District A News
Council Member Brenda Stardig
December 18, 2014


Year Recap in District A
 

As many of you have noticed, District A is in the process of being revitalized and is starting to see an enormous increase in development that will bring back the middle income to our community.  When I was a civic leader in the community,  I championed our neighborhoods and encouraged the City of Houston to improve the district. Over the last year as your council member, I have compelled the City to finally begin taking action.

 

My staff and I handled hundreds of concerns from constituents in District A over the last year.  Although the following is not a complete list of everything we have worked on, I wanted to make sure that you know about some of the crucial projects we have worked on over the last year for our community. 


Secured Dangerous Buildings

 

Public safety is my top priority.  Dangerous buildings threaten our community's safety.  Besides the concerns of a building falling down and possibly hurting people in the process, dangerous buildings can also cause an increase of crime.  Far too often dangerous buildings are vacant and become home to criminal activities.  Over the last year, my staff and I worked on securing the following:

 

Removing Dangerous Buildings - While there are many apartment complexes in District A whose owners/managers are good neighbors, there are are also many dangerous apartment buildings throughout the district that need to be taken down.  I am working with the City's legal department to tear down the dangerous buildings and have made it a priority in my office.  In my first term, I was successful in tearing down the the Candlelight Trails Apartments, and I look forward to continuing this through the next year. 

 

Burned House (Manila Lane) - This summer a house unfortunately burned down on Manila Lane.  We worked with the City's Department of Neighborhoods to get a fence around the house to secure it from trespassers and from a possible dangerous situation if the house continued to deteriorate.  We are now working with the City to either have the owners further secure the building or for the house to be demolished completely.  

 

Demolished Dangerous Building (Saratoga Drive) - This home was falling down and was a danger to both the neighborhood and to the person living in the home. Although more work must be done with this property, the building was demolished in October and is secured for the neighborhood.

 

Working the bulldozer at 3810 Saratoga

Long Point Flea MarketOn Wednesday, October 29, 2014, I joined David Weekley Homes to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Village at Spring Branch community.  What was once a flea market, also known as "the old K-Mart building," will now feature more than 100 single family homes. The flea market was unfortunately riddled with constant calls for service to HPD.  It caused HPD to spend an excessive amount of time focusing on it rather than other concerns in the District A area.

Since I was able to compel the City to begin improving District A, it has created predictability in the housing and commercial markets.  Now companies that will be good neighbors to our residents are beginning to redevelop the area.

 

I will continue to make sure that new development is responsible and does not hinder our existing constituents, but I am also excited for the new opportunities this will bring for our community. 

 

With District A constituents and David Weekley Homes

With Chris Weekley of David Weekley Homes 

Street and Drainage Projects

 

Bunker Hill

  • Beginning in January, the median on Bunker Hill north of I-10 will get improvements to add 150 extra feet of left turn lanes.  This will allow 6 more cars to wait for the stop light at the HEB entrance.  This should help to alleviate some of the traffic congestion.


 


 


 

Long Point

  • The Long Point Road reconstruction, which will conclude early next year, is something that I advocated for and pushed to become complete.  This project, from Pech to Hollister includes: the design and construction of a four-lane divided concrete roadway with storm drainage, curbs, sidewalks, driveways, street lighting, traffic control, and underground utilities.  The project will also replace and widen the streets and intersections to improve traffic circulation.


 


 

Gessner from Long Point to Neuens 

  • This project consists of the design of approximately 5,000 linear feet, six-lane divided concrete roadways with storm drainage, curbs, sidewalks, driveways, street lighting, traffic control, and necessary underground utilities. 
 

Binglewood Drainage and Paving
  • Project to address and reduce the risk of structural flooding.
  • This project provides for the design and construction of storm drainage improvements, necessary concrete paving, curbs, sidewalks, driveways and underground utilities. 


West Little York Paving from T.C. Jester to Alabonson/Deep Forest
  • Project consists of approximately 7,400 linear feet of undivided concrete roadway, replacement of existing storm sewer system, sidewalks, and necessary underground utilities.

Spring Shadows (North) Drainage and Paving
  • This project provides for the design of storm drainage improvements, necessary concrete paving, curbs, sidewalks, driveways, and underground utilities.
 

Inwood Forest Subregional Detention Basins
  • Includes the construction of detention basins along with an outfall system and three overflow weir structures
 

Pre-Engineering of Campbell Road
  • There has been a need for improvements and an expansion of Campbell Road for years, yet this street never makes the CIP or Rebuild Houston lists for construction. I met with Public Works & Engineering, and they have agreed to study this street to see what kind of improvements are necessary.  Although Campbell Road will still have to compete against other streets (on a needs basis), this is a huge first step for much needed improvements for this street.
 

Pre-Engineering of Saums Road from Barker Cypress to Green House


Antoine Drive Paving and Drainage from Hammerly to Hempstead



Silber Paving and Drainage from I10 to Hartland



Wirt Road Drainage and Paving from I-10 to Hempstead



Neighborhood Street Reconstruction Projects: Glosridge, Lynnview, Norcrest, Restridge, Ridgemore, Shortpoint, Turquoise, Buescher, Mapleton, Southerland, Wycliffe, and Waterbury.

