City Breaks Ground on Hillcroft Avenue Safety Project |
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The redesign of the Hillcroft area will provide safer transportation options for the Gulfton community. This project reflects Gulfton's Complete Community Action Plan, prioritizing safety and accessibility for people of all ages and abilities.
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Construction is underway for the new street safety improvement project for Hillcroft Avenue. The plans include wider sidewalks, adding shared-use bikeways and installing new traffic signals for safer pedestrian access. There will be improved access to METRO bus stops and a hike and bike trail on Westward St. Once completed, the community will notice new color-coded crosswalks, curb ramps and sidewalks, so intersections are safer and more functional for everyone. Read more about the Hillcroft safety transformation.
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Turnaround Houston Event Offers 700+ Job Openings |
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The City of Houston invites job seekers to the Turnaround Houston Readiness Fair, held virtually on Thursday, April 29 through Sunday, May 2. More than 700 job openings from dozens of employers will be available at this event. There will be positions available for all skill levels, and job seekers can also connect with hiring managers and company representatives, as well as find information about job readiness tools, training and continued education. Those who have criminal histories are welcome to attend.
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Designing for Impact Series Showcases Final Presentations |
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The final event in the three-part series, Designing for Impact: Building Hubs and Corridors in the Complete Communities will be held virtually at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 24.
Participants will have the opportunity to view the design teams' presentations of their concepts for your community. With your help and feedback they have been able to make the first steps in bringing these ideas and visions to life.
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HFEC Celebrates Financial Literacy Month
Register for April 28 Student Loan Webinar
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In observance of April as Financial Literacy Month, the Houston Financial Empowerment Center (HFEC) is hosting webinars to teach participants about credit, identity theft, and student loans. The Why Credit Matters for All webinar was held April 21. There is still time to Register for the Learn About Student Loans webinar hosted by HFEC financial counselor Lydia Sims at 10 a.m. on April 28.
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Planner Unites Communities One Step at a Time |
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Meet Abraham Zorrilla, lead planner for Second Ward and Magnolia Park-Manchester. His role is to listen, develop relationships and build trust in Complete Communities.
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Some people have a special gift that brings people together, whether through their words or actions. Abraham Zorrilla has the gift of action, and he has the moves to prove it. Through dance, Zorrilla was able to connect to others, and learn about their cultures. This ability to observe and respond is key to working with diverse groups of people.
Zorrilla brings his collaborative spirit to working with community residents, building trust and taking the steps necessary to help guide the projects that improve their neighborhoods.
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Zorrilla's profile is the second article after "Bright Spot in My Day." |
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United Way Offers Grant Funding Opportunity |
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The United Way of Greater Houston’s Second Century Vision has a funding opportunity with awards ranging between $100,000 to $2 million for non-profit organizations that assist individuals and families in the Greater Houston community to thrive. Eligible organizations are those that assist individuals and families in attaining sustainable quality of living via: financial stability, support for early child and youth development, health care, etc.
Funding will be awarded for up to a three-year commitment subject to performance and/or available revenue annually throughout the funding cycle. The deadline to apply is June 7.
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Winter Storm Relief Fund
City of Houston or Harris County residents with income of less than 80 percent of the area median income can receive disaster home repairs, temporary housing and other basic needs from the Houston Harris County Winter Storm Relief Fund. Complete the Connective Home Repair Application or call 346-396-6903 for more information.
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Property Tax Exemption
Homeowners can receive a temporary exemption of a portion of their property taxes if at least 15% of their property was damaged by the winter storm. The temporary tax exemption application deadline is May 28, 2021. Complete the online application form or contact the Harris County Appraisal District at
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Vaccines Available to All Texans
Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is FREE, and does not require proof of residency, citizenship or insurance.
All Texas adults are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 testing is still available,
Contact your health care provider or pharmacy, or register for the Houston Recovers subscription at AlertHouston for notification of Houston Health Department appointments. |
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Prevent Flooding From Home
The City of Houston has more than 100,000 storm drains and spends over $13 million annually to address flooding. Do your part to save taxpayer money and prevent flooding in your neighborhoods. Houston Public Works encourages residents to participate in the Adopt-A-Drain program. Participants select and name a drain, and commit to remove debris at least four times a year, especially before and after storms.
