trymahjong

Dear Community Stakeholders, We have an update on the project schedule for the bridge lighting. Hazard will be closed through next Wednesday, 11/02/16. Woodhead will be closed 11/02-11/16. One bridge on Montrose will be closed nightly 10PM-5AM starting on 11/07, with a pending end date. We appreciate your patience during this project, and are excited to reveal the results once it is through. If you'd like to learn more, and see a more comprehensive schedule, please see this update at our website: http://montrosedistrict.org/2016/09/bridge-lighting-project-road-closures/

What do you call the fear of getting into an elevator filled with Nuns? . . . . . . . . . . . Cloisterphobia

Dear Community Stakeholder - bi-annual recycling event this coming Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Walgreens - 3317 Montrose. Please share with your contacts so we can reach the widest audience possible. Additional details are at our district website www.MontroseDistrict.org/biAnnualRecycling. Thanks so much.

from COH enewsletter Street Name Change Public Hearing Dowling Street to Emancipation Avenue October 13, 2016 at 2:30 PM City Hall Annex - Public Level 901 Bagby Street The City of Houston is considering a proposal to rename Dowling Street to Emancipation Avenue . The Houston Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposal on Thursday, October 13 th at 2:30PM. You may submit comments on the proposed street name changeonline prior to the October 13th public hearing. For additional information, please contact Brian Crimmins or Teresa Geisheker with the Planning & Development Department at planningdepartment@houstontx.gov or (832) 393-6600.

got this from MMD Oct 7 Dear Community Stakeholder - We wanted to update you on the current status of the District’s bridge lighting project and ask that you share with your civic/HOA/community groups etc. so we can reach the widest audience possible. Thanks so much for sharing! Current bridge closures are as follows: 1) Hazard – Pending (Closed 10/17-10/31) 2) Mandell – Pending Electrical 3) Woodhead – Pending Electrical 4) Graustark – Pending Painting (Closed 10/18 through 10/25) 5) Dunlavy – CLOSED through 10/11 6) Montrose – Pending Painting (One bridge closed nightly starting 10/17) In order to get the bridges ready for lighting as part of the District’s Bridge Lighting Project, the bridges over 59 are being painted. The painting crew will be doing one bridge at a time, and has already completed work on Hazard as of September 21st. Painting work requires a total closure of the bridge for approximately one week, possibly longer in inclement weather. Rerouting signage will be posted to ease congestion. During the painting of the Montrose bridges, only one of the two Montrose bridges will be closed at a time, allowing one lane of traffic each way on the open bridge. Montrose bridges will only be closed at night. We anticipate finishing this stage of the project by the first week of November. Following the painting work, electrical work will begin, and the light fixtures on the bridges will be replaced. This will require bridge closures for approximately two weeks. We appreciate the community’s patience as we move forward on this exciting project for Montrose. To learn more about the bridge lighting project, check out our Mobility Initiatives & Visual Improvements FAQ and our Visual Enhancements presentation [PDF].

Yep a follow up email arrived Since our update yesterday on the bridge lighting project we have received additional information in response to questions asked in the community about how the closure of the bridges will work. Only one bridge will be closed at a time, allowing one lane of traffic in each direction on the open bridge during construction. Reroute signage will be posted as well. We appreciate your patience as we undertake this project, and we would like to thank the TxDOT crews that are working quickly to reopen the bridges.

Email sent from MMD We wanted to update you on the current status of the District’s bridge lighting project and ask that you share with your civic/HOA/community groups etc. so we can reach the widest audience possible. In order to get the bridges ready for lighting as part of the District's Bridge Lighting Project, the bridges over 59 are being painted. The painting crew will be doing one bridge at a time, and has already completed work on Hazard as of September 21st. Painting work requires a total closure of the bridge for approximately one week, possibly longer in inclement weather. The order of bridge closures for painting is as follows: 1) Hazard - COMPLETED 2) Mandell - CLOSED 9/21-9/28 3) Woodhead - Beginning Wednesday, September 28th 4) Graustark - Pending 5) Dunlavy - Pending 6) Montrose - Pending We anticipate finishing this stage of the project by the first week of November. Following the painting work, electrical work will begin. This will require bridge closures for an indeterminate period of time. Electrical work on Hazard will begin on September 22nd. Thus, Hazard will be closed. Once we have completed work on Hazard, we will have a better understanding of the timeline for electrical work, and will be able to provide estimated times for closures. From then on, electrical work will be done on two bridges at a time. We appreciate the community's patience as we move forward on this exciting project for Montrose. To learn more about the bridge lighting project, check out our Mobility Initiatives & Visual Improvements FAQ and our Visual Enhancements presentation [PDF]. Thanks so much.

