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Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston
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Saturday, February 15, 2025 • Vol. 70 • No. 7
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Affordable housing community breaks ground in Oak Forest area
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By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com On Feb. 11, local officials, developers, and community members gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of Lost Oaks, a 78-unit affordable housing community in northwest Houston. Designed to provide safe, stable, and energyefficient housing, the five-story, elevator-served building will serve families earning 60% or below the area median income. The development aims to address Houston’s ongoing need for high-quality, af-
INSIDE.
fordable housing while fostering long-term community stability.
A Collaborative Effort to Expand Affordable Housing
The $25.9 million project is the result of a partnership between multiple organizations dedicated to improving housing accessibility in Harris County. The MarkDana Corporation spearheaded the development, with $3.1 million in funding from the Harris County Housing and Community Development Department through the American Rescue
Plan Act (ARPA). Additional financial support came from the Harris County Housing Finance Corporation, which serves as the general partner and landowner, as well as Stellar Bank, the project’s construction lender. “We are proud to be a part of the Harris County and Harris County Housing Finance Corporation efforts to build affordable and quality housing to help improve the quality of life for residents in Central Northwest Houston,” said David courtesy of Mark-Dana Corporation Mark Koogler, President and CEO Rendering of Lost Oaks, 810Image Oak St, Houston, Texas 77018 See HOUSING P. 2
Hogan Street SOMETHING OLD, MKTpedestrian closure SOMETHING NEW… andbridge trail detours announced
By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
Get ready, set, eat: Eat Drink HTX starts Feb. 15
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Restaurant briefs: Special events and offers
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Photo courtesy of HHA
Residential Renovation Winner: 723 W. 12th Street
This Saturday: District C electronic recycling drive
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YES Prep White Oak Elementary now enrolling
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Community Calendar: See what’s happening around town
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By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
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THE INDEX. Topics ����������������������������������������4 Classifieds ���������������������������������7 Local Culture �����������������������������8
Grace United Methodist Church in the Heights, affectionately known as Grace in the Heights, is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating 120 years of service, fellowship, and dedication to the Houston Heights community. Since its founding in 1905, the church has been a place of worship, education, and outreach, evolving alongside the neighborhood it serves while staying true to
We empower people to thrive. S TE LL A R . BA N K NM L S # 4 5 1 3 1 2
Photo courtesy of HHA
BEFORE: 723 W 12th St
better place than it was before?” This year’s winners, spanning four categories, reflect a blend of preservation and innovation, celebrating the past while embracing the future of the neighborhood.
Commercial Renovation Winner: Heights Studewood Pharmacy
The Heights Studewood Pharmacy,
a local mom-and-pop shop on 11th Street, received top honors in the Commercial Renovation category. This independent pharmacy took an older, outdated building and transformed it into a welcoming, beautifully restored space, emphasizing both customer service and community connection. The thoughtful renovaSee AWARDS P. 2
Trail users traveling between the Heights and Downtown will need to follow alternate routes while the section beneath the bridge remains closed. Detour maps have been provided to guide pedestrians and cyclists safely around the affected area. For those traveling from the Heights to Downtown, a recommended route includes using the White Oak Greenway Trail eastward through Stude Park, then crossing Houston Avenue and following Quitman Street under I-45. From there, pedestrians can take Main Street south, pass through the tunnel, and reconnect with the White Oak Greenway Trail via Naylor Street near the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) campus. For those traveling from Downtown toward the Heights, the reverse detour applies, taking Naylor Street west through the UHD campus, then using Main Street, Quitman Street, and Houston Avenue before rejoining the MKT Hike & Bike Trail.
Cyclists-Only Alternative Route
Due to missing sidewalk segments, a separate detour has been outlined for cyclists. This includes using Studemont Street and the I-10 feeder road, then transitioning onto the MKT Hike & Bike Trail at Silver Street. Riders will then follow a designatSee DETOURS P. 5
Grace in the Heights Church celebrates 120 years of community and faith By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor
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Detour Routes for Trail Users
Houston Heights Association recognizes 2025 Community Improvement Award winners The Houston Heights Association (HHA) has announced the recipients of its 2025 Community Improvement Awards, recognizing projects that have made a significant visual, environmental, and economic impact on the Heights neighborhood. The awards, presented annually, honor both residential and commercial properties that enhance the character and vibrancy of the Heights through renovation and new construction. Projects were eligible if completed between 2022 and 2024 and were judged based on their architectural contributions, compatibility with the neighborhood, and overall improvement to the community. The Heights Association’s selection committee focused on properties that answer the question: “Which building have you seen that makes the Houston Heights an even
Starting Tuesday, Feb. 11, Houston Public Works contractors began the partial demolition of the MKT Hogan Street Pedestrian Bridge, requiring a temporary closure of the White Oak Bayou Greenway Trail beneath the bridge. The work is expected to last two weeks, after which the trail will temporarily reopen until permanent repairs or a replacement project begins. The bridge was officially closed on Feb. 4 due to severe structural damage that posed safety concerns. City officials say they are working to expedite the repair process and will provide updates once a timeline for permanent reconstruction is established.
its mission of faith and inclusivity.
A Rich History Rooted in the Heights Rev. Kate Walker, Pastor of Grace Church, shared the church’s historical journey, which began with a small gathering of women at 1416 Heights Blvd. “They became the Home Missionary Society of Houston Heights and the founding group of what would become Grace in the Heights United Methodist Church,” Walker said.
Over the years, the congregation met in various locations, including a skating rink, the Harvard School, Houston Heights City Hall (now the Historic Fire Station), and eventually settled at the corner of 13th and Heights Blvd. In fact, you can still find the old horse tie rings along 13th Street, silent reminders of a bygone era when horses were the primary mode of transportation. These small but enduring details serve as a testimony See GRACE P. 5
Submitted photo
Attend Grace in the Heights in person or live stream their service.
Allegiance Bank and CommunityBank of Texas have come together as Stellar Bank. While our name has changed, our commitment to serving our customers and supporting our local communities will stay the same. We look forward to a bright future together.
2222 North Durham | 281.517.8760 Margaret Vandever, Bank Office President Cecilia Rodriguez, Office Manager