On Thursday, June 4th, Council Member Flickinger hosted a CenterPoint Hurricane Preparedness Event at the Kingwood Community Center to help residents prepare for the 2026 hurricane season and connect with key utility and emergency management partners.

The event brought together representatives from CenterPoint Energy, the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management, Houston Public Works, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Union Pacific, Trees for Kingwood, Texas A&M Forest Service, and the District E Office. Residents had the opportunity to ask questions, learn about available resources, receive preparedness information, and discuss infrastructure and service concerns directly with agency representatives.

Council Member Flickinger appreciates the participation of all community partners and residents who attended and remains committed to ensuring District E is informed, prepared, and resilient during hurricane season.

Council Member Fred Flickinger would like to make residents aware that Houston Public Works have begun a mill and overlay road rehabilitation project on Bay Area Blvd. from Galveston Rd. to Reseda Dr. The scope of work includes milling and overlay of the existing asphalt street. The project cost is $3,280,000 and is funded through ad valorem tax.

The project is anticipated to be completed by Friday, July 25, 2026, weather permitting. Construction activities are expected to result in minor traffic impacts, including a single-lane closure that may increase congestion. No disruptions to utility or city services are anticipated during the project. Crews are scheduled to work Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

On Tuesday, June 9th, District E staff had the honor of attending the Hispanic Chamber’s of Commerce 2026 World Cup Reception at Shell Energy Stadium. The event brought together community leaders, partners, and supporters to celebrate the Chamber’s continued growth and the exciting opportunities ahead as Houston prepared to host the FIFA World Cup.

The reception highlighted several historic milestones for the Chamber, including its partnership with Telemundo, the official Spanish-language broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup, and its expanded partnership with the Houston Dynamo. These collaborations represented a shared commitment to celebrating Houston’s diversity, strengthening community connections, and creating opportunities for local businesses and residents as the city prepared for this global event.

The Sand Creek Village Drainage Improvement Project, being conducted by Houston Public Works, continues to make progress, with crews now focusing on the final phases of construction along Highland Laurels Drive.

According to the latest project update, recent heavy rainfall has delayed the project by approximately one week. Following the storms, crews conducted dewatering operations to remove excess water and prepare the site for continued construction activities. Work is currently underway on the southbound side of Highland Laurels, while restoration efforts on the northbound side are scheduled to begin shortly.

Looking ahead, the contractor anticipates completing the remaining concrete work, including final concrete pours, during the week following the Fourth of July holiday. Once complete, the project will move closer to its final stages, including restoration and site cleanup activities.

Residents should continue to expect construction traffic, temporary lane restrictions, and traffic control measures in the area as work progresses. Council Member Flickinger's office will continue to monitor the project and provide updates as additional information becomes available.

Phase II of the Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Project is well underway. This phase focuses on the Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Additional Gates Project, which will add eleven new tainter gates to the dam, increasing its controlled discharge capacity by an additional 79,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The schedule laid out during this year's town hall will be met with the support of Congressman Dan Crenshaw, State Representative Cunningham, and Mayor Whitmire.

Importantly, the Houston City Council recently approved an interlocal agreement allowing the City to receive $20 million in funding from Harris County to support this critical flood mitigation project. This partnership reflects strong regional collaboration and a shared commitment to accelerating improvements that enhance public safety.

The engineering firm Black & Veatch has completed the 30% design plans, and field activities are progressing. Ongoing efforts include ground and bathymetric surveys, with geotechnical soil borings and environmental investigations such as wetlands assessments, endangered species studies, and archaeological site evaluations.

In parallel, the design team is actively engaging with regulatory agencies, including the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE-Galveston), and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), to discuss project details and streamline permitting review schedules. The Coastal Water Authority (CWA) met with TCEQ in December and continues to work closely with USACE-Galveston and TPWD to explore options for expediting the approval process.

The District E office remains actively involved in this project, participating in bi-weekly coordination meetings with Houston Public Works, Coastal Water Authority, Texas Division of Emergency Management, and FEMA to ensure progress continues efficiently and transparently.

On Monday, June 15th, Council Member Flickinger was honored to speak at the Space Center Rotary Club meeting, where he provided members with an update on key issues impacting the City of Houston and District E. Rotary is a global service organization made up of local business, professional, and community leaders who work together to support charitable initiatives, promote community engagement, and address local and international challenges through volunteer service.

During the presentation, Council Member Flickinger emphasized the importance of civic engagement and encouraged residents to stay involved by communicating with their elected representatives. The discussion included a productive question-and-answer session covering topics such as the City budget, flooding concerns, and public safety. District E extends its appreciation to the Space Center Rotary Club for the invitation and looks forward to continuing the conversation with community leaders and residents in the future.

