Inside Today: Reflections on recent tragedy at newspaper • Page 3A
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Timbergrove development halted By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
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Mayor Sylvester Turner and the county Flood Control District have temporarily red-tagged Stanley Park subdivision
Mayor Sylvester Turner has temporarily stopped a development project in Timbergrove Manor after an outcry from citizens concerned about impacts on flooding. The Stanley Park subdivision, along with Palisades Park and a City Side Homes Urban Living project, were all under way when residents spoke out on social media and in The Leader about how those developments were inside the flood plain and could cause
further flooding issues, not just on the newly developed properties, but also for current homeowners dealing with displaced water. One of the projects, the Stanley Park subdivision, was red-tagged by Turner
earlier this week. “This Project is on hold,” Turner said at the June 26 Houston City Council Meeting. “I know Harris County Flood Control District has put a hold on it. We have also put a hold on it to take a look
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obtaining Harold’s permit. Prior to Prop 1’s passing, operating as a private club – which Eight Row Flint, Coltivare, and Harold’s were required to do – could cost restaurants anywhere from $3,000 to more than $20,000 per year in administrative costs and more scrutiny from alcohol regulators according to the Texas Restaurant Association. “It’s really nice to be able to operate just as a normal restaurant and bar just as the rest of the city would,” Weber said last week. “We’re definitely transitioning from all the headache and hassle it used to be operating the private club.”
After two months of accepting and sorting through applicants, the Houston Heights Association is moving closer to hiring an executive director for the neighborhood. And response to the newly created position has been positively boggling. According to Bill Baldwin, president of HHA, his organization received 443 applications for the position that was first posted in midApril. From that, Baldwin and the board selected 15 semi-finalists and have conducted a series of interThe HHA hopes to views with them. have a job offer to And this month, the best candidate by early August. HHA plans to narrow that list to 6-8 finalists and conduct one more round of interviews before making a job offer at the beginning of August. “Overall, the caliber and volume of candidates have been exceptional,” said Baldwin, who has served concurrent terms as president of HHA and has been on the board for 12 years. “It’s been exciting to see both the sort of experienced professionals in other areas who have been interested in focusing their abilities on the Heights, and what sort of talent and experience we have, quite literally, living here in the neighborhood.” According to Baldwin, HHA has received applications from people who work for regional non-profits, local governments and educational institutions, among many others. “We’ve been overwhelmed with the response, and this has certainly not been an
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Photo by Jean Dukate Bartender Tia Stone serves up a drink at Eight Row Flint. The bar, owned by Morgan Weber, is expecting their regular mixed-beverage license soon, available because of Prop 1’s passing in 2017. Owners such as Weber and Harold’s owner Alli Jarrett believe the new laws already have, or soon will, streamline business operations at their restaurants.
8 months later, Heights new liquor laws seem to help local businesses Paws up - Pet resort adds extra room for those who need it.
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at it and evaluate and access it now. There are a lot of eyes on this project.” However, residents say the developer continued to pile dirt on the site, resulting in several concerned neighbors reaching out to HCFCD and the city’s Floodplain Management Office. That’s what sparked Turner’s public statements. As reported last month, the city of Houston has granted dozens of permits since Harvey, and Timbergrove Manor – whose southernmost street
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Last November, voters pushed a full repeal of the century-old Heights dry laws over the goal line. Heights Restaurant Coalition head Scot Luther had previously said the full impact should be felt at some point beginning in January 2018, and that has come – at least partially – to fruition with several Heights operators. Coltivare and Eight Row Flint owner Morgan Weber and Alli Jarrett with Harold’s in the Heights were both significant backers of the petition circulated by H-E-B to make the Heights wet in 2017 before its passing. Further, Weber re-
Not all has been perfect in the transition to the new laws. For instance, Alli Jarrett said restaurants that operated under the old “Private Club” designation are required to re-apply under a new license. The long-term impacts, she said, will be beneficial.
cently obtained the regular mixedbeverage license at Coltivare about two months ago – and expects to receive word for Eight Row Flint in a matter of days – while Jarrett has recently begun the process of
Habitat combines mission with support at ReStore By Betsy Denson For The Leader Reduce, reuse, and recycle aren’t just mere words at Houston’s second Habitat for Humanity ReStore, located at 5280 W. 34th Street near Highway 290. As their website says - the ReStore is both an improvement store and a donation center that sells new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and more at a deep discount. Mark Wisnoski, the ReStore manager at 34th, said it’s only the third week they’ve been open but that they are getting a great
response from the community. “We have heard nothing but good things from our neighbors in the shopping center,” said Wisnoski. “Salon in the Park has been our biggest advertisement as they have been spreading the word that we were opening in June since I made contact with their property manager back in March. Customers are excited about our selection of home décor mixed with home repair products, and they rave about the low prices.” Because ReStore’s partner vendors have requested that they remain anonymous, the store honors their wishes. However, a cursory walk around the store will give you an idea of the type and quality of merchandise. Fred and Marlene Shakra are just starting to rebuild their Harvey dam“We can say that we do receive monthly aged home after a lengthy back and forth with their insurance company. Marlene heard of the ReStore from a friend and came with her husband See ReStore P. 4A to look for materials. (Photo by Betsy Denson)
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