In emerging subdivisions or master-planned communities, it’s relatively easy to develop a park or design a winding trail for residents.

In an area with precious little undeveloped land such as Westchase District, shoehorning in outdoor amenities among existing structures can prove a challenge. However, by the end of this year Westchase District will feature nearly four miles of off-street trails for joggers, walkers, bicyclists and outdoor enthusiasts.

This spring Westchase District broke ground on Brays Bayou Connector Trail (BBCT), a new 1.92-mile off-street trail that will run south from Richmond Avenue to Bellaire Boulevard. The 8- to 10-foot concrete path will include benches, water

fountains, trash receptacles, landscaping, wildfl owers, tree groves and a four-piece workout station.

Building ConnectionsThe most exciting thing about the trail is its

connectivity to a larger system, according to Irma Sanchez, vice of projects for Westchase District. “This trail will connect to the City of Houston’s on-street bikeway network at each roadway intersection and to the Westchase Park & Ride on Harwin,” said Sanchez.

The direct trail connection to this METRO facility will enable trail users access to METRO’s bus route 151 (Westpark Express), which travels to downtown. BBCT will connect to the 8-acre, city-owned Harwin Park and the 81-acre, county-owned Arthur Storey Park, as well as the future Brays Bayou Trail.

On the north end, the BBCT will connect at Richmond to the District’s existing Library Loop Trail, which loops east and west between the Robinson – Westchase Neighborhood Library, 3223 Wilcrest Drive, and the Deborah Sue Schatz United States Post Offi ce, 2909 Rogerdale Road.

Underpass accessThe new trail will feature underpasses at

Richmond, Westpark Drive, Westpark Tollway, Harwin Drive and Bellaire, allowing trail users to safely enjoy the trail entirely off-street. “We’re replacing the existing corrugated steel storm outlets and encasing them in square concrete box culverts to

INSIDE

10370 RichmondSuite 1350Houston, Texas 77042

www.westchasedistrict.comAddress Service Requested

B U I L D I N G H I G H E R V A L U E S I N C E 1 9 9 5

YEAR 18 | ISSUE 2 | SUMMER 2016

WESTCHASETODAY

2 Greg Travis Eats & Meets

3 Atkinson Farms Brings Produce to Market

4 Noah’s Ark Celebrates 20 Years

5 Hunton Group Makes Westchase Cool

6 Corporate Challenge Winners

6 Kolache Factory: Born in Westchase

7 Ofc. Alex Mayo follows family tradition

7 Coloring Outside the Lines

PRST STDUS POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO 542HOUSTON TX

(Continued on Page 8)

Dig It: District Grows Trail NetworkConstruction underway on Brays Bayou Connector Trail, CenterPoint Trail coming soon

Pour Me Another: Workers smooth the fi rst section of concrete poured near Rogerdale Road and Town Park Drive for the Brays Bayou Connector Trail. The 1.92-mile off-street trail running from Richmond Avenue to Bellaire Bouleveard is on schedule for a fall completion. Miranda Construction is building the $4.2 million trail.

May graduations are giving way to June weddings. Westchase District, with 12 houses of worship, will certainly

have its share. And keeping with that theme, this issue of Westchase Today features:

Something Old – really two things: our Corporate Challenge, which dedicates all of its proceeds to the Westchase District Community Fund, just completed its 19th year (Page 6). And Quillian Center is completely renovating its hugely popular Noah’s Ark Pool after 20 great years. (Page 4).

Something New – Meet Greg Travis, our new City of Houston District G Councilman.

Something Borrowed – It happens every day at the 22 fi nancial institutions here who were well represented at the Corporate Challenge, underwritten by Amegy Bank (Page 6).

Something Blue – Every issue of Westchase Today profi les one of the 55 HPD patrol offi cers who works for Westchase District. On Page 7, you’ll meet Offi cer Alex Mayo.

But what about the wedding gift? We have an answer for you in our cover story. Our long awaited project is at last, and thankfully, underway. The Brays Bayou Connector Trail (BBCT) is indeed a gift for our residents, employees and visitors. But it is also a gift to the Houston region as it connects to multiple trails, on-street networks, parks, homes, schools and more.

This project’s history is complicated as its initial $4 million grant came from TxDOT and funds were later transferred to the Federal Transit Agency which, among other benefi ts, allowed the District’s funding and construction of the Library Loop Trail to be used to secure the project’s grant funds. Agreements were then developed with 43 different property owners to provide an easement for the trail at no cost to the District or taxpayers. Quite a “gift” from our area owners.

We had other partners help make this gift possible. Harris County Flood Control, which oversees the maintenance and operations of the drainage canals where our trails are built, allowed us to share their

space, again at no cost. Once we assembled the right-of-way and completed the design, we were stymied by higher than expected bids and had to tweak our design and re-bid the project – twice. Thanks to our engineers, Brown & Gay, and contractor, Miranda Construction for working to get this completed. But the fi nal tip of the hat goes to the City of Houston since the 380 program, designated for trails, parks and roads here in Westchase District, funded the fi nal $1 million for this project.

