table of contents - Greater East End Management District
Transcription
table of contents - Greater East End Management District
TABLE OF CONTENTS A City Within a City: The East End 4 Strategic Vision Project 10 Education: Opportunity, Success and Information 13 Image: Bright, Celebrated and Vibrant 16 Economic Development: Attract, Build and Promote 20 Parks and Open Spaces: Green and Linked 24 Infrastructure: Evaluate, Prioritize and Rebuild 28 Neighborhoods: Affordable Housing and Healthy Neighborhoods 32 History: Preserve and Treasure 36 Implementation 40 Sponsors and Participants 42 STRATEGIC VISION {CHAPTER} HOUSTON’S EAST END: A City Within A City Historic, culturally diverse and immediately adja- cent to downtown Houston, the East End is the next great place to live, work and play. New families and businesses are discovering what generations of East Enders have known all along— Houston’s East End is a vibrant, inviting community. The renaissance has begun. Renovations and new development are going on all over the East End. Streets and infrastructure are being repaired or rebuilt. Historic sites are being preserved, marked, promoted and recognized as significant East End assets. East End businesses, including some of Houston’s most popular and decades-old restaurants, are being celebrated and appreciated in new ways. New trees have been planted in esplanades and rights-of-way, and many more will be planted, enhancing streetscapes and neighborhoods. New parks, hike and bike trails, picnic areas and other amenities are being planned, which will provide additional green space, beauty and recreational opportunities for East End residents and visitors. Both Buffalo and Brays Bayous wind through the heart of the East End past the site of Old Harrisburg, an early Texas trading post and seat of government for the Republic of Texas in 1836, founded by John Harris after whom Harris County is named. Today, the East End is home to 100,000 people and more than 2,500 businesses. Its parks, bayous and open spaces, and broad mix of uses, including industry, business, distinctive neighborhoods, historic sites, public art and cultural facilities, give the East End a feeling of being a “City within a City”. Strong urban patterns, continuous street grids, mature trees, ample front porches and historic housing create a small town STRATEGIC VISION PROJECT feel with close proximity to the amenities of a major city. Downtown, the Texas Medical Center, Hobby Airport, sports and cultural facilities, and major transportation corridors and universities are just minutes away. Over one hundred new East End projects, including residential, retail, commercial and educational facilities, are under development or have been completed within the last five years. This rebirth of Houston’s East End is an exciting journey into a future reminiscent of its unique and dynamic past as the birthplace of Houston. n n BUSINESS IS BOOMING If you put the East End on a list of cities with the greatest employment numbers, it ranks number twenty-eight in the United States, above San Antonio, Fort Worth, Miami and Salt Lake City. Businesses ranging from neighborhood refresquerias to industry giants are prospering— nearly 80,000 people work in the East End every day. Three of the country’s major coffee companies send the scent of freshly roasted coffee beans wafting through Houston’s East End, and two of only four coffee decaffeination plants in the United States call the area home. The Port of Houston is one of only four “green coffee ports” in the U.S. and the only one west of the Mississippi. Twenty million consumers live and work within 500 miles of the East End, so Houston stands ready for new coffee business. Other key economic engines in the East End include food processing companies and suppliers for the Port and the oil and gas industry. A growing niche transportation industry is burgeoning in the East End with two dozen private bus lines carrying Canada with the Port of Houston and Mexico. 