What we reported

The Katy City Council approved changes to the city’s comprehensive land-use plan, which facilitated the construction of an Amazon distribution center on Katy’s west side in March. City officials said the new facility would bring jobs and property tax revenue locally. Construction on the 1 million-square-foot fulfillment center began Feb. 28 at the intersection of I-10 and Hwy. 90, near Woods Road.

The latest

City Administrator Byron Hebert said via email that construction continues as planned. The site is expected to bring 800 full-time and 250 seasonal positions with a starting salary of $32,500. “Water and sewer have been run out there now,” Katy Mayor Chuck Brawner said.

What’s next

The distribution center is tentatively scheduled to open this spring or as early as February, the mayor said. Once operational, workers will pick, pack and ship customer orders, including electronics, sports gear and music equipment, according to an Amazon press release. This story is one update from The January Issue. View the full list of Top 9 stories to follow in 2018 here.