WHCA Challenges TXDOT's Plans to Expand and elevate I-10

Read & Listen to WHCA Director of Infrastructure, Brad Snead’s interviews on the concerns about environmental and sound impacts to our neighborhoods and bayous.

• Read Plan to elevate I-10 raises concerns among Heights-area residents, by Dug Begley, Staff Writer, Houston Chronicle

• Listen to Houston Matters Episode - Plans to raise part of I-10, and Houston's stress level (July 29, 2022)

  • TxDOT has announced plans to raise a portion of I-10 near White Oak Bayou, but local residents are skeptical of the project. Will TxDOT move forward with the project despite their concerns? We discuss. MORE: TxDOT is seeking public input on the proposed project.

How can You get involved?

1. Review the TXDOT I-10 Expansion from Heights to I-45 Proposal

2. Submit Public Comment Form - Reference the following project numbers: CSJ 0271-07-326

TxDOT Houston District
Public Information Office
P.O. Box 1386
Houston, Texas 77251
713-802-5076

Public Comments are due by Friday, August 26th, 2022

Public Comment Needed for 2023 Unified Transportation Program by Aug 8

WHAT: This is TxDOT's 10-year plan and budget. It is based on information and requests from regional planning bodies like the Houston-Galveston Area Council in Houston. The Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) approves the plan, and TxDOT carries it out.

The 2023 UTP public comment period is July 8, 2022, through 4:00 p.m. CST on Aug. 8, 2022. You may submit comments using the following methods:

Fill out a comment form online.
The online comment form can be switched between several of the most spoken languages in Texas, including English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Hindi, Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, and Cantonese.

You may also print a comment form or request a printed comment form at your local TxDOT district or area office and mail it to:

Texas Department of Transportation
Attention: TPP-UTP
125 E 11th Street
Austin, Texas 78701

You may e-mail your public comments to UTP-PublicComments@txdot.gov. Additionally, you may leave a voicemail comment by calling 833-933-0446.

Please be prepared to state your city, state, and zip code. Your name and address are optional. Please speak as clearly as possible, comments are transcribed and added to the official record.

In order to be considered, comments must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Aug. 8, 2022.

Talking points to consider:

1. Remove the I-45 & I-10 Expansion from the UTP to allow for a new project based on a true community engagement process. In the meantime, for communities that were harmed by the initial construction of I-45, their concerns should be addressed and mitigated immediately. These reparations should not be held hostage to a plan that will sacrifice more Houstonians to flooding, pollution, and traffic violence.

2. No more added lanes for cars for any projects through urban centers

3. Prioritize safety of all road users and Vision Zero

4. All projects should prioritize sustainability and aim to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMTs)

5. All projects should center and aim for race and class equity for all road users

6. All projects should reduce flooding and prioritize flood mitigation

7. We want a UTP that increases multi-modal transportation options throughout the state

8. Updates to the TxDOT ADA Transition Plan have included work to identify the specific need and cost of bringing all TxDOT on-system facilities up to inclusive ADA standards. This TxDOT assessment estimated that adding or fixing all on-system missing and broken sidewalks, ramps and safe crossings across the state would cost $1.56 billion. We request that you increase the funding for the ADA Transition Plan from the proposed $5 million to $25 million a year in the FY2023 Unified Transportation Program.

2023 Unified Transportation Program 

UTP Presentation - https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot/tpp/utp/2023-utp-public-meeting-with-speaker-notes.pdf

Virtual Public Hearing, July 26 at 2pm. Link is HERE.

Segmented Interstate Expansion Skirts Federal Environmental Law

Texas is skirting federal environmental law to push for highway expansion - Megan Kimble, Grist, Jul 27, 2022

This timely article comes just as TXDOT has announced plans to expand I-10 from Heights to I-45 a sub-set of overall planned interstate expansion. The article explains that the I-45 expansion was put on hold so that the full impact could be studied in aggregate which will show more accurate an significant impacts than when segmented.

Overall, between 2015 and 2022, Moritz discovered that 130 TxDOT projects were found to have no significant impact after an initial review, while only six received full environmental analyses detailing their impacts. Cumulatively, those 130 projects will consume nearly 12,000 acres of land, add more than 3,000 new lane miles to the state highway system, and displace 477 homes and 376 businesses. The total projected costs of those projects was nearly $24 billion, almost half of what TxDOT spent on transportation projects during that time and twice as much as the amount spent on projects that received full environmental reviews.

How can You get involved?

