A controversial bike lane project deep in Third Ward could be redesigned if the City of Houston is ready to pay.

Catch up quick: Construction is ongoing to transform Blodgett Street between Scott and Ennis streets from a four-lane road to two lanes of traffic with protected bike paths on either side.

• Several residents, community organizations and District D City Council member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz raised concerns late last year over traffic and lack of engagement and have been trying to stop work on the project.

Driving the news: After hearing from community members, Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, whose office is funding most of the project, sent a letter to Evans-Shabazz and Mayor Sylvester Turner that said the project could be redesigned if the city forked over half of the remaining bill, plus the cost of the redesign — about $8 million to $9 million.

By the numbers: The city currently has only agreed to pay for about $400,000 of the $12.1 million project, for nearby drainage improvements.

Yes, but: In December, Evans-Shabazz blocked that $400,000 from being paid in protest of the project, saying, "Once you pay the bill, then nobody's going to listen to the concerns."

Now, Evans-Shabazz is doubling down and is asking the commissioner to show his work when coming up with the figure.

• "I don't believe that [the cost] would be to the degree that the commissioner has indicated," Evans-Shabazz told Axios. "So, rather than throw numbers against the wall, I want to see the actual cost of changing this. The community definitely does not want [the bike lanes]. They were not engaged, and that was an important step that was missed."

The other side: "We're committed to addressing those concerns and exploring options," Ellis said. "The goals of the letter are to reach a resolution that serves the Third Ward community, improve engagement moving forward, and share accountability for where engagement fell short."

Between the lines: Evans-Shabazz's stunt has at least sparked a conversation about rethinking the bike lanes.

• But Turner doesn't seem keen on the price tag or open to changing plans, according to Houston Public Media.
• "The project, already under construction, should move forward," Turner said.

Houston's two parades for Martin Luther King Jr. Day will return Monday.

Catch up quick: Houston has had two parades for decades: the Original Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in downtown and the annual MLK Grande Parade in Midtown.

• Both are established, annual parades that have become part of Houston's MLK Day celebration, despite all the back and forth on which one is considered the "premier" parade.

45th Original Martin Luther King Jr. Parade:

• It's organized by the Black Heritage Society and supported by the city.
• It begins at 10am at the intersection of Lamar and Smith streets and will be aired on KHOU.
• Mayor Sylvester Turner will be grand marshal.
• The parade will feature marching bands, dance teams, military and ROTC groups, first responders, city and county officials, and floats.
• Plus: A festival at Hermann Park follows the parade with food trucks, live music and kid-friendly activities till 5pm.

29th annual MLK Grande Parade:

• It's organized by the MLK Parade Foundation.
• It kicks off at 10am at San Jacinto and Elgin streets in Midtown.
• It will be televised on CW39 Houston.
• Its honorees include rapper Trae tha Truth and mayoral candidate Amanda Edwards.
• The parade will include several marching bands and floats.

🛣 While local and state leaders are now on the same page regarding the controversial North Houston Highway Improvement Project, many details have yet to be ironed out. (Houston Chronicle)

🏛 Democrats walked away with a rare victory in the Texas Legislature after the House of Representatives voted on new rules allowing them to chair committees, upsetting some Republicans. (Houston Public Media)

🚨 The man seen on surveillance cameras fatally shooting a robber at a southwest Houston taqueria released a statement through his attorney, asking for privacy and saying he is traumatized by the killing. (Chron)

Along with the two parades, Houston has several other MLK-related events throughout the long weekend.

🥂 The Black Heritage Society is hosting a gala at Hilton Houston West-Katy tomorrow.

• The $100 adult tickets include a cocktail hour, meal and live music by the Kashmere Reunion Stage Band.
• On Sunday, BHS will have a $20 gospel concert starting at 4pm at the hotel.

📺 The Rothko Chapel will present "Images & Words: Media's Influence on the Struggle for Civil Rights" in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

• Sunday at 3pm, a panel will discuss the media's role during the civil rights movement.
• On Monday, the chapel will play King's speeches and sermons.

🚲 MLK Jr. Dream Catcher Bike Ride is a 20-mile bike ride along a route where King made stops during his last trip to Houston.

• Check-in for the bike ride begins at 7am tomorrow. The ticket requires a pay-what-you-want donation.

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Mistress Isabelle Brooks is already a standout queen after the "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 15 premiere last week.

Catch up quick: Brooks is making herstory as Houston's first drag queen on the reality TV show.

• She's one of 16 queens competing for the winner title and $200,000 — the biggest cash prize in the show's history.

What we know about Brooks: She was born and raised in H-Town and started doing drag when she was 16 years old.

• She performs at JR's, South Beach and Hamburger Mary's.
• She calls her drag "big, beautiful and glamorous" and declares herself the "heavyweight champ" of the season.

Premiere recap: This season features several Instagram and TikTok queens, and off the bat, Brooks is one of the more experienced drag queens.

• She didn't win either the mini- or the maxi-challenge, but Brooks served Southern sass and her looks were stunning. She also did a great job in her performance of "Big Girl!"

What's next: Episode 2 airs at 7pm tonight on MTV.

Of note: Brooks will be the host tonight at South Beach nightclub, where Sasha Colby, a legendary queen from Los Angeles also competing this season, will perform.

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