Officials with the Texas Medical Center announced in November that significant renovations would be coming to Helix Park's building at 6550 Bertner Ave., commonly known as The Commons, in 2026.

A Jan. 5 update confirmed that the first phase of the project would begin in January and last through the summer.

Project details: The first phase includes the reconstruction of the first floor of the building, with construction also taking place on the exterior and interior west side of The Commons. The east side will remain operational with limited food and beverage services during phase one, according to the update.

In case you missed it: Bill McKeon, president of the Texas Medical Center, first shared the news of the upcoming renovation during the State of TMC event in late November. Aside from renovating and upgrading the interior, the project also includes transforming the outer water wall into a 'kinetic wall" and redesigning the outdoor green space. 

Phase 2 of the project, which includes the construction of the east side, will start in spring. 

Defy Pilates, a workout studio in Bellaire, recently relocated from Bissonnet Street to Cedar Street.

What’s new: According to Defy Pilates’ social media, the studio reopened on Jan. 2, offering more parking, additional reformer machines and expanded class times and styles.

What they offer: The studio offers 45-minute sessions that range from beginner to advanced, including all-level reformer classes, as well as specialty workouts such as Trap Tuesday, which focuses on glutes and core while listening to hip hop, dub step and rap music during the workout; Athletic Reformer, a fusion of Pilates, strength training and boxing; and Sunday Stretch, a class dedicated to restorative movements, stretching and rest.

• 5236 Cedar St., Bellaire

A citywide festival in Houston intended to celebrate inclusion is set for Jan. 18 to Feb. 26.

The event: The ReelAbilities Houston Film & Arts Festival will celebrate its 14th year in 2026. The festival features film, music, art and speakers that honor the lives, stories and talents of people with disabilities.

"The ReelAbilities Film & Arts Festival celebrates creativity, inclusion and the power of storytelling to unite us," said Carl E. Josehart, CEO of the Joan and Stanford Alexander Jewish Family Service. "We’re grateful to our partners, artists, supporters and the entire community for helping bring these unforgettable stories to life and spark meaningful change across Houston."

Something to note: The festival is free and open to the public. Registration for the event opened Dec. 18. Interested participants can visit the festival's website for more information.

Six major roadway projects are being planned, are underway or will kick off soon across the Greater Houston area.

Upcoming projects
1. Mykawa Road widening
Project: Construction on Mykawa Road will consist of roughly 3 miles of a four-lane divided boulevard with storm drainage, signals, lighting, landscaping and a 10-foot shared-use path, among other features.
Update: 90% of design submittals have been received and are being reviewed by Pearland city staff and the Texas Department of Transportation. TxDOT is bidding, constructing and managing the project.

• Timeline: construction slated to start in 2028 with a completion in 2030
• Cost: $21.4 million

• Timeline: Construction will begin in early 2026.
• Cost: $40,000 (design)

Texas charter system Harmony Public Schools launched a new virtual learning platform on Jan. 5 that allows students across the state to take high school courses online.

The overview: The Harmony Online Learning program includes dozens of courses aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards, all of which are self-paced, according to a news release.

More details: Students can choose from dozens of courses in core subjects, electives, Advanced Placement and Career and Technical Education, according to the program’s website. The offerings aim to help students complete credit recovery, get ahead with their requirements and access courses not available at their home campus. Credit earned through Harmony may be applied toward high school graduation requirements depending on local district policies, per the release.

One more thing: Interested families can enroll online, and spring courses begin Jan. 12, per the release. The cost of tuition per course is $325, a spokesperson from Harmony Public Schools told Community Impact.