This Week: Overlay of Richmond Ave Begins Monday; Neighborhood Matching Grant Program Recipients Announced; Public Input Sought on Parking in Upper Kirby; ReelAbilities
Overlay of Richmond Ave Begins Monday
On Monday, February 18th, the Public Works Department will begin a project to rehabilitate two major segments of Richmond Ave. From Main St to Kirby Dr in District C, and from the 610 Loop to Hillcroft St in District G, Richmond Ave will receive a 1-inch overlay to smooth out the pavement surface, as well as curb and sidewalk repairs.
Richmond Ave has long been discussed as the possible future University Line in METRO’s light rail network. In 2013, Mayor Pro Tem Cohen supported the reclassification of Richmond as a Transit Corridor on the Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan, which allows the City of Houston and METRO to plan for transit-oriented development and for a multi-modal transportation system along the corridor.
This rehabilitation project will provide temporary interim relief for residents until a total reconstruction with the introduction of light rail is confirmed. Construction is expected to be complete in late fall 2019.
Neighborhood Matching Grant Program Recipients Announced
Mayor Pro Tem Cohen is pleased to provide funding for the Neighborhood Matching Grant Programthrough her Council District Service Fund. This year, her allocation will enable the following projects:
- Cherryhurst: neighborhood sign-toppers
- Colquitt Court: gutter ponding
- Heights: Yale St Green Corridor sign-toppers
- Maplewood South/North: esplanade beautification
- Westmoreland: Westmoreland Triangle Park improvements
The program was established to help neighborhoods fund community beautification and improvement projects via matching grant reimbursements for up to 50% of project costs.
Public Input Sought on Parking in Upper Kirby
The Upper Kirby District is requesting community feedback on your parking experiences as a resident, visitor, employee, or employer within the Upper Kirby District area. The information you share will inform the District’s priorities for infrastructure design and planning for multi-modal transportation and parking. Participants who complete the online survey will be entered for a chance to win a $100 Whole Foods gift card.
What’s Happening in the District
The Houston ReelAbilities Film & Art Festival kicked off on February 12th and will run through February 21st. This FREE city-wide film and arts festival is dedicated to presenting films, art exhibitions, performances, and speakers that celebrate the lives, stories, and talents of people with disabilities and enrich Houston’s culture, diversity, and inclusion efforts.
Sponsored by the Jewish Family Service Alexander Institute for Inclusion and the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, this Film Festival is the largest of its kind in the nation and all films and parking are free and open to the public. The films will be screened at District C’s Edwards Greenway Theater 12 and will be captioned and audio-described.
In addition to the films, ReelAbilities also includes ReelArt, an art exhibit by people with disabilities at Celebration Company, and ReelMusic, a jam session with disabled musicians at White Oak Music Hall.