Representatives from Quiddity Engineering gave an update Nov. 2 regarding Bellaire's Regional Drainage Improvement Program, a multi-phase effort designed to combat severe repeated flooding.

What's happened: The program is on track, on time and on budget. Five major program elements have reached key milestones:

• South Basin Demolition is substantially complete.

• South Basin Detention is 95% design complete.

• North Basin Lift Station and Force Main design is roughly 60% complete.

• North Basin Detention procurement is pending.

• Discussions on Cypress Ditch improvements are ongoing.

Next steps: CenterPoint Energy will soon remove and relocate power poles along the south basin, with construction expected to start in the first quarter of 2027.

City Council also unanimously approved two related work orders. These include a $1.68 million contract with Quiddity Engineering for engineering and program management services, and hiring Casey Goforth as capital program manager for an amount not to exceed $237,952.

A new dine-in restaurant called Biscuits & Butter Eatery is scheduled to open Dec. 1 in the Houston space formerly occupied by The Toasted Yolk Cafe.

Two-minute impact: According to the business's website and Instagram, the new Galleria-area establishment will feature:

• A menu dedicated to early morning and mid-day comfort food, serving made-from-scratch breakfast, brunch and lunch

• Handcrafted drinks including coffee and matcha alongside buttery breads

• Cozy decor and hospitality-focused service

• Operating hours seven days a week

• An elevated private dining room available to book for special occasions

Something to note: Ahead of the grand opening, patrons can use the business's website to join a virtual waitlist or inquire about private bookings.

• 2711 Fountain View Drive, Ste. A, Houston

Houston City Council approved marking a house in Freedmen’s Town as a protected landmark.

The details: The house at 1317 Ruthven St. in District C will now be protected from demolition. It will also be eligible for a historic tax exemption and reduced parking requirements.

District C council member Joe Panzarella said this is an opportunity to preserve Houston's historic buildings.

“District C has all kinds of really amazing, important buildings,” Panzarella said. “And today we’re protecting one in Freedmen’s Town, a town that was founded by men and women after [the Emancipation Proclamation].”

The history: 1317 Ruthven St. was built in 1894 and is one of the oldest surviving structures in Freedmen’s Town, a community that was founded by formerly enslaved people in 1865.

According to the city, approximately 75% of Freedmen’s Town’s historical buildings have been lost.

“Since so few historical buildings remain, even modest houses such as the House at 1317 Ruthven have historical significance and serve as important connections to the story of Freedmen’s Town,” the landmark designation report said.

Houston City College is collaborating with Texas businesses to supply their employees with customized workforce training opportunities.

What’s happening: The Texas Workforce Commission presented HCC with more than $1.5 million in Skills Development fund grants to go toward specialized training for four Texas businesses, officials announced in a Nov. 2 news release.

Companies include:

• Tesla 

• Texas Tissue Converting 

• Karsten Management 

• Watchfire Signs 

The grants aim to reinforce workforce skills, fortify employees for changing industry demands and bolster business growth, per the release. In total, the grants will offer training for 689 employees working in manufacturing, technology, logistics and other fields.

The setup: Tesla will receive the largest grant totaling just under $783,000 for technical training for 261 new employees assisting its megafactory battery operations in Brookshire.

Meanwhile, Texas Tissue Converting and Karsten Management will receive a grant totaling just over $690,000 to train 300 new and current employees. Additionally, Watchfire Signs will obtain nearly $84,000 for training for advanced innovation efforts.