Howdy WHA Members!
Recent draft maps released by FEMA for Harris County show the 100-year floodplain could grow by 40%, and while these drafts are not final or regulatory yet, they represent real shifts in how risk is understood across the region. The greater West Houston region has long approached development with engineering at the forefront, integrating detention, elevation strategy, and watershed planning into major projects before the first foundation is poured. We do not wait for risk to materialize; we design for it. As rainfall modeling becomes more sophisticated and expectations rise, our commitment to infrastructure-first growth, regional coordination, and measurable resilience positions our area not as reactive, but as proactively engineered for long-term economic strength and community stability.
February also brought significant announcements reinforcing continued investment in our region’s long-term growth. The Houston Texans’ decision to establish their global headquarters and training complex, Toro District, in Northwest Harris County, in partnership with Howard Hughes and Harris County, highlights the strength of coordinated public-private collaboration. At the same time, METRO’s expansion of the 500 Downtown Direct route to include Hobby Airport reflects ongoing efforts to enhance regional connectivity, underscoring how mobility and strategic development must move forward together to support sustained economic vitality. We hope to encourage future direct routes between the airports and regional hubs in the greater West Houston region such as Uptown and the Energy Corridor.
We also convened leaders from across the public and private sectors for our Water Reuse Forum, continuing an important regional conversation about how we steward one of our most essential resources. As population and industrial growth place increasing demand on potable supplies, water reuse is no longer a future concept but a present necessity. From municipal reuse systems to industrial applications and emerging regulatory frameworks, the discussion reinforced that long-term resilience depends on diversification, innovation, and coordination. Water is foundational to economic competitiveness in Greater West Houston, and advancing practical reuse strategies strengthens both our environmental sustainability and our growth capacity. WHA will continue working with utilities, developers, and policymakers to help ensure that water planning evolves alongside the region it serves.
Last week we recognized Engineers Week, a timely reminder that much of our region’s strength is built on thoughtful design, technical expertise, and disciplined problem solving. I encourage you to read the special contribution from WHA Board Member Lee Lennard (BGE, Inc), which underscores the essential role engineers play in delivering resilient infrastructure and supporting quality growth across Greater West Houston.
Our committees continue their work in March with a full calendar reflecting the breadth of issues shaping Greater West Houston. We begin on March 4th with our Flood Control & Drainage Committee, followed by our Government Affairs Committee on March 9th as legislative and local policy discussions continue to evolve. March 10th our Sustainable Infrastructure Committee will meet at 7:30 a.m., advancing strategies that align infrastructure investment with long-term growth. Our Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces Committee will be taking a tour of Mandolin Gardens Park at a TBD date and time later in March. Our Water Resources Committee convenes March 17th to build on ongoing conversations around supply, reuse, and resilience. The month concludes with our Quality Planned Development Committee on March 25th as it continues refining standards that reinforce infrastructure-first, responsibly planned growth.
As we move into March, I am energized by the momentum building across our region and inspired by the continued commitment of our members to work together for a stronger Greater West Houston. With Rodeo season bringing a renewed sense of energy and optimism to Houston, there is a spirit of pride and forward motion in the air. That same spirit carries into our work. This month challenges us to turn strategy into execution, align growth with infrastructure, and strengthen the partnerships that make long-term progress possible. As we advance the priorities outlined in our 2060 Plan Update, we remain focused on thoughtful development, resilient systems, and coordinated investment that will keep our region competitive, connected, and thriving for decades to come.
Alan Steinberg
President & CEO
West Houston Association
P.S. – Be on the lookout for a possible late March special event, details still pending but we hope to be able to announce it soon!