Officials with The Menil Collection announced June 17 that a historic structure on the art museum's campus will be repurposed over the next year and a half to become a new space for semi-permanent, site-specific commissions.

The history: The space, known as the Fresco Building, has been closed for nearly a decade, according to a news release on the project. It served as the Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum from 1997 to roughly 2018 and housed two 13th-century frescoes from the Holy Archbishopric of Cyprus. 

After the frescoes were returned to Cyprus in 2012, the chapel was deconsecrated and ultimately closed in 2018.

A new chapter: The reopening of the repurposed building is scheduled for late 2027, which officials from The Menil Collection said will coincide with the art museum's 40th anniversary celebrations.

Director Rebecca Rainbow said the milestone will be anchored by exhibitions that explore the museum's past, present and future, including a new exhibition for the Fresco Building by inaugural artist Teresita Fernández.

The Montrose National Bank of Houston was established in 1956 and has become one of the city's longest-serving independent banks in the region. Now, under the new moniker Central Bank, officials are celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.

What makes it special: CEO Robert Mrlik said in a June 15 news release that the human element at the heart of Central Bank makes it unique.

“People want to work with people,” Mrlik said. “Technology, products and services will always evolve, but customers want someone they trust—someone who knows their business, understands their goals and is willing to help them navigate challenges along the way."

Central Bank operates independently, and because of that, Mrlik said the employees can evaluate lending needs based on more than data, instead using local market conditions, customer history and information shared during everyday conversations to drive decisions.

Another detail: Central Bank has four locations across Houston, including three inside Loop 610. The corporate headquarters for the business off Clay Road is currently undergoing extensive renovations that will wrap up in 2027.

• Locations vary

The Houston-Galveston Area Council has named Ron Papsdorf as its new executive director, officials announced in a June 16 news release. Papsdorf, who is currently serving as H-GAC’s chief transportation officer, will replace Chuck Wemple, who is retiring after eight years.

Diving in: In his current role, Papsdorf oversees transportation across the region and assists local governments in collaborating on transportation projects, per the release. Papsdorf previously served as a division director at the Denver Regional Council of Governments, where he led the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

“I am honored to be chosen by the H-GAC board to serve the region in this new role,” Papsdorf said in the release. “Our region is growing and changing rapidly, and I am eager to work with the board, our staff, our communities and our partners to make us the best region in the country to live, work and do business.”

Looking ahead: Papsdorf will begin his role as executive director July 13, per the release.

The May Housing Market Update from the Houston Association of Realtors reports pending single-family home sales in the Greater Houston area are at their highest point since May 2022.

However, there has been a slight decline in closings and total sales since last May, data shows.

By the numbers: Single-family home sales fell by 3.2%, with 8,631 homes sold in May compared to the 8,915 sold last May. Meanwhile, home prices grew 0.4%, bringing the median price to $340,000.

Total property sales across the Houston area fell by 3.1% with 10,088 properties sold, and the number of active property listings rose by 0.7%, equaling 57,592.

What the experts say: “The increase in contract activity tells us prospective buyers remain confident in our local housing market,” HAR Chair Theresa Hill said. “People are continuing to make moves for life reasons, and many are finding that today's market offers more flexibility and more choices than we've seen in recent years.”