The City of Houston’s on-street parking management division – ParkHouston – has been named the Parking Organization of the Year by the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI). IPMI ’s Professional Recognition Awards acknowledge professionals and organizations who operate, maintain and manage parking and mobility operations. The awards also celebrate those who are changing the perception of the industry as a career and profession. Award winners are nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of industry professionals.

ParkHouston was nominated for this year’s award for its commitment to advancing innovative ideas and embracing technology. ParkHouston is a customer-focused agency, responding to more than 10,000 service requests with a 97% on-time response rate.  The department supports Houstonians with programs that promote public safety, quality of life, economic development, and sustainability, such as the development and enforcement of dedicated bike lanes throughout the city. Additionally, after substantive research, a Community Parking Program was implemented in the Midtown area.

“It’s always a particular honor for us to recognize outstanding professionals and organizations in parking, mobility, and transportation,” said IPMI CEO Shawn D. Conrad, CAE. “This year’s winners exemplify a commitment to excellence, innovation, and creativity that persevered through a difficult and challenging time of pandemic recovery, and it’s a privilege for us to honor them and be part of their professional circles. They make us all better.”

“The City of Houston is grateful to have the work of ParkHouston recognized by IPMI. Daily, the entire team works diligently with a customer-centric focus – in the field and at their desks – to keep Houston safe, sustainable, and accessible to all who use our streets for parking” said Maria Irshad, CAPP, MPA Assistant Director for the Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department.

Today is declared ParkHouston Appreciation Day by the City of Houston. Mayor Sylvester Turner presented a proclamation to the entire ParkHouston team today at City Hall commemorating their international recognition for the service provided to Houstonians.

Additional details on this year’s award winners can be found in a special feature in the July 2022 issue of Parking & Mobility Magazine. ParkHouston was honored in person at the 2022 IPMI Parking & Mobility Conference & Expo held July 24-27 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Source: houstontx.gov

The victim of an apparent murder-suicide that happened in the Alief area Tuesday morning may have worked for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, according to the agency.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted about the incident and asked for prayers, stating, “We’ve been notified that the victim is likely a professional staff member with our agency.”

According to Houston police, the shooting occurred in the 12600 block of Alief Clodine Road around 8:05 a.m.

HPD patrol officers and Harris County Precinct 5 deputy constables responded to the scene. Upon arrival, a witness told them that a woman and man, who were inside the same vehicle, were stopped at a red light and having an argument.

The woman exited the vehicle and the man also got out, following her. A witness told police that when the woman went back to the car, the man shot the woman three times before turning the gun on himself.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities are pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

Source: click2houston

Port Houston Chairman Ric Campo was honored as the 2022 Maritime Leader of the Year by the Greater Houston Port Bureau (GHPB) at its annual black-tie dinner held Saturday in Houston. The Port Bureau Board of Directors selected Campo as the 2022 honoree for his “steadfast commitment to improving the greater Houston port region.”

“Over 700 maritime and community guests attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau’s dinner to honor Ric Campo as the 2022 Maritime Leader of the Year,” said CAPT Bill Diehl, president of the Greater Houston Port Bureau. “As chairman of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority, Ric has earned the respect of the industry and the community with his tenacious approach to solving problems and creating value to a very diverse group of stakeholders.”

Among other notable achievements, Campo was instrumental in the successful start of Project 11, the widening and deepening of the Houston Ship Channel, which broke ground in May. Project 11 is designed to improve the nation’s busiest waterway by creating safer and more efficient navigation for the ships and vessels that transport goods and cargo through the channel, and ultimately deliver more jobs and economic impact to the Houston region, state, and nation.

“I am honored and humbled by the recognition from the GHPB,” said Campo. “This recognition is clearly a direct result of the great team of commissioners and staff at Port Houston doing great things for our community.”

Campo has consistently shared praise for the success of Project 11 with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, sectors of the maritime industry, and the bi-partisan collaboration of elected officials and local community members.

