Here’s what’s up in SETX,
Happy Monday. Beaumont just dropped its master plan for the future and it's got riverfront vibes, bike lanes, and a whole lot of ambition. Meanwhile, SETX is getting a new cancer center (no more Houston trips), Port Arthur is fixing those questionable water bills, and our local schools are seeing some big leadership changes.
Plus, we've got summer jobs, Pokémon parties, and a senior prom on the calendar.
Today's newsletter is brought to you by Tailored Lawn Care cause spring is coming, and Frederick Taylor's crew has your yard covered. Let's get into it. 👇
📰 THE BIG NEWS
Beaumont's Future Takes Shape: 5 Big Ideas Revealed 🏙️
The City of Beaumont just went through an intensive week-long planning session — called a charrette — with consulting firm Able City, and the results are now public. Over 100 people participated in person and 263 survey responses have come in so far. The outcome? Five guiding principles that will shape Beaumont's Comprehensive Plan, targeted for adoption by end of Summer 2026.
Here are the 5 Big Ideas:
🏛️ Protect & Restore Downtown — Turn historic hotels and warehouses into housing and markets
🚴 Create Safe & Connected Mobility — Complete Streets with bike lanes and shaded sidewalks connecting Lamar to Downtown
🌳 Increase Access to Parks & Nature — Greenways, trails, and a revitalized riverfront with marina and restaurants
🏠 Plan a Prosperous City for Everyone — Address the "missing middle" in housing by encouraging triplexes, townhomes, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Also: using land banking to tackle vacant properties and faith-based housing initiatives where churches use their debt-free, tax-free land to build affordable cottages and duplexes for the community.
🎓 Leverage Heritage & Institutions — Transform Beaumont into more of a "college town" by creating lively districts around Lamar University, potentially with a downtown satellite campus.
💡 What this means for you: This plan will influence zoning, development, infrastructure spending, and housing policy for years to come. If you live, work, or own property in Beaumont, this directly affects your quality of life.
📋 The community survey is still open through March 20, 2026. Your input shapes the final plan.
🔗 Watch the full presentation on YouTube
🔗 Visit planbeaumont.com for slides and updates
🏘️ Question for the Neighborhood: Which of the 5 Big Ideas matters most to you? Bike lanes and sidewalks? Riverfront revival? More housing options? Hit reply and tell us and we'll share the community's top pick next week.
📋 THE RUNDOWN
Port Arthur to invest $9.8 million in water meter overhaul. Photo courtesy of KFDM
🏫 Lamar University Honors Former Speaker Phelan — The Center for Innovation is now the Dade Phelan Building. As the first House Speaker from SETX in 170+ years, Phelan helped secure $45M for the Gray Library renovation and cut tuition at Lamar State Colleges by half.
🏥 New Cancer Center Coming to Beaumont — Riceland Healthcare is opening a comprehensive cancer center on its expanding campus this summer. Services include radiation/medical oncology, chemotherapy, and early detection programs all under one roof, so SETX patients won't have to travel out for specialized care.
💧 Port Arthur Replacing 19,000 Water Meters — A $10 million project to modernize the city's water billing system starts in March. New electronic meters promise 100% accurate readings and an app for leak detection. No more estimated bills.
📚 H-J Superintendent Brad McEachern to Retire — The Hardin-Jefferson ISD leader is stepping down. The school board will consider accepting his resignation at their Feb. 23 meeting. He's been a superintendent since 2013.
💰 Rent Climbs in Beaumont-Port Arthur Metro — Average rent is now $1,103/month (up 4.18% year-over-year). One-bedrooms average $964. Still 48% below the national average — SETX remains one of the most affordable metros in Texas. Read more about this here.
🏐 Super Gold Volleyball Team Named — The Beaumont Enterprise announced the full Super Gold volleyball team for Southeast Texas. Congrats to all our local student-athletes making waves on the court!
🏭 Beaumont Chamber Hosts 2026 Industry Forecast — Local business leaders gathered to discuss the economic outlook for Southeast Texas. The region's petrochemical and industrial sectors remain strong drivers of growth.
🐕 Meet Kenzo: Dog of the Week — This sweet pup is waiting for his forever home at Beaumont Animal Care. Ready to adopt? Adoption fee is $70 and includes spay/neuter, microchip, and vaccines.
📰 Which of these stories caught your eye? Reply with the emoji and we'll go deeper on what you care about most:
📈 Rising rents
🚰 Water meters in PA
🏥 New cancer center
🐕 Kenzo the dog (we won't judge)
TOGETHER WITH TAILORED FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS
💰 TFS supports local entrepreneurs and growing businesses through accurate bookkeeping, CFO-level guidance, and strategic decision support. They make financial management clear so you can focus on building your dreams.
