TxDOT announced a plan to raise the rarely flooding I-10 through the Heights at a staggering cost of $347 million /
TXDOT IS SPENDING $347 ON 1.8 MILES AND DEFORESTING THE LARGEST RIPARIAN AREA ADJACENT TO WHITE OAK BAYOU INSIDE THE 610 LOOP. SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO PROTECT OUR CITY. - A Tale of Two Bridges Blog
Greater Heights Super Neighborhood 15 Council /
https://www.facebook.com/events/407988114648691?ref=newsfeed
Details
Event by Greater Heights Super Neighborhood Council
107 W 12th St, Houston, TX 77008
Duration: 2 hr
Public · Anyone on or off Facebook
The second quarter meeting of the Greater Heights Super Neighborhood Council (GHSNC) will be in person at the historic Houston Heights City Hall and Fire Station.
The main guest presentation will be from members of the Houston Planning Department on the Walkable Places and Transit-Oriented Development ordinances, so that GHSNC members and members of the public can have a better understand of these programs and how they might apply to our area. Other items on the agenda include TxDOT’s proposal to raise lanes on I-10 between Heights Blvd and I-45, updates from the stakeholder members, and other items of mutual interest.
The update on the 11th Street Safety Improvements project previously scheduled for this meeting will take place at a separate City meeting 6:00 PM the following night via Microsoft Teams Live. Visit www.letstalkhouston.org/11th-street-bikeway for details.
11th Street Safety Improvements /
August 17, 2022 - upcoming virtual public meeting
The project has moved into 100% design. On August 17, 2022 the City of Houston will host a virtual public meeting to share project updates. This will include an exciting opportunity to repave portions of 11th Street, how the repaving (street rehabilitation) will be phased, and phasing construction of the bikeway.
Virtual Meeting Details - https://www.letstalkhouston.org/11th-street-bikeway
When: Wednesday, August 17th at 6:00PM - 7:00PM
Where: Microsoft Teams Live event - https://bit.ly/3P2McBy(External link)
Purpose: share information about 11th Street including upcoming repaving and bikeway construction, timeline and phasing, and answer questions from the community related to these topics.
Lights in the Heights Update /
2022 Lights in the Heights Updates! 🥳 The BASH is back! Plus, calling for volunteers and ornament designs. Find out more.
Read MoreI-10 Elevation/Expansion Works Against Resilient Houston and Climate Action Plan Update /
City of Houston Joint Committee Meeting on
Transportation, Technology, and Infrastructure (TTI) & Public Safety and Homeland Security (PSHS)
Committee Agenda - https://www.houstontx.gov/council/committees/tti.html
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
“I attended and spoke at the Thursday, August 8, 2022, City of Houston Joint Council Committee on Transportation, Technology, and Infrastructure & Homeland Security. I was pleased to hear the focus on Flood and Extreme Heat and Cold resilience prioritized natural restoration as mitigation.
The TXDoT proposed I-10 from Heights to I-45 expansion does the opposite of all the recommendations and efforts by Chief Zachariah. The expansion would replace trees, greenspace, and natural features for hot concrete.
I can hear I-10 from Bayland and Beauchamp St at night and it sounds like a speedway.
The additional concrete, loss of sound dampening natural features, and increased elevation will amplify the sound far into neighborhoods.
This is a quality of life issue for 1,000s of residents and our critical natural resources. Please speak out during the comment period through August 26, 2022.”
https://www.woodland-heights.org/events-1/2022/8/4/city-council-meeting-tti
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?
Review the TXDOT I-10 Expansion from Heights to I-45 Proposal
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:
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.
No more added lanes for cars for any projects through urban centers
Prioritize safety of all road users and Vision Zero
All projects should prioritize sustainability and aim to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMTs)
All projects should center and aim for race and class equity for all road users
All projects should reduce flooding and prioritize flood mitigation
We want a UTP that increases multi-modal transportation options throughout the state
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?
Review the TXDOT I-10 Expansion from Heights to I-45 Proposal
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
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.”
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.