850,000 passengers per year to and from Mexico Hobby Airport, which served as Houston’s only and other destinations in Latin America and the airport until 1969, is today one of the forty busiest Midwest and Southeast United States, generating airports in the country. Major highways frame the $42 million annually in sales. East End on four sides, providing easy accessibil- Many East End businesses are adding ity to the greater Houston region, and more than manufacturing and warehouse space, or buying twenty METRO bus lines and three transit centers adjacent property for future expansion, and many serve residents. METRO’s Harrisburg Rail Cor- family-owned companies are thriving in their ridor will be in place by 2010, bringing even more second and third generations. Gulfgate Center, connectivity between the East End and Downtown, which opened in 1956 to huge fanfare as Houston’s the Texas Medical Center and other employment, first mall, has undergone a $50 million redevelop- educational and entertainment centers throughout ment by Wulfe & Co. and now includes tenants the Houston region. A MOSAIC OF NEIGHBORHOODS n Supermarket, Marshall’s and Old Navy. This redevelopment created as many as 2,000 new Distinctive neighborhoods are the heart of the retail jobs and is expected to generate $170 million East End. Second Ward and Magnolia Park are annually in sales. Weingarten Realty Investors two of Houston’s oldest Hispanic neighborhoods. acquired and redeveloped a shopping complex at Eastwood, one of the first master-planned com- Telephone Road and I-45, and new retail centers munities in Houston along with Montrose and along Harrisburg Boulevard, Telephone at the Heights, remains one of the most beautiful Lockwood and Lawndale at 75th Street offer neighborhoods in the city. Young professionals and additional shopping alternatives to East End empty nesters are beginning to restore the vintage residents. The East End remains, however, homes in Eastwood and other neighborhoods significantly underserved by retail businesses. throughout the East End. Concentrated between Residents often must go outside the area for many the Eastex Freeway and Dowling Street, just under of their shopping needs, spending millions of $100 million in new loft apartments and town homes dollars annually outside the community. are under construction. Trammel Crow Residential The East End is Houston’s transportation n such as Lowe’s Home Improvement, an HEB recently redeveloped the old Myers Spalti Manu- hub. Its infrastructure sustains the growth of facturing Company (El Mercado Del Sol) as the area businesses and industries. One of the ten Alexan Lofts with 250 rental apartments, now fully busiest ports in the world, the Port of Houston leased. Perry Homes bought the adjacent park- generates nearly eight billion dollars in annual ing lot for the construction of seventy-two town revenues. Railroads criss-cross the area, link- homes. Other new town home developments are ing the industrialized centers of the U.S. and being built along Clinton Drive, an area the Buffalo STRATEGIC VISION {A VISION FOR HOUSTON’S EAST END} Bayou Partnership envisions as a future mixed-use residential community, “Waterview District East,” Neighborhood Centers, Inc., the Cossaboom on the northern banks of Buffalo Bayou. The value YMCA, the Association for the Advancement of of housing in the East End has risen steadily over Mexican Americans, the Community Family the last five years, but is still very affordable com- Center, El Centro Del Corazon, the Latino pared to other parts of the City. Loft apartments, Learning Center and others strengthen the fabric new town houses, single family homes, renova- of the community. Cultural diversity, historic sites, tions and affordable housing are creating attractive public amenities, beautiful residential neighbor- new residential options for East Enders. hoods, thriving retail and industry, and popular n n LIFE’S RICH IN THE EAST END one-of-a-kind locales, art and events give it its unique character, charm and attraction. The East Families are the core of East End life. The many End is home to The Orange Show, an internation- parks, open spaces, schools, recreation and ally recognized folk art environment, and the community centers serve as focal points for family historic Sociedad Mutalista Benito Juárez Casino activities and gatherings. Both Buffalo and Brays Hall—the first public institution constructed in the Bayous are increasingly viewed as quality of life East End by Mexican-Americans. East End Latino assets and provide enhanced recreational culture is celebrated at Talento Bilingue de Hous- amenities. There are many small neighborhood ton, the largest cultural arts center of its kind in the and community parks, as well as two regional United States, now with a full season of performing parks and the much-used Sunset Hike and Bike and visual arts. Trail. Education is centered around the East End’s Community centers such as Ripley House- The East End also has the largest concentra- three public high schools, six middle schools, tion of community murals in