Dear residents,
Since my first term in office, I've been committed to improving mobility in the Kingwood area and am very proud of the great strides the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 10 (LHRA/TIRZ 10) has made over the last decade. This process was kicked off by our extraordinary Kingwood Area Mobility Study Steering Committee. The journey has been long and filled with many challenges but we are finally at the tipping point when it comes to reducing congestion in the Kingwood Area by expanding Northpark Drive. I am excited to announce the groundbreaking for the Northpark Drive Overpass Project is scheduled for Thursday, April 13, weather permitting. The LHRA Board awarded the contract to Harper Brothers Construction for construction during their December Board meeting.
The groundbreaking is happening during the mobilization phase. In the coming weeks, residents can expect to see the contractor moving equipment, supplies, and materials in preparation for construction commencing soon. Once construction commences, please be aware of flagmen and orange traffic cones that will be put in place on-site to help with traffic flow through the construction zone as the project may require a one-lane closure. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times. Businesses and residents will have access to driveways and sidewalks at all times and may experience an increase in noise levels due to trucks and equipment in the area. For a detailed traffic plan during construction, residents can view the plans here (pages 43-163).
The design and engineering plans for the Northpark Drive Overpass Project were completed earlier this year and went out for bid this summer. A visual of the design can be seen here. It took many months to go through the process of acquiring property for the right-of-way necessary to expand Northpark Drive.
The Northpark Drive Overpass Project is expected to alleviate congestion, enhance accessibility, and increase safety in the Kingwood area by widening Northpark Drive from four to six lanes between I-69 and Russell Palmer Road, along with adding a grade separation at Texas State Loop 494 and the Union Pacific Railroad crossing. The 2015 Kingwood Area Mobility Study, commissioned by TIRZ 10, concluded this project is critical to ensuring public safety.
Congratulations and thank you to the LHRA/TIRZ 10 Board Members for reaching this incredible milestone!
The District E Office will be closed in observance of Good Friday, on Friday, April 7, wishing all who celebrate a Happy Easter.
Sincerely,
|
|
Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin
900 Bagby, First Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 393-3008
The District E Team
Jessica Beemer
Chief of Staff
Dustin Hodges
Deputy Chief of Staff
Daria Glasscock
Constituent Outreach Representative and South Sector Manager
Demari Perez
Spring Intern
Yasmine Perez
Spring Intern
City Resources
Kingwood Community Center
(281) 348-2570
Community Resources
|
|
Freeway Manor Park Construction Update
|
|
Freeway Manor Park construction began back in January of this year and is still on track to conclude by June 2023. The park is currently still closed for construction, and demolition has not yet started but will begin soon according to the Houston Parks Board.
The improvements at Freeway Manor Park will include resurfacing the parking lot, repairing the walking trail, replacing park benches, regarding the baseball field, updating the picnic areas, repurposing the existing tennis court to a soccer mini-pitch, and improving park lighting.
Construction activities will occur Monday through Friday, with occasional Saturdays, between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Earlier starts might be required for any concrete pouring in case of high temperatures.
Residents should be mindful of the active construction site and not enter areas surrounded by orange construction fencing.
City Council has approved two agreements between the City of Houston and Houston Parks Board that underscored the commitment to this public/private partnership by appropriating almost $6.2 million from the City of Houston’s Parks and Recreation Dedication Fund and General Fund for this work to begin on the first 11 parks of the 50/50 Park Partners initiative.
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for the continuous operation and upkeep of the parks, examining and approving plans, and delivering the public funding commitment. Houston Parks Board is serving as the project manager and overseeing the private fundraising for the 50/50 Park Partners initiative in coordination with Greater Houston Partnership.
|
|
Kingwood Drive Panel Replacements Underway
Chestnut Ridge to Royal Forest
|
|
Houston Public Works is currently performing panel replacements in the westbound lanes of Kingwood Drive from Chestnut Ridge to Royal Forest. The cost of the project is $160,000 and is funded with Mayor Pro Tem Martin's Council District Service Funds.
The repairs are expected to be completed by Monday, May 15, weather permitting. Once the contractor is finished with panels in the westbound lanes they will then replace panels in the eastbound lanes. Construction activities are expected to take place Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
As a result of the construction activities, please be aware of flagmen and orange traffic cones that will be put in place on-site to help with traffic flow through the construction zone as the project will require a one-lane closure. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times. Businesses and residents will have access to driveways and sidewalks at all times but may experience an increase in noise levels due to trucks and equipment in the area.
|
|
Infrastructure Summit Flood and Drainage Event
|
|
District E staff attended the Infrastructure Summit Flood and Drainage Event on March 23. This event was held at the Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center in League City Texas and was sponsored by BAYTRAN and the League City Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The purpose of this event was to provide updates and insight on all the various Government, Federal and State efforts to help fix the flooding and drainage issues across Texas. Some of the keynote speakers at the event included Commissioner Robin Armstrong, Representative Dennis Paul, and Carolyn Mays from TxDot.
|
|
Free Microchipping Events in District E
|
|
Last month, the District E office partnered with BARC and Xfinity to put on free microchipping events in Kingwood and Clear Lake. BARC was able to microchip nearly 200 pets between the two events. Thank you to Comcast Xfinity for sponsoring the Kingwood event as well as the BARC staff and volunteers who worked tremendously hard on the events.
