Inside District I
July 2019 Newsletter
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Greetings!
Last month, the City of Houston announced the second set of communities that will be part of the Complete Communities program - and I'm excited to share that we will be including Magnolia Park-Manchester (including Smith Addition and Harrisburg neighborhoods) in the program.
Complete Communities aims to create sustainable, “complete” neighborhoods that are safe, affordable, economically viable, and that have access to quality education, transportation options, green spaces, and healthy food options. The program will develop short-and long-term action plans to better leverage resources - governmental, educational, non-profits and the business community - to address community priorities, needs and help ensure our communities are strong and vibrant.
In order to achieve sustainable, comprehensive community results that also safeguard against widespread gentrification, the program will pursue a holistic approach and work alongside residents, community partners and neighborhoods to specifically identify what will make their respective neighborhoods “complete,” and implement that vision.
As our city continues to expand and grow, we want to empower communities so residents who want to remain in the neighborhoods they love can thrive and be part of building a better community for future generations.
Respectfully,
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Robert Gallegos
Houston Council Member
District I
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Freedom Over Texas - July Fourth Celebration
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This year, guests will celebrate more than America’s Freedom at the city’s signature Independence Day event, as this July marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. CITGO Freedom Over Texas has partnered with NASA’s Johnson Space Center, to bring an exclusive Space City Experience to all patrons at the event featuring its history and what the future holds for intergalactic exploration and travel. The signature area will include an opportunity to be up close and personal with astronauts, robotic demonstrations, virtual reality fieldtrips to the International Space Station, the Space Exploration Vehicle (SEV), NASA’s Destination Station, and other NASA assets and activities.
Houston’s annual July 4th event will also feature NEW live music. Headlining the main stage will be multi chart-topping singer/songwriter Jake Owen with special guest country music star Kellie Pickler. The live performances will be followed by an astronomical fireworks show provided by CITGO.
WHEN:
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2019 from 4-10 p.m.
WHERE:
Eleanor Tinsley and Sam Houston Parks (KTRK ABC-13 will simulcast all the fun statewide and fireworks music will be simulcast on COX Media Group radio stations)
ADMISSION:
$5 per person through May 31 available online
$8 per person June 1 – July 3 available online
$10 per person day of show, online and at event
FREE children 5 and under
*Applicable service charges apply for online purchases
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Railroads Need to be Considerate of our Communities
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Communities in District I and throughout east and southeast Houston continue to experience the negative impacts of trains blocking crossings for extended periods. The blockages are particularly problematic in the early morning and afternoon hours when commuters are trying to reach their destination.
In May, Councilman Gallegos led a meeting with area elected leaders and UP officials to discuss the issue of repeated, extended blocked crossings. “I urged UP to review local operations to help mitigate the impact on surrounding neighborhoods, including finding ways to lessen the blockages at primary thoroughfares, especially during rush hour,” said Councilman Gallegos. “As we await a formal response on our proposal, I continue to urge residents who experience issues with the railroads (blocked crossing or malfunctioning signals) to report those immediately.”
“UP and all railroad companies are important economic drivers in our country, but just as important is the need for them to be considerate of the communities in which they operate,” added Gallegos.
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Residential Overlay in Freeway Pine Valley Neighborhood
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The City of Houston began resurfacing the streets in the Pine Valley neighborhood at the end of last month (June 2019) and should take approximately one month to complete, weather permitting. Public Works requests that all residents move their vehicles from the street to their driveways or elsewhere during work hours. Crews will be working Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Street resurfacing is conducted in two phases:
- Removal (milling) of old asphalt
- Placing new asphalt
Phase 2 includes spraying tack oil (black tar) to help the new asphalt bond to the milled surface. Tack oil can stick to your vehicle, tires and stain your driveway if you drive through it before the new asphalt is placed.
Please observe the signs posted that read “FRESH OIL” and avoid those areas during this phase of the project.
Door Hangers will be distributed in the community to inform residents prior to the start of the project.
Overlay is not designed to improve or correct drainage issues; it is used to preserve and prolong the life of the road base and provide a smoother riding surface.
If you have any questions regarding the work, please call Public Works at 713-843-5483 or the District I Office at 832-393-3011.
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Council Approves Updates to Historic Site Tax Exemptions
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Houston City Council recently adopted changes to the tax exemptions for the restoration and renovation of historic sites. The changes will allow even more eligible properties across the city to utilize the historic site tax benefit. The tax exemptions apply to historic structures that have been designated as a Landmark, a Protected Landmark, or as a Contributing Structure, under Article VII of Chapter 33 Historic Preservation Ordinance.
Councilman Gallegos was a supporter of the changes and offered additional revisions to ensure the maximum benefit for eligible properties in neighborhoods across the city. “I want to thank the Planning Department for working with me to allow for even more participation in this program,” said Councilman Gallegos. “The revised ordinance will allow eligible properties located in neighborhoods across the city to participate in the historic site tax credit program and ensure we have an opportunity to preserve even more historic structures."
Click
here
for more information on the two tiers of tax exemptions and a map of the qualifying census tract areas.
Applications
for the historic site tax exemptions will be administered by the Mayor's Economic Development Office in conjunction with the Finance Department. For questions about historic preservation, call the Historic Preservation hotline at 832-393-6556.
