George R. Brown Convention Center transformation project expected to create $20B in spending
A new study found that phase one of the George R. Brown Convention Center’s transformation project will help attract new spending, meetings and conventions to the center, as well as drive up hotel occupancy for years to come, according to an Aug. 27 news release.
The details: Houston unveiled a new master plan in March to transform Downtown Houston and its East End into a more walkable convention and entertainment district, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
The first phase of the project, which was the main focus of the study, includes a 700,000-square-foot expansion of the GRB, which the city dubbed GRB Houston South.
According to the analysis, conducted by destination real estate advisory group Hunden Partners and commissioned by Houston First Corporation, GRB Houston South will generate more than $20 billion in spending, increase the number of citywide meetings and conventions by 62% and reduce “dark days” or downtime at the facility by 66%.
First dedicated indoor pickleball destination in Downtown Houston to debut inside Lyric Market
Husband-and-wife duo TK and LaTonia Kent created Pickle Mania to bring people together through pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
Read all about it: Pickleball, according to USA Pickleball, is a paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis, played on a badminton-sized court with a lower net than a tennis net.
As a former high school and college tennis player, TK discovered pickleball while working in California, according to an Aug. 25 news release. He won his first game—and kept winning—realizing immediately he’d found his new passion.
More details: According to the release, Pickle Mania will feature seven cutting-edge indoor courts designed for players of all skill levels, including the opportunity for casual drop-in play to competitive leagues, tournaments and pro-led clinics. Memberships are available, starting at $99 per month.
Pickle Mania will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Harris County commissioners authorize letter urging updated flood maps from FEMA
Harris County commissioners are urging officials from The Federal Emergency Management Agency to release updated floodplain maps.
The gist: Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia brought the motion to the Aug. 26 court meeting, where commissioners unanimously voted in favor to authorize a letter signed by court members to prioritize and expedite the maps which guide infrastructure and insurance decisions for a county with a growing population of more than 4.7 million residents and nearly 1.8 million households, according to the latest data by the U.S. Census Bureau.
“We respectfully urge FEMA to prioritize and expedite the release of these new flood risk maps for Harris County," Garcia said.
Zooming out: The last time frame FEMA was set to release Harris County’s preliminary flood insurance rate maps was in 2023, according to Harris County Flood Control District officials, as previously reported in Community Impact. Previously, the HCFCD projected FEMA would release maps in the spring or summer of 2022, but has continually pushed back its estimate.
Harris County Flood Control seeks public input on flood risk plans across 11 watersheds
Harris County Flood Control District officials are looking for residents to provide input with their flood experiences during extreme weather events and how the county’s 11 watersheds have impacted their communities.
Two-minute impact: Along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the HCFCD is spearheading Phase 1 of what’s being called the Solutions for Advancing Floodplain Evaluation and Resilience study. The SAFER study’s aim, according to HCFCD, is to evaluate and identify large-scale flood risk reduction projects across these 11 watersheds in Harris County:
Brays Bayou
Buffalo Bayou
Clear Creek
Cypress Creek
Little Cypress Creek
Greens Bayou
Halls Bayou
Hunting Bayou
Sims Bayou
Vince Bayou
White Oak Bayou
What they're saying: HCFCD officials at an August Cypress Creek workshop said the multiyear, multiphase initiative will incorporate technical analysis to develop a strategy using both structural and non-structural tools such as detention basins, tunnels and floodplain risk analysis.
What residents should know: The online survey on the HCFCD website is available for Phase 1 public input until Sept. 25.
