Houston City Council approved the Texas Medical Center Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget of $1.7 million during its Sept. 2 regular meeting. 

The gist: Known as TIRZ 28, council also approved the $6.9 million budget for its five-year Capital Improvements Plan. Projects that will take place in the area throughout the next five years include:

• TMC independent water supply system
• Transportation safety and access improvements
• Roadway rehabilitation
• Multimodal connectivity improvements

The water supply system also has a budget of $400,000 and will be paid off during FY 2026-27.

TIRZ 28 includes areas like the Texas Medical Center, the Houston Zoo and Hermann Park. It was first created in December 2022, according to the city’s website.

Also on the agenda: Council also approved an updated agreement extending Harris County’s participation in TIRZ 16, which represents Uptown, through 2040. The county will contribute 40% of its tax increment generated within the zone’s Precinct 4 portion, with portions dedicated to affordable housing and maintenance and operations.

A nearly 12,000-square-foot Ace Hardware store is coming to the Bellaire Triangle, owner Brian Brown confirmed.

The details: The tool shop, set to be outfitted with an on-site novelty boutique, will move into the space formerly occupied by CVS Pharmacy at 5430 Bissonnet St., Bellaire. Its anticipated opening date is sometime between later this year and early 2027, Brown said.

The Bellaire Ace Hardware store will be Brown’s second location. His original store is located in the Spring Branch area at 7840 Long Point Road, Houston.

What we know: Ace Hardware offers a wide selection of core hardware products and equipment. This includes, but is not limited to, basic hardware, plumbing goods, electrical and automotive parts, grilling units, outdoor power equipment, gardening supplies, coolers and more, per its website.

Brown told Community Impact that the majority of Ace Hardware stores are independently owned and operated by local entrepreneurs, including his own stores.

• 5430 Bissonnet St., Bellaire

Candidates Gene Wu and Helen Zhou will face off during the Nov. 3 general election to represent Texas House District 137.

Some background: Texas House of Representatives District 137 includes parts of southwest Houston, including Sharpstown, Gulfton and parts of Alief.

Texas House District 137 is currently represented by Democrat Gene Wu, who has held the seat since 2013.

Zhou won the Republican nomination for House District 137 in March, defeating fellow Republican Robert McKenzie with nearly 69% of the vote. She will face Wu in the November general election.

Something to note: Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid criticizing their opponent. Responses may have been edited for length to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.

The Harris County Commissioners Court is slated to discuss the proposed budget and tax rates for the upcoming fiscal year during a special meeting Sept. 8.

At a glance: Commissioners are expected to make amendments to the proposed $3.096 billion budget, which was presented to the court Aug. 18. The court will also review the proposed tax rates and potentially set them as the county faces a $181 million shortfall.

The county’s Office of Management and Budget has proposed a tax rate of about $0.67 per $100 of property valuation, a 7.6% increase from last year, according to an agenda document. 

Also on the agenda: Commissioners will consider a 30% raise for County Treasurer Carla Wyatt. An all-citizen committee recommended increasing her pay to $181,411 annually during a meeting Aug. 20. The consideration comes as the court is planning to seek legislative approval to eliminate the treasurer's office permanently.

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out these trending stories across the southern portion of the Greater Houston area from Aug. 31-Sept. 4.

1. Texas’ first hand roll-centered sushi bar to expand presence to Bellaire Boulevard
2. Houston agrees to $50M deal with The Woodlands to prevent future annexation
3. Sugar Land officials propose increased fees in 2027
4. New coffee spot now open in Pearland
5. City of Fulshear enters stage 1 of drought contingency plan
6. El Tiempo Cantina in Webster closes, possibly reopening

Four candidates are running for Texas lieutenant governor—the second-in-command to the governor—in the Nov. 3 election.

What's happening: Libertarian Anthony Cristo, Democrat Vikki Goodwin and Green Party candidate Kevin McCormick are challenging Republican incumbent Dan Patrick, who is seeking a fourth term.

The lieutenant governor leads the Texas Senate and can exercise the powers of the governor if the governor dies, resigns, is removed from office or is absent from the state, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

How we got here: Patrick won his Republican primary race in March, while Goodwin advanced to the general election after beating another Democrat in a May primary runoff, Community Impact reported. Cristo and McCormick were selected as their parties' respective candidates during nominating conventions in April.

Looking ahead: Early voting in the midterm election runs from Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.