HTX-PLF: Impact 10/6/2025

Manvel City Council will receive a presentation on a comprehensive and major thoroughfare plan from Houston-based planning firm Kendig Keast Collaborative at its Oct. 6 meeting.

The presentation is a part of Future Manvel—a year-long, community-led initiative to plan the city’s future.

The overview: While the presentation has not yet been released, the comprehensive and major thoroughfare plan, along with the 2045 strategic plan passed in February, aims to guide the city’s growth and define community goals for land use, zoning and transportation, according to the city’s website.

How we got here: The Future Manvel initiative was broken up into two phases: Manvel Today and Future Manvel. 

The Manvel Today phase ran through June 2024 and included public workshops, a city-wide public forum, focus groups and a citizen survey for residents to express their concerns and desires for the city.  

Shop The Famous Market opened a brick-and-mortar location at Pearland Town Center in early September, according to a social media post from the business.

The details: Shop The Famous Market is a boutique offering clothing, accessories and sports clothing. It also provides space for local business owners to rent space and sell wares.

📍 11200 Broadway St. Ste. 940, Pearland

Officials with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo announced in an Oct. 1 news release that Kyle Olsen, a seven-year veteran of the organization, will be the new chief show operations officer. He is the first CSOO of the show in over three decades.

What we know: According to the news release, Olsen brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in managing large-scale, high-profile events and complex public venues. His career background includes:

• Director of events and production at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona
• Event services at NRG Park
• Director of operations for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

From Oct. 13-19, Texas residents will not have to pay to apply to in-state public colleges and universities.

The details: During Free College Application Week, application fees will be waived for all Texas residents applying to undergraduate programs at public colleges and universities located in Texas. First-time college students, transfer students and students returning to school are eligible, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

To qualify for the fee waiver, all applications must be submitted through ApplyTexas, the state’s college application portal.

What they're saying: “Texas prioritizes opportunities for students to pursue the best education they need to succeed in high demand, good-paying jobs after graduation,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in an Aug. 29 news release. “By supporting our students today, we are investing in a stronger Texas tomorrow.” 

Put in perspective: Most high school seniors apply to 5-10 colleges or universities and each application costs about $60-$75, state lawmakers estimated in June.