“We’re really excited to see dirt moving and the project to be kicked off from a construction standpoint,” Reina said.

Once completed, the boardwalk is estimated to have $500 million in equity put into the district.

[caption id="attachment_216549" align="alignright" width="460"] A proposed Texas Department of Transportation project would widen FM 1463 between I-10 and FM 1093.[/caption]

3. Mobility projects: FM 1093 and FM 1463

What we reported A large-scale widening and extension project to FM 1093 and the Westpark Tollway began in February 2016. FM 1093 will be a two-lane frontage road in each direction on either side of the Westpark Tollway extending 2.3 miles west of the Grand Parkway. The extension consists of four lanes of concrete-paved highway with two lanes in each direction. An overpass will be built above the intersection of Katy-Gaston Road and Spring Green Boulevard.

The latest On FM 1463, a proposed TxDOT project includes significant construction along a 6.7-mile stretch of the road between I-10 and FM 1093. Under the proposed project, FM 1463 would be renovated and widened from two lanes throughout to either four or six lanes in various locations.

What’s next The FM 1093 project is estimated to cost $64 million and is scheduled to be completed by February 2018. The estimated cost for the FM 1463 project is $81 million, and construction is estimated to begin in early 2019.

4. Property tax relief

What we reported The city of Katy—in a property tax relief effort implemented five years ago—is in its fourth year of a 2 cent per year decrease in taxes as well as an increased taxable property valuation exemption for those over age 65 and for disabled individuals. The tax rate for fiscal year 2016-17 was set at 50.672 cents per $100 valuation, a decrease from last year’s rate of 52.672 cents. The city’s goal was to begin lowering the tax rate after debt from the construction of Katy Mills was paid off, City Administrator Byron Hebert said. Katy ISD’s property tax rate was set at $1.5166 per $100 valuation for FY 2016-17 on Sept. 26. The board lowered its debt services rate by 1 cent prior to FY 2015-16 after it had remained at 40 cents since FY 2007-08.

The Latest Hebert said the goal was to lower the tax rate from 58 cents to 48 cents over the time period and increase the exemption to a total of $100,000. So far the rate is 50 cents and the exemption is $90,000. Additionally, the KISD board of trustees adopted a resolution regarding property tax relief and transparency in taxation at its Dec. 12 meeting. The resolution urges legislators to reexamine the funding system for public education.

What’s Next Depending on the economy, the city of Katy could choose again to decrease taxes or establish another relief effort.

“You will need to have revenues that can support it,” Hebert said.

KISD has begun planning for FY 2017-18 and working with local legislators.

[caption id="attachment_216550" align="alignright" width="460"] 10 things in Katy area to look for in 2017[/caption]

5. Harris County ESD No. 48

The latest The new fire station is now nearly fully operational with several fire emergency vehicles, an ambulance and occasionally a peak-hours ambulance. The administrative offices for the station first opened in November.

What’s next Harris County ESD 48 is working on the final details of the station with the contractor and is planning an official grand opening for later this month.

6. Katy ISD legislative priorities

What we reported KISD’s Legislative Priorities Advisory Committee presented its official recommendations to the district’s board of trustees at the start of the year. Top priorities include increased funding for state mandates, equitable accountability and transparency for all state-funded schools, streamlined Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills—also known as TEKS—and the removal of the state’s 8.5 percent cap for students receiving special education services.

The latest KISD and the advisory committee have been working with legislators since the session began Jan. 10.

7. Developments breaking ground

What we reported The latest developments in Katy include the Shops at Katy Reserve, Stableside at Falcon Landing and Cross Creek Commons by NewQuest Properties in southwestern Katy. NewQuest is also developing Grand Morton Town Center in the northeastern part of the Katy area, while The Retail Connection is developing the Shoppes at Parkwest in the northwestern portion.

The latest Many of the newest developments are expected to be open by the end of 2017. The Retail Connection anticipates completing a third phase of the Shoppes at Parkwest this summer.

[caption id="attachment_216552" align="alignright" width="460"] Katy ISD’s second football stadium is in the final phases of construction and is scheduled to open this summer.[/caption]

8. KISD second football stadium

What we reported Katy ISD is spending $58 million on its second football stadium, which will seat 12,000 people. The district’s existing facility, Rhodes Stadium, seats just under 10,000 spectators. Preparation work on the field is projected to begin in the spring. All parking lots are complete, and various road improvements to help mitigate game traffic will be complete when the stadium opens. Renovations and improvements to the district’s Student Activity Facilities Complex–of which the second stadium will be a part–will roughly tally an additional $12 million.

The latest In December, KISD announced that Academy Sports+Outdoors would have the naming rights to the part of its student activity complex encompassing Rhodes Stadium and the second stadium. The 10-year deal is worth $2.5 million, and the portion of the complex will be named the Academy Sports+Outdoors Student Activity Complex.

What’s next Stadium construction is on time and is set to be completed for the 2017 football season.

[caption id="attachment_216553" align="alignright" width="460"] The city of Katy will host a variety of events over Super Bowl weekend in conjunction with local businesses.[/caption]

9. Super Bowl events

What we reported The National Football League will be celebrating Super Bowl LI in Katy with a slew of festivities. In conjunction with Celebrity Sweat and Katy ISD, the city of Katy will host the Celebrity Flag Football Challenge Feb. 4 prior to the game, which occurs Feb. 5.

The latest Celebrities and notable people in town for the event consist of appearances by “The Bachelorette” contestant James Taylor and former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie.

What’s next Festivities on Feb. 4 include a tailgate from 9 a.m. to noon preceding the activities at Rhodes Stadium, which consist of a pregame, high school band performances and an NFL activity with veterans. Following the celebration at Rhodes, an after-party takes place at No Label Brewery from 4-8 p.m

10. KISD attendance boundary modifications

What we reported The Katy ISD board of trustees is considering attendance boundary modifications that would affect students in all areas of Katy except for the southeastern portion for the 2017-18 school year.

The boundary modifications are in response to KISD’s three new schools that are set to open next school year—Bryant Elementary, Stockdick Junior High and Paetow High schools.

“I certainly understand parent concerns whenever there’s a change in a facility,” KISD Superintendent Lance Hindt said. “In Katy ISD, we’re growing by 2,500 students annually. We have to build buildings, and we have to populate buildings.”

Under the recommended boundaries, Paetow High School would absorb students from Katy and Morton Ranch high schools; Stockdick Junior High School would take on growth from Katy and McDonald junior high schools; and Bryant Elementary School would provide relief for Katy and Wolman elementary schools.

The board received the recommendations at its Nov. 15 workshop meeting, and community members were encouraged to provide additional feedback via an online survey that was available through Nov. 30. Official boundary recommendations were set to be made to the board at its Dec. 5 meeting.

“Our attendance boundary modification process has been repeated so many times that I feel like we have a really great system in place,” board President Rebecca Fox said.

The latest While the same campuses will be affected, the district revised the attendance boundaries based on community input. The board approved the revised plan at its Dec. 12 meeting.

“It will also provide relief to overcrowded schools and enable students to have equitable access to the same high-quality instruction and programs regardless of the campus they attend,” KISD spokesperson Maria DiPetta said.

What’s next KISD will mail a letter to all affected families by the end of January.