Sugar Land authorizes $154K design contract for traffic signal improvements
Design is set to begin for intersection improvements at a crowded Sugar Land intersection following resident concerns.
Zooming in: At an Aug. 19 meeting, Sugar Land City Council authorized a $154,655 design contract with Kavi Consulting for traffic signal improvements at the intersection of Austin Parkway and Commonwealth Boulevard.
The details: The project will construct left-turn lanes along Austin Parkway and install a traffic signal at the intersection with Commonwealth Boulevard after preliminary engineering studies in 2023 showed the intersection sees traffic congestion, with queue lengths as long as:
870 feet on northbound Commonwealth Boulevard
1,410 feet on eastbound Austin Parkway
According to agenda documents, the project is funded equally by the $865.5 million Fort Bend County mobility bond and the $350 million Sugar Land general obligation bond, which were approved by voters in 2023 and 2024, respectively. What’s next: The design phase is expected to take eight months to complete, with construction slated for fiscal year 2025-26, according to agenda documents.
Portillo’s now serving Chicago-style hot dogs in Stafford
Portillo’s, a Chicago-style street food concept, has opened its fifth Houston area location in The Grid, a 192-acre mixed-use development off Hwy. 59 in Stafford.
On the menu: The menu is centered around the eatery’s hot dog favorites including chili cheese, Polish sausage and vegan, according to its website.
Other menu items include:
Beef and sausage sandwiches
Chicken sandwiches
Burgers
Salads
Pasta
Ribs
The restaurant also offers shakes and various cake options, according to its website.
Zooming out: The Chicago-based franchise has over 70 locations nationwide including five Houston area locations, according to its website. Another is set to open in Humble at 111 FM 1960 Bypass Road E., Community Impact reported.
Harris County officials open $41M residential campus for at-risk foster youth
A new affordable housing campus in Harris County serving unhoused youth and young adults exiting the state foster care system has opened near downtown Houston, nearly five years after Harris County commissioners first approved the $41 million project’s construction.
The details: The HAY—Houston Alumni & Youth—Center Foundation, operates a program in partnership with the Harris County Resources for Children and Adults Department that provides resources and services for youth and young adults. One part of the project included the 41,000-square-foot, 50-unit residential facility with a community space, kitchen, small gym, and private study rooms, according to the organization’s website. The second part of the campus includes a 17,000-square-foot commercial building that will provide wraparound services and life skills training rooms for youth and young adults transitioning out of the state’s foster care system.
The impact: Every year, at least 40 foster youth in the Harris County region are at risk of becoming homeless by their 18th birthday, according to the news release.
Frontier Airlines announces 8 new routes from IAH airport
Starting in late November, Houston travelers flying on Frontier Airlines will have new routes from George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
The framework: Josh Flyr, vice president of network and operations design, said in an Aug. 26 news release that the company is thrilled to add new routes from Houston as part of its aim to expand low-fare carrier options in the top 20 metros in the country.
“With new nonstop routes to exciting domestic and international destinations, now is a better time than ever for Houston-area travelers to fly with Frontier and enjoy the convenience, comfort and signature affordability we offer,” Flyr said.
What you need to know: The Denver-based airline company announced the following new IAH domestic and international routes launching in late 2025 through early 2026:
Texas House moves to require cities, counties to seek voter approval for tax hikes exceeding 1%
Texas House lawmakers voted Aug. 25 to tighten limits on local property tax growth, advancing a bill that would require cities and counties to seek voter approval before raising tax rates by more than 1%. Cities and counties can currently increase taxes by up to 3.5% annually before going to local voters.
What happened: House lawmakers substantially amended Senate Bill 10 before returning it to the Senate. State senators sought to tighten the voter approval rate to 2.5% and impose the changes only on cities and counties with more than 75,000 residents. House lawmakers voted to apply a 1% threshold to all cities and counties, regardless of size.
Cities and counties' public safety expenditures, such as salaries and equipment for police, firefighters and paramedics, would not be subject to the 1% limit.