 


Parks

Pine Shadows Elementary School SPARK Park - The Pine Shadows SPARK Park is a cooperative venture of Spring Branch ISD and the Pine Shadows parents and students. The park includes new playground equipment and an outdoor classroom. The four seat-walls in the classroom are decorated with tiles made by Pine Shadows students under the direction of art teacher, Alyssa Beauchamp and local artist, Rose Toro. Trees for Houston, with assistance from Carlson Wagonlit Travel volunteers, planted 26 trees in the park.  I was honored to attend the dedication of this new park that is a great asset to the community.


Haden Park - This project will add 11 parking spaces and will improve the playground and drainage. It is currently in the design phase and should receive permits at the end of the year.

Cullen Park - This project will replace and improve some of the playground equipment at this park.

Freed Park Community Center Roof Replacement - The design of the roof replacement is 85% complete and should begin next year.

Agnes Moffitt Park - Funds have been identified for playground equipment replacement. 

Schwartz Park - In May I joined members of the District A community for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the improvements to Schwartz Park.  Landrum Middle School's 6th grade class came to join us for the celebration.  I advocated for these improvements for a long time, and it was wonderful to see the middle school students enjoying the upgrades.







Other Projects in District A

Ditches in District A - Far too often when constituents call the city about a ditch, they are told that it is maintained by the county.  When they call the county, they are told to call the city.  This runaround must stop.  Instead of pointing fingers at the other agency, it is time to work together.  I asked for a comprehensive map detailing which agency is responsible for which ditches in District A. If you need assistance to figure out who maintains a ditch, please contact my office.

Bracher Estates - The Springwoods/Timbercreek neighborhood contacted me regarding the new Bracher Estates development that was being being built at the edge of their community.  The drainage was designed to dump into their already strained  neighborhood drainage system rather than directly into the creek.  I worked with Weekley Homes and the City of Houston to redirect the pipes and was successful in getting the water diverted from the neighborhood.

Fire Station 66 - This fire station was in need a major upgrades.  I am happy to report that these upgrades are finally complete. 

Constituent Cora Johnson viewing upgrades at Fire Station 66 with Assistant Fire Chief Mark Donovan


Crime
  • The areas in District A that are at the edge of the city limits have had an increase in crime. Far too often, there was confusion when contacting the police whether HPD should be deployed or whether the county's public safety entities should be sent instead. I held multiple meetings together with both departments so that they can work together to help combat crime and to stop potentially dangerous situation from continuing. 
  • Antoine Corridor - I asked for a sweep of this high crime area by HPD and the Department of Neighborhoods to remind people that the city will enforce violations and that there is a police presence in the area.  They found 53 properties with violations, and they will continue to monitor the area.
  • Overtime Patrol - Recently City Council allocated money to each council district to address needs in the local areas.  I allocated $200,000 so far to be spent for overtime pay for police to patrol in all areas of District A.  This money will go a long way to help combat crime.
Ring Library - This new glass windows at this library were replaced over the summer.

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Upcoming Events 


District A Gives Back: Free Community Event
 
In honor of Council Member Brenda Stardig's birthday, the District A office is hosting a free event to recognize and support the Houston Police Department, the Houston Fire Department, and the community.


 

Light bites and refreshments will be served.


 

There will be a door prize for a free family pass for iFLY Indoor Skydiving located 9540 Katy Freeway. You must be present to win.

 

Visiting us will be HPD's Blue Santa.  Bring a monetary donation or an unwrapped children's toy (for ages 12-13 preferably) to give to those less fortunate. For more information, visit:  www.bluesantahouston.com .


 

There will be firefighter t-shirts and pint glasses available for purchase. These make great holiday gifts! All purchases will benefit the Robert Garner Firefighter Foundation:

The Robert Garner Firefighter Foundation is an organization to honor one of the 4 firefighters lost in the 2013 fire at the Southwest Inn and one of District A's very own.  They will be selling items to benefit the charitable mission of the Foundation. For more information, visit: www.GarnerFoundation.com


 

If you can't make it, please visit the websites of Blue Santa and the Robert Garner Firefighter Foundation to make a donation.  Please let them know that the District A Office sent you.


 

Thursday, December 18, 2014

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM


 

Chavez Mexican Cafe

2557 Gessner Drive

Houston, Texas 77080


 

For more information, please click here.


 

 



Solid Waste Holiday Schedule



Library Holiday Schedule
 


Houston Public Library Holiday Closings

Christmas Holiday
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Central Library & the Julia Ideson Building will be closed for maintenance on December 26-28, 2014

New Year's Holiday
Wednesday, December 31, 2014 (close at 6:00 PM)
Thursday, January 1, 2015 
In the News
Demolition Begins on Long Point Flea Market; New Homes to Come

Bullet Train a Hit with City Council, but with Concerns
Helpful Information
Emergency: 911
City of Houston Service requests: 311

District A Website
City of Houston
City of Houston Maps

TIRZ 17
Spring Branch Management District
Memorial City Management District
Near Northwest Management District
Energy Corridor District

US 290 Construction Updates
2040 Regional Transportation Plan
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                                          Council Member Brenda Stardig                            
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