Amelia Brust

FederalNewsNetwork.com • May 6, 2022

National Capital Planning Commission’s equity plan calls for stronger project site considerations

Site locations for federal projects in the National Capital Region can have big impacts on equity and inclusion. Good design is inclusive, and accounts for unintended consequences, said Mina Wright, director of the General Services Administration’s Office of Planning & Design Quality.

FederalNewsNetwork.com • March 18, 2021

Building Back Greener: Does federal government still need as much space post-COVID?

A global pandemic has few silver linings, but the ways in which telework has allowed federal agencies to stay operational during the COVID-19 crisis is arguably one of them.

FederalNewsNetwork.com • March 17, 2021

Building back greener: New federal leases, new sustainability opportunities

Even as the share of sustainable buildings in the federal government’s real estate portfolio rose over the last decade, investments in efficiency improvements declined. Now that the Biden administration has issued new mandates to use federal procurement power and asset management to address climate change, building efficiency could get renewed scrutiny this year.

FederalNewsNetwork.com • March 16, 2021

Building back greener: GSA has prime opportunity to lead federal climate change initiative

As the nation’s largest employer, the federal government is also its largest energy consumer. Now that the U.S. has rejoined the Paris Agreement — to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius — President Joe Biden wants the public sector to be an example for environmental sustainability.

ItsAllJournalism.com • September 19, 2019

PODCAST: What’s changed for women in newsrooms? Less than you think

Across decades and mediums, women in newsrooms have a multitude of experiences in common. That includes shedding, or trying not to shed, a few tears at the office. I spoke to Kristin Grady Gilger and Julia Wallace, authors of "There’s No Crying In Newsrooms: What Women Have Learned About What It Takes To Lead," about what they learned from women in journalism about taking charge.

FederalNewsNetwork.com • March 28, 2018

General Dynamics' CSRA acquisition cleared as CACI withdraws

CACI International did an about-face Wednesday, announcing it would withdraw its $7.2 billion offer to acquire all outstanding shares of CSRA Inc. The move came less than two weeks after the Arlington, Virginia-based federal contractor, which provides information solutions and services, offered to merge with Falls Church, Virginia-based CSRA for $44 per share in cash and stock.

Community Impact Newspaper • March 22, 2018

Mother, daughters with a mix of styles run RueBird Market in Katy

When a boutique caters to a range of sizes and ages, it helps to have owners with that same variety of perspectives. That is why Sarah Shepard and her daughters, Elizabeth Morris and Katie Rue, try on everything that comes through their Katy shop, RueBird Market.

Community Impact Newspaper • March 10, 2018

Katy’s Local Table, The Local Bar add event space for community, private gatherings

On a typical Friday night, the staff at Local Table and The Local Bar said their patios in the Villagio Town Center fill with Katyites who want a relaxing gathering spot. Local Table opened in April 2016 at 22756 Westheimer Parkway, Ste. 100, Katy, followed by The Local Bar in February 2017 next door in Ste. 190.

Community Impact Newspaper • March 4, 2018

Katy area trying to turn itself into ‘destination’ for families, tourists

As the Katy area grows, so does residential desire for convenient entertainment options. Several recreation venues opened over the last decade—with more underway as subdivisions develop farther south and west—to satisfy tourists and locals interested in activities outside Houston.

Community Impact Newspaper • February 18, 2018

Job applications now open for Katy Amazon fulfillment center

The job postings for Amazon.com Inc.’s new fulfillment center in West Katy went live Sunday, according to a spokesperson for the Seattle-based online retailer. Position descriptions and applications can be found at www.amazondelivers.jobs

Community Impact Newspaper • February 14, 2018

Grandway West office park in Katy nearly half built-out

Work is almost complete on the 60-acre Grandway West office park at the northeast corner of Franz Road and the Grand Parkway. Kris Van Norman, a principal at InSite Realty, said four buildings are complete and the site has the potential for eight or nine structures. Between 21 and 22 acres are built while another 25 acres remain undeveloped.

Community Impact Newspaper • January 27, 2018

These Katy area developments are progressing in 2018

Many of these commercial or residential projects were announced or in progress last year. Here is what is happening now.

Community Impact Newspaper • January 20, 2018

Loss of protected status for Houston's second-biggest immigrant group expected to cost region $1.8B

The federal government entered into a shutdown early Saturday morning, in part due to Congress’ inability to agree on the fate of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals—DACA—program. But another immigration program’s end is expected to have to an economic effect on the Greater Houston area.

Community Impact Newspaper • January 7, 2018

GALLERY: More stores announced as major construction ends in Katy Asian Town

As of Jan. 4, all corner spaces at the future Katy Asian Town were rented. The shopping center, located at 23119 Colonial Parkway, Katy, will feature Asian restaurants and retail businesses including an H Mart grocery store and TONYMOLY cosmetics.

Community Impact Newspaper • December 15, 2017

Katy Ranch Crossing phase 4 build-out progressing off I-10

Work is progressing at the nearly 1 million-square-foot Katy Ranch Crossing retail center. The six-year-old development is part of a mixed-use site encompassing office space and a 318-luxury apartment complex.

Community Impact Newspaper • December 15, 2017

New Katy-area construction popping up along Westpark Tollway

Several commercial sites are under construction along Katy’s segment of Westpark Tollway/FM 1093 near the Barker Reservoir. One such project is a 20,000-square-foot retail strip from Houston-based development enterprise Peek Entrepreneurs.

Community Impact Newspaper • November 21, 2017

Katy’s Jasek Farms keeps rice-farming tradition alive, now packaging for consumers

One perk of operating a rice farm on the Katy prairie is the wildlife that flock to the fields throughout the year. Ken Jasek, owner of Jasek Farms at 28400 FM 529, Katy, watched swarms of birds fly in and out of the area as he drove the perimeter of his 632 acres in late October.

Community Impact Newspaper • November 21, 2017

Katy homes expected to keep their appeal despite Harvey flooding

Floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey caused more damage to residential homes than any other property type in the Greater Houston area, experts said. Nearly 5 percent of homes in the area flooded, but only 0.1 percent of those were completely destroyed, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Community Impact Newspaper • October 11, 2017

Memorial Lutheran Church Katy expansion withstands flooding, other structures not so fortunate

Tropical Storm Harvey did not delay Memorial Lutheran Church Katy’s Oct. 29 dedication of its new multi-million-dollar building expansion, but flooding from the storm damaged the church’s old preschool and parsonage, according to Senior Pastor John Davis.

Community Impact Newspaper • October 9, 2017

LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch sold, now managed by Tennessee firm

The LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch mixed-use complex in Katy has been sold. Woody Mann Jr., president of Vista Equities Group, said in an email Monday that he could not disclose the new owner’s name or when the sale was made due to a confidentiality agreement.