On April 2nd, the city of Houston transferred management of the former Glenbrook Golf Course to the Houston Botanic Garden to begin implementation of Phase One of the Garden master plan. The site is located along Sims Bayou near the Gulf Freeway in southeast Houston.
Over the next few months, work will begin on creating a space for a community and children's garden, and remodeling the clubhouse, which will provide a venue for educational programming.
Also this year, Trees For Houston is partnering with the Garden to install a tree farm. Volunteer opportunities, such as the tree farm planting, will be available at the site as early as next month and will continue throughout the development phase. Site construction is expected to begin in 2019. Phase One, known as Botanic Beginnings, is scheduled to open in late 2020.
I'm confident that programming at the garden will also complement and promote recreational activity at Charlton Park (approximately 9 acres) as well as the 16-acre Glenbrook Park (separate from the golf course and future botanic garden) on the south side of Sims Bayou. Both parks are neighborhood favorites thanks to amenities that include a community center, lighted basketball pavilion, baseball field, playground, picnic areas, swimming pool and park trails.
In addition, approximately 11 acres (the size of Discovery Green) within the Garden footprint, and adjacent to Charlton, are proposed to be open and free to the public and will include a beautiful tree exhibit, an educational stormwater wetlands exhibit, and picnic grove. This parkland will be off of Park Place Boulevard near the Garden's entrance, which will be located on an existing fenced-in Public Works easement. The 11 acres, which was a direct result of public input to the design, will serve as another great asset and gathering place for the community.
Finally, the Houston Parks Board is committed to creating a Sims Bayou Greenway trail that connects both sides of the bayou (and both parks) between I-45 and Galveston Road. The Garden and Parks Board organizations have a shared interest in providing trail users as well as residents a more direct and scenic route across the bayou.
I'm so excited to see the property transform into a public garden for all Houstonians and visitors to enjoy. It will also serve as an educational destination for schoolchildren and adults, all while providing dozens of permanent and seasonal jobs and volunteer opportunities for local residents.
Robert Gallegos
Houston Council Member
District I
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Council Adopts
Stronger
Rules for new Development in Flood Plains
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Houston City Council has adopted stronger rules (revisions to Chapter 19) to ensure new development is built high enough to save lives and property in the event of flooding. The rules will require all new construction of homes and buildings in flood plains to be built 2 feet above the 500-year flood-plain.
Before the adoption of the stricter rules, Houston's code only applied to property in the 100-year floodplain. The new rules include property in the 500-year floodplain and will protect 2 feet of 500-year flood elevation.
The 100-year floodplain is land that is predicted to flood during a 100-year storm, which has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. The 500-year floodplain has a 0.2% chance of occurring.
The new rules for future construction of homes and buildings in flood plains will take effect September 1, 2018.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does Chapter 19 impact anyone outside the 100-year or 500-year floodplain?
This Ordinance does not apply to areas outside the 100-year or 500-year floodplain.
Would changes to Chapter 19 impact my existing property?
Changes would NOT impact existing property in the 500-year floodplain unless an addition exceeding 1/3 the total footprint of an existing dwelling is added. Changes would NOT impact existing dwellings in the 100-year floodplain unless the dwelling is substantially improved, an addition of any size is added, or the dwelling is substantially damaged in a future flood event.
Is my property located within the floodplain?
Use the Harris County Flood Control District's Flood Education Mapping Tool to help identify the location of a property: www.harriscountyfemt.org
Why two feet?
The City analyzed data from 32,000 homes to determine the right requirement for homes built in the future. The study found 72% of those homes would have been protected if they were built at the 500-year floodplain level plus one foot. Another 12%, or 84% total, would have been protected if built at two feet. But only 8 more percent would have been protected at three feet. The data clearly pointed to two feet as the optimum balance of benefit versus cost.
Will this impact the overall cost of new homes in the future?
Elevation of new construction is estimated to cost slightly more than traditional slab on grade. Building higher means construction would cost slightly more, but the potential cost for future damage from flooding would be much higher.
Will this impact the cost of flood insurance or value of existing homes?
Proposed changes will not impact the cost of flood insurance for existing homes. According to the FEMA Flood Insurance Manual, elevating a new home to the 500-year flood elevation +2 feet as compared to the 100-year flood elevation +1 foot will save about 30% on flood insurance premiums.
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Councilman Robert Gallegos allocated District Service Dollars to purchase two new speed trailers that are now in service in District I. The speed trailers visually display a vehicles' real-time speed compared to the speed limit. When it detects a vehicle has exceeded the speed limit, it flashes to warn the driver to slow down.
"These are the type of effective public safety tools we are able to purchase thanks to council service funds," Said Councilman Gallegos. "They will help encourage safe speeds and driving on our streets, especially around our schools."
