Houston Complete Communities

 

Complete Communities Updates
News from your City of Houston
Planning & Development Department
City of HoustonNovember 2018

New Office of Complete Communities  
 
Houston Endowment is a private philanthropic institution that works across the community for the benefit of the people of greater Houston; Photo courtesy of HoustonEndowment.org 
Thanks to private grant funding from Houston Endowment, Inc., the Mayor's Office is establishing an Office of Complete Communities with dedicated staff to facilitate implementation of the community action plans adopted by City Council in August 2018! We appreciate the support of the Houston Endowment toward improving Houston's diverse neighborhoods. More details to come...


Community Health Survey 
        
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) seeks your input with their Community Health Improvement Plan. The survey will assist their effort to understand the community's access to health care services and other essential items that support health, such as food, housing, and more. This survey is a follow up to the fall 2017 survey about health-related conditions that nearly 3,000 residents thought were important. This information will help HCPH better understand how and where they need to focus work in improving the health of our community. The survey is available online in seven different languages and can be accessed by smart phone, tablet, or computer, through December 1.
 
When answering the question about where you heard about the survey, please state, "Complete Communities eNewsletter." For more information, contact Sandra K. Tyson, PhD, Senior Policy Planner, Community Health at 713-439-6269 or via e mail at sandra.tyson@phs.hctx.net.

Community Highlights
 
 
Job Fair: On October 27, AT&T hosted a resource and job fair to support the Complete Communities initiative in Acres Home. The event incorporated resume building, interview workshops, financial independence support services, and access to hiring managers.
 
Enthusiastic AT&T volunteers gathered together in support of the job fair in Acres Home

Bethune Community Engagement: The Acres Home Complete Communities Action Plan defines Bethune Academy as an Economic Development Hub with job training, small business resources, co-working spaces, small business incubators, youth internships and apprenticeships, and skill building programs. On November 1, the City of Houston and Aldine ISD hosted a joint community engagement meeting to discuss the proposed vision for Bethune Academy. The community was encouraged to provide suggestions, revisions, and priorities for the proposed programs. Contact CC_AcresHome@houstontx.gov for more information. 
A conceptual plan for Bethune Academy

Contact Information: The planners for Acres Home are Christa Stoneham and Arica Bailey. You can reach them at 832-393-6600 or CC_AcresHome@houstontx.gov.
 

 
Gulfton Y-ABC: Houston Health Department is launching the Gulfton Y-ABC (Young Adults Building Community) program at the Southwest Multi-Service Center. The classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 - 8 pm on November 6, 8, 13, 15, 27, 39, and December 4 and 6. The Y-ABC program is a free program designed to empower young people, 18 to 30 years of age, through training and experiential learning, to become a voice for positive changes in their community. For more information to refer a friend or sign up, please contact Francisco Garcia, Y-ABC Coordinator, at francisco.garcia@houstontx.gov  or at 832-393-4588, for mobile call 832-245-3898.
 
Neighborhood Support Team: At the last meeting in October, th e Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA), in collaboration with residents and community leaders, met to discuss the creation of a mini mural art project in the community. In September, MOCA introduced the four artists selected by the Neighborhood Support Team (NST) to work on the mini murals are project.  The next NST meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 28, a t the Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star Drive, from 6 to 7:30 pm. If you would like to join a work group committee, please visit the Complete Communities website and sign up today under the Gulfton page.
 
BakerRipley Services: In collaboration with the City of Houston, BakerRipley expanded services at community centers after Hurricane Harvey so residents can get more information and connection to recovery resources, as well as establish plans for the resiliency of the neighborhood. Click on the link for valuable information.
 
Gulfton Super Neighborhood: Gulfton Super Neighborhood Council monthly meeting is every third Monday of the month, at the Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star Drive, from 12 to 1 pm. The next meeting is November 19.

Contact Information: The planners for Gulfton are Tonya Sawyer and Abraham Zorrilla. You can reach them at 832-393-6600 or CC_Gulfton@houstontx.gov  
Neighborhood Support Team:  The last Neighborhood Support Team (NST) met on October 17 at 6 pm at the Leonel Castillo Community Center. Radu Barbuceanu, a Community Liaison
Participants discussing potential themes and ideas for the proposed mini murals
from the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA), led a discussion with residents and stakeholders to identify themes and ideas for the creation of four mini murals in the Near Northside community. Specifically, four traffic signal control cabinets will be transformed into mini art murals. Four artists who were selected for this project also attended this meeting to listen to the public comments. Following this meeting, the artists will utilize these comments to formulate an art piece for each mural. These murals are expected to be completed by the end of this year.
 
Super Neighborhood 51: During the Super Neighborhood Council (SNC) #51 meeting on October 25 at the Leonel Castillo Community Center, the revised bylaws were approved by members. SNC #51 committees were formed and have begun providing monthly reports on progress. These committees aim to address issues relating to safety, education, housing, historic preservation, and other areas. SNC #51 will collaborate with Near Northside's Neighborhood Support Team in moving forward projects that align with the Near Northside Complete Communities Action Plan. If you have any questions regarding the Super Neighborhood, please email snc51houston@gmail.com.

