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


July 19, 2017

Complete Communities Quick Delivery Projects

Planning & Development staff are talking with Neighborhood Support Team (NST) civic leaders in the Complete Community areas to collect ideas for projects that can be implemented now. These quick-delivery items are projects that are focused and have a short time frame for planning, budgeting and execution.

The Safe Streets Pilot focuses quick-delivery projects on street enhancements designed to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and other street users. Some of the safety solutions being considered include sidewalks, street lights, bike lanes and crosswalks.  Send any recommendations or comments to the Lead Planner for your community. See the list below for email contacts.

Area Staff Contact Email Address
Acres Home Christa Stoneham
CC_AcresHome@houstontx.gov
Gulfton Tonya Sawyer
CC_Gulfton@houstontx.gov
Near Northside Christopher Andrews
CC_NearNorthside@houstontx.gov
Second Ward Misty Staunton
CC_SecondWard@houstontx.gov
Third Ward Lynn Henson
CC_ThirdWard@houstontx.gov
832-393-6600


Community Highlights 
Acres Home Chamber for Business & Economic Development Luncheon
Acres Home

The Planning & Development Department met with several community organizations and stakeholders, including the Acres Home Chamber for Business and Economic Development and the Acres Home Super Neighborhood. The purpose of these meetings was to explain the Complete Communities initiative and discuss potential quick-delivery projects such as trash-cleanups and home buyer education classes.
Gulfton

The Planning & Development Department is continuing its outreach and engagement in the Gulfton community. This past month, the Gulfton Complete Community liaison team met with the Gulfton Super Neighborhood Council, Connect Community, Alliance Multicultural Community Services, Shenandoah Civic Association, TRIAD Prevention Program, and Cultural of Health Advancing Together (CHAT).  These meetings were held to better understand this culturally diverse community and discuss potential quick-delivery projects.

In other news in Gulfton, the Solid Waste Management Department hosted its annual E-Waste Recycling event on June 24th. The Southwest Multi-Purpose Center served as the collection site for participants to bring old electronics for recycling.  Visit the Solid Waste Department page for more information on recycling.
Near Northside

The Planning & Development Department continues to meet with community organizations and stakeholders in Near Northside, and presented the Complete Communities initiative at the most recent Super Neighborhood Council #51 meeting.  The Super Neighborhood and other community leaders are eager to support the initiative and provide feedback to the City, specifically on how the City can make streets safer for Near Northside residents of all ages and abilities.
Second Ward
Eastwood Park

Collaborative efforts are underway in Second Ward!  Council Member Karla Cisneros, Second Ward Super Neighborhood, and various city departments are joining forces on the upcoming Eastwood Park Beautification Project.  Ten items are proposed in the project which range from removal of hazardous branches to the redesign of the landscaping at the front of the park. The project will be implemented in two phases.  A meeting will be held to discuss the timeline of the beautification project, as well as other quick delivery projects.
Third Ward

New BCycle Station at Emancipation Park
Third Ward celebrated the opening of the newly renovated historic Emancipation Park in June, including the installation of a new Houston BCycle station.  The community also celebrated the renaming of Dowling Street to Emancipation Avenue.  Third Ward planners have met with several organizations about Complete Communities, including the Northern Third Ward Neighborhood Planning Project and its associated organizations, Inner City Visions, Hope Through Grace, Sankofa Research Institute, Washington Terrace Civic Club and the Greater Third Ward Super Neighborhood.
Special Edition Updates

Private Partnerships

Mayor Sylvester Turner recently met with more than 40 outside interested partners.  The attendees represented various types of organizations that make up a complete community, including banking institutions, housing developers, commercial developers, non-profits, and realtors.  Many expressed a desire to help make communities complete and discussed concerns about barriers to development.  Numerous other organizations have contacted, and continue to contact, the Planning & Development Department to help in these efforts.

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Tips from the Toolbox

Homestead Exemptions
Did you know you can lower your property taxes with a general residential homestead exemption? Other homestead exemptions are available: over-65, disabled person, veteran, and over-55 surviving spouse. For more information, call the Harris County Appraisal District office at 713.957.7800 or visit the Harris County Property Tax Exemptions for Homeowners webpage.


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Complete Communities
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