Montrose Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone officials provided updates on several transportation projects during a Sept. 21 meeting.

Latest update: Construction on the Mandell Street Improvements project is expected to begin in late October or early November. Project manager David Greaney stated that plans were resubmitted to the city Aug. 21 and are awaiting approval.

The Mandell Street project includes:

• Sidewalk replacement with 5-foot sidewalks and ADA-compliant wheelchair ramps

• Milling and overlay of existing deteriorated asphalt pavement

• Roadway restriping

• Replacement of signage as needed

• Improved roadway lighting by upgrading streetlights

• An individualized protection plan for trees along the route

Other projects: Additionally, construction on the Montrose Safe Routes to School Connections Project is expected to start in early October to enhance safety and accessibility for students walking and biking to school.

The Cherryhurst sidewalk improvements project is substantially complete as of Sept. 3 and is expected to be fully completed by mid-October.

Alpha School, a private K-8 school, is opening its first campus in the Houston Heights area at the former Goddard School site, officials confirmed.

What's special about it: The institution is known for bridging the gap between technology and academics through its AI-driven, student-centered approach to learning.

Alpha's 2-hour learning model combines adaptive AI technology with mastery-based learning to give each student a personalized classroom experience. This means that as pupils learn about subjects like mathematics, reading, science and history, they will only move forward to the next level once they fully understand the topic at hand.

Core academics and one-on-one interactions with teachers–known as ‘guides’ at the school–are completed in the morning portion of a typical day. Afternoons are reserved for hands-on workshops.

In case you missed it: This new development comes off the heels of Alpha’s campus in The Woodlands opening earlier this fall.

• 777 W. 23rd St., Houston

The retail space Meta Lab has opened its first Texas location in the Galleria.

What is it: The store is designed for hands-on discovery with AI glasses and virtual reality experiences.

Customers can get demonstrations of glasses, including Meta, Ray-Ban and Oakley glasses. Visitors can also experience virtual reality sets with a Meta Quest 3 or Meta Quest 3S demo.

Something to note: For those who want prescription glasses, in-store opticians can help select frames and order prescription lenses for select AI glasses.

• 5085 Westheimer Road, Houston

Houston City Council unanimously approved a new ordinance regarding campaign finance reports.

Breaking it down: Under the new rule, the city secretary’s office must file a sworn complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission within five days if a Houston election candidate misses a campaign filing deadline.

Additionally, the ordinance requires the city secretary to post the names of candidates who miss the deadline, though no new penalties were created.

What they're saying: Council member Julian Ramirez placed the ordinance on the agenda using the city's Proposition A rule, with co-sponsorship from council members Joaquin Martinez, Amy Peck and Sallie Alcorn.

While some council members and Mayor John Whitmire expressed concerns that the ordinance is redundant and places extra responsibility on the city secretary's office, Ramirez noted that the process is currently difficult for regular residents to navigate on their own.

Had a full plate this past week? Catch up on six trending stories from Community Impact in the South Houston area, Sept. 21-25.

1. Missouri City partners to build new roads in Sienna to improve connectivity

2. Target opening Texas Heritage Marketplace location in October

3. Bellaire Culture and Arts Board unveils two logo design concepts up for resident review

4. United Way of Greater Houston selects new CEO after former president announces retirement

5. League City denies gas station along FM 646, South Egret Bay Boulevard

6. New grocery, meat market coming soon to Pearland area