Community

With 37 years in commercial real estate – 22 of them at Granite Properties – Sandy Benak has worn many hats during her career. From leasing professional to Senior Director of Corporate Marketing, she’s also served as an officer on the boards of several professional real estate organizations. “I transitioned from leasing to marketing in 2015,” said Benak. “At that time, the Houston portfolio was leased up and Dallas was going gangbusters. The Dallas office…..Read More

As summer draws to a close, Woodchase Park has made the season a magical time of year for kids and families. May through July marked the first summer since the opening of Woodchase Park, bringing a variety filled plethora of activities and new opportunities for summer fun in the park – seven days a week. Parks Programming Director Louis Jullien added dozens of events to the park’s regular offerings, even extending the daily hours when…..Read More

When HCC’s Jordan Carswell first heard about the Westchase District’s Community Garden, he knew it was a great opportunity for HCC and its West Houston Institute to become involved in the community. “The Community Garden fit in with goals that we were already working on,” said Carswell, the college’s director of innovation strategy. “Prior to the pandemic, there was interest in this kind of activity, but COVID zapped all that. This is a great opportunity…..Read More

Zafar Anvarov wanted soccer cleats and his own bicycle when he was a young boy. Anvarov eventually got both by earning money working in his dad’s restaurant at the age of 7. In 2005, Anvarov arrived in the U.S. from Tajikistan, a mountainous country in Central Asia that was once part of the Soviet Union. He came for college but needed to pay for his tuition. “My life was to work in restaurants while studying…..Read More

Open your favorite news app or read the local newspaper and you’ll see plenty of news about catalytic converter thefts. An off-duty Harris County Sheriff’s deputy was killed recently as he attempted to intercede when he discovered thieves removing the catalytic converter on his personal vehicle while he and his wife were grocery shopping. Many of these thieves are targeting vehicle fleets and cars parked in office building parking garages or overnight at area hotels.…..Read More

By hosting donation boxes, Westchase District-area businesses can help the Westchase District Community Fund's (WDCF) school supply drive, taking place during the month of July. Locations hosting a donation box for school supplies will help collect donations that the WDCF will distribute to West Houston Assistance Ministries to help families in need. The need for school supplies is always essential especially as retail prices have risen since last year. Requested supplies include: Backpacks (transparent or mesh) Colored…..Read More

In the complex world of accounting, MaloneBailey, LLP, wants its staff to be comfortable. It chose to remain in Westchase District for this reason. MaloneBailey relocated to Towers of Westchase I in April where it built out and expanded its new space. The global mid-market, public accounting firm based in Houston, occupies 20,000 square feet on the building’s sixth floor. The firm has been in the District since the early 2000s; the new move coincides…..Read More

New Adams' Mural Animates Park A new mural at Woodchase Park is adding vibrancy to the park’s performance pavilion. Renowned public artist Reginald Adams completed his latest public mural on the pavilion wall facing the performance lawn. The mural features a medley of flower blooms and leaves in spring colors. Adams’ park mural joins his other creations in the District including the east wall of Westchase Auto Repair Center, a mosaic seat bench on the…..Read More

No one who lived in Texas during February of 2021 has forgotten Winter Storm Uri.  The storm swept through the state, impacting all 254 counties. In Houston, snow, ice and frigid temperatures teamed up to cause a record number of power failures and kill trees and plants that were not used to the freezing temps. Westchase District Maintenance Director Kelly McNabb Aylesworth knew she’d have her work cut out for her cleaning up the damage…..Read More

City Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas is announcing several initiatives led by her office to increase safety and improve the quality of life for the residents of District F. These projects include a street light initiative for added lighting in dark  areas; a bus shelter program for added protection at METRO bus stops without coverings, and the installation of security cameras to capture surveillance in potentially dangerous areas. Council Member Thomas is inviting the District…..Read More