In January 2022, City Council approved the requirement that all dogs and cats be microchipped. However, there was a one-year grace period that gave residents the opportunity to chip their dogs. The City will still require a pet license, but BARC will utilize the microchip number as evidence of licensing rather than providing a physical metal tag for the pet's collar, which is easily lost or broken. This change will allow BARC Animal Enforcement Officers to scan and return a pet to its owner while the officers are in the field, eliminating the need to bring the animal back to the shelter for intake.
If your dog or cat has already been microchipped please be sure to keep your pet's registration up to date with BARC. Registering your pet is the law. The City of Houston Municipal Code requires that anyone who owns, keeps, possesses, or has control of a dog or cat four months of age or older must have his or her pet registered, vaccinated against rabies every year, and a registered microchip. Even indoor pets can get out and become lost. You are required to renew your registration yearly and updated if you move and/or your pet is given away, lost, stolen, or deceased.
For more information on how to have your pet microchipped and/or update your pet's registration please visit BARC's website.
|
|
Construction starting soon on Oak Meadow Park
|
|
Construction will begin in the next several weeks on elements that were identified by the community.
The improvements at Oak Meadow Park will include replacing the playground, resurfacing the walking trail, adding benches, renovating the basketball court, improving the multi-purpose field and site drainage, adding a picnic pavilion, updating and adding site lighting, and enhancing the volleyball court. Construction is expected to be complete towards the end of 2023. For more information, please contact Houston Parks Board.
|
|
Partnership Lake Houston Teacher of the Year Luncheon
|
|
On Tuesday, March 21, the staff from Mayor Pro Tem Martin's office attended the Annual Partnership Lake Houston Teacher of the Year Luncheon. The luncheon recognized outstanding teachers who were nominated by their peers based on innovation, motivation, and spirit in the classroom. The luncheon was held at the Humble Civic Center and presented awards to 53 teachers of Humble ISD and surrounding higher learning institutions in the Lake Houston area.
It was a wonderful tribute to those dedicated to educating the youth of the Lake Houston community. Mayor Pro Tem Martin was honored to provide certificates to these teachers who have gone above and beyond for their students and communities during the 2022-2023 school year. Congratulations to all of the award recipients!
|
|
City of Houston Terminates Contract with Inframark
|
|
As a result of the investigation initiated by the District E office regarding operations at the Kingwood Central Wastewater Treatment Facility, the City of Houston has determined it is best to terminate its contract with Inframark, effective Friday, March 31, 2023.
It became clear that Inframark was in violation of its agreement with the City of Houston during the last two months to manage the Greater North East Houston Service Area system, which includes the Kingwood Central Wastewater Treatment Facility. Mayor Pro Tem Martin continues to appreciate the swift action and response of Houston Public Works and he looks forward to the conclusion of the ongoing criminal investigation by the Houston Police Department.
Since April 1, Houston Public Works is now operating the water and wastewater treatment facilities throughout the Greater North East Houston Service Area, which includes Kingwood. The City determined that it can best serve Kingwood residents just as Houston Public Works safely and efficiently operates water and wastewater treatment facilities every day throughout the City of Houston.
For more information, please contact Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin's office at (832) 393-3008 or districte@houstontx.gov.
|
|
Artemis II Crew Anouncement
|
|
On April 3rd, Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin and staff were invited to attend the Artemis II Crew Announcement at the Ellington Airport. This event had many notable government officials and politicians in attendance including Senator Ted Cruz, Representative Sheila Jackson, and Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne.
The Artemis II is to be crewed by four astronauts, three of whom are expected to be the first woman, first non-white and first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit. The Crew members are Jeremey Hansen, Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, and Victor Glover.
|
|
Intersection Improvement Project
for E Lake Houston Parkway & FM 1960 Delayed
|
|
In February, Houston Public Works started an intersection improvement project at E Lake Houston Parkway & FM 1960. The scope of work includes the addition of a dedicated right turn lane for southbound traffic, an audible pedestrian signal system, mast arm traffic signal poles, pedestrian ramps, and crosswalks. The cost of the project is $850,000 and is funded through the Dedicated Drainage & Street Renewal Fund.
The project was anticipated to be completed by Friday, June 23. However, the project is experiencing delays due to coordination issues with TxDOT and will now be completed by Friday, August 4, weather permitting. Construction activities are expected to take place Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
As a result of the construction activities, please be aware of flagmen and orange traffic cones that will be put in place on-site to help with traffic flow through the construction zone as the project may require occasional lane closures. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times. Businesses and residents will have access to driveways and sidewalks at all times. Residents may experience an increase in noise levels due to trucks and equipment in the area.
