Harris County officials on Feb. 26 moved forward with the second round of Harris Health bond funding from a $2.5 billion referendum that voters approved in 2023.

The big picture: The bond will fund a range of capital improvement projects within the Harris Health system, including expansion of the Lyndon B. Johnson and Ben Taub hospitals, the latter of which has received backlash from some county residents in the last several months.

Harris Health received the first installment of bond funding totaling $850 million in May 2025. Chief Operating Officer Louis Smith told commissioners the system has spent approximately $667 million of that funding as of December.

Latest update: During their Feb. 26 meeting, Harris County commissioners authorized a go-forward order to issue a second $850 million installment. Chief Financial Officer Victoria Nikitin said Harris Health is expecting to receive the funding by June.

More details: In addition to the ongoing LBJ expansion and the pending Ben Taub expansion, the bond will fund the construction of new community clinics across Harris County. 

Construction of a new golf simulator lounge called Birdie Central is underway in the Klein area, co-founder Minh Tran confirmed with Community Impact Feb. 21.

What they offer: Located near the intersection of Champion Forest and Gleannloch Forest Drives, the 24/7 indoor clubhouse will feature Uneekor XO2 golf simulators and private practice bays, Tran said. Construction is expected to wrap up in approximately three months. 

More details: Co-owned by Michael Coco, Birdie Central will offer memberships for regular visitors as well as social play opportunities and a dedicated event space for the community, Tran said.

Quote of note: "We are deeply committed to being a local anchor in Spring and Klein, and we look forward to serving our community through partnerships with local schools, youth groups and civic organizations to help grow the game together," Tran said. 

• 19059 Champion Forest Drive, Spring

Select Houston-area residents who have the Waymo app downloaded are now able to take the first public rides in the fully autonomous vehicles, the company announced via news release Feb. 24.

What you need to know: Waymo will continue to invite new riders on a rolling basis to use the service as it kicks off service in Houston. Its service area in the city includes The Heights, downtown Houston and Montrose. Service will open to everyone later this year, according to the release.

Some context: The company previously announced its expansion to Houston last fall, Community Impact previously reported.

Quote of note: “I'm thrilled that we are now launching limited access public rides here in Houston,” Houston City Council member Sallie Alcorn said via news release. “It will give both Houstonians and visitors another safe, high-tech way to get around during exciting upcoming events like the World Baseball Classic and the World Cup."

• The Woodlands to negotiate with Early Bird for new short-course public golf complex
• Waymo begins rolling out autonomous ride-hailing services in Houston
• Select international airlines transition to IAH's newly expanded Terminal E
• Here’s how Bryan ISD is allocating surplus funds from 2020 bond
• Houston officially purchases location for new homeless hub