As a celebration of all the public works professionals in Southeast Texas, BBI’s Jeremy Austin, PE attended the National Public Works Week (NPWW) Picnic on Wednesday, May 22nd at the Tom Bass Park in Houston. The event was hosted by the Southeast Branch of the Texas Public Works Association (TPWA) with the City of Houston, which is part of the American Public Works Association (APWA). Co-hosts included City of Pearland, City of Sugar Land, City of Missouri City, City of Webster, City of League City, City of Rosenberg, City of Alvin, and City of Friendswood.
This year’s NPWW theme, “Public Works… It Starts Here,” represents the many facets of modern civilization that grow out of the efforts put forth by the public works professionals across North America. What starts here? Infrastructure starts with public works. Growth and innovation starts with public works. Mobility starts with public works. Security starts with public works. Healthy communities start with public works. The bottom line is that citizens’ quality of life starts with public works.
Highlighted by a BBQ cook-off with teams from 12 cities, the City of Houston took home the Grand Champion trophy by having the best total score in protein, chicken, pork ribs, brisket, and dessert. BBI sponsored the cook team shirts and dubbed our amazing culinary masters “Game of Bones.” Approximately 600 public works employees, consultants, and vendors attended the event.
The Texas Chapter is the largest chapter (1500+ members) of the 29,000-member APWA. To better meet the needs of their members, the State of Texas is divided into nine branches: Central Texas Branch (centered around Austin/Waco), North Central Branch (centered around DFW Metroplex), Paso del Norte Branch (centered around El Paso), Permian Basin (centered around Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley Branch (centered around Rio Grande Valley), South Central Branch (centered around San Antonio), Southeast Branch (centered around Houston), South Plains Branch (centered around Lubbock), and West Central Branch (centered around Abilene).
For more information about the Texas Chapter of APWA, visit their website at http://texas.apwa.net/.