1. Review the TXDOT I-10 Expansion from Heights to I-45 Proposal

2. Submit Public Comment Form - Reference the following project numbers: CSJ 0271-07-326

TxDOT Houston District
Public Information Office
P.O. Box 1386
Houston, Texas 77251
713-802-5076

Public Comments are due by Friday, August 26th, 2022

Public Comment needed for TXDOT I-10 Expansion and elevation from Heights to I-45 by August 26

Video of Proposal Presentation

www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/about/hearings-meetings/houston/072622.html

Link to Downloadable Schematic

https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot/get-involved/hou/i-10-heights-white-oak-bayou/072622-schematic.pdf

Texas Parks & Wildlife - Bayou City Episode

• Take a tour of the last preserved bayou in the Bayou City with Mark Kramer from the Armand Bayou Nature Center and learn of the importance the habitat plays in flood control.

• Houston Parks & Recreation Department (HPARD) has begun restoring riparian habitat along the bayous. HPARD's Kelli Ondracek discusses the restoration project at Milby Park.

• Little White Oak Bayou in Woodland Park is among the unique riparian habitats slated for restoration by HPARD.

“Meet some of Houston’s most dedicated bayou conservationists, learn about issues the bayou ecosystem has faced over the past century, and see some hope for keeping an urban area and its watery wilderness in balance.”

— Program 3004 - October 31-November 6, 2021, and May 1- 7, 2022

Greater Heights Super Neighborhood 15 Council Supports 11th Street Project

After reviewing the matter at the May 17, 2022 meeting, the GHSNC voted unanimously, with one abstention, to issue this letter and formally support the 11th Street Project.

Woodland Heights Permits Approved in April 2022

Below are permits sold by the city of houston to houses in our neighborhood from April 1 to May 2. These are for a variety of things: additions, pools, electrical work, etc. Please contact deedrestrictions@woodland-heights.org

1120 E. 6th 1/2

1102 E. 7th

205 Bayland

423 Bayland

803 Bayland

820 Bayland

1012 Bayland

204 Byrne

417 Byrne

526 Byrne

616 Byrne

715 Byrne

936 Byrne

2626 Beauchamp

2714 Beauchamp

403 Euclid

614 Euclid

817 Euclid

935 Euclid

1030 Euclid

709 Highland

808 Highland

1010 Highland

1014 Highland

1017 Highland

3006 Houston

2603 Julian

902 Merrill

940 Merrill

943 Merrill

1112 Merrill

1136 Merrill

2512 Norhill

411 Omar

710 Omar

1011 Omar

1128 Omar

1129 Omar

408 Pecore

600 Pecore

702 Pecore

709 Pecore

506 Redan

907 Redan

2624 Reagan

701 Ridge

706 Ridge

804 Ridge

929 Ridge

916 Ridge

501 Teetshorn

825 Usener

1038 Usener

1107 Usener

2503 White Oak

2531 White Oak

308 Woodland

902 Woodland

District H Town Hall Recording Now Available Online

A recording of the District H Town Hall, including discussions of both Redistricting as well as the District's Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), is now available to view online here. As a reminder, the public can attend any Town Hall meeting, a list of which can be viewed on the Redistricting website here. Residents who cannot attend the meetings in person may choose to attend a virtual meeting on May 25th at 6pm

Water Works Festival on Saturday

Houston Public Works is celebrating the 27th Annual Water Works Festival this Saturday. The free festival is a celebration of all the ways water impacts our lives. There will be family-friendly activities, raffles, giveaways and more! Details here.

When: Sat, May 7th, 10am-2pm

Where: Houston Botanic Garden, 1 Botanic Ln

Houston is First City to Adopt Children's Bill of Rights in Sports

The Mayor’s Office of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence (MOHT&DV) announced the City of Houston's adoption of the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports.

This initiative builds healthy children and communities through sports, by working with local organizations on the positive physical and mental health benefits needed for young people to thrive and learn.

Organizations may be eligible for grant funds to implement new programs and services. See the media release here.

East End Street Festival this Saturday

The 2022 East End Street Fest is a celebration of art, music and heritage in East End Houston. Come and enjoy performances by various Mexican and Chicano artists during Cinco de Mayo week. There will be dance performances, kids activities, and a car show. Admission is free! Follow this link for more details.

When: Sat, May 7th, 12-6pm

Where: 2600 Navigation Blvd

Volunteer Fair for High School Students

Leonel Castillo Community Center will be hosting a Volunteer Fair for high school students who are looking to connect with agencies and organizations that need volunteers for the summer. This event will be held outdoors and snacks will be provided as well as other fun activities.