It truly took the contribution of each of our partners to make this happen and we are extremely grateful for their support and resources. But we also have to recognize the Westchase District Board and staff for fi rst developing the vision for this project. It is regionally signifi cant now and will become even more so as additional connections are made.

Finally, we recognize the dedication and persistence of the Board and staff to overcome the many challenges this project experienced. The new term for this in the world of business and leadership literature is “grit.” There is a growing understanding of the value of this character trait in leaders and organizations. We are delighted to note it here. And it was a key ingredient in this tremendous gift to our community.

Something Old, Something NewWESTCHASETODAYWestchase TODAY is published quarterly by

Westchase District, a municipal management

district funded by local property owners in

a 4.2 square-mile area centered on the Sam

Houston Tollway between I-10 and US-59

on the west side of Houston, Texas.

We promote economic growth by enhancing

mobility, beautifi cation, public safety,

planning and development of the District.

2

Receive The Wire, our e-newsletter, twice monthly.Three quick and easy ways to subscribe: 1. Visit www.westchasedistrict.com/signups,2. Text WESTCHASE to 22828, or3. Use your mobile device to scan the code below.

713-780-9434www.westchasedistrict.comCopyright © Westchase District. All Rights Reserved.

Jim MurphyGeneral Manager

Sherry FoxVP, Communications

Mark HubenakPublic Safety Director

Louis JullienProjects Director

Lauren CullinsProjects Manager

Monica GarciaOperations Assistant

Dave GilkesonVP, COO

Irma SanchezVP, Projects

Jonathan LoweAssistant

Communications Director

John CareyFarmers Market Manager

Kathy KaufmanAdministrative Assistant

Greg Travis loves to eat out a lot. “Back in my Top Gun days, I was 150 pounds. Man, those were the days,” he said, chuckling. A former U.S. Air Force jet pilot, Travis is the founder of the Travis Law Firm, P.C., on Wilcrest Drive. In his 23 years as a litigation attorney, Travis has never lost a trial. That

appetite for achievement spurred him to run for Houston City Council’s District G seat, to which he was

sworn in earlier this year.

Roads to SuccessDistrict G encompasses the part of Westchase District north of Westheimer Road. Travis ran his campaign

in part on a platform of infrastructure improvement, which he sees as the most critical issue for District G

in particular. “While I’m upset about ineffi ciencies in government and am a fi scal conservative, I believe

maintaining roads is one of the city’s most basic responsibilities,” he said.

Travis said while the quality of roads is important, how traffi c fl ows is even more important. “I allocated

about $300,000 from my council district service fund for panel replacements along Kirkwood, easing traffi c

which had moved over to Wilcrest,” he said. “Things like left turn lanes, curb cuts and better timing of traffi c

signals also contribute to improved mobility.”

Having a Seat at the TableCome break bread with new District G CouncilmemberGreg Travis

Westchase District Board Chair Philip Schneidau and General Manager Jim Murphy.

And mobility, Travis said, is one of Westchase District’s best features. “Westchase’s strength is location,

location, location,” he said. “If you want to live, work and play you want to live in District G and Westchase

District is smack in the middle of it.”

Better for LessAlready Travis has found himself in the middle of heated discussions at City Hall regarding pet projects

advocated for by his fellow council members. “Sometimes my colleagues are arguing emotionally, not rationally

and defending what is not wise use of the city’s money,” he said. “A million dollars here and a million there adds

up fast and I believe we can do better for less money.”

Travis said he has no political aspirations to higher offi ce, which he believes is a positive quality for his job. “I

want to be a model for what a real public servant can do when he’s not worried about political expediency,” he

said. “If people criticize me for my decisions, they’ll at least know that I thought them through.”

Let’s Do DinnerTravis also believes in being accessible to his constituents, whether they want to discuss matters over the

phone or in person. You can reach Travis via email at DistrictG@houstontx.gov or call the District G offi ce,

832-393-3007. “Every email sent is read and responded to either by me or my staff. I’ll meet with anyone

personally, though it may take a couple of weeks. You can schedule a time at City Hall or come to my law offi ce if

you don’t want to drive downtown.”

Also, Travis has started tweeting (@TravisDistrictG) when and where he’ll be dining out, should people want to

swing by and chat with him during his meal. “I’m going to be there anyway, so why not hang out a bit longer and

have a friendly discussion?” he said. “Of course I’m a fi scal conservative, so we’ll be going Dutch.”

Nestled between a residential subdivision and apartments under construction in Spring, TX sits Atkinson Farms,

a fourth-generation business run by Mike Atkinson. One of Westchase District Farmers Market’s inaugural vendors, the farm provides more than 45 varieties of fruits and vegetables to the market throughout the year.

