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Community Corner

🌱 Downtown Dalliances + Conservation Districts

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Houston.

Chris Stomberg, Neighbor
|
(Patch Media)

Hello, Houston. I'm here in your inbox as per usual to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on in town, including news about ...

  • Why you should spend more time in downtown Houston
  • How Houston plans to fight gentrification
  • Houston restaurants that have closed this year

But first, today's weather: Patchy fog in the morning. High: 80 Low: 67.

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Here are the top stories today in Houston:

  1. Downtown Houston may not be on your list of cool places in Houston to hang, but it certainly should be. From outdoor recreation to unique bars and the second largest theater district in the United States, downtown is jam-packed with enjoyable spots. If you're looking to drink, the sleepy beach bar Sunny's, Dean's full of plush couches and signature cocktails, or the Flying Saucer and their beer wall challenge are all perfect appointments. Downtown is also no stranger to delicious eats thanks to spots like the Post Market international food court, Treebeards, and the old school Zero's Sandwich shop. Lastly, outdoor enthusiasts should know that Discovery Green and Market Square Park both host event nights frequently where you can dive into activities like yoga classes, an outdoor movie screening, pop-up markets, and more. (Houstonia Magazine)
  2. Houston artist Dominique Silva, better known as Paperbag, is using his art to shine a spotlight on mental health. Silva's artistic name comes from his first project where he depicted himself with a paper bag over his head. The work was inspired by his own feelings of struggling with his mental health and his belief that no one else would understand his issues if he shared them. However, Paperbag has since come to the realization that there are others out there who struggle with the same problems and there are places where you can seek help. If you're interested in checking out some of his work, Silva is putting on a free art show as a part of Black History Month this weekend at Arcadia Lighting Studio. (KTRK-TV)
  3. The city of Houston is considering using conservation districts in an effort to combat gentrification. Mayor Sylvester Turner said, "Unless we take definitive steps to preserve these underrepresented disenfranchised communities, they will be no more. If the city does nothing, the city is going to participate in the gentrification of communities throughout this city just like what happened in Freedmen's Town." The proposed ordinance for these so-called conservation districts would place building standards and rules for development on certain areas. As a result, the culture and heritage of a neighborhood could be kept intact even in the face of new construction. While council members agreed about supporting the general idea, they also felt the language in the ordinance as currently written was too vague. Even if the ordinance fails to pass in its current form, it's likely that the idea of conservation districts in Houston is a conversation that will continue. (Chron)
  4. It may still be early in 2023, but Houston has already seen a number of notable restaurants go under since the beginning of the new year. Perhaps the most spectacular loss was the closing of Griff's Irish Pub in Montrose, a staple since 1965, following a fire in January. Also joining the list of the deceased is the Houston area Hubcap Grill burger joint whose land was sold for new residential development. Additionally, Tex-Mex classic Spanish Village, open for over 70 years, will finally be closing at the end of March. Other restaurants that have closed this year include 1751 Sea & Bar, Chivos, Bodega Bellaire, Maize, and Cherry Block Smokehouse. (Chron)
  5. E-cigarette company JUUL settled with the city of Houston for $20 million after using misleading ads that marketed towards children. While JUUL may be done with the city of Houston, this settlement is only one case in a much larger string of cases against the company involving cities, states, and schools across the nation. County Attorney Christian Menefee said, "This case was always about reducing youth nicotine addiction in our communities. I want kids across Harris County to go on to live long, healthy lives." The health implications of vaping are still largely unknown, but Texas businesses and government has moved against the practice in recent years. In 2019, H-E-B stopped selling the product. Meanwhile, the city of Houston added e-cigarettes to their ban on smoking tobacco in enclosed public spaces. (Houston Chronicle)

Headlines you need to see:

  • Houston's warmth continues, with a distinct lack of rainfall (Space City Weather)
  • Houston ISD receives $300,000 to develop a new recycling program from various business leaders (Houston Public Media)
  • Houston man charged with sexually assaulting 6 adopted sons is faking 'terminal illness,' prosecutors say (KHOU.com)
  • Bodycam shows Houston area cop threatening to kill driver (Chron)
  • Downtown Houston's new mural features 11-year-old named Houston (Houston Chronicle)

Today in Houston:

  • Beginner Salsa Lessons at M-K-T Heights (6 p.m.)
  • Theater: "Drunk Shakespeare" at the Emerald Theatre (7 p.m.)
  • Theater: "Potato Gumbo" at the Pearl Theater (8 p.m.)
  • Comedy: Ian Edwards at The Secret Group (8 p.m.)
  • Concert: The Best of Broadway with Jeremy Jordan at Jones Hall (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • A Houston woman was charged with manslaughter after administering silicone butt injections that ultimately killed her patient. She has now been sentenced to 8 years in prison. (KHOU 11 News via Facebook)
  • A TikTok trend led Disneyland to installing new safety warning on its "Guardians of the Galaxy" ride. The trend encouraged passengers to loosen or unfasten their seatbelts so that they might get more airtime during the ride. (ABC13 Houston via Facebook)
  • A new study from WalletHub shows that Houston is one of the most ethnically diverse large cities in the nation. H-town came in at the #10 spot for large cities and the #28 spot among all cities. (FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)

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That's it for this week! Thanks again for following along and staying informed, and I'll be right back with you this coming Monday. Enjoy the warm weekend everyone!

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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