From our annual Senior Pajama Jam Holiday Party to celebrating alongside you at our beloved community Christmas parades, we always love the opportunity to get festive with you.

Every day is an opportunity to revitalize and strengthen Precinct 2. Join Commissioner Garcia behind the scenes of some major events and important developments across our precinct and county.

Commissioner Garcia celebrated his 63rd birthday on December 26! The Precinct 2 communications team surprised him with a special birthday message. Click here to watch it!

The removal of this nuisance property is part of the county's $3 million Neighborhood Nuisance Abatement Program funded by ARPA. Its primary goal is to remove 1,000 properties.

Additionally, Harris County approved the moving of $427,050 in ARPA funds to provide meals and other services at the Youth Diversion Center. The center provides behavioral health services to youth.

Photo above is of the Channelwood Park Improvement Project ribbon cutting in October 2023.

In 2023, the Precinct 2 engineering team marked the completion of 11 projects totaling nearly $60 million. The improvements included new sidewalks, drainage systems, and the resurfacing of nearly 100 streets.

Looking ahead at 2024 and beyond, we are excited that Harris County voters committed bond money to major infrastructure projects. Here's an overview of what is coming down the pike:

• Fairmont Parkway Widening Project: This will add one lane of traffic in each direction from Red Bluff to SH146 and reconstruct existing bridges
• Sylvan Beach Park: The goal is to make Sylvan Beach a premier destination in our region for recreation and entertainment. The upgrades will include an event pier, boardwalk, bandshell, and more.
• John R. Harris Park: The key upgrades will include a pedestrian bridge to connect communities, a community center and gathering spaces, enhanced intersections, ADA standard elements, and the addition of historical features such as monuments, infographics, and murals.
• Veterans Memorial Park: The master plan recommendations include a picnic pavilion, community center, restrooms, pond, and dog park.

This month in Commissioners Court, the following Precinct 2 infrastructure projects were approved: 

• Rimwood Pocket Park Streetlights: Precinct 2 is excited to announce utility agreements with CenterPoint Energy to bring new streetlights to the corners of Edgeboro St. and Rimwood Rd. Also, a plan is underway to transform a vacant parcel into a pocket park. Construction is expected to begin summer 2024.

This month, Commissioner Garcia led or voted in favor of the following items:

Tax breaks for affordable housing properties: Commissioner Garcia was proud to motion for the unanimous vote approving Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO) property tax breaks to three affordable multifamily housing properties in Precinct 2, all of which are owned by local nonprofit Avenue CDC: Irvington Court, Avenue Terraces, and Avenue Station.

New Precinct 2 Gradall equipment: Commissioner Garcia was happy to advance an agenda item to secure funding to acquire two Gradall Telescopic Boom Excavators.

These versatile pieces of heavy equipment play a pivotal role in excavation, digging, material handling, road maintenance, drainage pipe installations, trenching, environmental cleanup, and disaster recovery. Investing in these new machines greatly helps meet monthly ditching goals and directly impacts crucial drainage improvements in our communities.

Reconstruction of Blackhawk Blvd. with the City of Friendswood: This project is another key part of our Revive2Thrive initiative and includes pavement reconstruction, drainage improvements, and sidewalks on both sides of the street. The overall construction cost for Phase II amounts to $6.8 million, with a $3.4 million contribution each from the City of Friendswood and Precinct 2. This builds upon our ongoing collaboration in Phase I, currently in progress, bringing our combined partnership investment to $9.2 million, with Precinct 2 contributing $4.6 million.

Countywide Expansion of Eviction Defense Services: Commissioners Court unanimously approved the use of $4 million in American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds to expand eviction defense services. Starting in February 2024, households in the eviction process in any of the 16 Justice of the Peace Courts throughout Harris County can apply for legal defense. For program enrollment, contact Neighborhood Defender Services at 713-208-5577 or Lone Star Legal Aid at 361-35EVICT (3-8428)

Expansion of Harris Health programs: Commissioner Garcia was pleased to move two items for approval which expand vital health services for Precinct 2 residents. The Food Rx Program offered through Harris Health will be expanding to three additional sites, including at the Gulfgate Health Center in Precinct 2. This program offers fresh produce and other health services. Harris Health is also opening a new gastroenterology lab at the Quentin Mease Health Center to significantly reduce wait times for Harris County residents needing gastroenterology services.

Resolution

Honoring the life of Frumencio Reyes, Jr.: Reyes, who had a love for justice in and out of the courtroom, focused on Hispanic representation and local government during his career as an attorney. He argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including a case that resulted in a 1979 decision by the Department of Justice that created the single-member city council districts in Houston that exist today. Family members were present to receive the resolution, including his grandson, Francisco Frumencio Castillo, a Precinct 2 Policy Advisor.

Community Impact: Harris County commissioners approve nearly $9M ARPA funding to open gastroenterology lab

ABC13: Abandoned NE Harris County apartment demolished in hopes to make area safer

Houston Public Media: Whitmire, Jackson Lee meet in one of final forums before Saturday’s Houston mayoral runoff

Did you Know: Accessibility

at Precinct 2 Parks

Holiday fun across Precinct 2

Mayoral Forum

It is located in the parking lot of James Driver Inclusive Park at 10918 Bentley St, Houston, TX 77093

To make an appointment for adults, call 713-970-8700

To make an appointment for a child, call 713-874-6590