Howdy WHA Members!
This July, as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, it is worth reflecting not only on our nation’s history, but on the responsibility each generation has to build for the future. In Greater West Houston, that responsibility is especially visible. Our communities are growing, our economy continues to evolve, and the infrastructure decisions we make today will shape the region for decades to come. Roads, drainage, water, housing, parks, and public services may not always be the most glamorous symbols of progress, but they are the foundation that allows families, businesses, and communities to thrive. At the West Houston Association, we remain committed to working with public and private partners to ensure that growth is met with foresight, coordination, and the kind of long-term investment worthy of the next chapter in our region’s story.
That long-term view is especially important as local and regional governments make major infrastructure and governance decisions. The City of Houston’s 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan reflects the scale of the challenge, with billions of dollars planned for water, wastewater, drainage, streets, traffic, aviation, public facilities, and related infrastructure. At the county level, recent changes at the Harris County Flood Control District, including the appointment of Marcus Stuckett as Executive Director and discussion of a countywide Chief Infrastructure Officer and Infrastructure Coordination and Performance Committee, point to the same central issue: great plans only matter when they are delivered with urgency, transparency, and coordination. For a region still working to reduce flood risk, meet federal funding deadlines, and keep pace with growth, implementation is not a back-office detail; it is the work.
We are also watching broader policy shifts that affect how local governments plan and respond. The continued debate over HB 2127, often called the “Death Star” bill, is a reminder that the balance between statewide consistency and local flexibility matters. Growing communities need clear rules, but they also need the ability to solve real problems on the ground. That is why regional collaboration remains so important. As Ron Papsdorf prepares to step into the Executive Director role at H-GAC, there is an opportunity to strengthen the kind of cross-jurisdictional planning that Greater Houston depends on. Whether the issue is transportation, flood mitigation, infrastructure finance, housing diversity, or economic development, WHA will continue to advocate for practical solutions that connect public leadership, private investment, and community needs.
On June 12, WHA hosted our 2026 QPD Symposium, focusing on how the Houston region can respond to rapid growth with more intentional planning, stronger infrastructure coordination, and a broader range of housing choices. The conversation brought together public- and private-sector perspectives to explore practical approaches that support communities that are more attainable, resilient, and prepared for the future. As development pressures continue to rise across Greater West Houston, the event emphasized how thoughtful growth can create lasting value for residents, local governments, and the development community alike. A series of summaries are available on our website from the event and will be featured in our newsletter this month and next.
On August 20, the WHA Flood Control and Drainage Committee will be hosting a breakfast panel focused on the implications of MAPPNext beyond Harris County. The discussion will feature Russ Poppe of the Fort Bend County Drainage District, and Ross McCall, Waller County Engineer, with Steve Costello, Vice President at Carollo Engineers, serving as moderator. Together, they will explore how updated flood risk data, changing floodplain boundaries, and evolving standards of care may affect infrastructure planning, development, insurance, and regional coordination across Greater West Houston. This conversation will help public and private sector leaders better understand how to plan for growth and resilience across shared watersheds and county lines.
In July, our committees continue their work with a full calendar reflecting the breadth of issues shaping the Greater West Houston region. We begin on July 1 with our Flood Control & Drainage Committee putting final touches on the August 20th forum. Followed by the Education & Workforce Committee meeting on June 10 to continue discussion of the Katy Educational Village. The Government Affairs Committee is meeting July 13 to discuss WHA’s upcoming Legislative Agenda. On July 14, the Sustainable Infrastructure Committee will be meeting and begin planning their 2027 forum. Later that day, our Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces Committee will be meeting to talk through work on their quality parks primer. Our Regional Mobility Committee convenes on July 15, and our Water Resources Committee will meet July 16. Our Quality Planned Development Committee will be holding a special virtual meeting specifically to discuss updates to the QPD recognition program on July 22.
As we move through the second half of the year, WHA remains focused on turning conversations into action and ideas into practical solutions for Greater West Houston. Our strength comes from the members, partners, public officials, and community leaders who continue to show up, share expertise, and work collaboratively on the issues shaping our region’s future. Thank you for your continued engagement and support. I look forward to building on this momentum together in the months ahead.
Alan Steinberg
President & CEO
West Houston Association