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Family Tech Night Shows Pathway to Tech Careers |
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The Ion is hosting a monthly Family Tech Night o build students' awareness of and excitement for careers in technology by demystifying tech, showcasing available pathways and opportunities, and empowering students to develop their network of tech leaders. The next Family Tech Night will be virtual on Tuesday, April 27 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. This event will focus on helping attendees' learn more about the professional skills needed to land your first internship and succeed in any technology career.
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Are You Prepared for the Next Emergency? |
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Get ready for the upcoming Hurricane season by taking advantage of the 2021 Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday April 24-26. You can purchase certain emergency preparation supplies tax free during the sales tax holiday. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase, and you do not need to give an exemption certificate to claim the exemption.
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Attend Acres Home Progress Report Meetings May 6 |
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Acres Home residents are encouraged to attend an upcoming re-engagement meeting on Thursday, May 6. The meeting will provide updates regarding the progress of the Acres Home Complete Communities initiative.
We’re tracking the progress of Complete Communities projects in Acres Home. If you have recently completed a project that contributes to the Acres Home Action Plan, e-mail Sasha Marshall.
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6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 6
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Visit the Westchase District’s Farmers Market every Thursday at 3 p.m. The market is located at
10503 Westheimer Road next to St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church.
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Alief Super Neighborhood Monthly Meeting
6:30-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 27
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City Unveils Burnett Bayland Park Improvements
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The City of Houston unveiled new playground equipment at Burnett Bayland Park, 6000 Chimney Rock Rd, where various multi-colored play equipment is now available for area children to enjoy. During the unveiling, families came out to enjoy the fun and new additions to the park.
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Beautify Gulfton By Planting Trees
Is Gulfton in need of more green? Do you have an idea about where to plant more trees? If so, join us at our next Complete Communities meeting.
Katherine Newtown with Trees for Houston will discuss the tree planting process, how to find the perfect tree planting location, and when to begin planting.
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6 - 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 26
Or call in (audio only)
+1 936-755-1521
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Gulfton Super Neighborhood Council |
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Meets at Noon every third Monday
For Zoom link contact:
Sandra Rodríguez, President
(832) 875-0179
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Keeping Kashmere Gardens Clean |
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Keep Houston Beautiful Day Volunteers in Kashmere Gardens. Photo Credit: Kashmere Gardens Super Neighborhood Council #52 |
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The corner of Minden Street and Lockwood Drive looks a lot cleaner. Recently, volunteers participated several community clean-ups to observe Keep Houston Beautiful Day on April 10, but there are opportunities throughout the year to participate in neighborhood clean-ups around the city.
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Help the Community Design Resource Center (CDRC) and the University of Houston create a plan for Kelley Street.
Supported by the Kashmere Gardens and Trinity Gardens Super Neighborhood Councils, the Kelley Street Vision Survey is focused on economic opportunity and will be used to create a vision plan for the future of Kelley Street. Results will be shared at the Kashmere and Trinity Houston Gardens Super Neighborhood meetings.
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Part of the Food Desert Solution: LBJ Community Farm |
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The Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) Hospital Community Farm, located at 5425 Troost Street, consists of two full acres of fresh fruit and vegetable production on the hospital campus. This farm helps address the food desert and barriers to a healthy lifestyle that is prevalent in historically underserved neighborhoods surrounding LBJ Hospital.
An estimated 55 percent of the population in northeast Harris County, LBJ Hospital’s major service area, lives below the federal poverty level and more than 13,000 residents suffer daily from hunger. In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture considers the area a food desert, meaning the area suffers from a lack of access to healthy food options. The food produced on the farm goes back to patients through the Food Pharmacy, the bi-weekly Northeast Farmers Market.
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Near Northside Complete Communities Progress Report |
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The Mayors’ Office for Complete Communities recently released the Near Northside Progress Report. Visit www.letstalkhouston.org to review the Action Plan, copies of meeting materials, and complete a quick form letting us know what community topics you are interested in (e.g., Economy and Jobs, Health, Safety, Parks).