When: Sat, May 14th, 3-7pm

Where: Leonel Castillo Community Center, 2101 South St

HPD Resource: Protect Against Catalytic Converter Theft

Catalytic converter thefts are up 150% from this time last year. The Houston Police Department encourages you to view a video by HPD Auto Theft Crime Task Force for tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of catalytic converter theft. Read about the new ordinance that Council passed to help deter theft here.

Houston Welcomes 10 New Historic Landmarks

In advance of Historic Preservation Month in May, Houston welcomed 10 new historic landmarks spanning the city in five different City Council Districts. Houston City Council approved the new landmarks on April 20. There are two landmarks and eight protected landmarks including Third Ward's Eldorado Ballroom built in 1939 and located at 2310 Elgin St. in Council District D.

Learn more about historic landmark designations. View this presentation to see photos of all the new landmarks.

Read this Texas State Historical Association article about the Eldorado's rich history in Houston.

Bike to Work Day - Friday, May 20

Bike to Work Day is Back!

Join us for the first in-person Bike to Work Day (BTWD) in two years. We're celebrating National Bike Month in May by bringing back our annual bike ride to Downtown Houston on Friday, May 20, at 7:15 a.m.

This year’s bike ride will begin at the visitor center at Buffalo Bayou Park at Lost Lake, 3422 Allen Parkway, with riders departing promptly at 7:30 a.m. The ride will end at the Hermann Square Reflection Pond at City Hall.

If you can't join us, we challenge you to ride your bicycle to work on May 20 or another day during Bike Month.

Take a picture and tag the Houston Bikeways social media with the hashtag #BTWD2022.

To help make your ride safe and enjoyable, we’ve listed some safety tips below. We’ll also be crowdsourcing some tips on biking on social media, so be sure to follow us and join the conversation.

Twitter @HoustonBikePlan

Facebook

Bike To Work Day website

Submit your Redistricting Feedback Now to July 10

The City is embarking on a process to adopt new City Council district boundaries using the information from the 2020 US Census. There will be multiple opportunities to comment and be updated on the process.

Town hall meetings were scheduled in each City Council district in April and May to explain the redistricting process, and to allow the public to give input to the City on how they want their district to look in the future. Capital Improvement Project (CIP) meetings will follow the Redistricting Town Halls. Anyone can attend any redistricting meeting, but Capital Improvement Project updates are specific to the district in which the meeting is held. View the meeting schedule.

A virtual Redistricting town hall meeting will be held May 25. View meeting details.

Public Engagement:

Phase 1: Town hall meetings will be held to obtain public input on how the new districts should be configured. The City wants your input before drawing the new maps; no new maps will be presented at the town hall meetings. Residents may also submit their own redistricting plan to the Planning & Development Department by July 20.

Phase 2: District boundaries are redrawn based on 2020 Census data, the criteria that were approved by City Council, and public input.

Phase 3: Draft Redistricting Plan is completed and presented to City Council.

Phase 4: Public may comment on the proposed new maps at three public hearings in July.

Adopt a BARC Pet for only $10, May 3-15

BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions is taking action to reduce overcrowding at its facility by reducing adoption fees from May 3-15. Adopt a pet for only $10! The public is encouraged to stop by BARC’s Adoption Center at 3300 Carr St. from 12 – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday or visit their website here to see all adoptable pets online.

Lights Out for Birds

The Texas Coast, including the Houston area, is an important migratory path for birds. Most migratory birds fly at night, and lights on buildings can disorient birds on their paths. Businesses and individuals across the city are encouraged to turn off all nonessential lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. throughout spring, and especially during the peak period of April 23rd-May 10th.

MKT Bridge Progress

Houston Public Works has shared some aerial photos of the MKT Trail bridge. Substantial completion of the project is anticipated by mid-July 2022. Keep up to date with Houston Parks Board here.

District H Town Hall Resources & Recordings

The District H Town Hall that occurred on Monday, April 25th featured an introduction to the City's redistricting process that is now available online here. The public is encouraged to submit their own districting plan or may propose that certain voting precincts, neighborhoods, or locations be included in a specific district. Learn more here.

Houston Public Works' Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) presentation for District H can be viewed on the District H website. Please note that the presentation provides CIP highlights and does not include all District H projects planned, in progress, or completed.

The full recording of the District H Town Hall, including both redistricting as well as the District's Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) will be available soon on the HTV site here (under Press Conferences / Events Around Town & More). As a reminder, the public can attend any Town Hall meeting, a list of which can be viewed on the Redistricting website here.