Fulshear residents could see a mixed-use parking garage featuring retail and restaurants as the city works to address parking issues in the downtown area.

The potential project comes after the Fulshear Development Corp. authorized a downtown parking density study March 9 to evaluate the feasibility and possible design of a structured parking facility.

The gist: The conceptual design—which was presented by Ziegler Cooper and Paradigm Construction at a special June 25 Fulshear Development Corp. meeting—encompasses the full block fronting FM 359, Second Street, Third Street and Harris Street.

The three-level concept features a total of 263 parking spaces including 237 garage spots and 26 ground level spaces, agenda documents show. Preliminary data shows the garage could cost $15.72 million, although it is still in the early stages of planning.

Looking ahead: Corporation officials will bring the design build fee proposal with Ziegler Cooper and Paradigm Construction at the corporation’s next meeting.

Fort Bend County commissioners were unable to conduct business at the regularly scheduled meeting July 9 due to the lack of a quorum, and it was rescheduled to July 16.

What happened: The cancellation came as Commissioners Grady Prestage and Dexter McCoy were absent from the meeting, while Commissioner Andy Meyers was present on Zoom and not in the physical courtroom. Three members must be physically present to constitute a quorum, interim County Judge Daniel Wong said.

This is the second meeting Prestage and McCoy have bowed out of as questions continue about who is the acting county judge following the dismissal of a civil case that alleges Judge KP George violated two residents’ First Amendment rights.

The background: The leadership uncertainty began June 24 when Prestage released a statement that said County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson informed commissioners that Wong's appointment was no longer valid. 

However, Wong cited the Texas Constitution’s “holdover provision,” which is a statute that allows appointed and elected officers to continue in office until a successor is named.

Middle Eastern coffee shop Alsultan Gate Roastery has opened in Katy, manager Reem Elbanna confirmed.

What to expect: The shop roasts its own coffee beans and nuts on site, Elbanna said. Besides coffee, Alsultan Gate offers customers freshly-ground spices, baklava, Turkish delight, gelato, waffles and crepes.

• 23441 Kingsland Blvd., Ste. 300, Katy

The Houston-Galveston Area Council is gathering public input regarding traffic congestion as part of its Regional Congestion Management process, per a news release. Officials said community members can participate through July 15 via an online survey.

H-GAC is a regional organization intended for local governments to consider and cooperate in solving area-wide issues.

The big picture: In order to better understand traffic and travel challenges across the Houston-Galveston region, H-GAC is developing a Congestion Management Plan, or CMP. The CMP will consider multiple counties, including Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller.

Participants of the survey will help identify traffic hotspots, understand how congestion affects varying road-users and inform future planning and investment decisions, per the news release.

One more thing: The survey should take around 10 minutes to complete, according to the H-GAC website, and will close for submissions July 15.