The next virtual meeting will be held at 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 27.
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Free Spay/Neuter Opportunities |
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Schedule your furry family member for a free spay/neuter appointment. This service is sponsored by Houston City Councilmember, Karla Cisneros, and BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions.
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Photo Credit: Al Ortiz From left to right: Alan Ratliff, chair and president of Houston BARC Foundation, Council Member Karla Cisneros—who is holding Otto— Ashley Turner, Mayor Sylvester Turner's daughter and Lee Vela, vice president of Public Affairs of Clear Channel Outdoor pose next to the campaign's billboard.
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Urban Paths – Wellness Walk Event |
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Urban Paths and Super Neighborhood Council 63 (Second Ward) are organizing a “Wellness Walk Event” on Saturday, May 15, 2021.
The walking tour will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Guadalupe Plaza located at 2311 Runnels St. This ¾ mile 40-minute walk will arrive at Tony Marron Park, located at 808 N. York St for another event, the Tony Marron Park Redesign Community Breakfast organized by the Buffalo Bayou Partnership.
For those who would like to return to Guadalupe Plaza with Urban Paths, the departure will be at 11 a.m. For more information, please contact the Lead Planner of Second Ward Complete Communities Abraham Zorrilla at Abraham.Zorrilla@houstontx.gov
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Sunnyside Meeting Covers Detention Basin, Park & Bridge
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Precinct One’s investment in the Hill at Sims starts the first phase of improvements to transform the more than 100-acre regional detention basin into easily accessible parkland. The Initial Improvements Phase, which soon will enter the design process, focuses on creating primary site connections that can be expanded in future phases.
Improvements include:
• A 10-foot-wide concrete shared use path around the basin and on the property frontage at Scott Street.
• Other park amenities like 4-foot-wide nature paths, parking/gateways, water access, and improved pedestrian crossing at Scott Street.
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• A pedestrian/bicycle bridge across Sims Bayou connecting to Sims Bayou Greenway and Margaret Jenkins Park.
Sunnyside residents joined a March 31 a virtual community meeting to hear updates on the planning study and discuss the initial improvements to gather public input. View a recording of the Hill at Sims Community Meeting
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Sunnyside Urban Prairie Resilience Project |
Mayor Sylvester Turner, representatives from Wells Fargo, New Hope Housing, and Star of Hope, joined Mayor Turner, along with Harris Commissioner Precinct One Rodney Ellis and District D City Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, and At-Large Council Members Sallie Alcorn and David Robinson gathered in Sunnyside to launch the Urban Prairie Resilience Project.
As part of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Resilient Communities Program, this project is a collaborative endeavor to transform and restore up to eight acres of undeveloped and vacant land into a native prairie and Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) system integrated within the existing developed campus. It will further the city's resilience goals to prepare for, withstand, and bounce back from the shocks and stresses caused by hurricanes and floods. Read this Houston Chronicle article for more information.
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Flip through the pages of this interactive online publication for a recap of 2020 accomplishments and activities in District D. |
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New Electric METRO Buses To Service TSU, UH & Third Ward |
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Global consulting firm AECOM and METRO partnered to provide new electric buses to service Texas Southern University, University of Houston, and Third Ward residents. This initiative was made possible through a $1.5 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration’s Accelerating Innovative Mobility (AIM). Third Ward was one of twenty-five initiatives across the U.S. to receive this funding opportunity.
"The shuttle will connect to METRO buses and light rail and be studied for potential use in urban, suburban, and rural environments," says Kim Williams, METRO's chief innovation officer. "Our industry continues to evolve with new technology that prioritizes clean air quality." Learn more about this new service.
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Houston Food Bank Distribution in Third Ward |
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There will be a drive-thru and walk-up food, water and toiletry distribution event from 8 a.m. - Noon, Saturday April 24. The event is being held at the Shape Community Center, 3903 Almeda, while supplies last. Don't forget to bring your mask. |
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Complete Communities is a collaborative effort involving the community and all City of Houston Departments and Divisions with City leadership from:
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Sign up to receive updates on activities taking place in your Complete Communities neighborhood.
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