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Solid Waste Management Department
Collection and Facility Schedule for Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
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Monday, January 16, 2023 (MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY)
CITY HOLIDAY:
All Solid Waste Facilities including, collection services, the Neighborhood Depositories/Recycling Centers, Westpark Recycling Center, Environmental Service Center, The Reuse Warehouse, and administrative offices will be closed.
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Monday’s garbage and Monday’s B-Week curbside recycling, Monday’s yard waste, 3rdMonday & 3rd Tuesday tree waste will be collected. All Solid Waste Facilities including Neighborhood Depositories/Recycling Centers, Westpark Recycling Center, Environmental Service Center, The Reuse Warehouse, and administrative offices will re-open.
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Tuesday’s garbage and Tuesday’s B-Week curbside recycling will be collected. Tuesday’s yard waste & 3rd Wednesday’s tree waste routes will be collected.
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Normal collection services resume
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District K Shred Days Coming Soon
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Let’s start the new year off shredding documents and making space for new business. It’s important that we properly dispose of documents to protect our privacy and to maintain adequate security when handling sensitive information.
As we begin 2023 make sure to box those documents to bring to one of 3 District K locations.
January 21st from 9 am to 12 noon @ New Faith Church (paper & small electronics) and Westbury United Methodist Church (paper only).
January 28th from 9 am to 10 am at Fort Bend Houston at Ridgemont Clubhouse.
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District K Business Spotlight
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Solugen is a specialty chemicals company using the power of synthetic biology to decarbonize the chemical industry and provide resilient, domestic chemical supply chains.
In 2016, Solugen set out to radically transform the chemicals industry. What started as a pledge to “first, do no harm,” evolved into a promise to bring clean, sustainable chemistry to every industry and every aspect of modern life.
In the years since, we’ve opened the world’s first carbon-neutral specialty chemical manufacturing facility and have secured over $600 million in venture capital to build many more such facilities across the country.
Solugen has made scalable, sustainable biomanufacturing a reality and are prepared to bring high-performing, cost-competitive, and carbon-neutral industrial chemicals to market.
As a Houston-based company, we understand the value of investing in the community we call home. As part of that investment, we are in the process of expanding our Minetta facility in District K to double our manufacturing capacity, develop new research labs, and continue to bring sustainable innovation to the neighborhood.
We look forward to partnering with our neighbors and District K leadership to ensure a safe, sustainable future for Houstonians.
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Houston Public Library is a “Fine Free”
System for Cardholders
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With the support of Mayor Sylvester Turner, Vice Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex Tatum and approval by Houston City Council, Houston Public Library (HPL) will no longer charge late fines on overdue books and other borrowed items. This change is effective January 11, 2023. By eliminating late fines, HPL joins other public library systems across North America in lowering financial barriers to library access and creating more equitable services for all users.
With the passing of this update to the standing ordinance, many Houstonians, including those who are in the most need of library services, will regain access to the vast resources available—from books and audiobooks to mobile hotspots and Wi-Fi-connected laptops.
“A fine free library system evens the playing field and incentivizes Houstonians to become lifelong users of our Houston Public Library,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “When you analyze the numbers, you see that young people account for more than 27% of users with fines, preventing them from accessing free resources and tools for learning. Simply put, this is the right thing to do.”
HPL does not expect the elimination of late fees to impact revenue in a significant way, given that revenue from fines has comprised less than one percent of the Library’s budget over the past five years. Fines have proven to be a strain on staff time and resources due to policy enforcement and account management.
To give all customers an opportunity to clear their accounts of monies owed, HPL has designated an amnesty period to occur from January 17 through February 18, 2023. During the amnesty period, library users are invited to visit an HPL location to return overdue items and review their account status for fees that may have been incurred for lost or damaged items. Library staff will assist with clearing all charges from accounts. Once the amnesty period ends, accounts will reflect fees to replace lost or damaged items that are not returned 30 days after the due date.
ABOUT THE HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY The Houston Public Library (HPL) operates 27 Neighborhood Libraries, five Regional Libraries, three History Research Centers, two Express Libraries, the HPL Mobile Express, three TECHLink locations and a satellite location at the Children’s Museum of Houston. Our Downtown Houston flagship facility, Central Library, along with the Barbara Bush Literacy Plaza, anchors this constellation of service points. HPL is committed to excellent customer service and equitable access to information and programs in an increasingly digital age. For further information, visit the Houston Public Library at www.houstonlibrary.org, call 832-393-1313, follow us on Twitter or Facebook @houstonlibrary or on Instagram @houstonpubliclibrary.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Medical Center – Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ)
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During the December 7, 2022, meeting of the Economic Development Committee, which Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum is the Chair, the Office of Economic Development Director Andy Icken and Deputy Director Gwendolyn Tillotson-Ball, presented on Tax Increment Zone (TIRZ) proposals.
