Convenience Big Store: A $41.8 million loan has cleared the way for a master-planned community northwest of Houston

June 26, 2024

Good morning, Houston.

Happy Wednesday, everyone. Are you still miffed that the ice cream wizards in Brenham retired one of your favorite flavors? Has life not been the same since Creole Cream Cheese went away? Well here's your chance to potentially bring back your favorite flavor through the Great Scoop Revival Flavor Tournament by Blue Bell Ice Cream. In all, (sweet) 16 flavors will be in the mix for a chance to return to store shelves in 2025. The contest ends Friday.

⛅ Temperature check: High of 96; low of 79. Justin's insight: Houston's storm risk may be a bit higher today, thanks to a subtle shift in the heat dome. Sign up for the weekly Weather Radar newsletter for more coverage.

J.R. Gonzales, Senior Digital Production Editor

john.gonzales@houstonchronicle.com

Best of the Bayou

Today we're talking about that big new development going up near Hockley...

If you read one thing: A 1,000-home master-planned community is coming to the Hockley area.

Where is it and how big will it be?

The yet-to-be-named project, led by Houston-based Johnson Development, will encompass 318 acres along the Grand Parkway south of FM 2920. Johnson Development bought the land in October, but it just recently struck a $41.8 million loan agreement with First Continental to help fund the development. It's the largest loan for First Continental, a Houston-based private lender founded 30 years ago. Builders so far include Drees Homes, Perry Homes and Westin Homes.

The development is just one of a few going up around Hockley. This project, and the others in development, are expected to bring up to 11,000 new homes there, potentially transforming the once-rural community.

Read Marissa Luck's full story here.

Stay in the Loop

Photo by: Susan Barber

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Point of View

Photo by: J.R. Gonzales

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Get Out

Chefs Kevin Lee, left, and Marvin He pose for a portrait at the newest location of Phat Eatery, which specializes in freshly prepared Malaysian street food, and a relaxed atmosphere, on Monday, June 24, 2024 in The Woodlands. The original restaurant opened in Katy six years ago and this Woodlands location is its second. Founded by chef Alex Au-Yeung, who died of cancer earlier this year. Now Lee and He are running the restaurant.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

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— J.R. Gonzales