District E continues to experience encouraging crime trends, with overall crime down 26.0% compared to this time last year. Violent crime has decreased by 22.4%, while non-violent crime is down 26.8%, reflecting the positive impact of proactive policing and community partnerships.

Despite these encouraging numbers, one area of concern remains: residential burglaries increased from 27 incidents in April to 46 incidents in May. While year-to-date burglaries are still down 26.2% compared to 2025 (124 incidents versus 168), this recent increase serves as an important reminder that crime prevention begins with staying vigilant.

Residents are encouraged to lock doors and vehicles, remove valuables from plain sight, utilize exterior lighting and security cameras whenever possible, and promptly report suspicious activity to the Houston Police Department. Taking these simple preventative measures helps reduce opportunities for crime and strengthens the safety of our neighborhoods.

Council Member Flickinger has prioritized public safety by investing more than $250,000 in Council District Service Funds to support enhanced patrol initiatives, targeted crime suppression efforts, utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), and new jet skis for the Lake Patrol Division. These investments provide officers with additional resources to increase visibility, improve response capabilities, and enhance enforcement throughout District E.

Our office remains in close coordination with the Houston Police Department and each of District E's patrol divisions to monitor crime trends, address emerging concerns, and support ongoing public safety initiatives. By working together and remaining vigilant, we can continue building safer, stronger communities for everyone.

On Thursday, June 11, Council Member Fred Flickinger hosted a Matching Grant Introductory Meeting at the Kingwood Community Center to help homeowners associations, civic organizations, and community groups learn more about the City of Houston's Matching Grant Program.

Representatives from the Department of Neighborhoods provided an overview of the application process, eligible project types, funding requirements, and key deadlines for the upcoming grant cycle. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions, explore project ideas, and learn how the program can be used to support beautification, public safety, infrastructure, and quality-of-life improvements in their neighborhoods.

Council Member Flickinger would also like to thank Kingwood resident Chris Bloch for his continued support of the Matching Grant Program and for sharing his expertise with prospective applicants. Mr. Bloch has been instrumental in helping community groups navigate the application process and develop successful projects.

To further assist applicants, the District E Office is currently working with community partners to schedule a Matching Grant Workshop in the coming months. The workshop will provide hands-on assistance to organizations as they begin preparing their applications and project proposals.

Council Member Flickinger appreciates the Department of Neighborhoods, Mr. Bloch, and all community leaders who attended and looks forward to supporting District E organizations as they develop projects that strengthen and enhance our communities.

On Friday, June 12th, Council Member Flickinger attended the Crime Stoppers of Houston Appreciation Luncheon, an event dedicated to recognizing the individuals, partners, and community leaders who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to public safety and service. The luncheon brought together supporters from across the Houston region to celebrate the vital role Crime Stoppers plays in fostering safer communities through collaboration, education, and crime prevention initiatives.

During the event, honorees were recognized for their dedication to advancing public safety and supporting the mission of Crime Stoppers. Their contributions have helped strengthen partnerships between law enforcement and the community, encouraging civic engagement and empowering residents to play an active role in keeping Houston’s neighborhoods safe. The luncheon served as a meaningful opportunity to acknowledge these efforts and celebrate the collective impact of those working to make a difference throughout the city.

District E had the privilege of hosting the Moving Honors – Fallen Heroes Recognition ceremony honoring Houston Fire Department Firefighter/Paramedic Stephen Scott of Station 102 in Kingwood.

Firefighter/Paramedic Scott dedicated 34 years of service to the Houston Fire Department before making the ultimate sacrifice on September 17, 2025. While caring for a patient during transport to Kingwood Hospital, he suffered a fatal cardiovascular emergency in the line of duty. His unwavering commitment to serving others, even in his final moments, exemplified the courage, professionalism, and selflessness that define Houston's first responders.

Moving Honors is a nationwide tribute organized by the National EMS Memorial Service. Each year, a specially marked ambulance transports the Tree of Life, a memorial honoring EMS and air medical professionals who lost their lives in the line of duty. As the procession travels across the country, communities gather to pay their respects, recognize local honorees, and ensure their service and sacrifice are never forgotten.

The ceremony honoring Firefighter/Paramedic Scott served as a solemn reminder of the risks our firefighters and emergency medical personnel face every day as they answer the call to protect our community. Council Member Fred Flickinger extends his deepest gratitude to Firefighter/Paramedic Stephen Scott and his family for their sacrifice, and to every member of the Houston Fire Department who continues to serve District E with courage, compassion, and unwavering dedication.

