Community Impact Newspaper Cy-Fair published hundreds of stories this year, but these 10 were the most popular among readers:

1. New master-planned community, Dunham Pointe, announced for undeveloped land near Hwy. 290 and Mason Road in Cypress

Archie Dunham, chairman emeritus of Chesapeake Energy and former CEO of Conoco Inc., announced plans to develop a new master-planned community, Dunham Pointe, on the south side of Hwy. 290 between Mueschke and Mason roads and north of Bridgeland. The stretch of land consists of 1,327 acres, 300 of which will be dedicated to retail development along the Hwy. 290 corridor. The rest will be devoted to anywhere between 2,500 and 3,000 residential homes.

Originally published Nov. 7, 2016

2. Two beloved Cypress burger joints close their doors

Rockwell Grill posted on Faceboook that it would close its Telge Road location on Oct. 30. The same Facebook comment invited followers to stay tuned for updates about their newest location, Rosehill Beer Garden, born out of a collaboration with Eddie Jackson from the Food Network.

Cypress Station Grill posted a letter on its doors Oct. 31 announcing its own closing. The letter expressed the owners’ appreciation for the past eight years of being involved in the community.

Originally posted Oct. 31, 2016

3. More tenants commit to retail center in Fairfield, New tenants confirmed for Fairfield Town Center

After years of planning, construction at the Fairfield Town Center is hitting its stride and moving along smoothly. An updated site plan from developer WP Glimcher identifies confirmed tenants and proposals for open spaces. Upon completion, the Fairfield Town Center will provide more than 600,000 square feet of retail space and restaurant pad sites.

Shops to have since open at the center include Bath & Body Works, Dress Barn, Lenscrafters, Kirkland’s, Maurices, MOD Pizza, Old Navy, Party City, Homegoods/Marshalls, Zoe’s Kitchen, Chipotle, Jimmy John’s and Pei Wei. Others openings are expected to follow through mid-2017, officials said.

Originally posted April 20, 2016 and July 28, 2016

4. Ground breaking set for February on FedEx ground distribution facility in Cypress

FedEx Corporation broke ground on what will be its largest ground distribution facility in Texas. The 800,000-square-foot hub will be located on a 484-acre tract of land at 8787 W. Grand Parkway N., Cypress. The site is located west of the Grand Parkway and north of FM 529, near where future extensions of West and Longenbaugh roads are expected to run.

Originally posted Jan. 22, 2016

5. Tin Hall changes ownership back to Fred Stockton, Joe Duong

Ownership of Tin Hall has changed once again, this time back into the hands of previous owner Fred Stockton and his partner Joe Duong. On Aug. 16, MHI McGuyer Homebuilders ceded control of the historic dance hall in Cypress over to Stockton after being under the ownership of Mark Martinez since October 2014. The two said they plan to turn the building into a restaurant in Cypress.

Originally posted Sept. 2, 2016

6. Water levels slowly falling, but Cypress Creek could take several days to reach low flood risk status

After several days, forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show water levels finally starting to recede at Cypress Creek. Although rainfall over the past few days had been lighter, water continued to travel downstream through the Cy-Fair area from Waller County, keeping creek levels high. Cy-Fair ISD closed all campuses for several days.

Major thoroughfares in Cy-Fair—such as Barker Cypress Road, Skinner Road and Fry Road—experienced flooding that lasted well beyond the initial April 18 storm, making roadways difficult to navigate.

Originally posted April 19, 2016

7. Cy-Fair ISD approves attendance boundary changes, calendar for 2016 school year

The Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees unanimously approved proposals for attendance boundary changes for several district high schools and middle schools heading into the 2016-17 school year. The board also approved several additional high school boundary changes for the 2017-18 school year.

The changes, first proposed at a November 2015 meeting, were meant to populate Cypress Park and Bridgeland high schools and alleviate crowding at other campuses. 

Originally posted Jan. 20, 2016

8. What you should know about the Hwy. 6 bridge over Hwy. 290

The Texas Department of Transportation is laying the groundwork on a Hwy. 6 overpass above Hwy. 290. Construction on the four-lane bridge was initially set to start by the end of 2015, but right of way acquisition and utility relocations have pushed that date back to spring 2017, TxDOT Public Information Officer Karen Othon said.

The project is meant to alleviate traffic at the intersection of Hwy. 290 and FM 1960/Hwy. 6, where officials said traffic needs at the heavily traveled area are not being met by the existing traffic signal.

Originally posted Aug. 8, 2016

9. 17 new businesses coming to Cypress Creek Plaza 

Cypress Creek Plaza, the shopping center located at 9690 Fry Road, Cypress, nears completion, with businesses opening throughout the end of 2016 and into 2017. A partnership between Smithco Development and Cypress Creek Lakes developer Mischer Investments, the project broke ground toward the end of 2015.

Eighty percent of the shopping center has been leased, and three buildings totaling 51,000 square feet contain restaurants, dental offices, nail salons, postal services, pet supply shops and more.

Originally posted Sept. 16, 2016

10. Flying Vine Wine Bar & Bistro opens in Towne Lake

With more than 60 labels from countries such as France, Italy, New Zealand and South Africa, Flying Vine Wine Bar & Bistro opened Dec. 5 with Southern creole inspiration. Cypress native Matthew Mitchell and Jersey Village native LeaErin Hurley own and operate the business in the Boardwalk at Towne Lake.

With selections like crawfish pot pie, fried green tomatoes, rack of lamb with butternut squash risotto and red snapper with crawfish butter sauce and Andouille rice, the chefs said they maintain a menu of upscale comfort food without being pretentious.

Originally posted Dec. 5, 2016