SAVE THE DATE – Thursday, Sept. 14
Post-Harvey Recovery Community Town Hall Meeting
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey and havoc the storm brought to Houston, Council Member Green is hosting a District K-wide community town hall meeting on Thursday, September 14th at The Power Center, 12401 South Post Oak Rd. @ South Main St. (adjacent to the Fiesta Shopping Center complex). The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m.
“It is paramount that I connect our District K constituents to the various resources who can better provide recovery following this storm,” states Council Member Green. Invited participants will include the following:
• FEMA
• Solid Waste Dept.
• Public Works & Engineering Dept. (Code Enforcement/Floodplain Management Team)
• Housing & Community Development Dept.
• Dept. of Neighborhoods
• HPD
• Health Dept.
• Mayor’s Office
• Harris County Flood Control District
• Harris County Appraisal District
• Texas Health & Human Services Commission
In addition to these participants, each will have informational tables arranged outside the meeting room to handle one-on-one questions with attendees.
Please spread the word about this District-wide community town hall meeting.
Ways to Help Houston Recover from Harvey
Hurricane Harvey proved to be one of the strongest weather events in U.S. history affecting thousands of people in Texas, specifically Houston. Several neighborhoods in District K were severely affected and we want you all to know we are here to support you during the recovery and rebuilding phase.
- Individuals. Call 211 (713-685-2300 if out of area). They are coordinating volunteers.
- Groups or Individuals. Register at www.volunteerhouston.org (likely the most comprehensive and easiest to use).
- Corporations wanting to donate supplies or money (for example, XYZ Corp has truckloads of supplies they want to contribute):
Please send an email to Norma.Meadows@houstontx.gov and Carlecia.Wright@houstontx.gov with the following information:
– Name of organization
– Name of person to call regarding the donation
– Email of Point of Contact
– Service provided - Individuals wanting to donate. Harris County & COH JOINT Donations Hotline. 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
- Medical volunteers. SETRAC website for medical volunteers to register for disaster volunteer ops: https://texasdisastervolunteerregistry.org/
Solid Waste Management Department Debris Collection
The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department is asking residents to remove all parked vehicles from the streets whe n debris crews are working in your neighborhood.
Debris should be placed close to the side of the road away from mailboxes, trees, meters, fire hydrants and other structures. Please do not place debris in the roadway.
If debris crews are unable to pass safely along the streets, they will not be able to remove your debris.
For more information about the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department and its services, residents may check online at www.houstonsolidwaste.org, like us on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/houstonsolidwaste, follow us on twitter @houstontrash or call 3-1-1, the City of Houston’s Customer Service Hotline.
Sims Bayou Hike & Bike Trail Ribbon Cutting Celebration,/h4>
On June 8, 2017, Council Member Larry Green, District K, Houston Parks Board, Mayor Sylvester Turner, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and the Harris County Flood Control District celebrated the completion of the newest Bayou Greenways 2020 segment along Sims Bayou Greenway. The new 1.8-mile hike-and-bike trail extends from Heatherbrook Drive to Hillcroft Avenue, and features a new 10-foot wide concrete hike-and bike trail. (See a map of Sims Bayou Greenway.)
Bayou Greenways 2020 project will transform 3,000 acres of underutilized land along nine major waterways into a 150-mile linear park system that crisscrosses the city, giving the public unprecedented access to one of Houston’s best natural amenities: its bayous.
The greenway also includes replacement of an existing asphalt trail. The expanded greenspace within the county park is surrounded by 1,000 new tree plantings from Trees for Houston and freshly planted, native wildflowers.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of the first Bayou Greenways 2020 project along Sims Bayou Greenway,” said Council Member Green. “It is exciting to be able to celebrate new opportunities for recreation, transportation and connectivity in our district.”
District K Celebrates Back to School Events
Back to School time is busy for everyone involved. School administrators are busy preparing for students and parents are busy gathering supplies and uniforms to make sure students are ready to return to school. There were several outstanding Back to School events throughout District K this summer.
