Houston City Council approved changes to how the city collects fees to pay for city parks and recreational amenities.

What happened: Council approved amendments to the city’s Open Space ordinance at its regular meeting July 15. The ordinance provides parks, recreational amenities and open space for residential areas. It typically uses fees collected from developers to dedicate and maintain the parks.

Part of the amendment is for the system to become a fee-only system. Previously, developers were allowed to dedicate part of their land to open space or pay a fee in lieu of the dedication. The new ordinance eliminates the option to dedicate land. This change is to comply with state law, council member Sallie Alcorn said.

The new fee was originally set at $700 per unit, but Alcorn said they are discussing what an appropriate amount would be.

More details: Part of the ordinance also approved using 30% of the fees collected from developers to be used in different park sectors, instead of only in the sector from which it was collected directly.

Earlier this year, Sound Dojo, one of the few schools dedicated entirely to DJing in Houston, moved into a new studio space in the city’s Inner Loop.

The locally owned business celebrated its expansion with a grand opening event hosted June 28, Sound Dojo Admin Lauren Cates confirmed. The event also recognized the third anniversary of when the business was first established.

Latest update: Per its website, Sound Dojo was created by talent agency Innerloop Collective and offers instructor-led classes for aspiring DJs. Its coursework helps students learn how to produce, mix, transition, use effects and optimize the software for their own sets.

Attendees can sign up for DJ or production lessons based on their skill level, each option spanning at least four weeks. No prior experience is required for beginner courses,

Another detail: The school is owned by Jeremy Nite, Jonathan Gonzales, or “GONZ,” and Said Jalajal.

• 2220 Commerce St., Houston

Three local transportation projects across Houston neighborhoods like the Heights, Montrose and Downtown are looking to improve how residents move through their cities, including walking, biking and parking. Check out more details about these three local projects.

Montrose Parking Study
The Montrose TIRZ board conducted a parking study to hear from residents, business owners and visitors on how parking plays a role in their everyday lives and decisions.

Main Street Promenade
Downtown Houston officials transformed seven blocks from Dallas Street to Commerce Street into a pedestrian-friendly corridor that connects key areas with plaza, walkways and public spaces.

MKT Trail Hogan Pedestrian Bridge
City officials closed the bridge in early 2025 that connects pedestrians and cyclists across White Oak Bayou to address severe structural damage and rehabilitate the bridge. The project included partially demolishing and rebuilding the bridge.

Harris County Commissioners Adrian Garcia, Tom Ramsey and Lesley Briones will each host a community town hall to discuss county budget initiatives and get feedback on how residents would like to see public funds utilized.

What residents need to know: The upcoming meetings include:

Harris County Precinct 2
July 21, 6-7:30 p.m.
10918 Bentley Road, Houston

Harris County Precinct 3
July 20, 6-8 p.m.
6827 Cypresswood Drive, Spring

Harris County Precinct 4
July 28, 5:30-7 p.m.
3599 Westcenter Drive, Houston

Stay tuned: Commissioners received budget requests from county departments July 13-16 ahead of the July 30 and Aug. 6 Commissioners Court meetings, where commissioners will discuss the county tax rate and proposed budget.