The Thomas Telegraph | Volume 7, Issue 24 – December 26, 2025

Vol. 7, Issue 24- 12.26.2025

Friends,

This may be the most un-Christmas Christmas season ever thanks to our summer weather—but fortunately, this newsletter comes with real gifts as we close out the year.

DANGEROUS BUILDINGS

Last week marked our final council meeting of the year, where we had a spirited debate over appropriating $30 million from the restricted stormwater account to address blighted buildings citywide. Though the item was tagged, I had a follow-up conversation with the Public Works Director to verify District F’s accurate inventory of qualifying dangerous buildings. This ensures we are fully accounted for once funding becomes available.

In the meantime, an early Christmas blessing arrived at 3206 Chris Dr. in Briarmeadow. The structure was demolished on Tuesday, December 23rd at 7:30 a.m.—a long-awaited victory.

Special thanks to the contractor, Houston Public Works leadership on-site, and my District F team for joining me that morning. John Weatherly first brought this property to my attention in 2019, and the process took 2,138 days to complete. And a powerful reminder of the importance of wills and estate planning. Watch the recap video here.

See our current list below as of December 23, 2025

APARTMENT INSPECTION REFORM ORDINACE

As Chair of the Housing & Affordability Committee, Mayor Whitmire has asked me—alongside Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Castex-Tatum—to clerk a joint Housing and Economic Development Committee meeting to discuss the proposed apartment inspection reform ordinance, which was referred back to the Administration on December 17th. District F has the second-highest concentration of apartments in the city, and many of you know how hard we have worked to rehabilitate, abate, and improve multi-family properties in our area. One of the most problematic sites—Ashford Point—immediately comes to mind.

In the first quarter of 2026, you will see a series of engagement meetings to hear directly from residents, property managers, stakeholders, and community leaders. Your voice matters. And I need your participation to ensure this ordinance crosses the finish line with real protections for tenants, stronger safeguards for neighborhoods, and meaningful consequences for the bad actors who harm families and undermine the good work of responsible operators.

TANGLEWILDE

In 2017, a CIP was approved to improve Gessner at Westheimer, spanning Districts F and G. The original design expanded Gessner from 4 to 6 lanes to support the 2019 METRONext bond and anticipated BRT—which was later rerouted to Beltway 8. In 2024, we held several community meetings to share the existing data and proposed plan. Your feedback informed a new, updated transportation study, which produced far more favorable outcomes for the Tanglewilde subdivision. On January 7, the revised scope for the CIP engineering services contract will be on the agenda for approval. I plan to attend the Tanglewilde Civic Club meeting in January to walk through the updated map, scope, and next steps.

I told you we would get this right—and we did.

W. BELLFORT BETWEEN DAIRY ASHFORD & KIRKWOOD

A roadway rehabilitation work order has been issued for Dairy Ashford between Kirkwood and W. Bellfort—an area where we have already invested in streets, sidewalks, lighting, and more.

Work begins shortly after January 5, 2026, with an estimated 60-day completion timeline, weather permitting.

For questions, contact Senior Project Manager

Jack Cortez — (832) 395-3243

2025 ANNUAL REPORT

Next week, we will share the 2025 Annual Report, “Above The Rim,” which highlights our collective achievements in community development, council actions, policy wins, and financial investments. I’m excited for you to see the full scope of what we accomplished together.

HOLIDAY OFFICE SCHEDULE

The District F team will maintain virtual office hours and remain available by phone (832-393-3002) and email ([email protected]), except on:

-December 24

-December 25

-December 31

-January 1

We return in person on Monday, January 5, 2026.

May God add an extra blessing to you and your family as we close out 2025 in good health, joy, and rest.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

With Regards,

Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas
Houston City Council, District F

HOT SPOT TEAM UPDATES

Total Work Orders: 32

Hotspot of the week: 12458 Sharpview

Total Man Hours Worked: 88/week

Tree Waste: 800 lbs.

Mattresses: 7

Furniture Waste: 16 pieces

Tires: 26

Trash Debris: 750 lbs.

Shopping Carts: 4

Bandit Signs: 104

Landscaping: 0

Trash Cans Delivered: 3

2025 DISTRICT F ZOO TICKETS

All 500 Houston Zoo tickets have been claimed and mailed out! Happy holidays and enjoy the lights!

SOLID WASTE UPDATES

Heavy Trash pickup remains delayed. The department is actively working to increase the number of trucks and hire additional staff to meet the growing demand and address the backlog of services requests. 

Mayor John Whitmire said in city council on December 10, that the city is using $1.2 million in leftover funds from earlier disaster cleanup contracts to pay for a contractor to work alongside Solid Waste crews to erase the heavy trash backlog. And that effort started on the southwest side as featured in KHOU 11.

