A sidewalk destination

Will a new Comcast SportsNet studio save the struggling Houston Pavilions?

Mayor Annise Parker addressed the crowd; the turquoise walls behind the podiumwill soon be windows into the television studio.
Photo by Whitney Radley
The group has begun work on plans to develop the first and second floors, makinguse of a 32,000 square foot space at the Houston Pavilions.
Photo by Whitney Radley
Comcast SportsNet Houston president and general manager Matt Hutchings hopes tocreate a better sports experience for fans in the city and throughout theregion.
Photo by Whitney Radley

Mayor Annise Parker, always glad to be the bearer of good news, announced Houston's newest triumph at a windy press conference at the Houston Pavilions on Wednesday.

Parker hinted at a years-long battle against unnamed rival cities for this particular prize: A multi-million dollar television studio and production facility for Comcast SportsNet Houston, a partnership between the Houston Rockets, the Houston Astros and the NBC Sports Group, housed inside of the Pavilions.

Parker admitted that the Pavilions hasn't lived up to original hopes, but says the real estate venture still has potential for future development.

Beyond bringing more exposure to Houston's sports teams, from the high school level to the professional, the studio will create 125 media and technology jobs in downtown Houston. Incentives given by the Market Square Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #3 will be more than offset, says Parker, by a boost of business to downtown area shops and restaurants.

"We aren't shy about saying that downtown has unlimited growth potential," Parker said. She admitted the Pavilions hasn't lived up to original hopes, but says the real estate venture still has potential for future development — and the new two-story, 32,000 square foot studio will bring the struggling Pavilions nearer to full occupancy.

Matt Hutchings, Comcast SportsNet Houston president and general manager, says that the group wanted to return to the roots of regional sports coverage, with a "boots on the ground" approach for increased investment in the local community.

Just steps away from the light rail, and down the street from the George R. Brown as well as three nearby stadiums, the studio's street level viewing area is poised to become a destination in itself — akin to the sidewalks outside of NBC's Today Show at Rockefeller Center.

"We're going to continue to be aggressive and competitive in sports," Parker told the crowd, implying that the city will work just as hard behind closed doors to bring more sporting events to Houston as the players do on the court and the field.

Expect Houston sports fans to crowd outside the studio by fall 2012.

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This affluent Houston enclave is the richest small town in Texas

Facebook / City of Bellaire, Texas

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Affluent Houston neighbor Bellaire is cashing in as the richest small town in Texas for 2025, according to new study from GoBankingRates.

The report, "The Richest Small Town in Every State," used data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey to determine the 50 richest small towns in America based on their median household income.

Of course, Houstonians realize that describing Bellaire as a "small town" is a bit of misnomer. Located less than 10 miles from downtown and fully surrounded by the City of Houston, Bellaire is a wealthy enclave that boasts a population of just over 17,000 residents. These affluent citizens earn a median $236,311 in income every year, which GoBankingRates says is the 11th highest household median income out of all 50 cities included in the report.

The average home in this city is worth over $1.12 million, but Bellaire's lavish residential reputation often attracts properties with multi-million-dollar price tags.

Bellaire also earned a shining 81 livability score for its top quality schools, health and safety, commute times, and more. The livability index, provided by Toronto, Canada-based data analytics and real estate platform AreaVibes, said Bellaire has "an abundance of exceptional local amenities."

"Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks," AreaVibes said. "These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that [residents'] daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation."

Many popular Houston restaurants are setting their sights on this wealthy enclave. Detroit-style pizzamakers Gold Tooth Tony’s opened its second pizza joint in Bellaire in 2024. And most recently, Michelin-recognized Tex-Mex restaurant Candente announced it would open a second location just down the street from Gold Tooth Tony's at 5101 Bellaire Blvd.

Earlier in 2025, GoBankingRates ranked Bellaire as the No. 23 wealthiest suburb in America, and it's no stranger to being named on similar lists comparing the richest American cities.

suburbs houston bellaire affluent households

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guess who

This affluent Houston enclave is the richest small town in Texas