✅ 📝 For Residents: Take the Plan Beaumont survey by March 20 and help shape the city's future. 👉 Take the survey at planbeaumont.com
✅🎉For Seniors (in life): RSVP for Port Arthur's 21st Annual Senior Prom by Feb. 23! Call 409-983-8152. Theme: Midnight Rose Garden in the City by the Sea.
✅💼For Nonprofits: FREE Texas Nonprofit Formation workshop Feb. 19, 10AM-12PM at R.C. Miller Library. Register here.
✅🏓 For Beginners: Pickleball 101 tonight (Feb 17), 6-8PM at Nederland Recreation Center. Sign up here.
✅ 🗳️ For Voters: Nederland City Manager Candidates Meet & Greet — Feb. 19, 10-11AM at Nederland City Hall. You can ask questions and complete a citizen feedback survey on-site. This is your chance to weigh in on who leads your city.
Have you taken the Beaumont Comprehensive Plan survey yet? What's the ONE thing you'd change about Beaumont if you could? Hit reply! We're genuinely curious.
📅 COMMUNITY EVENTS
Mark your calendars for these upcoming highlights.
THIS WEEKEND
Feb 17: Meet Me at the Park | 10:30 AM at B.A. Ritter Senior Center, Nederland. Story time, snacks & crafts featuring "KINDNESS."
Feb 17: Pickleball 101 | 6-8 PM at Nederland Recreation Center. Perfect for beginners! → Sign up here
Feb 18: Storytime at Orange Public Library | Every Wednesday
Feb 19: Texas Nonprofit Formation Workshop | 10 AM-12 PM at R.C. Miller Library for FREE | → Register
Feb 19: Nederland City Manager Meet & Greet | 10-11 AM at Nederland City Hall.
Feb 19: Dungeons & Dragons | Orange Public Library | Check with the library for time at (409) 883-1086.
Every Thursday: Cookies & Coloring + Game Night | Orange Public Library. Call 409-883-1086.
Feb 18: Lunar New Year Sensory Event | 10:30 AM at Sertinos Cafe, Beaumont. Hands-on play and cultural activities for kids. $15/child.
Feb 19: Lunar New Year Lion Dance Celebration | 4:30 PM at Riverfront Park, Downtown Beaumont. FREE and family-friendly.
Feb 19: Texas Nonprofit Formation Workshop | 10 AM-12 PM at R.C. Miller Library. FREE. Learn how to legally establish a nonprofit in Texas.
Feb 20: Dancing with the Stars of SETX | 6 PM Cocktails, 7 PM Show at Beaumont Civic Center. Junior League of Beaumont's 10th annual event.
Feb 21: Beauty and the Beast Ballet | 2 PM at Julie Rogers Theatre. Beaumont Civic Ballet. Perfect Valentine's late gift!
Feb 21: Hutto Market Days | 9 AM-2 PM at The Gin at Hutto Co-Op. Local vendors and artisans.
MOVIE NIGHTS @ JEFFERSON THEATRE
Feb 20: The Wiz — 7 PM
Feb 27: Remember the Titans — 7 PM
BOOMFEST 2026
Feb 19: Texas Film Belt Project | 7 PM at Dishman Art Museum. Boomtown Film and Music Festival kickoff.
Feb 20: Screenplay Reading "Graveyard Songs" | 6 PM at MCM Elegante Hotel.
Feb 20: BOOMFEST Friday | 7 PM at For The Record.
Feb 21: BOOMFEST Saturday | 7 PM at For The Record.
Feb 22: BOOMFEST Brunch | 11 AM at Madison's On Dowlen.
COMING UP
Feb 24-25: Mrs. Doubtfire the Musical | "Helloooo!" Family-friendly musical comedy. Tickets $63-$103.
Feb 25: Storytime at Orange Public Library
Feb 27: Pokémon Day | Orange Public Library. Gotta catch 'em all!
Feb 26: Mardi Gras Mixer | 4-6 PM at Staybridge Suites, Port Arthur. Greater Port Arthur Chamber networking event. Beads encouraged, business cards recommended.
Feb 26: IHOP Ribbon Cutting | 10-11 AM at 5875 Eastex Fwy, Beaumont. Greater Beaumont COC welcomes new member.
Mar 13: Senior "Senior" Prom | 5-9 PM at Bob Bowers Civic Center, Port Arthur. FREE event for ages 55+. Semi-formal attire. RSVP by Feb 23: 409-983-8152.