If you are still without regular trash or recycling pickup, please:

• File a 311 case, and
• Forward your case number to [email protected]

If your entire subdivision needs servicing for regular trash or recycling pickup, please:

• File a 311 case, and
• Email Sarai stating that your subdivision needs servicing and include your subdivision name.
• Include photos if possible.

You can also find your trash and recycling schedule or check for updates by visiting the Solid Waste Management website and entering your address under “Service Updates”: https://www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/

If you encountered a missed collection after two days delayed please report it to 311 and let our office know at [email protected].

Garbage collections are on schedule. Recycling collections may be up to one day behind schedule.

Green waste will be collected with Bulk waste.

See SWD’s December and January holiday collection schedule below for your reference.

CITY COUNCIL

During the December 17 City Council meeting, Council Members continued a spirited debate on how Houston should address its backlog of dangerous buildings. Council Member Thomas underscored the capacity challenges within Houston Public Works and emphasized the need to align funding with the resources required to effectively enforce code compliance. District F now has five dangerous buildings on the city’s list, after the property at 3206 Chris Drive, was finally demolished Tuesday morning after remaining on the schedule since 2019. See the video and photos from the demolition below.

DISTRICT F UPDATES

Spark of Love Toy Drive

The 16th Annual Spark of Love Toy Drive brought hundreds of families to the Alief Neighborhood Center for a joyful holiday celebration. The event was supported by community partners including McDonald’s owner‑operator Joe Moss III, HPD’s Westside Command, the Clergy and Police Alliance, DAKAO Restaurant, Houston We Care, Community Health Choice, and others who helped make the day memorable. Districts F and J, along with the Alief Super Neighborhood 25, once again came together to serve local families, with special recognition to DON liaison Veronica Hernandez for her leadership in creating a festive and welcoming experience.

LAUNCH Family Entertainment Opens on the Westside

LAUNCH Family Entertainment has officially opened, bringing new life and family‑centered fun to the westside after the departure of Fun Plex. Families lined up around the building to enjoy bowling, laser games, trampolines, and more. The opening carries special meaning, as owner Robert Adkinsis—an Alief Hastings graduate and former Fun Plex employee—returned to invest in the community that shaped him, creating jobs and inspiring the next generation. LAUNCH also offers sensory‑friendly entry times for autistic children. State Board of Education Trustee Staci Childs joined the celebration, adding to a lively and memorable opening day.

Operation Stocking Stuffer

This year, Districts A, G, and F hosted Operation Stocking Stuffer in partnership with the Houston Fire Department on December 13. It’s a holiday toy drive and family event that helps spread joy to about 20,000 kids and families across Houston during the holiday season. District F hosted 200 families this year, with up to three kids per household and two parents or guardians allowed per family.

Houston Public Works updates

The Houston Public Works department updated us last week that the none of the 13 street lights in District F were authorized for installation. Due to capacity issues, streetlight surveys were put on hold, but the department hopes to resume working on them in the first quarter of the new year.

We also learned that a project that has been authorized for panel replacement on West Bellfort Avenue. See details below for more information.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

Winter Storm Uri Home Repair

The City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department has simplified the application for the Single-Family Home Repair Program, making it faster and easier for homeowners impacted by Winter Storm Uri to apply for recovery assistance. Yes, funds are still available for eligible homeowners to receive up to $100,000 for home repairs (rehabilitation), up to $300,000 for full reconstruction, and up to $10,000 reimbursement for out-of-pocket storm repairs.

Don’t leave money on the table. Learn more by visiting: houstontx.gov/hcdrecovery/dr21

Get Involved in District F!

District F is calling on passionate residents to join our efforts! Sign up for volunteer opportunities and make a difference in your community.

Sign up here for general Volunteer Team opportunities.

Sign up here for our Volunteer Translation Team to assist with outreach and ensure all voices in our diverse district are heard.

Together, we can strengthen and support District F!
Alief Super Neighborhood Council Monthly Meetings

Hurricane Beryl Disaster Recovery Free Home Repairs
Ibn Sina Avicena Clinics Child and Parental Health Services

PERMITS

The Permit Activity Report provides activity information regarding any new construction, remodeling, or change-of-use permits by zip-code in an effort to inform citizens of activity in their neighborhoods.

Obtain additional information about permits by contacting Houston Public Works (HPW) via 311, or by visiting their Permitting Center website at www.houstonpermittingcenter.org. If you have further questions about any permits, please contact the Code Enforcement Group at 832-394-9494.

Additionally, the Plat Activity Report contains biweekly information from PlatTracker about plats, replats, public hearings, variances, and special exceptions to plats that will be considered at the upcoming Planning Commission meeting.

The report provides application information for each agenda item; compiled by the City of Houston Planning and Development Department. The excel format can be sorted based on particular data, such as location or council district.

The new PlatTracker is now available online. To access the portal, please visit https://plattracker.powerappsportals.us

For questions or additional information contact the Development Services Planner of the Day at (832) 393-6624.