the city, including twenty-three elementary schools and numerous a historically significant Chicano mural by artist parochial and charter schools, including AAMA’s Leo Tanguma on Canal Street, and many historic 33-year-old George I. Sanchez High School, the places of interest such as Our Lady of Guadalupe first minority charter school in the United States. Church, Villa de Matel and Asbury Memorial Houston Community College Southeast is in the United Methodist Church, founded just after the East End and nearby is Texas Southern University, Civil War. The Glendale Cemetery is a historically Rice University and the University of Houston’s designated burial place of Texas heroes and main and downtown campuses. HCC South- pioneers including Jane Birdsall Harris, the wid- east has proposed a new facility on the City of ow of John R. Harris who founded Harrisburg, Houston’s Milby bus barn property and other Charles H. Milby and his father, William Polk educational organizations have also expanded Milby, after whom Milby High School is named, their facilities. and General Sidney Sherman who fought at the STRATEGIC VISION {A VISION FOR HOUSTON’S EAST END} Battle of San Jacinto and successfully started the first railroad in Texas—the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos & Colorado (BBB&C) Railroad—at Harrisburg. The Harrisburg-Jackson Cemetery, another historically significant cemetery in the East End, is the burial place of freed slaves, Buffalo soldiers, and Tom Blue, Sam Houston’s slave valet and trusted friend. Celebrating and preserving the unique character and history of the East End, and retaining and strengthening its existing businesses and neighborhoods while attracting new development as the community grows and changes, is the foundation of the East End Strategic Vision Project. STRATEGICVISIONPROJECT Because the East End is growing and changing in new ways, the Greater East End Management District and the Houston East End Chamber of Commerce brought together nearly 300 East End stakeholders, representing business, industry, residents, non-profit organizations, religious institutions, public agencies, governmental entities and others, to develop a strategic vision that will shape the future of the East End, seek and create new opportunities and possibilities for this unique area of Houston, preserve its history and mobilize its resources. This 18-month effort started in 2005 and resulted in a 10-year vision that builds on the existing strengths and qualities of the East End, reflects the intent of the stakeholders, and establishes seven major goals and an GOALS n n implementation strategy that will guide the community as it works together to achieve its goals. • Education EDUCATION • Image • Economic Development HISTORY IMAGE • Parks and Open Spaces • Infrastructure • Neighborhoods ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEIGHBORHOODS • History INFRASTRUCTURE 10 STRATEGIC VISION PARKS AND OPEN SPACES STRATEGIC VISION FULL BLEED IMAGE 12 STRATEGIC VISION {CHAPTER} EDUCATION: OPPORTUNITYSUCCESSINFORMATION Paving a New Road to Achievement in the East End Excellence in education and effective community programs and services build healthy and strong communities. Educational attainment in the East End is far below the City of Houston’s averages. By strengthening educational resources, enhancing information about and access to available programs and services, and expanding opportunities for East End residents, a new road to achievement and success can be paved. Building these resources requires broad partnerships between institutions, organizations and businesses working together to address the challenges vital to the long-term success of the East End and our residents. Highquality schools, excellent education and a strong workforce will encourage business and residential development and ensure a viable, strong and inviting community. STRATEGIC VISION 13 Education $16 million project to expand the George I. Sanchez High School campus to upgrade the current eduearly childhood center, community health clinic, and space for organized and supervised sports and other activities. AAMA services are free. • A KIPP Charter School for grades K-8 is planned for the East End on 21 acres between Telephone Road and Lawndale. KIPP schools are free, open enrollment college-preparatory public schools. • Houston East End Chamber of Commerce established an Education Task Force to identify challenges and develop partnerships to meet them. To date successes include: • “Project Lead the Way,” a