Village Corner, one of Houston’s oldest mixed-use retail plazas, is officially getting a new look after real estate company Fifth Corner broke ground on construction in August.

The shopping center comprises three parcels located at 2400 Times Blvd., 2444 Times Blvd. and 2400 Rice Blvd.

How we got here: When Fifth Corner acquired the decades-old property in late 2025, several key elements made Village Corner’s locale “irreplaceable,” Co-managing Partner Tenel Tayar said. Namely, its proximity to several affluent neighborhoods and institutions—such as Rice University and the Texas Medical Center—as well as its walkability and its historic ties to the local community.

Because the property is ranked as one of the highest daytime population shopping centers in the city, Tayar said these factors combined created the ideal formula to redevelop Village Corner into a prime retail destination, while still honoring its original character.

The features: Features outlined in the shopping center’s redevelopment plans include a reimagined exterior façade, expanded patios and added pedestrian sidewalks.

Next steps: The estimated completion date for the retail portion of the project is the first quarter of 2027.

The original Mia’s Table location, Mia’s Upper Kirby, is scheduled to reopen in early October following a temporary closure.

Some context: Located at 3131 Argonne St. in Houston, the restaurant paused all operations in mid-August after a kitchen fire broke out on-site.

While no staff was injured during the incident, the property did incur damages requiring cleanup, inspection and repairs.

Officials shared that construction is currently underway with an anticipated reopening date slated for next month.

More details: Mia’s Table was founded in 2012 by restaurant entrepreneur Johnny Carrabba as a homage to his daughter, Mia. The restaurant serves American comfort foods influenced by Southern-style recipes.

• 3131 Argonne St., Houston

According to the August monthly housing update from the Houston Association of Realtors, the number of single-family home sales has decreased by 11.5% across the Greater Houston region.

The breakdown: With the decrease in single-family home sales, affordability rates for home owners saw year over year growth for 22 of the last 25 months, HAR data shows. The nationwide growth rate stood at 15 out of the last 25 months.

When compared to single-family home sales in 2019, the 2026 market has seen a 20.1% decrease overall.

In their words: “Buyers have more options and more time to make decisions, while sellers continue to benefit from relatively stable prices," HAR Chair Theresa Hill with Compass RE Texas, LLC - Houston said. "That's a healthier environment for consumers and a positive sign for the long-term strength of our market.”

Harris County commissioners are expected to talk about grant funding for Tom Bass Park, ongoing flood mitigation projects and feeding senior and disabled county residents at their Sept. 22 business court meeting.

At a glance: The court will consider approving an application for grant funding from the National Park Service’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program. Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis requested approval for the $15 million grant, which will require a $15 million match from the county, according to agenda documents.

In other news: Commissioners are also set to discuss a slew of escrow agreements for flood mitigation and drainage improvement projects, per agenda documents. If approved, the agreements would allow the Harris County Flood Control District to pay for portions of ongoing projects.

Also on the agenda: The court will consider approving agreements with six community organizations to provide food to senior and disabled residents in the county. The agreements will cost $181,105, with funding coming from the state’s Home Delivered Meal Grant Program, according to agenda documents.

To cast votes for a U.S. senator, governor, state attorney general and dozens of other races during the Nov. 3 midterm election, Texans must ensure they are registered to vote or have submitted an application by Oct. 5.

How it works: To be eligible to register to vote, an individual must:

• Be a U.S. citizen

• Reside in the county they apply to vote in

• Be at least 18 years old by Election Day

• Not have been declared mentally incapacitated without the right to vote by a court

Getting registered: Eligible Texans must submit a paper voter registration application by Oct. 5. The online form must be printed, signed and mailed to the applicant's local elections office.

One more thing: Voters who are already registered have through Oct. 5 to update their name or address, if needed.

Some voters may appear on the state "suspense" list if local officials cannot confirm their address, although they will still be able to vote in the election.

More information: Learn more about federal, state and local races at communityimpact.com/election.