Inside District I
June 2019 Newsletter
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Greetings!
As METRO leaders move forward with the METRONext Plan, I continue to advocate for a light rail connection to Hobby Airport that is beneficial to not just visitors, but the surrounding communities and all Houstonians.
Last month, I spoke before the METRO board and advocated for extending the Green Line from the Magnolia Transit Center, where it currently ends, to Hobby Airport by way of Broadway, Park Place, Telephone and Airport Blvd. METRO officials unveiled this possible route as alternate option for getting to Hobby last month. This route could serve many communities and connect riders to new destinations like Mason Park, Brady's Landing and the Ship Channel, the Botanic Garden, as well as other green spaces, libraries and schools along the way.
The route could also spur positive growth and development. In speaking with residents and stakeholders, many have expressed their support for the route and the positive development light rail could spur in the community.
In addition to new rail service to Hobby, the METRONext Plan proposes two miles of rail extending westward from downtown to Heights Boulevard via Washington Avenue, over 60 miles of bus rapid transit and approximately 100 miles of two-way HOV lanes along freeways. The total price tag is estimated at approximately $7.5 billion, of which $3 billion could come from bonds that voters will be asked to approve in the November election.
METRO continues to seek input on their proposal. If you haven't already, consider submitting your thoughts at
www.ridemetro.org/Pages/METRONext
. I'd also like to hear from you, so send me your ideas and suggestions about METRONext.
Respectfully,
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Robert Gallegos
Houston Council Member
District I
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New Trail Opens Along Greens and Sims Bayou
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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, signage and trash/recycling receptacles 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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Residential Overlay in Freeway Pine Valley Neighborhood
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The City of Houston will be resurfacing the streets in the Pine Valley neighborhood beginning at the end of June 2019 and should take approximately one month to complete, weather permitting.
Houston 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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Councilman Gallegos Hosts Over 400 Seniors at Annual Prom
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Councilman Robert Gallegos hosted 400 senior citizens this year at his fifth annual Senior Citizens Prom. The prom event is held for senior residents from centers located across District I on the Monday after Mothers Day. This year's dance was a Wild-West themed prom.
"Our seniors had a wonderful time catching up with friends, enjoying brunch and dancing. We even crowned a Prom Queen, Ms. Brenda Whiting, and King, Mr. Frank Lopez," said Councilman Gallegos. "It's always such a joy and honor to celebrate our seniors, to say 'thank you' for all they have done to advance our community."
The event has grown since the first prom dance was held in 2014, when approximately 200 seniors attended. The District I Office wishes to thank this year's partners and sponsors: LULAC Council 402, Comcast, GOYA Foods, El Bolillo Bakery, Union Pacific, Space City Credit Union, CenterPoint Energy, United Airlines, the Gutierrez Law Firm, Kim Lewis, Port of Houston, Silver Eagle Distributors, the Women of AT&T group, and Allegiance Bank.
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Update on Fire Service & Protection in District I
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Several social media posts have been circulating containing incorrect and misleading statements about fire protection in our community. The City of Houston is NOT closing fire stations or reducing fire coverage. In fact, as a result of the recent court ruling surrounding Proposition B, the fire department swore in 67 cadets as firefighters and is maintaining staffing and fire apparatus at current levels.
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City Pools & Swim Lessons are Open for the Summer!
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The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) pools are open for the summer swim schedule. 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 6:00 p.m. Sites are also open on Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Call 832-395-7129 for more information or visit
www.houstontx.gov/parks/pools
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Summer Jobs for Houston's Youth
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Hire Houston Youth, in partnership with the McDonald’s Owners/Operators Association of Greater Houston, will be hosting two final hiring events for summer jobs positions open to all youth ages 16 to 24. These events are open to the public and do not require applicants to pre-register or be pre-screened.
All positions offer at least 7 weeks of employment, and employers are asked to compensate youth at least $8 an hour.
Wages are paid by the participating private employers.
Most opportunities begin June 10, 2019 and end August 1, 2019.
Youth MUST bring documents to prove their eligibility to work. To view a list of acceptable documents.
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METRO Pass Offers Students Free Rides All Summer
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Get your Student METRO Q® Fare Card and ride for FREE all summer long from June 1 – Aug. 31, 2019. If you are a K-12 or college student and you already have a Student METRO Q® Fare Card, you are good to go thanks to the METRO Summer of Fun program.
Simply use your current Student METRO Q® Fare Card, and enjoy unlimited rides on any METRO local bus, Park & Ride or METRORail service free of charge. After Aug. 31, 2019, when the Summer of Fun program ends, your same card automatically converts back to your discounted Student METRO Q® Fare Card, which is coded with a 50 percent student discount.
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Hurricane Season is Here - Are You Prepared?
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June 1 marked the official start of the 2019 hurricane season. The District I Office reminds residents to be prepared before a tropical storm or hurricane threatens our coast. Below are a few tips from the City's Office of Emergency Management:
Make a Plan
Have a plan for what you and your family will do in an emergency. Consider how you will communicate with each other, where you will meet, and who you can leave messages with out-of-state if you can't reach people locally. If you or a loved one has special needs, be sure to account for that as well.
Build a Kit
If you plan on riding out the storm in your home, make sure you have a "stay at home kit" with enough supplies to last 5-7 days. This includes sufficient food, water, medications and first aid kit, batteries, flashlights and sturdy work gear and gloves in case you have to remove debris following the storm. If you have pets, don't forget to prepare a pet disaster supply kit. For a full list of supplies to have in your kit, download a copy of the city's Disaster Preparedness Guide at
www.HoustonOEM.org
or call 3-1-1 to request a printed version in English or other languages.
Stay Informed
If you stay informed, you'll know when disasters are going to strike. Be sure to keep up with information from your local government leaders and media. If the Emergency Alert System is activated, tune to 740 AM or 88.7 FM to receive emergency messages. Many jurisdictions also offer text message or email notifications. But don't just rely on one source - stay informed by using multiple sources of information. Visit
www.hurricanes.gov
for the latest information from the National Hurricane Center, and
www.HoustonEmergency.org
for updates from the City of Houston.
Know your Neighbors
When disasters strike, communities rally together to help each other recover. Meet your neighbors, and take an inventory of who has certain supplies and skills, and make a plan to work together if a hurricane hits.
Finally, make sure the most vulnerable in our community, those who may have a medical need or disability, or who may need extra assistance in a storm are looked after. You may also help them register for the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) which provides emergency agencies with information about their unique needs. Call 2-1-1 or visit
www.TexasSTEAR.org
to register.
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District I Office
832-393-3011
Houston Help & Info
3-1-1 or 713-837-0311
Air Pollution 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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