement of her successor.

The overview: In May, the Houston Parks Board, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding, improving and protecting parks and green spaces in the Houston region, announced that White will retire at the end of 2025. According to a May 21 news release on her retirement, White has helped garner nearly $300 million in investments for projects, maintenance and conservation work.

Zooming in: After White announced her upcoming retirement, the Houston Parks Board began a nationwide search for her successor. On Oct. 14, Muse shared that the board chose HPB's former chief program officer, Justin Schultz.

According to the news release, Schultz joined the board in 2022, where he served as the chief planning and strategy officer, leading the strategic planning process approved by the board in 2023.

In an Oct. 13 news release, officials with Radom Capital announced that Merit Coffee and Escalante's will be the first two restaurant tenants to be located inside the historic Swift Building development.

What we know: The Swift Building is a former cottonseed oil refinery and historical landmark in the Heights that developer Radom Capital and Triten Real Estate partners are transforming into a revitalized mixed-use space. The 4.47-acre development, located on Waverly Street, is anticipated to open in 2026.

Escalante's: The restaurant currently has seven locations across the Greater Houston area and serves authentic Tex-Mex dishes, including brisket queso, fajitas, enchiladas, street tacos, and quesadillas. The restaurant also serves weekend brunch.

Merit Coffee: Merit Coffee operates 12 cafes in San Antonio, Austin and Dallas, with the Heights becoming the first Houston location. The coffee purveyor sells imported, freshly roasted coffee sourced from farmers in Africa and South America.

• 621 Waverly St., Houston

Community Impact is looking for residents in Houston whose homes have been affected by a recent natural disaster and are still in–or have yet to start–the home repair process.

If you are interested in speaking with us about the struggles of funding and/or are open to allowing a photographer to take photos of your home, please reach out to cjenkins@communityimpact and [email protected].

Texas Ramp Project, which builds free wheelchair ramps for those in need across the state, is celebrating its 40th anniversary, according to a Sept. 15 news release. Over its 40 years, the nonprofit has built ramps for over 30,000 recipients with the help of over 3,500 volunteers.

Some context: The organization began in 1985 as the Dallas Ramp Project before being incorporated as the Texas Ramp Project in 2006, according to the news release. Texas Ramp Project provides the ramps to recipients at no cost, according to the news release. Most ramps cost between $800-$900 to build.

What else: In 2024, Texas Ramp Project built 2,727 ramps in 145 counties, according to its Sept. 1 fact sheet. To get a ramp, recipients must be referred by a health care provider or qualified organization via the nonprofit’s website.

Harris County commissioners will meet Oct. 16 with more than 500 agenda items on the docket, including potential discussions on the countywide hiring freeze, the broadband task force and regulations on panhandling and roadside vending in unincorporated Harris County.

What you need to know: In the first meeting since Harris County commissioners adopted the $2.7 billion fiscal year 2025-26 budget Sept. 26, county administration officials will request to discuss hiring freeze exemptions.

Also on the agenda: Updates with the county’s broadband task force are also slated for discussion. Commissioners adopted the creation of the task force in late June that aims to target internet access inequity throughout the county.

Also of note: Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey has an agenda item to create regulations on panhandling and roadside vending in unincorporated Harris County. Ramsey’s discussion item comes as House Bill 2012, which was passed during the last state legislative session and allows counties to enforce regulations against roadside vendors, takes effect.