Upper Kirby at Work
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levyparkhouston.com
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| Upper Kirby Update   September 1, 2017 |
Upper Kirby
After the Storm
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This week, Upper Kirby has been evaluating the area impacts
of Harvey, which has turned out to be an unprecedented rainfall event, even by Houston standards. At the time of this newsletter, we have had no reports of structural flooding in the neighborhoods, and only minor breaches of commercial properties, mostly from interior storm drain failures. It appears that, all things considered, Upper Kirby was extremely fortunate through this storm.
 Total Contracting Limited, the contractor currently working on the storm drainage and roadway improvements project on Westheimer between Kirby and Buffalo Speedway, did an outstanding job of securing the project site ahead of the storm. Construction debris was minimal and did not obstruct storm inlets and systems surrounding the project. They have already deployed resources to the site and have resumed construction activities as of yesterday. Start of work on Bissonnet has been delayed but is expected to begin at some point next week as resources are available. Look for further updates as the schedule is finalized.
While neighborhoods throughout Upper Kirby took tremendous  amounts of water, by all accounts, the water receded quickly. Along Westheimer, the new storm sewer was completed and functioning for this event from Buffalo Speedway all the way to the City's new storm sewer improvements running north to Buffalo Bayou on Shepherd.
Since tropical storm Allison devastated this area in 2001, the Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ No. 19, has installed over $75 million in new storm improvements and side street lateral lines on Kirby between Westheimer and US 59, on Richmond between Kirby and Buffalo Speedway, on Buffalo Speedway between US 59 and Bissonnet and on Weshtimer between Buffalo Speedway and Shepherd. While construction has been painful, the importance of meaningful investments in our infrastructure cannot be understated and must continue to be thoughtfully planned throughout the City.
Over the next five years, new storm improvements in coordination with the City of Houston will be implemented along Shepherd between Westheimer and US 59 and on Alabama between Buffalo Speedway and Shepherd. The Upper Kirby District will continue to work with the City of Houston to plan for and address additional storm sewer improvement needs that have been highlighted over the past week.
As recovery efforts continue throughout the City, we are all looking for how we can help. At this time, we are directing all initial efforts to the
American Red Cross and will continue to provide updates as more localized efforts become apparent. Continue to help your neighbors where you are able and as local businesses reopen, make an effort to patronize them, particularly those that have been impacted by the storm. If you have a business that is providing help in the Upper Kirby area, please let us know and we will assist in spreading the word.
For more information on Upper Kirby construction and related activities or for construction related issues or concerns, please contact Travis Younkin at 713.524.8000 or
[email protected].
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Levy Park
Open and Accessible This Week
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Levy Park also fared extremely well during th
e storm and, like most of
the District, saw very high water, but sustained no serious damage.
As of Tuesday, the park was water free and open for use. Light mechanica
l damage has prevented the children's water feature from reopening; however, most have had ab
out as much water play as they can handle for one week. We exp
ect to have the feature up and running shortly.
Bring the kids out to play in the children's playground, craft usi
ngmaterials from
our art cart or check
out a game from our games cart. The outdoor reading
carts, putt-putt, ping pong and cornhole are also all
currently out and available for use.
The park's free and regularly scheduled
programming will be returning Saturday, September 2nd with Bootcamp at 8:30a.m., Yoga at 10:00 a.m. and Young Audiences of
Houston at 1:00 p.m.
This Saturday's Young Audiences program will host two West African musicians, Abubakr Kouyate and Fodi Cisico, to engage the audience in African drumming and music.
Sunday will begin with Joy Yo
ga at 10:00 a.m. and POUND at 11:00 a.m. Food truck service will resume today with one truck from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be back to full service Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
With HISD now being closed until September 11, and cooler weather in the forecast, come out to the park next week and let the kids play or take a free class. As of now we have Yoga, Zumba, Tai Chi, a piano concert, bootcamp, POUND and an adult hooping fitness class planned for next week.
 for real time programming updates.
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| If you have a new business, development or community event that you would like included in the monthly Upper Kirby news, please contact us at 713.524.8000 or submit to [email protected]
Requests will be posted subject to space availability and appropriateness of content.
Photo Credit: Morris Malakoff
courtesy of Levy Park Conservancy
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