From Cohen's e newsletter On the Agenda Council authorized the Houston Parks and Recreation Department to apply for a $1 million grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to develop amenities at a future park at 424 Westheimer. Mayor Pro Tem Cohen recently hosted two public meetings to allow Montrose residents to assist the Department in developing preliminary plans for this park. These include a native tree-lined promenade, a small dog run, game tables, and an emphasis on the historic nature of the surrounding Avondale community. At the request of a representative from the Montrose LGBT Remembrance Garden, attendees also voted to relocate that memorial (currently located on private property) to the new park so it will have a permanent home. Mayor Pro Tem Cohen was pleased to advocate for the purchase of the land for this park in 2014, and to provide the funding for design costs via her Council District Service Fund.

From Cohen's enewsletter Design Phase Underway for Future Westheimer Park Mayor Pro Tem Cohen hosted a public meeting to discuss community priorities for a future park at 424 Westheimer in District C’s Montrose area. She successfully advocated for the purchase of land for this park in 2014 and to fund the park’s design costs through the Council District Service Fund. Conversation at the meeting centered on the benefits and costs of incorporating spaces such as a tree-lined “promenade” area and a dog run. Those interested in providing suggestions may email lisa.johnson@houstontx.gov or districtc@houstontx.gov by no later than August 31st.

from the MMD meeting Announcement that Fred Sharifi purchased Baba yega and 5 other properties in the Grant/Missiouri/Crocker street area-- Also that Victoria Cohen(SEC) owner of property at Gray and Stanford were considering building 8 story condominum at that site

......got this from a friend who attends the MMD meetings as an observer for Civic club. At the Montrose Mgmt District (MMD) meeting today I was surprised to learn of the coming demise of the MMD. Two speakers made public comments: The first was G**** A**** who complained to the board that they were dragging their feet in completing the verification of petitions given to them in May. According to an article of association of the MMD (article 50, I think he said), the District is dissolved when 75% of the businesses petition it to dissolve. A**** says he/they submitted petitions from almost 80% of business in the district. The Board hired the legal firm of Allen Boone Humphries Robinson (ABHR) to certify the petitions, and has not yet completed this!!! According to A**** this delay seems to be deliberate. David Hawes with Hawes Hill Calderon LLP said something about it takes time to be complete. The second speaker was D***** S******* who also asked why certification was so delayed. She added that she receives many, many calls from other business owners who are angry at the Board and claim to receive no benefits from the MMD. Afterward, David Hawes added that his firm is reviewing and categorizing every outstanding contract given by the MMD to determine how dissolution of the MMD impacts the termination of the contracts. Some contracts are short term or single service, while others are for ongoing services. I think the idea is that some services and planning carried out by the MMD will be transferred to the TIRZ, including, I suppose, money in MMD accounts. The City of Houston has requested Hawes to get the Montrose TIRZ up and running. The Boards & Commission is looking at a replacement TIRZ Chairman, one that selection is made a board meeting will be scheduled.