nationally recognized in fall 2006 at HISD’s Chavez High School and will expand to Austin and Milby High Schools. • Mentoring and tutoring programs for middle school students will begin in fall 2006. • A new website was launched to assist East End students in locating and applying for jobs and learning about college. •The Greater East End District spends 3% of total annual assessments on workforce development programs that provide employees training in soft skills and computers, ESL and GED courses for residents, and a Reserve Deputy Reimbursement Program to attract reserve deputies to serve in the community. It is important to note that stakeholders also identified health as a primary concern, and it is recommended that a comprehensive survey of public health and social services be conducted for the East End; however, this task is outside the scope of this project. 14 STRATEGIC VISION {Education} n • Establish an Education Task Force to identify the challenges of education in the East End and develop partnerships to address these challenges • Assist parents and youth in preparing for college • Build partnerships with businesses and organizations to develop and fund programs in schools that support student success and assist students in fulfilling their commitment to higher education • Promote excellent education by supporting the development of additional magnet or other innovative education programs in area schools INFORMATION n math, science and engineering curriculum, will begin SUCCESS n cational facilities and adding services to include an n Mexican Americans (AAMA) announced a • Survey all East End organizations to develop a comprehensive list of programs and services available to residents • Publish a comprehensive directory of community programs and services both in paper and web-based media n • The Association for the Advancement of OPPORTUNITY n EDUCATION PROGRESS • Survey business and industry to identify workforce education needs • Expand and augment existing job training programs with the goal of developing a district-wide workforce development program • Work in partnership with area job training programs, business, industry and education partners to develop a “One-Stop Career Center” in the East End Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA) STRATEGIC VISION {Education} 15 16 STRATEGIC VISION {CHAPTER} IMAGE: BRIGHTCELEBRATEDVIBRANT Over the last decade, the East End has grown, many of its businesses have prospered, many of its neighborhoods have flourished and crime has steadily declined. Ensuring the continued growth and prosperity of the East End is dependent on keeping the community clean and its streets safe, developing beautiful, well-maintained public areas, and celebrating the history, culture and commerce of the area through innovative and creative promotional campaigns and public art. By building on the distinctive qualities of the East End, we will enhance the image of the area and increase its attractiveness as a destination—a wonderful and inviting place to live, work and play. STRATEGIC VISION 17 mercial property owners in partnership with Central City Industrial Park and Precinct 6. • The District’s Law Enforcement Coordination Team meets monthly to exchange information with more than a dozen law enforcement entities serving the community. • In five years time, the District has abated making the East End more graffiti-free than any other area of the city. • The District collects one ton of street trash from 29 miles of major thoroughfares each week. Great Streets • East End Streetscapes, a $3.2 million enhancement project undertaken by the Greater East End District in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation begins construction in late 2006. Public Art • Through a partnership between METRO and the Greater East End District, 30 transit shelters adjacent to East End Streetscapes sites will be enhanced with public art. • The Orange Show and the Greater East End District partnered to fund a new mural at Rex Supply by artist Jesse Sifuentes. Building Façade Improvements • Older commercial buildings on Telephone Road name—Tlaquepaque Market. Talento Bilingue de Houston 18 STRATEGIC VISION {Image} • Encourage balanced and accurate media coverage of the community • Develop a broad-based promotional campaign to focus on East End assets such as authentic Mexican food, the collection of community murals, cultural arts centers, unique history, affordable neighborhoods, new housing, growing green spaces and recreational amenities, employment opportunities, easy