The PACE Moms held their 6th Annual Back to School Bash at Marian Park on August 12th from 11:00am to 3:00pm. The students received back packs filled with supplies and snacks and also enjoyed a fun filled day. Andre Johnson and a few other NFL players also stopped in to take pictures with the students as well. Thank you Karen Johnson for always hosting a great Back to School event.
HPD Southwest Division and the Hiram Clarke Storefront Association held their Back to School Carnival and Health Fair on Saturday, August 19th at Hobby Elementary from 9:00am to 1:00pm. The students also received back packs and needed school supplies. They enjoyed performances by Fort Bend Dance Academy, horseback riding, snow cones and day filled with fun and excitement. The students enjoyed meeting and getting to know their new principal, Mr. Isaac Daniels.
On Sunday, August 20th, Council Member Green joined the Diamonds and Pearls Mothers at their Back to School Hair Cut and School Supply Benefit at the Kut-N-Zone. The school children were able to receive complimentary hair cuts, back packs, supplies and an afternoon of rock climbing and fun.
Thank you to all of our community partners, churches and residents who contributed, hosted events and cared enough to make sure our students had the needed supplies to start the 2017-2018 school year. Your generosity is appreciated.
Madison High School Groundbreaking Ceremony
Thursday, August 24, 2017 was a great day in Hiram Clarke. Madison High School celebrated their highly anticipated ground breaking ceremony. Madison is among 40 schools, including 29 high schools, across HISD that are being renovated or rebuilt as part of the 2012 Bond Program. The $94 million project calls for a two-story school that will span 265,000 square feet and accommodate up to 2,100 students.
The school will be built facing West Orem Drive and will feature a two-story foyer that will double as a dining commons and large gathering space while also providing plenty of natural light. The school entrance will be flanked by three, two-story academic wings to the east and performing arts and community spaces to the west. A new gym and athletics area, and competition swimming pool will be located to the northeast.
Madison HS Principal Orlando Reyna smiled as he addressed the large crowd of community members gathered before him, reminding them of the important role they play in the success of Madison High School. HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza thanked Houston voters for making the 2012 Bond possible, but also emphasized the importance of what the new building will symbolize for the community.
“I am thrilled to finally stand in front of this tremendous construction site,”said Council Member Larry Green. Our students deserve to attend school in a state of the art facility such as this.”
Also joining in the celebration were U.S. Congressman Al Greene, State Rep. Alma Allen, and former NFL player and Madison alumnus Moran Norris. Also on display during the event was a time capsule, which will be packed with items from various school departments and buried near the front entrance of the new school. The time capsule is expected to be unearthed in 50 years.
Buffalo Speedway At-Grade Separation Construction Project Starts
This past year, the District K community celebrated the completion of the Buffalo Speedway major thoroughfare extension project from West Airport Blvd. to Holmes Rd. As of date, the final leg of this roadway project has begun with the at-grade separation over Holmes Rd. and the Union Pacific Railroad to connect with the remaining segment of Buffalo Speedway.
“This short but final segment of Buffalo Speedway has been a long-time coming. Once this at-grade separation project is complete, I will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark this mobility project from I-610 to West Fuqua St.,” states Council Member Green.
This at-grade separation roadway project is programmed to be complete by July 2018. This is a $7.7M project that is being funded by TxDOT. The project scope involves the construction of a four-lane divided concrete roadway with storm drainage, curbs, sidewalks, and street lighting that will improve traffic circulation and mobility for this area.
SAVE THE DATE – October 3, 2017 for National Night Out
Tuesday, October 3, 2017 is National Night Out. National Night Out is a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. NNO is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police/community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
The District K office hopes you will lock your doors, turn on porch lights, gather with neighbors and friends to show unity against criminal activity. If your neighborhood is hosting an event please let us know. Send an email with location, time and contact person name and phone number to Joe Gatson at joe.gatson@houstontx.gov.
Once again, the 5 Corners District and YMCA will host the “Start Here First” event to kick off the evening. Meet us at 5801 West Orem Drive for food and fun starting at 4:30 p.m. Come out and get to know your neighbors and the people who keep our community safe.