During the December 14, 2022, Council meeting, the ordinance for the creation of Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) 28 (Medical Center) was approved. The boundaries of the Zone are Main Street on the northwest, Hermann Boulevard on the northeast, Almeda Road on the north, Main Street on the southeast, Grand Montclair Drive on the west, and general area bound by Dixie Drive on the northeast, Grand Boulevard on the southeast, Lockette Street on the south, and Almeda Road on the northwest.
- The Zone is comprised of a total of 1,332 acres – approximately 675 acres of real property and approximately 657 of Right of Way (ROW) property.
- TIRZ 28 will increase the total appraised value of taxable real property in the City’s TIRZs by .053%.
- The creation of this TIRZ will leverage newly taxable parcels to support flood mitigation, street infrastructure improvements, and mobility improvements.
- In addition, the ordinance for the creation of TIRZ 28 will establish a thirty-year term, expiring December 31, 2052; a board of directors will be provided, a tax increment zone fund will be established.
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New Sidewalks and Ramps in Briar Villa
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New sidewalks are coming to Briar Villa! Homeowners will soon see the removal and replacement of the concrete sidewalk and ramps at 16127 to 16235 Diamond Ridge. Sidewalks are an important part of our neighborhoods and we are happy to see this project providing improved access for safe walking. Construction will commence January 16, 2023 and is expected to be completed by the end of the month. The project contractor is Grava, LLC.
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Asphalt Overlay Work in Fort Bend Houston
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Residents in Fort Bend Houston will see improvements to their streets soon! Expect a smoother drive on Anderson Rd (from Rockwell Dr. to the dead end) and on West Bend Dr. (from Rockwell Dr. to W. Fuqua Dr.). Construction work will begin January 25, 2023, and is expected to be completed by the end of February 2023. The construction contractor is Durwood Greene Construction Co.
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Asphalt Overlay Work Complete in Brays Oaks
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Have you seen the new look along Fairmont St? This street was in need of serious repair and we are pleased to see the new asphalt overlay work is now complete. The new asphalt runs from W Airport to Fonmeadow Drive. Residents in Brays Oaks can now enjoy a smooth drive along Fairmont Street.
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Vinson Library TechLink Project Update
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The Houston Public Library Capital Improvement Plan for the Vinson Library TechLink project is progressing. Residents who visit the Vinson Neighborhood Library at 3810 West Fuqua St. can look forward to renovations to include TechLink services that will offer digital creative spaces and learning technologies for education, creativity, and entertainment. Below is a timeline of the project:
- Project is currently in the design phase
- Design is expected to be completed April/May 2023
- Construction is expected to begin August/September 2023
- Construction is expected to be completed March/April 2024
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Brentwood Boy Scout Receives Heroism Award
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Christopher Janice is featured in the Jan / Feb 2023 issue of Scout Life magazine.
Christopher Janice recently received the Heroism Award for demonstrating remarkable bravery with considerable risk to self. Christopher Janice rescued a young female driver from a burning vehicle by breaking open the passenger-side window and pulling her to safety. As the Scout and his mother happened upon the scene, smoke was visibly coming from under the hood, quickly followed by flames. The driver was unable to extricate herself as the electronic system malfunctioned, leaving all of the vehicle doors and closed windows unable to be opened, from the inside or outside.
Christopher risked significant injury by fire, or worse as the fuel system could have ignited, as he broke the window, and pulled the young lady from the vehicle. Luckily, they were able to escape before the car fire spread enough to harm them. Congratulations to Christopher on this high honor for his selfless action and quick thinking.
We are District K proud of Christopher!
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Chief Finner Presents One Safe
Houston Statistics
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During this week’s city council meeting Chief Finner and his team presented the crime statistics from 2022. Significant reductions were reported in almost every category of violent crime in 2022 as compared to 2021. Violent crime is down 15% in District K in 2022. Let’s keep working to keep our community safe, clean and better every day. Click image to see full report.
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45th Annual Original MLK Jr. Parade
on January 16, 2023
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Join the Vice Mayor Pro Tem in celebration of one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement. More information here.
When: Mon, Jan. 16th, 10:00am – 5:00pm
Where: Downtown Houston, Intersection of Lamar and Smith Street
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Developer’s Networking Reception
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Arbor Day Tree Planting Celebration
at Glenshire Park in District K
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HPD Southwest Command PIP Meeting
State of the Community
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Complete Communities University Spring Session Starts March 8, 2023
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Join other emerging community leaders to learn about local government and civic engagement. Application Deadline: Wednesday, February 8, 2023.
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Dr. Martin Luther King
Day of Service
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Watch Public Session and weekly City Council Sessions here
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