access to all freeways and proximity to Downtown • Create a web-based East End Calendar of Events • Link the websites of East End organizations • Design a product line to celebrate the area’s commerce, history and culture • Support the distribution and ongoing development of the East End guidebook, a self-guided tour brochure of key destinations • Publish a companion web-based guidebook • Develop tours and events to draw visitors to the area • Develop a proposal for an annual East End festival VIBRANT n east of Lockwood are getting a facelift and a new CELEBRATED n over 3,500 graffiti sites within its boundaries, n provides an 11-officer security patrol for com- • Ensure that the East End is clean and attractive, with well maintained public areas • Develop an educational campaign to end illegal dumping and street littering • Expand existing partnerships with law enforcement agencies to identify additional ways to establish a feeling of safety within our boundaries and change the perception of high crime • Develop additional neighborhood watch and citizen patrol programs in collaboration with civic leaders n • The Greater East End Management District BRIGHT n CLEAN AND SAFE PROGRESS n Image • Expand the successful East End Streetscapes project to other commercial corridors in the community, developing landscaping plans, public art and improved pedestrian and public amenities • Develop design guidelines for the improvement of building facades along major commercial corridors in collaboration with area businesses • Develop a Public Art Plan that is linked to the spines of the future Harrisburg Rail Corridor, bayous and major commercial streets, and weave these public art programs into the neighborhoods as a connective tissue that ties the East End together while celebrating its diversity •Develop plans for the inclusion of public art along the proposed METRO Harrisburg Rail Corridor • Develop and implement a Bus Shelter Public Art Project to improve area streets and transit • Work in partnership with Buffalo Bayou Partnership and Project Brays to develop and implement public art in coordination with the proposed bayou and trail improvements Graffiti Abatement Bus Shelter Art Project Mural: (Ventana de Oportunidad) STRATEGIC VISION {Image} 19 20 STRATEGIC VISION {CHAPTER} ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: ATTRACTBUILDPROMOTE Reviving the Economic Engines in the East End The East End has a strong economic foundation of business, industry, retail and employment. However, the East End is changing and one element of that change is a loss of a number of important employers and industries. Some businesses are being lured to other parts of the Houston region, often outside of the city limits, where infrastructure is newer, development is streamlined and economic incentives are provided. Securing the economic vitality of the East End can be accomplished by identifying and developing incentives for retaining existing businesses, new development and redevelopment, attracting new building programs and projects, and promoting area businesses. A targeted set of economic development strategies should be developed including incentives and planning for continued industrial, retail, mixed-use and transit-oriented development to serve businesses, residents and newcomers to the community. It is also imperative that East End neighborhoods and educational opportunities are strengthened, its streets and parks are expanded and well maintained, and its infrastructure is updated and made adequate to attract investment. STRATEGIC VISION 21 • Identify opportunity sites potentially ripe for redevelopment • Create a toolbox of economic incentives that can be applied to attract new business and industry to the East End and retain and provide for the expansion of existing businesses • Survey area residents and businesses to assess and evaluate the market opportunities and needs for economic development • Create and publish a report of opportunities, incentives and needs to further promote and encourage economic development • Develop a targeted campaign to attract new businesses that build on the existing economic engines in the East End, including food processing, coffee, transportation and international trade Progress Since 2001 New Construction: • Canal Street Apartments, New Hope Housing • CenterPoint Energy Service Center • Enterprise Bank • Family Dollar stores • Gallo Loco • Gulfgate Center • Juliet Homes • Kaldis Properties Retail Center • Las Palmas Plaza Retail Center • Lovett Townhomes • Perry