Howdy WHA Members!
The 2025 Quality Planned Development Symposium was a resounding success, bringing together leaders in planning, development, healthcare, education, and infrastructure to share ideas and inspire action toward more resilient, equitable communities. With record attendance and dynamic, solutions-focused conversations, the event highlighted the power of collaboration in shaping the future of our region. We’re excited to share a four-part article series recapping the insights from each part of the event. The first two installments are in this newsletter, and we will continue with the final two in our August edition. Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s symposium one of our best yet!
While the legislative session is behind us and more funding for water infrastructure may be on the horizon, the biggest news impacting our region is the recently announced $1.3 billion shortfall for the 2018 Harris County Flood Bond program. This funding gap has serious implications for projects across West Houston and underscores the importance of long-term, coordinated infrastructure planning—something WHA has long championed. Over the last seven years, 43 out of 181 programs have been completed. Suggesting that the program is not just over budget, but also behind schedule from the initial 10–15-year estimates. Based on the outcomes of Commissioner’s Court last week remaining bond funds will be re-prioritized to focus on projects in the top quartile of the “2022 Prioritization Index.” It is unclear what will happen to the 95 active projects that are not within the top quartile. I imagine this discussion will drag on throughout the summer at Commissioners Court, and HCFCD may find itself under state level political scrutiny again.
Speaking of flooding, we encourage you to join us August 14th for our Partners in Progress forum, that will showcase successful intergovernmental partnerships for regional flood resilience and discuss innovating funding and maintenance strategies, as well as new opportunities for collaboration. Featuring Scott Elmer (Harris County Flood Control District), Russ Poppe (Fort Bend County Drainage District), and State Representative Stan Kitzman (Brookshire-Katy Drainage District); the panel will be moderated by WHA Flood Control and Drainage Committee Vice Chair, Alan Black. Then on September 18th we are planning our Art of Placemaking forum which will explore how arts and culture can shape communities. More about this event is coming soon!
In the meantime, we still have a full month of committee meetings planned. Starting with our Education & Workforce Committee meeting on July 10th to discuss outputs from our QPD Symposium. Then on July 14th our Government Affairs Committee will meet to recap the session and talk about the upcoming special session. On July 15th our Sustainable Infrastructure Committee will discuss some projects for possible recognition as Sustainability Stars. On July 17th in the morning our Quality Planned Development Committee will be meeting to review how the QPD Symposium went and to start considering projects for QPD recognition this year. That afternoon, our Water Resources Committee will be discussing existing and future municipal water reuse projects. Our Regional Mobility Committee will be meeting to continue work on identifying and creating a plan to advocate for our mobility priorities in the region. Then on July 25th our Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces Committees will be joining our WHA Rising Leaders for a tour and discussion at Cross Creek Ranch.
It’s hard to imagine that we are over half-way through 2025! The energy, collaboration, and forward-thinking ideas coming out of our committee meetings continue to inspire. I’m excited for the important conversations ahead and the innovative solutions we’re shaping together—driving West Houston’s growth with a focus on resilience, opportunity, and long-term quality.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our shared vision!
Alan Steinberg
President & CEO
West Houston Association