On Thursday, June 25th, District E staff attended a networking event hosted by the East Harris County Empowerment Council. The event brought together community leaders, local organizations, and public servants from across the region, including representatives from Commissioner Adrian Garcia’s office, the North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce, the East Harris County Empowerment Council, and other key community stakeholders.

The gathering provided a valuable opportunity to build relationships, strengthen partnerships, and discuss issues affecting residents and businesses throughout East Houston and Harris County. Through meaningful conversations and collaboration, attendees explored ways to support community development and improve opportunities for the communities they serve.

The East Harris County Empowerment Council plays a vital role in connecting residents with resources and opportunities that enhance quality of life across the region. Through innovative and sustainable programs and services, the organization works to promote economic growth, community development, and long-term success for East Harris County. Events like this create meaningful opportunities for community leaders to connect, share resources, and work together toward common goals that benefit East Harris County residents.

TIRZ 10/Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority (LHRA) is progressing on Phases 1 and 2 of the Northpark Drive Project. Phase 2, which will expand Northpark Drive from four to six lanes, replace bridges, and add a 90-acre-foot detention basin, is moving forward with land surveys, right-of-way acquisitions, and easement preparations. Work on the Northpark Drive project continues, with crews active in several areas.

Construction continues to make significant progress on the Northpark Drive Overpass Project, with one of the project's biggest milestones now complete. Traffic has been shifted onto the newly constructed surface lanes, allowing motorists to travel straight through from US 59 past Russell Palmer Road. This new traffic pattern has eliminated the temporary zig-zag alignment and cleared the way for construction of the new overpass bridges across Loop 494 and the Union Pacific Railroad.

Crews have begun removing the old roadway near the railroad crossing and are reconstructing the Loop 494 intersection to accommodate new storm sewer infrastructure and paving. While east-west traffic on Northpark Drive will remain open, drivers should expect temporary changes to north-south traffic on Loop 494 as construction progresses and are encouraged to use alternate routes when practical.

Work also continues on the new entry ponds near US 59. These ponds are designed to detain stormwater runoff from the additional travel lanes while also serving as a gateway into the Kingwood community.

Over the next several weeks, crews will continue excavating, grading, and installing liners in both entry ponds. They are also expected to complete demolition of the old roadway and finish installing the project's new street lighting, bringing the corridor another step closer to its final configuration.

As a reminder, the next TIRZ Board meeting will be held on Thursday, August 13th at 8:00 AM at the Kingwood Community Center. Every TIRZ Board meeting is open to the public. Visit the LHRA website for more information on the Northpark Drive Overpass Project and view the 2026 Board of Directors Calendar.

Meet Bleu! Bleu is a 4-year-old spayed Belgian Malinois mix currently living in a foster home while she waits for adoption.

Bleu is a medium-sized dog with striking blue eyes and a calm, friendly personality. She gets along well with both small and large dogs and enjoys spending time with people.

Foster staff describe her as affectionate, easygoing, and happiest when she can be near those around her.

Bleu is housebroken and has adjusted well to life in foster care. She enjoys being active but is equally content relaxing at home. Her combination of good manners, social nature, and affectionate temperament make her a great candidate for a variety of households.

If you are looking for a loyal companion, Bleu may be a great fit for your family. Click here to learn more about adopting Bleu or email barcfoster@houstontx.gov.

Residents may act as extra eyes and ears on the streets, and soon you'll be able to report a pothole, a malfunctioning traffic light, or a drainage problem while you're out and about. Houston 311 has launched a new smartphone app that makes reporting issues like these easier than ever. The app uses GPS to identify your location and also allows you to snap a photo to add to your service request. The new app allows for reports to be automatically routed to city departments for resolutions.

You can still alert the City of Houston of issues by dialing 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311 of potential problems in your community. Houstonians can also access this helpful service via an e-mail to 311@HoustonTX.gov. A self Service Request (SR) form is available online at www.houston311.org. Once you've reported a problem please follow up with the District E office by emailing your case number and information on the issue to the District E office at districte@houstontx.gov to help ensure the problem is addressed promptly.

District E Upcoming Monthly Events

Email the District E office (districte@houstontx.gov) if you would like us to include your upcoming event in future newsletters!

July 03 – City Holiday

July 04 – Kingwood July 4th Parade

July 08 – KSA Public Safety Committee Meeting

July 09 – HPD Northeast PIP

July 11 – Clear Lake Electronic Recycling

July 20 – HPD Clear Lake PIP

July 20 – HPD Eastside PIP

July 21 – HPD Kingwood PIP