Selling Since ’61Purchased in 1961 by Atkinson’s grandfather, the

65-acre farm is supplemented by an additional 85 acres spread out in New Waverly and Tomball. “Throughout the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s my grandfather and father raised vegetables and sold them to Weingarten’s Grocery Store,” Atkinson said. (Fun fact: though no longer in the grocery business, Houston-based Weingarten Realty Investors is Houston’s largest commercial real estate property owner. The majority of their shopping centers are anchored by supermarkets, including the Westchase Shopping Center which is home to Westchase District’s new Whole Foods Market store.)

In 2004, Atkinson and his wife Theresa opened their

own roadside market store which is open to the public seven days a week. “It’s another way to reach more customers,” he said. The majority of the farm’s crops are sold to grocers such as Food Town and Canino Food Mart. The farm also supplies about 10 restaurants – including Benjy’s, Local Foods and Underbellys – with fruits, vegetables and even pork. Atkinson also sells at more than a dozen farmers markets.

Anchored and In Control“If the market were a shopping mall, Atkinson

Farms would be one of our anchor stores,” said John Carey, Westchase District Farmers Market manager. “It’s been a staple of the market since the beginning and always offers a great variety of high-quality produce.”

Variety seems to be key to selling year-round. “We have six varieties of tomatoes alone,” Atkinson said. “We change them out depending on how much sun the plants will receive. People who say they can’t grow tomatoes in the summer just don’t have the right variety to match the weather.”

Recent fl ooding wiped out only a few of Atkinson’s crops (“We’re not big, but we’re big enough to survive,” he said), but fi lled his irrigation pond. “We don’t plant anything we can’t irrigate. We’re totally in control of watering. If we don’t get any rain and we have to irrigate, we’ll be tired, but we’ll still have a pocketful of money.”

Offi cial DecisionsAtkinson starts most of his crops in two onsite

greenhouses, then transfers them to the fi eld once they are hearty enough to brave the weather. So how does Atkinson know which crops to rotate and what to

plant where? “Well, it comes from years of

experience farming. I just wing it,” he said.

“We don’t write any of it down. There’s no

book. It’s all in my head.”

Making good calls is a skill Atkinson

has honed over the years and applied to

refereeing high school football. “This will

be my 43rd year as a member of the Texas

Association of Sports Offi cials,” he said.

“By the time I complete this year’s season,

I’ll have offi ciated more than 1,000 high

school varsity football games.”

Long hours on the farm and the football fi eld don’t

seem to bother him. “When I’m on the farm, I get

to spend time with my family,” said Atkinson, who

runs the farm with his wife Theresa, son Bobby and

daughter-in-law Hayley. “Where else can you spend all

day at work and still get to see your wife and kids?”

Winging It with Atkinson Farms

3

Liable to Be Reached: Trial attorney Greg Travis was recently sworn in as Houston City Councilmember for District G.

Service from the Son: Bobby Atkinson of Atkinson Farms offers fresh vegetables to a customer at Westchase District Farmers Market.

Westchase District Farmers MarketYear-round, rain or shine, Thursdays @ 3 p.m.

St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church10503 Westheimer Road(at Rogerdale Road, one block west of Beltway 8)

www.westchasedistrictfarmersmarket.com

In the Driver’s Seat: Mike Atkinson of Atkinson Farms likes to be in control of all aspects of his farm’s operations.

The Heights at Westchase, the District’s

newest luxury apartment community, opened in November 2015 and already is ahead of leasing expectations. So what is attracting residents to the seven-building, 265-unit community? Nicki Trinidad, community director thinks it’s due in part to the “signature white glove services” offered. Both Trinidad and assistant community director Kristy McLocklin live on property, in part because of the services. “Not only do I love the amenities, but it’s nice that I can simply take the elevator down to ‘commute’ to work,” McLocklin said.

Complimentary ConveniencesFor busy residents rushing out the door in the mornings to face their morning

commute, the Heights features a complimentary grab-and-go breakfast and coffee bar Monday through Friday from 6 to 9 a.m. which serves muffi ns, yogurt, granola, cereal, pastries and fresh fruit. The rest of the day, the bar features a variety of candy for indulging a sweet tooth.

In what might be the best service of all, the apartment community also offers drop-off wash, dry and fold laundry service, Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays – all at no extra charge.

Concierge ComfortsFor extra fees, residents can enjoy valet dry cleaning service that picks up at their

front doors. Those who would rather skip cleaning their apartment can take advantage of housekeeping services ($45 for a one-bedroom and $65 for a two-bedroom unit). “Our housekeeper will mop, dust, and wipe down the kitchen and bathroom,” McLocklin said, “and if you leave out fresh linens, she’ll even change out your bedsheets.” Valet trash removal service is picked up Sunday through Thursday.

