Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from Feb. 23-27.
The Woodlands to negotiate with Early Bird for new short-course public golf complex
The Woodlands Township officials will negotiate with Early Bird, which manages East River 9 in Houston, for a public-private partnership on a nine-hole golf complex off Gosling Road.
The township’s board of directors authorized President and CEO Monique Sharp to negotiate with Early Bird for a contract for the partnership at its Feb. 26 meeting. The township initially approved a request for proposals for a potential golf course on Dec. 4.
The company would design, finance, construct and operate the project as part of the partnership, according to township staff.
While there are numerous private golf courses in The Woodlands, township officials said this would be the first public facility.
Read the full story by Editor Vanessa Holt.
Waymo begins rolling out autonomous ride-hailing services in Houston
Select Houston-area residents who have the Waymo app downloaded are now able to take the first public rides in the fully autonomous vehicles, the company announced via news release Feb. 24.
Waymo will continue to invite new riders on a rolling basis to use the service as it kicks off service in Houston. Its service area in the city includes The Heights, downtown Houston and Montrose. Service will open to everyone later this year, according to the release.
The company previously announced its expansion to Houston last fall, Community Impact previously reported. Alongside Houston, Waymo also began services in Dallas, San Antonio and Orlando, Florida.
Learn more with Editor Lizzy Spangler.
Select international airlines transition to IAH’s newly expanded Terminal E
Select international travelers departing from George Bush Intercontinental Airport will check in at Terminal E effective Feb. 27, Houston Airport System officials announced via news release Feb. 27.
Previously housed in Terminal D, Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines have transitioned to IAH’s newly expanded Terminal E. Per the release, passengers are encouraged to confirm their check-in location directly with their airline prior to arrival.
Officials said customer service representatives in bright orange polos are stationed in Terminals D and E to assist passengers; passengers arriving at Terminal D will be directed to make a 10-minute walk to Terminal E.
Find out more with Editor Hannah Brol.
Here’s how Bryan ISD is allocating surplus funds from 2020 bond
Projects funded by Bryan ISD’s $175 million bond voters approved in 2020 are wrapping up, and Deputy Superintendent Brian Merrell said the district has a surplus of funds to spend on additional projects.
Merrell presented a Bond 2020 update to the board of trustees during a Feb. 23 meeting.
The final phases of projects included in the 2020 bond will wrap up this summer, closing out the 2020 bond package, Merrell said, as the district gears up to begin projects funded by its $397 million bond voters approved in November.
Get the full story with Writer Anna Lotz.
Houston officially purchases location for new homeless hub
The city of Houston has officially closed on its purchase of 419 Emancipation, a facility the city plans to turn into a hub for homeless individuals. City officials said the hub will be a “front door” to connect the homeless to wraparound resources and, eventually, housing.
The new center is part of Mayor John Whitmire’s plan to end street homelessness by 2026.
Housing and Community Development Director Mike Nichols said during a Feb. 25 City Council meeting that the city is currently doing minor repairs on the facility, and they will soon choose an operator for it.
“We are very pleased with the applicants,” Nichols said. “To me, that’s the biggest deal—who is operating it, and then the last is making sure that funding is all in place.”