News/Events

With Westchase District's Woodchase Park scheduled to open this fall, the District recently provided a sneak peak event for apartment and building managers in the area. Held at the Tracy Gee Community Center, the event presented a preview of activities such as a Moving Body workshop from Alonzo Moore of Young Audiences of Houston. Attendees met programming partners Four Dragons, who will lead Tai Chi events at the park, and Tropa Z fitness which will host Zumba,…..Read More

Woodchase Park has entered the landscaping phase with Maiden Grass, Sandi Leaf Fig Ivy, Allee Elms and Fringe Trees now planted in the ground around the park as construction nears completion. A water misting feature has been installed and will be a fun draw in the Children's Play Space, along with shredded rubber surfacing and the synthetic turf system surrounded by concrete berm mounds. Find out more about the park at woodchasepark.com including a schedule of…..Read More

A familiar face recently returned to Westchase District. From 2007 to 2017, Mark Hubenak served as public safety director for the District and has rejoined to continue that role. Before he first joined Westchase District, Hubenak served as a loss prevention director for the Houston Marriott Westchase and Westchase Hilton. In that role, Hubenak became very familiar with the Westchase District Patrol. A certified OSHA safety trainer and certified fire warden, Hubenak has received Homeland…..Read More

The now lit pedestrian street pole lights aren't necessary to see numerous enhancements on Elmside and Woodchase Drives. But having illuminated sidewalks do make an evening stroll more enjoyable. Recent work on the street has resulted in a highly noticeable transformation. New wider, continuous sidewalks were installed to build the 1.25-mile Elmside/Woodchase Side Path with back-of-curb improvements. Half moon and playful spheres are in place. Loquat Leaf Oak and Crape Myrtle trees fill landscaped beds…..Read More

Everywhere you turn, Westchase District’s identity is becoming a little more colorful through a series of new public art murals painted by Larry Crawford. The artist has been on a prolific painting spree these past months, debuting new works on bridges and retaining walls. Crawford produced four murals that capture the identity and feel of the area, all of which are a visual treat for one to spy. The Nutria Mural is on the Deerwood…..Read More

John Vargas has been in the Cantina Laredo family for almost two decades. He began with the Dallas-based restaurant company when it had only four locations. In December 2003, it was looking to expand into a new market which brought Vargas to open its first Houston restaurant. The growing company selected the former site of Good Eats in Westchase District. While Vargas and his partners were not thinking long-term, the restaurant’s reception dictated other plans.…..Read More

Ofc. Ron Broadnax is one of the newest members of Westchase District Patrol, joining the District five months ago. If you have been out on the expansive Westchase District Trail System, you have likely crossed paths with him and his partner, Ofc. Zhen Wang, on patrol bikes. “The trails are an excellent way to cover the District because you can get to anywhere fast,” said Broadnax. In fact, Broadnax knows about speed and agility. He…..Read More

Whether for lifelong sport, cleaner air, improving health, saving money on gas, less traffic, turning a work commute into a workout or just to feel the wind, people ride bikes for many reasons. And in Houston, cyclists peddle to Bike Barn. The retailer has been supporting the world of cycling since 1983. Serving Cycling Community Bike Barn’s market niche has been reinforced by increasing trends for bike commuting which has grown by 62 percent since…..Read More

When Westchase District broke ground on the Walnut Bend street reconstruction project in September 2019, it marked the beginning of construction, but also the end of 18-months of design and engineering that involved approximately eight engineers, CAD drafters and constructability review professionals from Westchase District-based Lockwood Andrews & Newnam (LAN). But as any engineer will tell you, real-world conditions don’t always match up to what was expected when the project was in design. In fact,…..Read More

Months of construction progress and work are enhancing Elmside and Woodchase Drives as streetscape improvements are nearing completion. Select driveway sections along the path have been replaced and repaved while wider, continuous sidewalks have been built on the east side of the street. The new sidewalks connect pedestrians and cyclists from Westheimer to Woodchase Park. Along the 1.4 mile-path, the District replaced span wires with the installation of traffic light mast arms (at Westpark and…..Read More