Homes • Pollo Campero BUILD h Nort Corr • Sonic n n • Refrequeria Cancun and Tampico • Sellers Bros. ATTRACT n ECONOMIC PROGRESS n Economic Development LRT • Alexan Lofts • Promote and encourage the development of new retail centers in the East End idor Renovation and Expansion • Auto Zone il ECONOMIC COMPOSITE MAP ist ing ME TR • CVS Pharmacy OR a • Compean Funeral Home Ex • Bank of America • Diva’s Fashion and Shoes Possible Neighborhood Retail Centers Ru nn To Downtown v Na Transit-Oriented and/or • HISD District Offices ng wli Do Focus Areas Proposed METRO Transit Line Mc Kin ne Po • The Laredo National Bank • Marbella Banquet Hall St Mixed-Use Develeopment Mambos Grill St lvd Co ng re Pr s es ton s St Pr air St ie Te S xa sS t t • El Jardin Mexican Restaurant • Harrisburg Plaza, Banco Popular and els nB tio iga Le ela nd lk yS t St St Development Opportunities • Stallion Oilfield Services • Tlaquepaque Market Sou the • Stubbs Cycles Sco • Sierra Blanca Produce & Tortilla Factory or Transit-Oriented Mixed-Use ast Corr id • Schlumberger Industrial Park tt St • Midas Touch Jewelry • Tortas La Timbona • Turimex Internacional & other bus companies • Walgreens To University of Hous and Texas Southern University Possible Neighborhood Retail Centers 22 STRATEGIC VISION {Economic Development} Transit-Oriented and/or Mixed-Use Development Focus Areas Proposed METRO Transit L Transit-Oriented Mixed-Use Development O PROMOTE and web format • Promote local businesses through the expansion of the Houston East End Chamber’s “Buy East End” campaign • Showcase local business through a series of promotional events in coordination with the Greater East End Management District’s program that recently celebrated the coffee industry n n • Capitalize on opportunities for mixed-use and transit-oriented development in the East End, particularly along the proposed transit line, bayous and in proximity to the University of Houston • Work towards realizing the proposed “Eco-Industrial Park” • Organize semiannual information forums for East End businesses with city permitting and other regulatory agencies to assist them in achieving goals such as expansion, land acquisition or lobbying for necessary infrastructure improvements • Create a Local Directory of Business and Industry available to all area businesses and residents in both book Turimex Internacional (Bus company) ton Na vig St ati on McCarty St St Dr Blv d isbu rg T ran sit L Rd mb Ca nal Du ne pho t 75th ne S r Industrial Park Wh arf S Rd t ne nda le S t Dr Possible Transit Line Extension ide Law Way s od D kwo lvd esti Blvd nB t St pho Loc d Polk St Tele Lawndale St Manchester St Law nda WL aP aP orte orte le S t Fwy Fw y lve sto d nR Keller St Woodridge Dr Broadway St d Evergreen Dr sR igg 75th St Gr EL Ga Line Dr Blv ston Opportunities nt on atio Harr isbu rg Ern tion vig Na nS iga ine le St Tele Culle Cli Nav St Harr St burg Blv d 69th Ha rris Way side Dr Lo Sa mp Yo so rk St n St ckw oo dD r Ca na l Wayside Dr Clin Market Lathrop St Kress St Lockwood Dr Waco St Jensen Dr Clinton Dr Tlaquepaque Market Gelhorn Dr Market St STRATEGIC VISION {Economic Development} 23 24 STRATEGIC VISION {CHAPTER} PARKS AND GREEN SPACES: GREENANDLINKED One of the many assets of the East End is its wealth of natural resources. Buffalo and Brays Bayous wind through the community and small and large parks provide amenities for residents. However, to meet the City of Houston’s guidelines, the East End would need to develop as much as four times more park land for its acreage and population. A “green and linked” East End will be accomplished by enhancing the streets, medians, parks, trails and open spaces, creating additional parks and open spaces, and linking them to create ribbons of green throughout the East End. Linking our green spaces will connect our diverse neighborhoods, enhance our quality of life, serve as catalysts for future development, attract private interest and provide recreational activities for residents and visitors alike. STRATEGIC VISION 25 The State of Texas, Harris County, Precinct 2, Harris County Flood Control District/ Project Brays, City of Houston, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Houston Parks Board, The Park People, The Trust for Public Land plans spanning decades for additional green space, trails and other amenities. Proposed and completed projects include: Buffalo Bayou Partnership Master Plan Projects: • Guadalupe Park improvements • Environmental science center • Hidalgo Park expansion • New turning basin overlook park • Botanical