The trailers also have the capability to collect traffic count data and speed data throughout the day, which can be used to identify the most dangerous traffic times and inform officers when more enforcement is needed.
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Community Gardening Information Session - April 14th
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Want fresh produce? Looking for a way to garden with others? If you are interested in joining a community garden, the Houston Botanic Garden invites you to an information session to learn about community gardening and how you can participate.
Saturday, April 14th - 9 to 10
a.m.
8205 N. Bayou Drive
Clubhouse
All are welcome to attend. For more informcation, contact the Garden at
713-715-9675 or via email [email protected].
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On-the-Spot Hiring for Youth Summer Jobs
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Know of a young person who will be looking for a job this summer? The City of Houston has partnered with a number of organizations and companies to offer summer jobs to thousands in our community. There are several hiring events open to all youth ages 16 to 24.
These events are open to the public and do not require applicants to pre-register or be pre-screened. Many of these events include employers who can hire young people for summer jobs on the spot!
April 14, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
HISD Educational Support Center | 4400 West 18th Street
May 5, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Sterling High School | 1625 Martindale Rd.
May 19, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Ripley House Neighborhood Center | 4410 Navigation Blvd.
June 2, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
HCC - Acres Homes | 630 West Little York Rd.
June 9, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
George R. Brown Convention Center | 1001 Avenida De Las Americas
June 16, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Southwest Multi-Service Center | 6400 High Star Dr.
The Hire Houston Youth program will provide young people ages 16 to 24 with a 7 week summer job, earning at least $8 an hour. Most jobs will begin June 11, 2018, and end in August.
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City's Minor Home Repair Program Accepting Applications
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 The Housing and Community Development Department Home Repair Program has contracted with Rebuilding Together Houston to complete minor home repairs which assist elderly or disabled households with incomes below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).
The program provides vital roofing, plumbing, electrical and heating repairs or system replacement to alleviate life, health or safety hazards. Additional enhancements such as scraping, painting, caulking and repairs to exterior sidings, doors, windows and handrails may be made if deemed impactful to habitability.
Ineligible property types for roof repair include, but are not limited to, vacant single-family homes, condominiums, cooperatives, mobile homes, rental properties, townhomes and multifamily structures.
For more information regarding the Home Repair Program application, application process and/or documents required, contact the Housing Department Call Center at 832-394-6200.
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Hobby Fest 2018 - April 21st
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Hobby Fest is an annual family-friendly day of celebration, aviation sightseeing, music, entertainment, prizes, and a BBQ cook-off contest. The festival offers an up-close look at rare, specialty, and high-tech aircraft on the tarmac. Admission is free, but we encourage you to bring a canned food donation.
Hobby Fest 2018
Saturday, April 21st - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hobby Airport, East Ramp - 8402 Nelms Street
The event will take place on the East Ramp at Hobby Airport, 8402 Nelms St., 77061. Once you arrive at Hobby Airport, follow the "Special Events" signs to find parking.
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Día del Niño Festival - April 28th
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Many nations throughout the world celebrate Día del Niño, or Children's Day, to honor and celebrate children who represent the hopes and dreams of every community.
In District I, we will celebrate Día del Niño at the Magnolia Multi-Service Center on Saturday, April 28th. The freeevent will feature health screenings, backpacks wih school supplies, face painting, food and entertainment for the whole family, and much more!
Día del Niño Festival
Saturday, April 28th - 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Magnolia Multi-Service Center
7037 Capitol Street
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Sacred Voice of the Bayou Art Performance - April 29th
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The Gazebo at Mason Park is being transformed with an awesome light and sound installation that will be open to the public.
We unveil the Gazebo's interactive sculpture on Sunday, April 29th via a PARTY and a LIVE DANCE and MUSIC performance!
**FEATURING**
Ambient Club Sounds of Brays Bayou
Projection by INPUTOUTPUT
Contemporary Danza Azteca Fusion
Luchadores Amores
The Interactive Gazebo sculpture, "The Bayou Shrine."
AND... FOOD TRUCKS | VENDORS
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Tree/Junk Waste Collection Schedule Resumes
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The Solid Waste Management Department has resumed regularly scheduled Tree Waste and Junk Waste collections:
- March 2018: Regular Tree Waste Schedule
- April 2018: Regular Junk Waste Schedule
Remember odd months are Tree Waste and even months are Junk Waste.
Tree Waste months:May, July, September, and November.
Junk Waste months: April, June, August, October, and December.
Harvey Storm Debris is still being collected, so continue to place debris at the curb. Report uncollected storm debris to the City of Houston 3-1-1 service line.
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832-393-3011
3-1-1 or 713-837-0311
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Below you will find links to
pages containing solicitations of Bids, Proposals and Quotes by several area governmental agencies:
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| Pay Utility Bill |
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| View Trash Pickup Schedule |
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