During the event, Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressed his appreciation for Campo’s leadership and dedicated efforts as Chairman of the Port of Houston Authority Commission via recorded remarks.

Abbott thanked Campo for “dedicating efforts to improving the greater Houston Port region.” He also commended him for promoting “economic growth and environmentally sustainable initiatives in Port Houston” and working “with the industry and local community to help advance the Houston Ship Channel and make tremendous port improvements.”

“Under [Campo’s] leadership, the Houston Ship Channel has been widened and deepened, leading to continued economic prosperity and job growth in the region,” said Abbott. “Thanks to [Campo’s] efforts, the Port of Houston will continue to thrive as an economic force for the region as well as for the state of Texas, creating jobs and opportunities for generations of Texans to come.”

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Commissioner Precinct 2 Adrian Garcia delivered remarks in person.

“I congratulate Ric on receiving the Maritime Leader of the Year award. When we appointed him to the position, I knew he was the right person at the right time. As Chairman, his vision has steered Port Houston to new heights, and he has championed equity, diversity, and inclusion. Ric has prioritized building relationships in communities throughout the City of Houston and has opened communications with neighborhoods around the Port and works to build new partnerships between communities and the Port,” said Mayor Turner.

“I’m happy Ric is being recognized for his leadership and commitment to our region. Since being appointed Chairman, Ric has worked hard to open more doors to small businesses and prioritize economic growth in our area and helped to ensure that the future of the port remains bright amidst a complex and changing global economy,” said Commissioner Adrian Garcia.

Congressmembers Sheila Jackson Lee, Randy Weber, and Sylvia Garcia presented their congratulations and spirit of collaboration to Chairman Campo and the Port with Congressional Certificates of Recognition. Multiple elected officials and community leaders also attended the dinner.

Campo is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Camden Property Trust and has served in this capacity since May 1993. He was appointed as Chairman of the Port Commission in January 2019 by the City of Houston and Harris County Commissioners Court.

The unprecedented challenges in the global supply chain over the past two years have highlighted the critical importance of ports and the maritime industry, and the cargo moving through the Houston Ship Channel touches every Congressional District in the nation.

Known locally as Project 11 because it is the eleventh major Houston Ship Channel waterway construction project in its more than 100-year history, Project 11 is expected to add an increased $134 million annual economic impact and, ultimately, more jobs to the region. It is on schedule for completion in 2025.

Source: porthouston

Port Houston recorded its biggest July ever for containers. Total volume in July was 328,498 TEUs, which is 10% more than the same month last year and the fourth-biggest month ever at Port Houston for container volume. Container throughput has reached 2,225,563 TEUs year-to-date, a 17% increase over last year.

Port Houston is experiencing rapid growth on all fronts. In July of this year loaded import containers were up 17% compared to the same month last year, at 159,881 TEUs. Loaded exports for the month were at 102,644 TEUs, a 36% increase over the same time period last year, with resins, chemicals, and other exports “Made in Texas” and throughout North America.

The trends seen locally largely mirror those reported nationwide. According to PIERS data, containerized imports from Asia grew by 6% in the first half of 2022 compared to the same time last year. The National Retail Federation reports retail sales are still expected to grow compared to 2021, though growth will start to recede as we continue in the second half of the year.

“Port Houston continues to build capacity and adjust to the changing market by providing more yard space, more equipment, and more hours of service to our customers,” said Roger Guenther, Executive Director at Port Houston. “Port Houston is meeting with customers, communicating updates, and working with our partners in the ILA to maintain cargo fluidity despite the extraordinary volume.” Guenther added, “Our most pressing concern is the urgent need for importers to quickly evacuate their containers to open up space, and for exporters and importers alike to increase their use of our Saturday gates, which are now open from 0800 – 1700 every Saturday.”

Total tonnage at Port Houston’sfacilities is up 24% for the year through July. General cargo in July was up 26% at 3,493,524 tons. Steel imports continue to be strong and were up 48% in July and 92% year-to-date, a positive sign for the energy sector. Auto imports remain sluggish, down 17% for the year so far.

Source: porthouston