HTX-HRM: Impact 10/27/2025

Located at the intersection of Heights Boulevard and East 7th Street, Donovan Park was originally planned to be sold to a trucking company before the Houston Heights Association raised support from the community and bought the land in the 1970s, said Idalia Guerra, chair of the new Reimagine Donovan committee.

The details: Recently, the association, which privately owns and maintains the park, has been calling on the community again to help revitalize the park through the new Reimagine Donovan committee.

Why now: Guerra said the park was pretty sparse until the community rallied again in the 1990s to build the wooden castle structures and train that is cherished by children today.

📍 700 Heights Blvd., Houston

Amazing Spaces Storage Center, a longtime family business based in Spring, is operating under a new name and leadership.

The details: The six Greater Houston-area locations are now SmartStop Self Storage, according to the June 20 announcement from co-founder Kathy Tautenhahn. 

“For 27 years, it has been my great joy and privilege to serve you through Amazing Spaces Storage Centers,” Tautenhahn said. “As my family and I move into a new chapter of our lives, we have decided to pivot out of this business.” 

What they’re saying: The new company, SmartStop Self Storage is a California-based storage facility company. 

“SmartStop shares our commitment to delivering exceptional service and upholding the highest standards,” Tautenhahn said. “I have full confidence that they will care for our clients and our communities with the same integrity and excellence that defined our journey.”

What they offer: The facility offers self-storage and relocation and moving services that includes vehicle, boat and business storage options, according the to company website. 

New laws restricting or banning panhandling and vendors along roadways may be coming to unincorporated Harris County in light of a state bill that went into effect Sept. 1.

The overview: In May, Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 2012, which allows counties to curb roadside and parking lot soliciting. The bill permits restrictions on people asking for money or selling food or merchandise, including animals, along roadways.

The details: During Harris County Commissioner Court's Oct. 16 meeting, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey asked the county attorney to work with court offices to draft an ordinance, which could include the following:

• Clear prohibitions on panhandling that affects traffic lanes, medians and other areas that pose safety risks
• Improves traffic flow and quality of life by creating designated safety zones away from busy traffic
• Minimizes disruption to daily commutes
• Enhances the overall community environment in unincorporated areas
• Fosters a more orderly public space without impeding individual rights

Two constitutional amendments on the Nov. 4 ballot would impact the operation and oversight of Texas’ judicial system if approved by voters.

The details: State Proposition 3 seeks to require judges to deny bail for certain felony offenses, keeping more defendants in jail as they await trial. Proponents of the measure, which passed the Legislature with bipartisan support, said in June that it would improve public safety by keeping violent offenders behind bars.

Proposition 12 would rework the 13-member State Commission on Judicial Conduct, allowing the governor to appoint a majority of the commissioners and requiring most sanctions for judges accused of misconduct to be issued publicly. The bipartisan proposition faced pushback from some House Democrats who expressed concerns that allowing the governor to appoint a majority of commissioners would politicize the nonpartisan judicial conduct commission and give Abbott more power to remove from office judges whom he does not agree with.

Zooming out: The measures are among 17 state propositions being considered by Texas voters in the Nov. 4 election.