Harris Health officials are one step closer in the process of acquiring nearly 9 acres of Hermann Park—also known as the Warnecke Tract—as part of a $410 million Ben Taub Hospital expansion at the Texas Medical Center after Harris County commissioners voted in favor of the March 19 formal public hearing date.

Quote of note: “None of this gives permission to just move forward with impunity,” Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia said. “Without creating consensus or at least making the effort to create consensus and dialogue.”

The gist: The unanimous vote at the Jan. 29 Commissioners Court meeting paves the way for Harris County to condemn approximately 8.9 acres of parkland for the proposed hospital expansion.

Zooming out: Public town hall meetings across the county have occurred since October, including in all four county precincts, discussing the hospital district’s proposal—a prospect that has raised concerns among some residents and community members.

Construction on Houston-based ice cream shop Cosmic Ice Cream Co. is projected to begin in March, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing.

The details: The roughly $191,000 project will consist of the remodeling of a 1,160-square-foot space, according to the filing. Cosmic Ice Cream Co. serves flavors including vanilla bean, strawberries and cream, salted caramel, toasted coconut and banana pudding, among other flavors, according to the business’s website.

While a projected opening is not yet available, construction on the project is expected to wrap up in September, according to the filing.

• 5400 Bissonnet St., Ste. 12, Bellaire

Chuck Wemple, Houston-Galveston Area Council executive director, announced Jan. 23 that he will retire in August following nearly 24 years with the agency.

The impact: During Wemple's time as executive director, H-GAC's operating budget nearly doubled, reaching $600 million, and the organization's team grew to almost 500 members, according to a news release. H-GAC consists of local governments representing 13 different counties in the region, which collaborate to prevent and solve shared issues, per its website. 

What's next? The board of directors will conduct a national search for Wemple's replacement, per the release. His retirement is effective Aug. 20.

Quote of note: "After working alongside Chuck for over a decade, I can say there's been a lot to be proud of and even more to be thankful for," Jay Knight, Liberty County judge and chair of the H-GAC board of directors, said in a statement. "Chuck's steady vision, can-do spirit and willingness to try new things have truly set this organization apart. Thanks to his leadership, we've become the benchmark for councils across the country."

Houston Airport System officials have nearly completed George Bush Intercontinental Airport’s $1.46 billion Terminal Redevelopment Program as the airport continues to strengthen its international travel options.

The overview: HAS Director of Aviation Jim Szczesniak said the Terminal Redevelopment Program represents the single largest investment the city of Houston has contributed to IAH.

Szczesniak noted most of the major phases associated with the project—including the Terminal D-West Pier, Terminal D updates and the airport’s new International Central Processor ticketing hall and security checkpoints—are either finished or nearly completed.

Looking ahead: While the baggage system isn’t expected to be certified and tested by the Transportation Security Administration until early February, Szczesniak said the overall project will provide an economic boon to the Houston area and should help airport officials prepare for the influx of passengers expected as the city hosts several FIFA World Cup matches in 2026.