For more information, please contact Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin's office at (832) 393-3008 or districte@houstontx.gov.
|
|
Lake Houston Safety Plan #KnowYourZone
|
|
With warmer weather quickly approaching it’s important to “Know Your Zone” when you’re on Lake Houston. The Lake Houston Safety Plan provides Lake Houston residents and visiting recreational users with information preparing them to better identify their location on the lake and how to best report a lake incident to 9-1-1 dispatchers.
The "Know Your Zone" map was created by District E in collaboration with the Houston Fire Department, Houston Police Department, Houston Planning Department, Houston Office of Emergency Management, Houston Emergency Center, and the Houston Public Works Department. To date, signs have been installed at Deussen Park, East End Park, River Grove Park, Kings Harbor, W Lake Houston Parkway Bridge, and on the FM 1960 Bridge. Houston Public Works has been hampered by the weather but is still working to install signs that have been requested by community groups and private community boat dock owners.
To learn more about the Lake Houston Safety Plan visit www.houstontx.gov/knowyourzones. There you can print your own maps, share with neighbors, post on social media, and #knowyourzone.
Should you like to request a presentation for your group (HOA, Civic Club etc.) or receive resources directly, please email the District E Office at districte@houstontx.gov.
|
|
Tips on How to Prevent Your Vehicle
From Being Broken Into
|
|
The Houston Police Department implores locals and visitors to play a proactive role in lowering crime by locking car doors and keeping valuables in places where criminals cannot see them.
More often than not, property or valuables can be seen by simply looking into the vehicle. Most thieves don’t want to take a gamble by breaking into a vehicle where they could walk away empty-handed. They are looking for a sure thing.
Thieves also frequent areas such as hotels/motels, restaurants, shopping centers, and parks where they know people have a tendency to leave valuables such as purses, wallets, or keys inside their vehicles while they eat, shop, or exercise.
HPD offers these five tips on securing vehicles and property:
-
Take your keys. Nearly 20 percent of all vehicles are stolen with the keys in them.
-
Lock your car. Approximately 50 percent of all vehicles stolen were left unlocked.
-
Park in well-lighted areas. More than half of all vehicle thefts occur at night.
-
Don’t leave valuables in plain view. Don't make your car or truck a more desirable target and attract thieves by leaving valuables in plain sight. Remove all valuables and luggage.
-
If you have an alarm, use it. Loud warnings sound when doors, hoods, or trunks are opened.
|
|
Report a Streetlight Outage
|
|
CenterPoint Energy maintains streetlights throughout our electric service territory in and around Houston. Click on the link below to report a streetlight outage.
You will be asked to provide:
- a pole number (or nearby address) for the non-functioning lights you want to report
- contact information (in case more information is needed to locate a streetlight)
- an e-mail address (if you want feedback regarding your repair request)
- the number of streetlights you would like to report
The system will guide you through the remaining steps.
Report general power outages by calling 713-207-2222 or toll-free 800-332-7143.
|
|
Tyger i Consulting Group Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
|
|
On March 10, Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin awarded a District E Certificate to the Tyger i Consulting Group at their ribbon cutting ceremony which was held at Space Park in Nassau Bay.
Tyger i Consulting Group is a Black owned business that strives to be a trusted partner and resource utilizing their experience, network, and technology to advance quality patient care.
Their business values include developing lasting relationships and providing strategic healthcare staffing solutions.
|
|
Utilizing 3-1-1 to Report Issues
|
|
Residents may act as extra eyes and ears on the streets, and soon you'll be able to report a pothole, a malfunctioning traffic light, or a drainage problem while you're out and about. Houston 311 is in the process of launching a new smartphone app that makes reporting issues like these easier than ever. The app will use GPS to identify your location and also allow you to snap a photo to add to your service request. Reports are automatically sent to the City’s 311 system and routed to city departments for resolutions.
You can still alert the City of Houston of issues by dialing 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311 of potential problems in your community. Houstonians can also access this helpful service via an e-mail to 311@HoustonTX.gov. A self Service Request (SR) form is available online at www.houston311.org. Once you've reported a problem please follow up with the District E office by emailing your case number and information on the issue to the District E office at districte@houstontx.gov so that we can help make sure the problem is addressed in a timely manner.
|
|
District E Upcoming Monthly Events
Please refer to Mayor Pro Tem Martin's District E website for location, time, and more event details for City of Houston Events. Email the District E office (districte@houstontx.gov) if you would like us to include your upcoming event in future newsletters!
April 12 – KSA Public Safety Committee Meeting
April 13 – HPD Northeast Division Positive Interaction Program Meeting
April 13 – Meadowcreek Village Civic Club Meeting
April 15 – Houston Parks Board San Jacinto Bayou Greenway Ribbon Cutting
April 18 – HPD Clear Lake Division Positive Interaction Program
April 18 – HPD Kingwood Division Positive Interaction Program
April 19 – Kingwood Super Neighborhood Council Meeting (Zoom)
April 22 – Kingwood BOPA
|
|
See a pothole, report it by calling (713) 837-0311
|
|
Get the latest on COVID-19 including locations of active testing sites can be found here.
|
|
Tune to HTV Houston to watch live and recorded City Council and Committee Meetings.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|