Saw this in Cohen's enewsletter- $25,000. Doesn't seem like much to begin developing a park.The "future Park" is one city lot, covered in black top and surrounded by wrought Iron fence, Cyprus trees in the ROW on Whitney street side.COH/parks is beginning to hold community meetings to gather residents input. Hopefully a name will be chosen. Seems most residents would like simple, minimalist park because of size--something that might pay tribute to Avondale development in 1907. I took that to mean that everyone is hoping it won't be a grass lot with many 20 gallon ubiquitous live oaks trees. Some of the residents were concerned about the "current" trend in developing green spaces after watching the "beautification" MMD is putting in on west side median at Lovett and Montrose? Yep, a n updated green space of concrete and live oaks. The developers of Avondale pooled their money in 1911 to have a box card load of palm trees delivered brought to Houston.many were planted down the middle of MEDIAN down Montrose Blvd south towards museum district( all were removed last time MONTROSE Blvd got redone--MONTROSE Blvd conservancy would like to put back the median but won't consider replanting palm trees due to COH restrictions.) and a few can still be seen within Avondale.So everyone is hoping Live Oaks won't be the tree of choice. Not sure if there will be access to water at this park, so probably xerescaping should be considered plus keeping the wrought iron fencing might not be a bad idea either. Would using recyclable materials keep costs down? no idea. Still everyone seems to love the idea of recycling so guess that should be considered also. That seems a lot to keep in mind when developing a park, the next open meeting is Aug. 16 upstairs at The Women's Home 6:30pm.I was hoping the Civic association would offer a money prize to university architecture students to submit a plan for this park, keeping all those restrictions in mind. It would be great to see what the young talent of Houston could come up with. Maybe I'm being overly optimistic but it seems an opportunity is presenting itself why not take advantage of it. _________________________ PARK UPGRADES - $355,000 This funding provided for new park design costs, playground equipment replacement, sidewalk repair, and other improvements to parks throughout District C. $240,000 - TC Jester Park: Playground equipment replacement $60,000 - Meyerland Park: Playground equipment repair $25,000 - Future Park at 424 Westheimer: Design costs $20,000 - Oak Forest Park: Tennis court repair $10,000 - Peggy Shiffick Park: Sidewalk repair

From Cohen's enewsletter Committee Reviews Emancipation Park Agreement Chair Cohen convened a meeting of the Council Committee on Quality of Life to review a presentation on a proposed inter-local agreement between the City of Houston and the Emancipation Park Conservancy. Founded in 1872, Emancipation Park is the oldest park in Houston and is located in the historic Third Ward community. Construction is underway in the park to restore the community center, construct a new recreation center and pool, implement a spray-ground and playground, and many other improvements. The new agreement will allow the Houston Parks and Recreation Department to share joint responsibilities with the Conservancy regarding maintenance and for the operation and programming of core services and supplemental enrichment activities in the park. All Committee meetings are archived online via HTV under the Committees & Commissions tab.

From Cohen enewsletter Public Works and Engineering and Planning and Development hosted the first in a series of public meetings regarding the Lower Westheimer Corridor Study. While there are no current plans or funding for roadway improvements, the city is seeking community-based recommendations to prepare for a future infrastructure project. The street merits an advanced level of design sensitivity due to its historic, cultural, and community significance. For those who were unable to attend the first meeting, the presentation is available online. Interested community members are encouraged to take the Lower Westheimer Online Survey to provide their feedback on what they love about Westheimer and what types of improvements they would prioritize. Receive study updates via email»

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/09/upshot/novel-strategy-puts-big-soda-tax-within-philadelphias-reach.html?_r=0 gee maybe taxing sodas can be accomplished?

Thanks for posting I guess from the article, I was hoping that the students had actually gone to vacant lots up and down Dowling and placed posters of their ideas. It would have been a great way to get information to a bigger audience.

not sure where that picture was taken

This meets tonite. In another thread, I posted the variance requested at 215 Westheimer, the former Legacy location. When the commissioners met, they brought up the Lower Westheimer Study and delayed consideration of that variance until after this meeting tonite. Will be interesting to hear everyone's input.

Received another email: The Commission deferred for another two weeks to allow the Public Meeting on Monday June 6th for feedback on the Lower Westheimer Corridor Study and asked that a plat be prepared for both sides of the street to see if area is available to expand street width onto the other side. speakers spoke for not allowing the exception and other speakers may appear and speak at the June 9th Planning Commission Meeting. Easy to watch all on computer website for HTV of http://houstontx.city.swagit.com/

