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Shadow Creek Parkway will soon undergo improvements, including new landscaping, street lighting and continuous sidewalks.

What it means: Pearland City Council voted unanimously to award a $6.5 million contract to Stafford-based construction company Jerdon Enterprises to make improvements on one of Pearland’s major east-west arteries. 

The context: At a Nov. 26 Talk of the Town, city officials identified addressing the city’s sidewalk gaps as a major priority, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.

Looking ahead: The project will commence in February and is anticipated to be completed by March 2027, according to city documents.

Friendswood ISD community members showed mixed sentiments toward the $165 million bond package that failed Nov. 4, according to a survey released by the district.

District officials and the board of trustees discussed community feedback at a Jan. 12 workshop, as well as a potential bond election in May.

The data: The community survey was distributed Nov. 21, and board members followed up with approximately 80 constituents through December, according to district documents.

When asked about priorities for a future bond, respondents most frequently identified:

• Maintenance and infrastructure repairs
• Safety and security updates
• Replacement of Westwood and Bales elementary schools

From volunteer events to parades, there are several events to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Greater Houston area. 

MLK Lonestar
The Lone Star Community Center is holding an event to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.

• Jan. 19, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Free
• Lone Star Community Center, 2500 Lone Star Parkway, Montgomery

• Jan. 18, 4 p.m.
• Free
• 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands

• Jan. 19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Free
• Hope Farms, 10401 Scott St., Houston

Houston-area hospitality businesses can now earn points for their sustainability practices as part of a new program that aims to limit environmental harm ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a nutshell: The FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee launched the “New Year, New Hou” initiative Jan. 12 to mitigate the environmental impact of tourism during the tournament, which will run from June 11 to July 19, per a news release. Roughly 500,000 people are expected to visit Houston to watch the games, Community Impact previously reported.

About the program: Hotels, motels and restaurants—including cafés and bars—based within the Houston-Galveston Area Council's boundaries can participate in the program through Feb. 28, according to the release.

Qualifying businesses can earn badges by implementing environmentally friendly practices pertaining to waste management, energy efficiency and natural resources, according to the committee’s Hospitality Sustainability Toolkit. 

What to expect: Verified businesses will be added to a “sustainable tourism guide” for World Cup visitors, per the release.