Tactical Urbanism: In the Near Northside Hogan Lorraine Walkable Places District, an innovative exhibit showcased community options for walkability and green spaces. The purpose of the event was to use "tactical urbanism" efforts to create a park.Tactical urbanism is a term used to describe low-cost, temporary changes to the built environment of public places, intended to model improvements such as a proposed park space or street right-of-way modifications in local neighborhoods. A small park is envisioned at the intersection of Hogan and Cochran in the Greater Northside Management District. P&D's Walkable Places Pilot Planner for Near Northside, Carlos G. Espinoza y Sánchez, and Transportation Planner, Lauren Grove, joined the Houston Department of Transformation (a private organization) at the exhibition.
 
 
P&D Planners distribute Walkable Places fliers near the site of the proposed park

Community members gather to consider park options for Near Northside

Contact Information: The planner for Near Northside is Davonte Caldwell. You can reach him at 832-393-6600 or CC_NearNorthside@houstontx.gov.    


Neighborhood Support Team: Second Ward held its eighth Neighborhood Support Team (NST) meeting on October 22, at Houston Community College's Felix Fraga campus. In attendance was Radu Barbuceanu from the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, and three of the artists chosen for the mini mural project. At the meeting, NST members described what was important to them about Second Ward. Many themes surfaced, including history (notable residents of Second Ward), food (the deep influences of traditional Mexican cooking), festivals (the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe), fond memories (ice cream parlors and movie theaters) and change (skate parks and new residents). The artists left the meeting with a better understanding of what the residents would like to see on the four mini murals in Second Ward. 
 
Work Groups: The seven work groups launched in August are focused on the implementation of projects in the Second Ward Complete Communities Action Plan. At the October 22 NST meeting, the Planning and Development Department gave NST members an in-depth update of progress by each Complete Communities Work Group, and received feedback as to what next steps should be taken. The groups are continuing discussion about priority projects and are selecting projects that can be led by the community. If you have a passion for Second Ward, contact us at CC_SecondWard@houstontx.gov to learn about the projects in the action plan, and to get plugged in to future meetings and events.

Contact Information: The planners for Second Ward are David Welch and Eriq Glenn. You can reach them at 832-393-6600 or CC_SecondWard@houstontx.gov 

Mini Murals: Third Ward residents and stakeholders voted on their four most favored locations to exhibit "mini murals" on street traffic signal control boxes. Tabulations are being counted. Come to the January Greater Third Ward #67 Super Neighborhood meeting to discuss overall themes that selected artists will use in their designs. The meeting will be held Thursday, January 17, 6 pm at the Third Ward Multi-Service Center, 3611 Ennis Street.

Mural Honoring Houston Civil Rights Leaders: Thank you Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Harris County Precinct One, for the installation of the Sacred Struggles/Vibrant Justice Mural. The mural is located on the eastern wall of Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ at 3115 Blodgett Street, and is visible from the Columbia Tap trail at Blodgett. The mural honors eight Black civil rights heroes: Christia Adair, former Houston City Councilwoman Ada Edwards, Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, Congressman Mickey Leland, Rev. William Lawson, Rev. John D. Moore, Heman Sweatt, and the Honorable Hattie Mae White. The mosaic tiles were designed and painted by local artist Reginald Adams, with input and assistance from stakeholders. Drive, ride (bicycle) or walk by to experience the mural.
 
2018 Mayor's Proud Partners Awards Recipients: The 3rd Ward Citizens Patrol's Team-Up 2 Clean-Up program received a Proud Partners award, and the Blodgett Urban Gardens at Texas Southern University received a Certificate of Recognition from Keep Houston Beautiful. Both were honored at the 34th Annual Mayor's Proud Partners Breakfast on November 13. Congratulations to two community groups who are dedicated to Third Ward and who are participants in Mayor's Complete Communities initiative!
 
Action Plans: The Third Ward Complete Communities Action Plan is printed! If you would like to receive a printed copy, please request a copy via CC_ThirdWard@houstontx.gov. To view the plan online, visit the web site.
 
Contact Information: The planners for Third Ward are Lynn Henson and Annette Mitchell. You can reach them at 832-393-6600 or CC_ThirdWard@houstontx.gov.

Tips From the Toolbox
   



Grants: The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the National Football League Foundation are excited to announce the 2018 NFL Foundation Grassroots Program. The goal of the program is to provide non-profit, neighborhood-based organizations with financial and technical assistance to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of local football fields. The program provides grants of up to $250,000 for capital improvement projects. Please review the 2018 Request for Proposals and consider applying. Due date for proposals is January 31, 2019. Please join us for a webinar on November 14 at 2 pm central time. To register for the webinar, see this web site.  
City of Houston
Complete Communities
Committed to providing programs & services
designed to improve Houston neighborhoods