Celebrating Leadership and Quality Growth: Honoring the 2026 WHA Award Recipients

WHA Board Vice Chair Elizabeth York presented the 2026 Compass Award to Harry Thompson of Allen Boone Humphries Robinson, LLP. The award recognizes WHA members whose leadership and direction help advance the Association’s mission.

As Chair of WHA’s Sustainable Infrastructure Committee, Harry has generously shared his time, knowledge, and experience to strengthen WHA’s work. His engaging approach to the annual Sustainable Infrastructure forums has helped members learn from one another and explore practical responses to the challenges facing Greater West Houston. 

Harry has also contributed to numerous Rice University student projects through WHA’s Quality-of-Life Research series. By connecting student research with professional experience and real-world questions, he supports both regional problem-solving and the development of future leaders. His service reflects the value of making expertise accessible and creating opportunities for collaboration.

Harris County Precinct 3: Memorial Drive Roadway Improvements 

Harris County Precinct 3 received recognition for renewing approximately 2.7 miles of Memorial Drive between Chimney Rock and San Felipe, including sections through Piney Point Village and Hunters Creek Village. 

Led by Commissioner Tom Ramsey in partnership with METRO and neighboring municipalities, the project included pavement repairs adjacent to 33 METRO bus stops, asphalt resurfacing, and reflective striping. These improvements support residents, commuters, transit riders, and school traffic while extending pavement life and preserving the corridor’s residential character. The project demonstrates responsible stewardship of existing infrastructure through coordinated investment. 

Harris County Precinct 4: Sidewalks 4 Precinct 4 

Under Commissioner Lesley Briones’ leadership, Sidewalks 4 Precinct 4 had delivered more than 100 miles of sidewalks by September 2026, expanding connections to schools, parks, transit, healthcare, and local businesses. 

The program combines community feedback and data to prioritize areas of greatest need, using dedicated projects, broader infrastructure improvements, partnerships, and grants to close pedestrian gaps. Its recognition celebrates safer, more accessible daily travel, particularly for children, transit riders, and residents who depend on walking.

Camden Park: Three Sustainability Stars 

Camden Park earned stars for Investigation, Investment, and Integration. Expanded drainage capacity, rain gardens, planted drainage channels, and a fully permeable parking lot help manage runoff and protect water quality. 

Transplanted trees, additional canopy, and reflective materials address summer heat. Native plants comprise 55 percent of the landscaping, while a native seed meadow supports habitat and reduces resource demands. A pedestrian bridge and improved crossings strengthen access, demonstrating how sustainable design can improve both environmental performance and the everyday experience of a community park. 

Houston Zoo: Five Sustainability Stars 

The Houston Zoo earned all five Sustainability Stars for connecting sustainable facility design, operations, conservation, and education. 

Jack’s Cafe and Reflections Event Hall and Terrace incorporate mass timber construction, bird-safe glass, and an 18,000-gallon rainwater harvesting tank, with design strategies aligned with LEED Gold standards and Green Restaurant certification. These investments complement campus-wide resource conservation efforts. Interpretive signs and visible sustainability features extend their impact by helping visitors understand how choices about buildings, water, and materials support conservation. 

Grand Central Park 

Developed by Johnson Development, Grand Central Park brings together homes, natural areas, recreation, and everyday services across 2,046 acres in Conroe. Its wooded setting, lakes, and extensive trail network complement convenient access to shopping and dining. The Lake House amenity complex includes a clubhouse, pool, fitness room, playground, and dog park. 

Grand Central Park earned recognition for integrating these elements into a connected community. Its planning preserves opportunities to experience nature while providing spaces for recreation, gathering, and daily activities. The result demonstrates how development can accommodate growth while making the surrounding landscape central to community life. Project partners include LJA and Clark Condon. 

Veranda 

Also developed by Johnson Development, Veranda combines convenient regional access with a distinctive neighborhood identity across 710 acres in Richmond. Inspired by the region’s Southern heritage, the community features veranda-style architecture, tree-lined streets, walkable greenbelts, and open spaces. Its Cottage House amenity center offers fitness facilities, a resort-style pool, playgrounds, tennis courts, and gathering areas. 

Veranda’s recognition reflects the deliberate connection between neighborhood design and community interaction. Its architecture establishes a cohesive character, while greenbelts and shared amenities create opportunities for residents to walk, gather, and build relationships. Together, these features show how planning can support both functionality and a strong sense of place. Project partners include Pape-Dawson, META Planning + Design, and Clark Condon. 

The Highlands 

Developed by Caldwell Companies, The Highlands integrates a 2,300-acre community with its natural landscape in southeastern Montgomery County. Preserved tree canopy, native landscaping, natural-surface trails, and carefully designed streets and lots maintain its park-like character. 

The community offers 30 miles of trails, lakes for fishing and kayaking, an 18-hole golf course, and resort-style recreational amenities. A 200-acre preserve overlooking the West Fork of the San Jacinto River further connects residents with nature. 

The Highlands earned recognition for making environmental stewardship and outdoor access integral to its development approach. Its preserved landscapes and connected recreational spaces demonstrate how a growing community can retain a distinctive natural setting while supporting active lifestyles. WHA’s QPD Committee also visited the community to see these planning decisions in practice. 

WHA Board Chair Harry Masterson presented the 2026 Star of Excellence to Marlene Gafrick, recognizing more than four decades of leadership in planning, development, and public service. 

During 33 years with the City of Houston, including service as Planning and Development Director from 2005 to 2013, Marlene helped modernize development regulations, strengthen neighborhood protections, and advance mobility planning. She subsequently spent a decade as Director of Planning at MetroNational. 

WHA benefited from her leadership as Regional Mobility Committee Chair, West Houston 2060 Plan Co-Chair, and Board Vice Chair and Chair. Today, as Senior Advisor for Planning to the Mayor of Houston, she continues applying that experience to the region’s future.