From citizensNet enewsletter City Government is Working Better Than EverWatch as we Move Houston ForwardA message from Mayor Sylvester TurnerWhen I arrived in the mayor's office five short months ago, the City wasfacing a projected budget shortfall of $126 million for the fiscal yearthat begins July 1, 2016. In the weeks that followed, the shortfallgrew to $160 million. Cost increases, a voter imposed cap on ourrevenue growth, a broken appraisal system and the economic downturncombined to create the worst financial challenge the city has facedsince the Great Recession when more than 700 City workers had to be laidoff in 2011 and services were cut. The budget approved by City Council on Wednesday is balanced. Thanks inpart to an Executive Order put in place last January that helpedidentify targeted departmental cuts and savings, the shortfall has beeneliminated and there is a plan in place to continue the positiveprogress into the future. We have even cut overall spending in thisbudget by $82 million in comparison to the current budget. This wasaccomplished without putting hundreds of hard-working City employees inthe unemployment line or cutting critical services that Houstonians relyon and deserve. Instead, it was done via shared sacrifice and laserfine attention to fiscal management. As a signal to the credit ratingagencies that have an eagle's eye on the City's finances and to assureHoustonians that we are keeping an eye on the things that matter most,it was also done a month earlier than usual, a feat no one can recallhappening in more than 20 years, if ever.Each City department, the employee unions, City Council and variousother parties worked together to identify cost savings and efficiencieswhile also preserving the City's healthy savings account, minimizingemployee layoffs and maintaining the critical City services ourresidents rely on and deserve. We did not balance the budget on thebacks of our library and park users, nor did we balance it by layingoff police and fire fighters. In fact, this new budget includes fundingfor an additional police cadet class, for a total of five classes, themost in recent memory. In addition, I am working with the police chiefto find ways to streamline operations to get more officers back on thestreet. For the first time in years, the number of police officers atHPD is starting to inch up. This is good news for neighborhoods, some ofwhich are understandably unsure about their safety these days. I wantno one to feel unsafe. Passing the new budget occurs on one day but the impact of that day isfelt for the next year and beyond. With this budget, we have put inplace a foundation that will support us for the next several years aslong as we continue to make progress in other areas that are impactingour pocketbook. We will attack the problems that lie ahead with the same aggressiveapproach we took in balancing the budget. Again, everyone will need tobe at the table sharing the work. This is imperative because if wefail, there will be dramatic cuts in city services, hundreds ofemployees will have to be laid off and our credit rating will likelysuffer.City government is functioning in ways we have not seen in modernmemory. The "pothole crisis" is in the rear view mirror. Likewise, theadministration and city council - Democrats and Republicans alike -agreed to share the sacrifice and passed a balanced budget in recordtime. Everyone is in the boat and rowing in the same direction. It's amodel that is working well today and can continue to work well tomorrow.Keeping a promise to fill potholes by the next business day was noteasy, but we did it. Closing a $160 million budget gap was not easy,but we did that too. I know solving our other problems will not be easyeither, but I am confident we will get there if we utilize the samecollaborative approach that has gotten us this far. Just watch us! _____ Register for CitizensNet<http://cohapp.cityofhouston.gov/citizensnet/Registration.aspx>

As far as I know-- those same civic groups are sending representatives to speak at next commissioner meeting.

I think four different Civic associations showed up for that hearing on Thursday- not a lot of love for that variance.

Soooooooooo was the aquifer the reason that the tunnel system doesn't go in that direction---not to Discovery Green, Not to GRB, and not to Minute Maid?

Got an email about the variance request: Here is some more information about the 215 Westheimer variance request scheduled for public hearing this Thursday, May 26, at 2:30 at Planning Commission. The application is included in the linked agenda on pages 21-28:ftp://edrc.houstontx.gov//2016/2016-11_DraftAgenda.pdfGood things:- mixed-use redevelopment of the old Legacy site- includes ground-floor retail with lots of transparency- includes offices above on floors 2 and 3- residential space on 4th floor means 24-hour use -- improves safety for adjacent street users- support urban build-to line instead of large suburban setbackOpportunities:- reorient building along street and hide parking in back- need a 6-10' setback from future ROW edge- Metro #82 carries 3,500 people per day along this section of lower Westheimer --> calls for better, wider pedestrian realm with room for great bus shelter. - Standard 10-foot pedestrian realm is inadequate for wide enough sidewalks plus street trees, wayfinding, furniture. Westheimer already has enough foot traffic to justify 14-18 foot pedestrian area, before future activity.Applicant is asking for zero-foot setback from the proposed wider right-of-way. They say that will be "17 feet back of curb" but that's from the current curb, not the future curb. City pre-engineering is underway to reconstruct Westheimer. Current roadway is in 60' of right-of-way, and City plans allocate 70' of right-of-way.It would be great if a couple of Avondale folks can sign up to speak at the meeting/hearing. If not, the agenda includes an email address for you to submit comments in advance.

From that chron.com article "A couple of weeks ago, the students placed yard signs with renderings on the sites where their developments were proposed. Instead of "Land Available," the signs read "Custom Ideas Available." I've been away from Houston for a few weeks, but would be interested if anyone wanted to post pictures of 'Custom Ideas Avaiable'