gardens at Lockwood • Turkey Bend Ecology Park • Symphony Island performance center LINKED n and the Greater East End District all have • Identify medians, intersections and esplanades for landscaping and “greening” opportunities • Work in partnership with area industries to develop green buffer zones between industrial and other land uses • Develop community gardens on vacant land or other sites adjacent to schools, institutions and gathering places •Develop an East End farmer’s market for the sale of produce n 2000-2010 Progress GREEN n PARKS PROGRESS n Parks and Open Spaces • Design and develop “green streets” to link existing and proposed parks, trails and bayou amenities to neighborhoods, schools and gathering places • Develop a plan for the design and development of children’s spaces, pocket parks, and gathering places or plazas that connect the existing and proposed trails and parks to the East End’s businesses, neighborhoods and institutions • Work in coordination with all the agencies developing trails and other linear green spaces in the East End, including the State of Texas, Harris County Precinct 2, Harris County Flood Control District’s “Project Brays,” City of Houston, the • Hike and bike trails PARKS COMPOSITE MAP • Spurlock Park improvements Y GB BA AN A NI N Existing Parks PE GR Proposed Parks MC DR Land Acquired for New Parks EW PR AI ER RI E 59 AS E GO RD AY S 5 DALLAS MM XA SI Proposed Green Streets CO TE FO • Plaza Viva, Mason Park gazebo project TO N W AW • Eastwood skatepark facility ES EN CR • Tony Marron Park improvements ALLEN FA N East End Parks Projects: PR MEMORIAL City of Houston Bikeways Project UI Brays Bayou N LO • Historical and ecological signage along WASHINGTO IN • Mason Park expansion Proposed Hike and Bike Trails IN • Ecology Pavilion at Forest Hill MA • Freshwater tidal marsh at Mason Park CROCKETT Existing Hike and Bike Trails SAWYER • Hike and bike trails HOUSTON Project Brays / Vision Brays Projects: N GA HO MA • New Buffalo Bend Park AN ITM QU TAYLOR • North York boat launch facility Hike and Bike Trails: EL • Harrisburg and Sunset Trail GI DR EW SP UR 52 7 N ALM EDA 59 SO UT HM BI NZ OR E Propo 288 ALM STRATEGIC VISION {Parks and Green Space} EDA Existi 26 City o Prop Exist Houston Parks Board and the Buffalo Bayou Partnership to develop a plan for the expansion of these networks • Capitalize on plans for new parks and trails by developing plans for the incorporation of public art that reflects the East End’s vibrant history, culture and commerce Harrisburg Hike & Bike Trail Land Acquired New Parks BBP LATHROP Park WO LE RIS NAV IGA TIO BUR G H 75T INE ERN EST Cullinan(M.C.) Park Gus Wortham Park Broadmoor-kretschmar Park ON PH LE LAW NDA LE Proposed Parking and Trail Head Park Project Brays Spurlock Park EVERGREEN GS IG GR Japonica Park MANCHESTER BROADWAY Evergreen-griggs Triangle Spurlock Parkway Laporte Rd.-lawndale Triangle Woodruff Park STRATEGIC VISION {Parks and Green Space} 225 KELLER Ingrando Park G N LE AL GARLAND ting Parks Land Acquired New Parks The Trust for Public Land Mason Park E 45 Project Brays Fresh Water Tidal Marsh TE Diez Street Park CLINTON Pineview Triangle ing Hike and Bike Trails posed Green Streets N De Zavalla Park osed Hike and Bike Trails of Houston Bikeways Project TO N Hidalgo Park S_S GT HAR DU MB LEN D CUL LAN SCO TT Park Drive Park LEE AL Eastwood Park NEY IN MAIN CAN KIN CL Land Acquired New Parks BBP MAC LK CIA E WAY SID MS ADA PO GAR CK RK YO Proposed Expansion of Hidalgo Park Proposed Turkey Bend Ecology Park Buffalo Bayou Partnership LO Settegast Park FIDELITY Land Acquired New Parks BBP L MC 610 KRESS Marron Fox Park NA ARIO CA SS Pleasanton Manor Park Gutierrez (Siro) Park Tony OD Plaza RE 59 WACO HIRSCH IAN EL YS NG S Proposed Live Oak and Richardson Parks Buffalo Bayou Partnership HOLLAND Guadalupe EL Robinson, Sr Park MC CARTY CO Mcreynolds Mid Sch Park (Lease) Proposed Symphony Island Buffalo Bayou Partnership 10 MARKET MERCURY ELYSIAN VIADUCT Finnigan Park RU E Selena/denver Harbor Park Gregg Street Park Swiney Park NN RC GELLHORN JENSEN LYONS 10 610 Songwood Park LORRAINE 225 27 Raouf Farid Bridge 28 STRATEGIC VISION {CHAPTER} INFRASTRUCTURE: EVALUATEPRIORITIZEREBUILD Improving the Infrastructure in the East End Infrastructure is the circulatory system of a city. Sound infrastructure keeps a community growing and thriving. The East End’s streets, water lines and storm and sanitary sewers are among the oldest in the city. To ensure the continued growth and renewal of the East End, aging infrastructure