The Heights’ state-of-the-art fi tness center offers cardio theater treadmills and elliptical machines which allow users to change the running terrain and track their stats. The center also offers complimentary sweat towels, bottled water and granola bars. Outdoor amenities include a fi re pit, two outdoor kitchens and Westchase District’s only swim up bar.

Superlatives from Our StaffWith all these amenities catering to busy young business professionals, the

community has attracted two staff members from Westchase District’s project team to sign leases. Both Louis Jullien, projects director and Lauren Cullins, projects manager moved into The Heights at Westchase this spring and have been impressed with the conveniences offered.

“My wife, Christy, and I love it,” said Jullien. “I’m especially enjoying the short commute. I’m only a block away from our offi ce building, so on a nice day I can walk to work.”

“The breakfast bar is the best,” Cullins said. “It gives me more free time in the mornings to sleep in. I can’t wait to enjoy the swimming pool this summer with my nieces and nephew.”

Trinidad and her staff are currently leasing one- and two-bedroom fl oor plans. For more information, call 832-940-7070 or visit heightswestchase.com.

Doing What Your Mother Used to Do for YouThe Heights at Westchase has breakfast ready, does laundry for its residents

4

A Life of Luxury and Clean Linens: Wash, dry and fold laundry service is available three days per week at The Heights at Westchase.

Forty Days, Forty Nights and 20 YearsNoah’s Ark Pool gets some love as it celebrates two decades of family splashing

The term “kiddie pool” can conjure images of backyard plastic and infl atable tubs or even an oval-shaped afterthought tacked onto a swimming facility. Twenty years ago in Westchase District, the kiddie pool was reimagined as the

centerpiece for a family-friendly public gathering spot. Arguably one of West Houston’s most recognizable attractions (at least to families with young kids), the Noah’s Ark Pool at 10570 Westpark Drive has drawn visitors from all over Houston and beyond.

A ministry of First Methodist Houston’s Quillian Center, the facility is geared to families with toddlers, preschoolers and elementary-school aged children. An ark structure with animals is centered in a shallow pool with three slides, a crawl-through, a mushroom water drop, a rainbow slide and animals spraying water. Quillian Center also features a full-sized swimming pool with a slide, two diving boards and Alli D. Gator, a large fl oating foam creature enjoyed by all.

Religious OriginsThe concrete, steel and safety foam ark and

animals were designed by NBGS International, makers of one-of-a-kind waterpark attractions including those featured throughout the Schlitterbahn chain.

“When we approached them, they were known for doing pirate ships and submarines,” said Tom Gaden, Quillian Center director. “We asked them if they had ever done anything Biblical. Turned out they had designed, but never built, an ark to be used at TV evangelist Jim Baaker’s failed Heritage USA theme park. We said, ‘We’ll take it.’”

Fully RenovatedGaden said that because of wear and tear from chlorine, UV rays and sheer traffi c,

Noah’s Ark requires continuous maintenance and upkeep. However, for its 20th anniversary, Quillian Center performed the attraction’s most extensive renovation ever. “Some of the animals were starting to show their age, so on the inside we treated all of the steel to prevent rust,” he said. “On the outside we stripped them all down and repainted everything. We also added new nets and landing pads. To someone who was here last season, it probably doesn’t look any different, but it’s been loved on so that it will last another 20 years.”

Generational EnjoymentGaden conservatively estimates at least 660,000

visitors have splashed around the ark since 1996 and he doesn’t see the crowds letting up anytime soon. “As long as there are three-year-olds, there will always be another generation learning about a classic Bible story,” he said.

Admission to Noah’s Ark is $7.50 per person; children under age 1 are free. Concessions are available and the pool can be rented for private parties.

For more information, call 713-781-9195.

Noah’s Ark Pool at Quillian Recreation Center10570 Westpark DriveFor hours of operation, visit quilliancenter.org

Exclusive Video Content OnlineTake a tour of The Heights at Westchase and see for yourself all the amenities offered at the District’s newest apartment community.

To watch the video, visit: westchasedistrict.com/videos

5

A mong the most crucial elements of maintaining a large offi ce building in Houston is regulating the building’s temperature and air quality. Today’s modern offi ces strive to maximize effi ciency while minimizing energy

consumption and operational costs. One of the leading companies servicing many such buildings, Hunton Group, is located right here in Westchase District.

Sizeable and CenteredSince 1981, Hunton Group has provided Trane-brand HVAC (heating, ventilating

and air conditioning) equipment, service, control systems and solutions for building owners throughout Texas. It is the largest independent distributer of commercial, industrial and residential HVAC systems in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico, as well as being the largest distributor of Trane product worldwide.

In 1990, Hunton Trane constructed its 54,000 square-foot headquarters at 10555 Westpark Drive, later changing its name to Hunton Group in 2004. “When we built our headquarters here, we predicted that Westchase District was going to be the new center of Houston,” said R.O. Hunton, chairman and CEO. “We were right. It’s a

great location that allows our associates to get in and out easily to reach our customers.”

