This week: Houston Responds to Charlottesville Violence; Public Meeting: Greenbriar Reconstruction; “Play Everywhere Challenge” Neighborhood Grant Opportunity

Houston Responds to Charlottesville Violence

Mayor Turner, Mayor Pro Tem Cohen, and leaders from a multitude of faith and community organizations representing Houston stood together in a press conference this week to denounce white supremacy and the recent violence in Charlottesville. Mayor Pro Tem Cohen shared her past experiences with anti-Semitism and condemned neo-Nazi ideology, quoting Nelson Mandela: “If people can learn to hate, they can learn to love.” Following community requests to remove Confederacy-related statues and monuments from public spaces, Mayor Turner has asked his staff to review Houston’s inventory of public art and analyze whether they should remain in place or whether each should be moved, altered, or removed.

Public Meeting: Greenbriar Reconstruction

On Tuesday, August 23rd, Mayor Pro Tem Cohen and the Public Works and Engineering Department will host a public meeting to discuss the upcoming reconstruction of Greenbriar St. The meeting will take place at Roberts Elementary School, 6000 Greenbriar St, 77030​, and will begin with an open house at 6PM, followed by a presentation on the project at 6:30PM. Construction is anticipated to begin this fall.

“Play Everywhere Challenge” Neighborhood Grant Opportunity

Non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply for the Play Everywhere Challenge, a grant opportunity from KaBOOM! and Target for creative solutions to incorporate play into the daily lives of children, whether on sidewalks, vacant lots, at bus stops, and beyond. The grant will award a total of $720,000 across Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, and Miami with the goal of removing barriers to wellness and increasing physical activities for kids and families. Groups may apply online by no later than Friday, September 1st.