Which event are you hitting up? Reply and let us know! And if there's an event we missed, send it our way for next week's issue. 🎉
🍽️ FOOD CORNER
Oz Cafe — Beaumont
Oz Cafe (courtesy of Aaron Long, Owner)
If you've ever wondered what Australian coffee culture tastes like, well this Beaumont cafe’s got you. Oz Cafe is the real deal founded by a husband-and-wife team who spent three years living in Sydney, Australia (affectionately called "Oz"). That experience didn't just change their taste buds. It also changed their whole philosophy on what a coffee shop should be.
Now they've brought that Aussie magic back to Beaumont with a cozy spot on Calder Ave built on "bites, brews, and belonging." This isn't your grab-and-go gas station coffee but the kind of specialty coffee experience that makes you slow down, sit a while, and actually taste what's in your cup.
Oz Cafe also does mobile coffee cart catering. Got Weddings, corporate events, office parties, pop-ups? They'll roll up with their setup and serve your guests barista-quality drinks that'll have everyone asking "where did you find these people?"
If you're planning an event in SETX and want to make it memorable, Oz Cafe is your secret weapon.
📍 2417 Calder Ave, Suite 1, Beaumont | 409-239-5626 | theozcafe.com |
Monica's Restaurant — Beaumont
Chef Monica Cobb's farm-to-table gem on Calder Ave continues to dazzle with fresh, creative dishes. Try the famous Elvis sandwich (hoisin-glazed pork bánh mì with fried plantains) or the Lemongrass Chicken Salad with cornbread croutons. Everything is locally sourced from partners like Donna's Farm and Wild Earth Texas. Private dining available for special occasions.
📍 6385 Calder Ave, Suite H, Beaumont | Mon-Fri 11AM-3PM
Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar — Port Arthur
Serving SETX since 1996, Tokyo continues to be a local favorite for hibachi dinner-and-a-show and fresh sushi rolls. The spicy edamame and jalapeño-infused masago are hidden gems. Three locations across the Golden Triangle; the Central Mall location in Port Arthur is perfect for Mid-County cravings.
📍 3300 Central Mall Dr, Port Arthur | 409-729-0641
🏢 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Tailored Lawn Care
Looking for reliable lawn care in Southeast Texas? Frederick H. Taylor and his team at Tailored Lawn Care are known for delivering the best service in SETX — and they're growing! They offer FREE estimates and are currently hiring. Whether you need regular maintenance or a full yard makeover, these folks have you covered.
📞 Call or Text: 409-365-4887
Sometimes the best businesses in SETX are the ones your neighbor swears by. Tailored Lawn Care is one of them.
🏠 Are you a local business owner or entrepreneur? We're always looking for Business Spotlight features. Reply with your story, we'd love to share it with the neighborhood.
🌲 OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Cattail Marsh Boardwalk, Tyrrell Park — February is peak migratory bird-watching season. Grab binoculars, layer up, and enjoy one of the best free outdoor experiences in the region. Sunrise visits are unbeatable.
Village Creek State Natural Area — About 15 minutes north of Beaumont. Great for a paddle or trail run through the Big Thicket. Weekday visits are almost private.
Riverfront Park, Downtown Beaumont — Take a walk along the Neches. With the Comprehensive Plan proposing a marina and waterfront dining, this stretch could look very different in a few years. Enjoy the quiet while you can — or start dreaming about what's coming.
💬 Outdoor lovers, sound off: What's your favorite trail, park, or outdoor spot in the Golden Triangle? Bonus points if it's a hidden gem most people drive right past. 🌲 Reply and share — we'll feature the best ones in a future Outdoor Adventures roundup!
📣 Your Turn
Every week, we ask a few questions because this newsletter is a two-way street. Hit reply — we read every single one.
🏙️ The Beaumont Comprehensive Plan dropped 5 Big Ideas. Which one gets you most excited — downtown revival, bike lanes, riverfront marina, more housing types, or the college-town vision? Tell us your #1.
🍳 Best brunch in SETX — go. Monica's just launched a new menu, but we know you've got opinions. Drop your top pick and settle the debate.
🐕 Have you adopted a pet from a local shelter? Share your adoption story (and a photo if you've got one). We might feature your fur baby in a future issue.
🌿 Spring is coming — who's your go-to lawn care or home service pro? We're building a community-recommended vendor list. Your rec could help a neighbor out.
📰 What do you want more of in this newsletter? More food? More jobs? More events? More deep dives? Tell us and we'll deliver.
See you in a few days neighbor 📍,
The What’s Up SETX Team
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