The company has fi ve divisions that cover residential, commercial, rental, parts and services and building controls. On the commercial side, the company’s portfolio includes such Westchase District offi ces as CityWest Place, the Hilton Houston Westchase, NOV Tower and Westchase Park 1 & 2, which is LEED Gold certifi ed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

“When people think of energy services companies, they usually think of oil and gas,” said Richard Hunton, president, COO and son of R.O. Hunton. “But we’re a building energy services company. About 60 percent of energy consumption comes from residential and commercial buildings. We’re here to collaborate on solutions so that energy doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.”

Making Buildings SmarterOne way Hunton Group is saving customers money is through its Convergentz

subsidiary which uses hardware and software to control not only HVAC systems but to integrate with lighting, fi re alarms, energy metering, chiller plant optimization and

tenant override management. “We take multiple building systems and integrate them so that building managers see a consistent dashboard regardless of the underlying hardware,” said Nathan Hopkins, senior project engineer. “This helps our clients analyze any energy and system ineffi ciencies, prevent operational downtime and maintain peak performance of their buildings.”

“Hunton has installed two 820-ton Trane chillers for us at NOV Tower, our new 24-story, 440,000-square foot development,” said Bahman Mozafari, vice president with Woodbranch Management, Inc. “In addition, through them, we are in the process of installing a state-of-the-art control system for both NOV Tower and Millennium Tower which will control all HVAC equipment with the latest technology.”

Voted by the Houston Chronicle as one of 2015’s top Houston workplaces, Richard Hunton said the company’s culture emphasizes employee wellness, public recognition of its team members and morale-building events like snow cone parties and crazy hat days. “Even though we’ve grown to more than 400 employees nationwide, we’re still a family business and that includes everyone from our dealers and sales team to our service technicians and offi ce staff,” he said. “Customers work with people, not companies and we make sure hard work never goes unnoticed.”

Hunton Group10555 Westpark Drive713-266-3900 • huntongroup.com

Just Chillin’ at the Local Trane StationEnergy experts at Hunton Group keep Westchase District a cool place to be

Two Cool Cats R.O. Hunton (left) and son Richard Hunton oversee operations of The Hunton Group from their Westchase District offi ces.

Cornering the Market: The Hunton Group’s Convergentz building controls subsidiary is located at the corner of Westpark and Hunton Drives.

What Up, Dawg? K9 Patrols on Duty

A B C

1 2 3

They say that dogs and their owners start to look alike after a while. Think you can match the correct Westchase District patrol offi cer with his canine companion? The answers are on Page 8.

“Our canine units add a unique safety component to our trail patrols and at special events. They are among HPD’s elite.”Mark Hubenak, Public Safety Director

Costello, Inc., a Westchase District-based engineering fi rm, claimed the top two spots in the Westchase District’s 19th annual Corporate

Challenge. The “red” team, led by Chad Hartmann, earned top honors, while the “blue” team, led by Brent Palermo claimed the second place trophy. Third place in the fi ve-event competition went to Tailored Brands and the team led by Stacy Malin.

Forty-eight teams competed this year, including new teams from CB&I, Courtyard by Marriott, Lubrizol Specialty Products, Parkway Properties, Stonecrossing of Westchase Apartments and the Sugar Land Skeeters. Each team participated in fi ve different athletic events– soccer kick, football toss, briefcase relay, NBA 2-ball and dodgeball.

The winners in the individual events were:Soccer Kick — EHRA EngineersFootball Toss — Houston Community CollegeBriefcase Relay — Tailored BrandsNBA 2-ball — Costello, Inc.Dodgeball — Tri-Tech Surveying

Summer Camp and Charitable SupportThe awards were presented at an April 28th award

lunch, which also recognized sponsors of the 19th annual event. Since 1998, the Westchase District’s Corporate Challenge has raised almost $230,000 for area charities, including Quillian Center’s summer day camps. The money is distributed by Westchase District Community Fund. WDCF Chairman Tim Johnson presented a $10,100 check to Quillian Center

at the award lunch. The money is used by Quillian to provide need-based scholarships for area children to attend Quillian Center’s summer day camps.

“We’re grateful for our long-time relationship with Westchase District and the Corporate Challenge,” said Tom Gaden, Quillian Center director. “And we appreciate all the area businesses that participate in this event and help generate the contribution that will convey directly to area kids.”

Exclusive Video Content OnlineTo watch a Corporate Challenge video, visit:

westchasedistrict.com/videos. To view our online gallery of Corporate Challenge pictures, visit westchasedistrict.com/pictures.