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UH Students Help Transform Cullen Underpass at I-45
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Councilman Robert Gallegos led an effort in partnership with the University of Houston to transform the dark and dreary underpass at Cullen and I-45 with a colorful and meaningful public art piece that showcases the area’s rich and diverse history.
The councilman's office worked with the UH Art Department and several of its students to develop concepts, as part of a senior class project, that could be painted on the columns sustaining the freeway overpass. A committee composed of area stakeholders, residents from Eastwood and Third Ward (the two adjacent neighborhoods), as well as TxDOT, City of Houston officials, and the East Downtown Management District helped select the winning concept, “Perspectives”, that was painted by renowned Houston graffiti artist, Gonzo247.
The mural covers 22 pillars of the underpass with bright, colorful brush strokes and icons that symbolize the rich history of Houston’s Third Ward, Eastwood, EaDo and the University of Houston. In order to bring the “Perspectives” concept to life, students researched each community to come up with the colors and icons that illustrate their unique characteristics.
- Third Ward: blue circular shapes, referencing blues music and soul.
- Eastwood: green rectangles, representing the tight-knit aspect of one of Houston’s first master-planned subdivisions.
- EaDo: intersecting orange lines, emphasizing the community’s energy, bike trails and sporting events.
- University of Houston: red hexagonal shapes, showcasing the hive-like network of UH’s diversity and synergy.
“It was such a joy to work with these very talented students," said Councilman Gallegos. "I'm also grateful to all the partners who worked with me to get this done - UH, Eastwood Civic Association, EaDo Management District, Sherwin-Williams, TxDOT, as well as Councilman Boykins and Commissioner Ellis for their support.”
In addition to the mural, new LED lights were installed last year which further enhance and brighten up this space.
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New Trails Open Along Greens and Sims Bayous
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The Houston Parks Board and Houston Parks and Recreation Department are pleased to announce several new completions along Greens and Sims Bayou Greenways as part of the Bayou Greenways 2020 project.
Greens Bayou Greenway: Strickland Park to Maxey Park
In June 2018, construction began on a new 1.4-mile segment of Greens Bayou Greenway to connect
Strickland Park to Maxey Park
. The new linear park includes the addition of a 10-foot wide concrete multi-use trail. Notable new features are improvements to both Maxey and Strickland Parks, a connection into the nearby METRO Park and Ride, and a mid-block crossing on Woodforest Boulevard.
Improvements to Maxey Park include a new seating area, signage, additional trees and a unique eagle-themed gateway at the trail entrance to the park from the parking lot. Improvements to Strickland Park include new parking spaces, signage, landscaping, a canoe/kayak launch and seating area, as well as a bobcat-themed gateway at the trail entrance to the park. The cost of this newest segment was $2.4 million.
Sims Bayou Greenway: Old Galveston to Milby Park
In July 2018, construction began on a new 1.2-mile segment of Sims Bayou Greenway connecting
Milby Park to Sims Bayou at Galveston Road
. The new Bayou Greenway begins in Milby Park connecting to a previously completed portion of the Sims Bayou Greenway within the park and extends along Central Street and Galveston Road to the completed portion of the Sims Bayou Greenway that extends along Sims Bayou from Galveston Road to Deeda Street adjacent to the new Houston Botanic Garden.
The highlight of this segment is an alley of mature Live Oak trees along Galveston Road, which provide shade along the trail. A donation of thirty-seven Live Oaks were planted so that the trees continue farther down the trail. Gateways including enhanced landscaping, plazas, seating have been constructed at the intersection of Galveston Road and Central Street and along Galveston Road at Sims Bayou. The cost of this newest segment was $3 million.
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Update on Fire Service & Protection in District I
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Several social media posts have circulated containing incorrect and misleading statements about fire protection in our community. The City of Houston is NOT reducing fire coverage. In fact, as a result of the recent court ruling surrounding Proposition B, the fire department was able to swear in 67 cadets as firefighters, and will maintain all fire stations staffed and open. Below is additional information regarding coverage in our community:
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City Pools & Swim Lessons are Open for the Summer!
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Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) pools are open for the summer swim season. The department operates 37 outdoor pools, including 11 in or near District I. All pools are open free of charge during summer operation, which runs through August 11, 2019. Regular summer operating hours are Tuesday – Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m. All pools are closed on Monday.
HPARD also offers a variety of water fitness and swim classes for all ages and skill levels at select pool sites. This includes Swimwise, H2O Safe and Adult Water Fitness Classes. In District I, FREE swim classes are being offered at the pools in:
Classes meet on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sites are also open on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Call 832-395-7129 for more information or visit
www.houstontx.gov/parks/pools
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District I Office
832-393-3011
Houston Help & Info
3-1-1 or 713-837-0311
Air Quality Concerns
832-393-5730
BARC
713-837-0311
Citizens' Assistance
832-393-0955
Dept. of Neighborhoods
832-393-1038
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HPD (non-emergency)
713-884-3131
Report Dumped Tires
832-393-0460
Solid Waste Department
713-837-0311
Report trains blocking intersections
Union Pacific:
800-848-8715
BNSF: 800-832-5452
Utility Customer Service
713-371-1400
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