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Preserving history: Officials work to preserve Katy’s historic charm as population grows

The city of Katy has launched a historic preservation commission advisory group to help keep the city’s landmarks up to current safety standards while preserving the city’s historic charm as the population grows.

What's happening: The committee, brought to City Council by Ward A council member Janet Corte and Ward B council member Gina Hicks, will prioritize its focus on the city’s historic rice dryers.

The historic J.V. Cardiff & Sons Rice Dryer, now owned by developer Hadi “Andrew” Nurcahya, is undergoing a 3-acre revitalization project. That project is now in its second phase after the first phase concluded with the opening of the Katy Beer Garden in June 2024.

Why it matters: The committee comes after the city saw a 67.1% population increase from 15,071 to 25,184 between 2014 and 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey five-year estimates.

Amid the growth, Mayor William “Dusty” Thiele said the city is working to maintain its charm in Historic Town Square, an area where Katy still feels like the small town it was.

 
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Latest News
Texas Children's Hospital West Campus celebrates 15 years of service

Texas Children's Hospital West Campus is celebrating 15 years of serving patients across West Houston, hospital officials announced in a March 5 news release.

The big picture: As the first pediatric hospital along the I-10 Energy Corridor, Texas Children's West has served more than 5 million patients, including over 50,000 emergency department visits per year, according to the release.

The hospital, which opened in 2011, offers a number of pediatric subspecialties, including:

  • Cardiology
  • Oncology
  • Neurology
  • Orthopedics
  • Surgical services

Looking ahead: Hospital officials aim to continue broadening access to advanced pediatric services and investing in cutting-edge technologies, per the release.
  • 18200 Katy Freeway, Houston
 
Across The Region
13 Greater Houston transportation projects to watch as construction, planning move forward

From road widenings and asphalt repairs to interchange work and transit upgrades, transportation projects are progressing across the Greater Houston region. Some are already under construction, while others are entering design, public input or bidding phases. 

Here are updates on 13 transportation projects that could affect commutes. This list is not comprehensive, and details are subject to change.

Upcoming projects
Shaw Road widening
Project: Shaw Road would be widened from two to four lanes between Northpointe Boulevard and Boudreaux Road, per Harris County Precinct 3’s website.
Update: The study phase has been completed, and future roadway options are being evaluated, according to Harris County Precinct 3 officials.

  • Timeline: TBD
  • Cost: TBD
  • Funding source: Harris County Precinct 3

Ongoing projects
Woodlands Parkway asphalt shoulder replacement
Project: Asphalt shoulders will be replaced between FM 2978 and I-45.
Update: Construction has started, and milling is underway on sections west of Lake Woodlands Drive to FM 2978.
  • Timeline: ongoing
  • Cost: $1.33 million
  • Funding source: Montgomery County road bond
 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Archery at Clear Lake Park

Cy-Fair Home & Outdoor Living Show

March 20, 5-7 p.m.
Seabrook

March 21-22, times vary
Cypress

Learn more.

Learn more.

 

HTX Card Show

Amazing Race

March 21-22, times vary
Montgomery

March 22, 1-3 p.m.
Houston

Learn more.

Learn more.

 
To submit your own event, click here.

Latest Education News
Texas families now have until March 31 to apply for education savings accounts, judge rules

Texas families now have an additional two weeks to apply for the state’s new education savings account program, a Houston federal judge ruled March 17.

What's happening: U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett ordered the state comptroller’s office to extend the application deadline to March 31 over concerns that no Islamic private schools had been greenlit to accept state ESA funds. In two lawsuits filed in early March, four Muslim parents said they felt deterred from applying for education savings accounts because the Islamic schools they send their children to were not among the 2,200 schools authorized to participate in the program.

Parents previously had until 11:59 p.m. March 17 to apply for the program.

Latest update: In a March 17 news release, the comptroller’s office confirmed that applications would be accepted through March 31 in compliance with the judge’s order.

Over 229,000 students had applied for the $1 billion program as of March 17, Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock said. The state will use a need- and income-based lottery system to determine who is accepted.

 

Your local team

Aubrey Howell
Editor

Amy Martinez
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

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