6

Costello Inc., Tailored Brands Take Top Corporate Challenge Prizes19th annual event generates fun for participants, cash for charities

Behold the Texas kolache: a spin on Czech- and Slovak- inspired homemade dough fi lled with meats, cheeses or fruits. Over the years, the popularity of the semisweet pastries has grown from central and southeast Texas to spread across the country.

While both Caldwell and West, Texas assert themselves to be the state’s kolache capitals, Westchase District lays claim as the birthplace of Kolache Factory, one of the fastest growing companies in Houston.

Local RootsThough now

headquartered in Katy, the enterprise was co-founded by John and Jerri Banks in 1982 in Westchase District at the Woodlake Square shopping center. “After a couple of years we moved south across the street to 9711 Westheimer because it was a better traffi c direction for selling to morning commuters,” said Dawn Nielsen, Kolache Factory vice president and the Banks’ daughter.

The store closed in 2013, but Kolache Factory

remains a prominent presence in the area with two Westchase District locations: one at 10535 Westheimer Road (which features a drive-thru window) and one at 10455 Briar Forest Drive. “There’s a great mix of commercial and residential traffi c coming in and out of Westchase District,” Nielsen said. “Our Briar Forest store reaches folks not on Westheimer and vice versa.”

National BranchesRecognized as one of the top fi ve drive-thrus in

America by Food Network, the brand currently has 24 company-owned and 28 franchise stores, including locations in California, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Virginia. “We plan to open 100 new stores in the next two years and we’ll open two or three more in Houston this year alone,” said Aaron Nielsen, director of franchise sales and Dawn’s husband. “We’re upgrading the interiors of all our existing stores and the Westheimer location has a full service espresso bar.”

Supporting another local company, Kolache Factory has partnered to serve Katz coffee, roasted right here in Houston, at all of its locations. “We didn’t want to serve drip coffee like at some old diner,” Aaron said. “Of all the brands we sampled, Katz was simply the best

cup of coffee out there. It was an easy decision.”

Enforced FreshnessAaron said deciding how many kolaches to bake

onsite every morning is an easy decision, too, thanks to computer software that forecasts the optimal number. He estimates that 2,500 kolaches are baked every day at the current Westheimer location. “It allows us to keep our waste low and our food fresh,” he said. “I sure wish I’d had this software back in the days when I was managing the original Westheimer store.”

With each store baking everything it sells onsite, high freshness and low waste is important, since the stores are required to discard their entire inventory every four hours. “We’re not like traditional bakeries because our products contain meat, eggs and cheese,” Dawn said. “So you might say that freshness is baked in to our business model.”

Stuffi ng Buns across the CountryWith origins in Westchase District, Kolache Factory expands nationwide

Food &Drink

Obstacles to Success: A participant in the barefoot briefcase relay squeezes his way towards victory at the 2016 Westchase District Corporate Challenge.

Decisions, Decisions: Customers at the Westheimer Kolache Factory location have their pick of dozens of varieties of fresh kolaches for breakfast, lunch or snacks.

On the Rise: Dawn and Aaron Nielsen oversee the operations of 50+ Kolache Factory stores from their corporate offi ce in Katy.

Second GenerationAs the son of Quillian Center director Tom Gaden,

J.T. Gaden remembers growing up with the Westchase District Corporate Challenge. “Each year when the challenge took place, our after- school group couldn’t use the gym since it was being used for the event,” he said. “We’d end up watching a video instead.”

Now an engineer in training at Westchase District-based EHRA Engineering, J.T. was excited to learn that EHRA was a regular participant in the Challenge. “I was pretty excited and defi nitely wanted to join,” he said. Not only did the junior Gaden make the cut, he led his company’s team to win this year’s soccer kick event.

“I think it’s the fi rst time we’ve had two generations involved in the Corporate Challenge,” the senior Gaden said. “It’s always been a special event to me, so I’m glad it could be me and my son.”

Like Father, Like Son: Quillian Recreation Center’s Tom Gaden with his son, J.T.

You see them as you drive across Houston: traffi c control boxes that sit at intersections throughout the city. Sometimes they’re

practically invisible, sometimes they’ve been blighted by urban graffi ti.

But coming to a corner near you: stunning themed murals will be painted on these boxes, bringing urban art to the intersections of Westchase District.

The fi rst box was painted last November by artist Anat Ronen for UP Art Studios. Her artistic rendering of Gulf Coast wildlife brought fun and whimsy to an otherwise boring intersection. The project was so-well received by the Westchase District board and community members that Projects Director Louis Jullien began looking for more locations, plus a cost-effective way to bring more painted boxes to Westchase District.

That’s when he found Larry Crawford, a long-time Alief resident and acclaimed muralist. Crawford has done work for various restaurants around Houston and Texas Children’s Hospital. Now he’s bringing his talents to Westchase District. In addition to fi ve traffi c control boxes, Crawford will paint a mural on the box culvert at the west end of the Library Loop Trail at Wilcrest, plus a billboard-sized mural on the concrete banks of the drainage canal where the Library Loop Trail turns south toward Richmond Avenue.

