With a project start timeline of early summer, Harris County Flood Control District officials told West University Place residents and city officials on Feb. 3 that construction on Poor Farm Ditch could be completed by the second quarter of 2030.

The $32.5 million in funding to improve a vital flood mitigation project across three cities was secured from multiple entities, including federal and state funding, two cities and Harris County.

Quote of note: HCFCD Chief External Affairs Office Emily Woodell gave project updates at West U's administration building and shared that the county completed the project design for Poor Farm Ditch and opened bids for potential contractors in February, taking into consideration contractors’ safety records to meet safety standards.

“This project is happening very close to people’s homes and backyards and daily lives, and that is not something that we take lightly,” Woodell said.

As of February, Woodell said project design is complete, and once the project is fully completed, she said the project will increase Poor Farm Ditch’s stormwater capacity by at least 60%  

Partners Real Estate, an integrated commercial real estate firm, announced in early January that a new 56,208-square-foot Floor & Decor will replace the former Randall's supermarket in Meyer Park, which closed in August 2025.

Two-minute impact: Floor & Decor is a specialty retailer of hard surface flooring and related accessories. Founded in 2000, the company offers tile, stone, wood, laminate and vinyl flooring, as well as fixtures such as vanities, faucets and lighting, according to its website.

The store will also offer installation material, free design services and an inspiration center for residents to utilize on-site and online.

More details: A representative from Meyer Carrington, a real estate agency in Bellaire, confirmed in a Jan. 13 social media post that the new store is slated to open in the second quarter of 2026.

4800 W. Bellfort Ave., Houston

Low- to moderate-income Houstonians who are still dealing with home damage from Winter Storm Uri are one step closer to receiving federally-funded repairs.

Latest update: Houston City Council, during its Feb. 4 meeting, authorized agreements with six contractors who will oversee single-family home repair projects as part of a city program providing Winter Storm Uri recovery.

The approved ordinance allocates approximately $33.5 million in federal grant funding to Houston’s Winter Storm Uri home repair program, which offers reconstruction and reimbursement assistance to residents who experienced damage to their single-family homes, city documents show.

Some context: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded Houston $50 million to assist with recovery from Winter Storm Uri through a program called Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery, or CDBG-DR.

Approximately 80% of the grant funding was budgeted for the single-family home repair program, according to the city's action plan.

How it works: Residents can learn more about eligibility and the application through the Housing and Community Development Department. Applications must be submitted by mail or in person. 

Looking for plans to gear up for the big football game? Super Bowl LX takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco, when the Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots for a chance at the championship.

Scheduled performers include Charlie Puth to sing the national anthem and a halftime performance with international recording artist Bad Bunny, according to the National Football League’s website.

The event: Here are several events taking place around the Greater Houston area this weekend, from Feb.6-Feb. 8, for Super Bowl LX. This list is not comprehensive, and details are subject to change.

• Super Bowl spreads at Lankford’s The Woodlands
• Heights Bier Garten watch party
• Live DJ and watch party in Spring
• Potluck, tailgating and more in Pearland
• Super Bowl squares and sliders in Sugar Land
• Game day buffet and pickleball play at PKL Social
• Game day food boards, watch party and custom cakes at Bayou Heights
• Seahawks Big Game Giveaway at Little Woodrow’s

Texas families can soon apply to receive state funds for private education or homeschooling under the state’s new education savings account program, known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts.

What's happening: The application opens at 9 a.m. Feb. 4 and is designed to be completed in about 15 minutes, according to the state comptroller’s office. Families can apply through 11:59 p.m. March 17.

Parents must submit information about their family's residency, household income, their children's educational history and each child's special education status, if applicable.

The details: To be eligible for the program, students must:

• Reside in Texas
• Be U.S. citizens or lawful residents
• Be eligible to attend a Texas public school, open-enrollment charter school or pre-K program

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