HTX-BMW: Impact 8/28/2025

Several proposals focused on repurposing several high-traffic spaces within West University Place's recreation center are being reviewed by City Council. 

Quote of note: “With the proposed improvements, we’re looking at services to our members that pay annual dues, with the goal of increasing membership, which helps offset the operations of that facility,” City Manager Dave Beach said at the Aug. 25 City Council meeting.

Sorting out details: The city’s design architects from Pierce Goodwin Alexander and Linville provided updates during the August meeting. Three proposed improvement areas were discussed, including:

• Area 1: Cardio and weight room expansion, plus adding new equipment
• Area 2: Viewing room and aquatics workspace expansion with additional roofing and window coverage in front of the building
• Area 3: Multipurpose rooms renovations to split them into two multifunction courts and storage rooms

Going forward: While no decision was made at the meeting, council agreed that more specific datasets were needed from staff before moving forward.

Powered by Swiss engineering, On stores sell premium running shoes for athletes that include lightweight cushioning, Helion superfoam and CloudTec, a cushioning technology developed by the brand that consists of hollow "cloud-like" pods integrated into the outsole.

Two-minute impact: Retired athlete Olivier Bernhard, who ran triathlons in Switzerland, started the company in 2010. Now, he has stores across Europe, North America and Asia, with the newest American location opening in Rice Village.

The store opened Aug. 24 and is approximately 4,400 square feet, selling men's and women's shoes, apparel and accessories, including socks, caps, running vests and gym bags.

• 6225 Kirby Drive, Ste. A-101, Houston

At-large council member Julian Ramirez is still pushing for more transparency from the city with three amendments that would require the mayor’s administration to provide council members more transparency on changes made to major infrastructure projects. 

What’s new: Ramirez said during an Aug. 26 joint meeting with the Economic Development Committee and the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee that the amendments are to provide council members with information about project changes as soon as possible.

The first amendment would require Mayor John Whitmire’s administration to provide monthly reports to every council member on changes made to major infrastructure projects in their districts, such as delays, cancellations or alterations. 

The second amendment would allow council members to object to changes made by the administration after three or more council members report their opposition to it. The change would then be voted on by the City Council to ultimately decide on the infrastructure change.

Amendment three would allow council members to request a public hearing on proposed changes.

Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones will sit down with state Sen. Molly Cook, D-Houston, to address resident questions and concerns at a September town hall. The elected officials will discuss updates from the recent Texas legislative sessions as well as local issues affecting Harris County residents, per the event notice.

The details: Briones and Cook will host the town hall Sept. 10 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Freed Community Center, located at 6818 Shadyvilla Lane, Houston. 

Some communities in Flash Flood Alley, which stretches through Central Texas and includes the Colorado and Guadalupe River basins, would be required to install flood warning sirens under a bill advanced by state House lawmakers Aug. 26.

The details: Under Senate Bill 3:

• The Texas Water Development Board would identify areas impacted by the deadly July 4-5 floods that have “a history of consistent or severe flooding.”
• Local governments in the identified areas would be required to install flood warning sirens if they are not already present.
• The state would distribute up to $50,000 in grants to help cities and counties install warning systems.