This Week: FINAL Day to Early Vote; Reminder: Deadline to Provide Floodplain Regulation Feedback is Monday; Expect Closures on I-10 This Weekend; Historic Bricks Returned to Freedmen’s Town
FINAL Day to Early Vote
Today is the FINAL day to early vote in Harris County for the Democratic and Republican Primaries, including US Senate and House races, Texas Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Texas Senate and House races, among many others. Early Vote Locations are open to all voters city-wide and two are located in District C: the W. Gray Metropolitan Multi-Service Center and the Heights SPJST Lodge. Polls will be open from 7AM – 7PM.
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, March 6th. You must vote at your designated precinct voting location on Election Day.
Please note that the identification requirements to vote HAVE CHANGEDin recent years. Voters who do not have an approved photo ID (driver license, passport, etc) MAY STILL VOTE if they present an approved supporting document, such as:
- Voter Registration Card (current)
- Birth Certificate (original)
- Bank Statement (original or copy)
- Utility Bill (current)
Voters who are unable to provide an approved photo ID or supporting document MAY STILL VOTE provisionally. For further information, please visit the Harris County Clerk’s Identification Required for Voting site (supporting document and provisional voting information are at the bottom of that page).
Reminder: Deadline to Provide Floodplain Regulation Feedback is Monday
Mayor Pro Tem Cohen successfully advocated for Mayor Turner to extend the public comment deadline on proposed changes to Houston’s building code ordinances relating to flooding to Monday, March 5th.
During a Special-Called Joint Meeting of the Transportation, Technology, and Infrastructure Committee and the Regulation and Neighborhood Affairs Committee, Houston Public Works Department Director Carol Haddock and Chief Resiliency Officer Steve Costello shared a presentation on the proposed changes with Council (District C impact map). The changes are designed to ensure that new dwellings are built high enough to save lives and property in the event of flooding. Those interested in providing feedback are asked to fill out the online survey or email their comments topwe.director@houstontx.gov.
Expect Closures on I-10 This Weekend
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will begin work this weekend to repair a portion of the Houston Avenue Bridge over I-10 Katy Freeway. The bridge was struck by an over-height vehicle in late 2017, causing damage to multiple steel beams. From 7:30PM this evening (Friday, March 2nd) through 5AM on Monday, March 5th, expect closures of major portions of I-10 between the 610 Loop West and I-45, including many entrance and exit ramps. The updated list of current closures is available via Transtar. Local law enforcement will be on site to facilitate traffic through the signalized intersections. Large trucks traveling I-10 eastbound will not be permitted to detour through adjacent neighborhoods. For additional information, please contact Danny Perez at (713) 802-5777.
Historic Bricks Returned to Freedmen’s Town
The Public Works Department began the re-installation of historic bricks in District C’s Freedmen’s Town/4th Ward community, at the corner of Andrews and Genesee. Originally laid by Houstonian freed slaves and their descendants, the bricks were accidentally disturbed in November 2016 by a City contractor who exceeded the authorized limits of a drainage project. The bricks were then carefully removed by hand, cleaned, catalogued, and stored for the duration of the project, which included large-scale improvements to area utilities. An archeologist will be on site at all times during the re-installation of these historic bricks to their rightful home.