From changes in Cy-Fair's health care landscape to a school district bond referendum to major road projects, these were Community Impact Newspaper Cy-Fair's most-read news stories of 2019.
1. Hwy. 6 bridge demolition process to begin Sept. 6 in Cy-Fair with major closures planned
The Texas Department of Transportation put several major road closures into effect in September in preparation to demolish the Hwy. 6 bridge over Hempstead Road and Union Pacific Corp. railroad tracks later that month.
2. HCA Houston Healthcare Cypress Fairbanks to transition into freestanding emergency room, will no longer offer inpatient services
In mid-March, HCA Houston Healthcare Cypress Fairbanks, formerly known as the Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital, began the process of transitioning from a full-service, 181-bed hospital into a freestanding emergency room at Steepletop Drive.
3. Cy-Fair ISD board approves attendance boundary changes for 2020-21
Cy-Fair ISD’s board of trustees unanimously approved boundary changes for the 2020-21 school year to alleviate overcrowded campuses and populate Rowe Middle School—the district’s 19th middle school which is slated to open in August near FM 529 and the Grand Parkway.
4. Jersey Village, developer announce plans for Village Center, a mixed-use project south of Hwy. 290
Plans for a mixed-use development in Jersey Village moved forward with plans for 43 acres of residential, retail, restaurant and hotel space being brought in over the next three to four years.
5. Lone Star College approved to offer bachelor’s degree programs in 2020
Officials announced in December that Lone Star College would be one of the first community colleges in the state approved to offer certain bachelor’s degree programs starting in fall 2020.
6. Officials begin preleasing as plans take shape at 900-acre Bridgeland Central
Plans progressed for Bridgeland’s 900-acre mixed-use “urban hub” that developers with The Howard Hughes Corp. will build featuring retail, restaurants, entertainment venues and hotels as well as 1,650 single-family units and 2,200 multifamily units at build-out.
7. William Lyon Homes acquires 212 acres in Cypress, plans first Houston-area development
California-based homebuilder William Lyon Homes purchased 212 acres across from Miramesa in Cypress with plans to build its first Houston-area development known as Bridge Creek featuring 758 homesites.
8. Harris County to end cash bail for most misdemeanor arrestees
An effort to overhaul Harris County’s bail bond system was set into motion in July that county officials said addresses inequalities in how the system treats lower-income arrestees.
9. Increasing costs, competition lead to business closures in Cy-Fair
Local small-business owners expressed concerns about high rent costs in certain parts of Cy-Fair as well as competition from major chain businesses that have resources to attract more customers.
10. New section of Cypress North Houston Road in Cypress targeted for widening
Construction on an effort to widen a portion of Cypress North Houston Road between Cypress Creek Bend Drive and Greenhouse Road from two lanes to a four-lane boulevard was completed this year.
11. Houston Astros choose Cypress location for one of several World Series murals
A partnership with the Houston Astros brought a custom mural to the Boardwalk at Towne Lake during the ALDS West Division Series in October.
12. Cypress area MUD passed bond referendum, plots annexation amid growth
Voters approved a $210 million bond referendum for Harris County MUD No. 165 during Nov. 5 elections, which MUD officials said will be used to fund a variety of water, sewage and drainage projects within the district’s boundaries and potentially within new boundaries that could be added through annexation.
13. Cy-Fair ISD residents to vote on $1.76 billion bond in May
Voters living in Cy-Fair ISD’s boundaries approved a $1.76 billion bond referendum on the May 4 ballot, making it the district’s largest bond package to date.
14. Jersey Village threatens motel with condemnation, demolition if improvements are not made
The city of Jersey Village asked owners of a Super 7 Inn within city limits to address a variety of health and safety concerns including plumbing and electrical violations.
15. Developers bringing thousands of homes to area north of Cypress
Roughly 2,200 acres of land near the Grand Parkway and Mueschke and Cypress Rosehill roads were under development to add thousands of new single-family homes when fully built out, a process that could take more than a decade.
16. Groups seek to connect Greenhouse and Skinner roads under Hwy. 290
Cy-Fair entities advocated for a new connection between Greenhouse and Skinner roads to provide more direct access to Hwy. 290.
17. Land Tejas acquires 856 acres for new 2,500-home community in Cypress
Land Tejas announced Oct. 3 the company has acquired 856 acres in Cypress with plans to build a 2,500-home master-planned community near the intersection of FM 529 and Fry Road.
18. Underground tunnel could be part of flooding solution for Cypress Creek
Brian Gettinger, tunneling services leader with Freese & Nichols Inc., pitched a $2 billion-$3 billion underground tunnel system to the Cypress Creek Flood Control Coalition to reduce the strain on creeks and bayous during heavy rainfall.
19. Cy-Fair ISD adopts $27.5 million deficit budget to raise employee salaries in 2019-20
Cy-Fair ISD’s board of trustees adopted a $992.3 million budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year including 3%-3.5% raises for all employees.
