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Major hospital systems in the Texas Medical Center have made technological advancements, hired new talent and unveiled plans for expansions and enhancements over the last year. Check out six recent updates from local hospitals that serve the Bellaire, Meyerland and West University area.

Harris Health-Ben Taub Hospital: The Level 1 trauma facility received the green light to expand the hospital in early 2026. The $410 million expansion will include building a new facility connected to Ben Taub Hospital in the Texas Medical Center.

Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center: A newly renovated and expanded unit designed for postpartum mothers and their babies was unveiled at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center in late 2025. The 19-bed unit increased the hospital’s capacity to care for new mothers from 75 beds to 96 beds.

HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center: In early January, hospital officials announced the appointment of Heather Ash as its new chief nursing officer. Ash brings more than 19 years of nursing leadership experience to the role.

The Miller Outdoor Theatre is kicking off its 2026 season with a grand opening of the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation Plaza, a new gateway to the theater designed to enhance accessibility, expand gathering spaces and create a stronger connection to Hermann Park.

About the project: The project was first announced to the public in late 2025 and involves creating a new official entrance for the outdoor theater. Per prior reporting, an additional part of the plaza will also feature three large sculptural structures that resemble birds to create shaded areas.

The celebration will also mark the debut of Miller World, an immersive cultural activation that involves a series of interactive sculptures and experiences throughout the venue, according to a June 9 news release.

• 6000 Hermann Park Drive, Houston

West University Place will spend approximately $373 million on capital projects through 2036.

What it means: West U officials presented their annual Capital Improvement Program on June 8, a plan that shows what projects the city will prioritize, schedule and fund over the next decade. However, only one year of projects is funded during the budgeting process.

“The one thing we like to make sure that everybody understands is [that] it is a planning document,” West U Finance Director Marie Kalka said. “You're not committing to anything in this document, as far as funding, as far as even projects, until it shows up in the budget.”

The details: The program includes projects such as drainage, facilities and technology, parks, streets, water and wastewater.

Some projects are ongoing, like the Poor Farm Ditch, which city officials estimate will cost $325,000 in 2027.

Other drainage projects are:

• West side drainage improvements: $224.9 million
• Off-site detention: $26 million
• Buffalo Speedway existing storm sewer lining: $9 million

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County began implementing service enhancements June 7 aimed to improve reliability and support increased demand during the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is set to take over Houston in less than a week.

What's changing: The changes are set to increase frequency and extend operating hours along key transit corridors and major activity centers, according to a June 5 news release. The service changes, which will be ongoing through July 11, include increasing frequency across the Red, Green and Purple METRORail lines, some new park and ride options and bus route upgrades.

Here are some key changes for residents to be aware of:

• Red Line: extending six-minute frequency to weekends and until 9 p.m. on weekdays and extending daily hours of operation
• During the World Cup, Park & Ride routes will operate seven days a week until midnight; fares range from $2 to $4.50 directly to downtown.

As Houston prepares to see seven matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, several venues plan to hold watch parties across the Greater Houston area.

Rooftop Cinema Club
Rooftop Cinema Club invites soccer fans for the FIFA USA vs Paraguay match.

• June 12, 8 p.m.

• $15 (admission)

• 1700 Post Oak Blvd., 5th Level, Houston

Green Street
Taking place throughout GreenStreet Alley, programming will include experiences such as lasso competitions, axe throwing, Texas line dancing lessons, a Texas Makers Market curated by Feel Good Group, cowboy caricature artists, dueling mechanical bulls and cow milking contests.

• June 12-17, full schedule can be viewed on the website

• Free (admission)

• 1201 Fannin St., Houston

District 2.4.9 Bar & Grill
FIFA watch parties at District 2.4.9 Bar & Grill will feature large screens, cold drinks and specials, full kitchen all day.

• Through July 19

• Free (admission)

• 23238 Hwy. 249, Tomball

Harris County commissioners are set to discuss the creation of a new committee aimed at improving communication and efficiency across county departments June 11, alongside the creation of a chief infrastructure officer position for the county.

The breakdown: Harris County precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey and Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia will also put forth a plan to create an Infrastructure Coordination and Performance Committee that will "streamline departmental execution to support effective and timely implementation of and progress on Commissioners Court’s infrastructure-related priorities."

What else? Commissioners are also set to continue discussion on a plan being presented by the Harris County Flood Control District to move forward on several flood mitigation projects funded by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development before losing access to the funding.

Stay tuned: Harris County Commissioners Court meetings are held at 9 a.m. in Downtown Houston. The administration building is located at 1001 Preston St., Houston.