Culture and ColorWhen possible, Crawford designs his art to

incorporate the surrounding culture. The traffi c box in front of Paul Revere Middle School (10502 Briar Forest) is a patriotic theme painted in red, white and blue, featuring the American fl ag, fi reworks, and a young Paul Revere dressed in the baseball uniform of his namesake middle school.

The box in front of the METRO Park & Ride (northwest corner of Harwin and Rogerdale) features an American fl ag, plus a Texas fl ag and the red, white and blue motif that is reminiscent of METRO’s logo; while the box in front of United Recovery Systems features a woodland theme with a buck in full antlers, a grazing doe, and an eagle in full fl ight. An admirer noted on Westchase District’s Facebook page that the deer looks quite realistic. “Hope no one takes a shot at it,” he posted.

Crawford spends approximately two and a half days on each mural, but says he’ll spend as much time as it takes to get it just right. His attention is in the details: the leaves and foliage in the jungle scene painted at Westpark and Rogerdale or the folds of the American fl ag on the METRO box that give it dimension and a 3D feel.

Crawford enjoys it when motorists honk and wave as he works. Perhaps some of them even recognize him. He’s a graduate of Alief Hastings High School adding colorful beauty to his long-time stomping grounds.

7

Following in your father’s footsteps can be tough enough when you’re 5’8” and he’s 6’4”. But when your old man is Glen Mayo, a 25-year

veteran of the Houston Police Department, a member of the K9 unit, a supervisor on the HPD dive team and a member of the Westchase District patrol? Well, those are some big strides to match. But offi cer Alex Mayo isn’t fazed - he’s got his own scuba gear, his own Westchase District patrol shift...and a pocketful of Scooby Snacks for his dad’s dog.

From Boy to ManAfter graduating from Cinco Ranch High School,

Alex spent four years in the U.S. Army as a sergeant in the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood. He served in Iraq for 12 months as a cavalry scout. That means he was a forward observer, positioning himself in front of his troops to observe and report troop strength and movements of the opposing forces.

“Alex was 13 years old when I started on the force,” Glen said. “At fi rst I didn’t want him to go into police work. After he pulled a tour in Baghdad it didn’t bother me at all,” Glen said.

Alex never considered any careers other than police work. “I decided to pick up the family business,” he said.

He completed the HPD Academy after leaving the Army and now has three years under his belt as an HPD offi cer, mostly working nights in southwest

Houston. The night shift is busy, according to Alex, but he enjoys the pace and the fact that he avoids working in the worst of Houston’s summer heat.

His Westchase District shift is more proactive. He works the Friday night shift in Westchase and enjoys the engagement with citizens and property owners.

Alex has been a certifi ed diver since he was a teenager. So joining HPD’s dive team – alongside his dad – was a logical step. He enjoys the opportunity to help people. He spent several days on dive team duty rescuing people stranded by high water after the April 18 storms in Houston.

“I’m working days and he’s working nights, so about the only time we see each other is when we’re both working on the dive team,” Glen said.

Like Father, Like Son, Like Labrador?Glen and Alex Mayo represent two generations of the Westchase District patrol

Getting Tanked Together: HPD offi cers, fellow dive team members and father and son Glen Mayo (left) and Alex Mayo fl ash quick smiles while on duty.

Traffi c Box Murals Add Color and Whimsy to Westchase District StreetsSix murals are the fi rst of many public art projects

Finished Favorite: This box, located on the southwest corner of Harwin and North Course is, so far, Crawford’s favorite.

Artist at Work: Larry Crawford uses outdoor household latex paints and artists’ acrylic to complete his work.

Kneel, Sit, Kneel: Alex Mayo (left), Drummel and Glen Mayo

L auren Cullins joined Westchase District this spring as our new projects manager who will assist Irma Sanchez and Louis Jullien with various initiatives in our 380, mobility and beautifi cation portfolios.

Lauren joins us from Baton Rouge, LA, where

she most recently served at the Louisiana Offi ce

of Economic Development handling business

development, program administration and

compliance duties. A graduate of Louisiana State

University, Lauren also worked as an apartment

leasing agent in college and has urban planning

and project management experience.

Congratulations to Grace School, 10219 Ella Lee Lane, and its Lower School

(kindergarten through fifth grade) on

becoming the first elementary school in Texas

to receive STEM certification by AdvancED,

an international accrediting agency for public and private schools. STEM

certification is a mark of distinction only offered to institutions that

prioritize Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) as disciplines

essential for students’ success.

In order to earn the STEM certifi cation, Grace Lower School demonstrated

profi ciency across 11 rigorous STEM indicators. Those standards included

evidence that students have

the skills, knowledge and

thinking strategies to be

innovative, creative and

systematic problem-solvers in

STEM fi elds of study.

“This is an incredible

honor for our school,” said

Liz Walgamuth Ed.D.,

head of Grace School. “The

recognition from AdvancED sets us apart as a leading institution of learning

and demonstrates our commitment to being forward thinking in preparing our

students for the real world.”

College students in Westchase District know a good bargain

when they spot one. As reported last

year in Westchase Today, Houston

Community College has partnered

with UT Tyler to offer four-year

degrees in mechanical, electrical and civil engineering all while attending HCC’s

Westchase District Campus at Westheimer and Hayes Roads. Cost: less than

$19,000 for all four years. In 2012, HCC had 60 students declaring engineering

majors. Now, according to Susan Thompson from HCC’s Engineering Center of

Excellence, that number has grown to more than 1,500.

“It’s an incredible degree that offers young students as well as older working

professionals the affordable opportunity to earn the skills that transfer to real jobs,”

said Thompson. “Students get a top-notch education and the chance to network

with engineering companies, many of which are in Westchase District.”

Weekly food trucks are back in Westchase District! Grace

Presbyterian Church, 10221 Ella Lee

Lane, invites you to come sample some

delicious food and fellowship at their

weekly Grace Truck Stop event.

Every Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to

1:30 p.m., about a half-dozen food trucks

will be parked outside the sanctuary on

the corner of Beltway 8 and Ella Lee Lane

(one block north of Westheimer).

Courtyard seating will be available every week. For more information, or to

fi nd out which food trucks will be on site any given week, contact Sarah Brents,

713-267-5043.

create the trail District underpasses,” said Sanchez. “This way they become a seamless part of the trail and users can travel right over the tops of them.” Sanchez estimates this portion of the project will run about $648,000.

Construction of the BBCT will cost about $4 million and is being funded with a grant from the Federal Transit Agency and dollars from the 380 Area Agreement between Westchase District and the City of Houston, which provides money from property tax revenue increases to fi nance public infrastructure projects.

“This project is an amazing opportunity to partner with the District,” said Gwen Tillotson, deputy director of economic development for the City of Houston. “Westchase District is phenomenal at leveraging money from various sources to achieve their desired projects. This trail is a great example of that.”

Partnerships Net ProgressAnother signifi cant trail partner is the Harris County

Flood Control District, which had to approve all the plans for the trail. “Our fi rst mission is storm water drainage,” said Sandra Musgrove, HCFCD infrastructure division director. “Properly designed trails support that mission, while adding visibility and enhanced security along our bayous.”

Still more trail partners exist in the form of landowners who gave the District recreational easements to build on property, which is immediately adjacent to the channel.

“Our congregation saw it as an opportunity to be of service to the District,” said Dr. Ed Montgomery, founder and pastor of Abundant Life Cathedral, whose property touches BBCT north of Harwin. “The trail is a way to promote healthy living and family interactions and I feel it will help to change the environment of our community.”

The trail construction should be complete this fall. “We’ve had some rain delays, but overall construction

is good so far,” said Enrique Allende, project engineer with Miranda Construction, the contractor responsible for building BBCT. “The biggest challenge is working in tight spaces along the channel. Fitting our equipment in and having to work is tricky, but the property owners whose land backs up to the trail have been great about accommodating us.”

Power WalkAnother owner working with Westchase District

is CenterPoint Energy, which allowed the District to maximize the wide swath of greenspace along the transmission corridor running north and south between Westheimer to Richmond. Through an agreement with CenterPoint, the District will begin construction soon on a trail that will run from the Houston Community College campus at Westheimer and Hayes Roads to Richmond, with a mid-block crossing at Meadowglen Lane. The trail is an example of a larger effort between CenterPoint and the City of Houston to enhance the use of some 500 miles of transmission corridors crisscrossing the city.

“While the trail itself is pretty basic, we’re looking at adding landscaping and benches to some open spaces just off the trail,” said Sanchez. “It will be yet another outdoor amenity that will help enlarge our trail network and enhance walkability in Westchase District.” She added that the trail will cost about $600,000, is paid for with funds from the 380 Area Agreement and a federal grant, and should be completed by the end of the year.

8

(Continued from Page 1)

Neighborhood News

Our new address is: Westchase District10370 Richmond Avenue, Suite 1350, Houston, TX 77042-4278

Our phone number remains the same - 713-780-9434 - as does our website, westchasedistrict.com

Lauren Cullins, projects manager

A Scoop of a Story: Dishing the dirt are (from left): Jim Murphy, Westchase District; Lucio Ortiz, Texas Department of Transportation; Gwen Tillotson, City of Houston; Sandra Musgrove, Harris County Flood Control District; and Philip Schneidau, Westchase District Board of Directors.

Answers to Page 5 quiz: A and 2, Offi cer Bob Opperman and Baro ; B and 3, Offi cer Glen Mayo and Drummel; C and 1, Offi cer Stuart Hood and Dirk