must be evaluated and much of it rebuilt, and new telecommunications infrastructure constructed. To begin this task, East End stakeholders—businesses, residents and organizations—must partner with public agencies, elected officials and governmental entities to work through the process of evaluating existing needs, prioritizing potential projects, advocating for specific projects as capital improvement projects, identifying additional financing mechanisms and following selected projects through to completion. Updating and rebuilding the infrastructure in the East End will attract new development and guarantee opportunities for the retention and expansion of existing businesses and the redevelopment of opportunity sites. STRATEGIC VISION 29 • Identify and map all proposed or ongoing capital improvement projects in the East End, including street improvements, storm and sanitary sewer upgrades, utility upgrades, sidewalks, curb and gutter and other infrastructure improvements • Work in partnership with the City of Houston Department of Public Works to map current street conditions in the East End and identify streets in need of improvement or maintenance • Work with the City of Houston’s Public Works Department to map the current capacity of utility infrastructure in the East End Completed Street Improvements: • Canal Street (METRO) • Harrisburg Boulevard (METRO) • Manchester • Market Street • Sampson Street • South Wayside, Highway 90 (TXDOT) • METRO Solutions East End Corridor • Armour Drive/Harvey Wilson Project, Phase 1 Planned Street Enhancements East End Streetscapes • Franklin Street railroad underpass • Harrisburg Boulevard railroad underpass • Esplanade enhancement I-10 at Wayside • Wayside at 1-45 underpass • Enhanced sidewalk connecting Harrisburg hike & bike trail to Eastwood Park • Sidewalk enhancements at Harrisburg Plaza REBUILD n Under Construction: • Prioritize utility and street infrastructure improvements • Prioritize sidewalks, lighting, curb and gutter improvements n Planned Transit Improvements: PRIORITIZE n • Gulfgate Transit Center n • Telephone Road Completed Trash Improvements: EVALUATE n INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRESS n Infrastructure • Create transportation and infrastructure implementation groups, comprised of agencies and representatives with the power, staff and recources to plan, design, finance and implement infrastructure improvements in the East End. These groups will be responsible for prioritizing projects and developing implementation and financing strategies INFRASTRUCTURE COMPOSITE MAP Water Line Replacement Areas Storm Sewer Replacement Area Review For Imp (Stakeh Sidewalk Imrpovement Areas St. Do wli ng Street Improvements Ea ste xF ree wa y Proposed Sidewalks Propsed Street Improvemtns Mc Kin Po lk Library Improvements Site Remediation East End Streetscape Enhancement (Wayside at I-10) 30 STRATEGIC VISION {Infrastructure} Lee lan dS t. St. ne yS t. • Based on the evaluation of infrastructure needs and established priorities, the infrastructure implementation group must work in partnership with the city, county, state, stakeholders and other agencies to get projects included in capital improvement plans • The transportation implementation group will advocate for the development of an East End intermodal facility that would serve local bus routes, private bus companies and the future Harrisburg Rail Corridor to strenghten the areas connection to Downtown, airports and other destinations Moving Dirt I-10 Market St. Denver Harbor/ Selena Park Exte inton D McCarty Alt. 90 rive Im prov emen ts (Sta keho Neighborhood Sidewalk Program Guadalupe Plaza Robinson Sr. Park nd Cl lders) Pleasanton Manor Park Gutierrez Park Harvey Wilson al Side w Navig alk Impr ovem ation (Stake ents Al ong hold ers) St. Im pro ve m en ts Settegast Park (Sta k eh old ers isbu rg B oule vard Cli nt on Hidalgo Park Central Park Area Storm Sewers Cana l St. Dr ive t Mac rion Harr Navigation Blvd. Driv e so St. Sa mp Flores Branch Library Rehabilitation/Renovation Mil (Sta by S ke t. Im ho lde prov rs) em en ts nS t. ) Yo rk Armour Drive a Dr. Ca n Tony Marron Park Garci al S t. Site Remediation 800 N. Velasco Sidewalk Construction (Stakeholders) lvd . en ts nB Lo c (Sta kwo k e od D ho lde r. Im rs) pro ve m ati o woo d Na vig Ca n Lock w Intersection provements holders) Clinton West Area Water Line Replacement Hirsch Clinton Dr. Japhet St. Grove Kress Swiney Park Lathrop Schweikhardt Finnigan Park Lockwood Providence S Sg Eastwood Park Sidwalk Constructions Area (Stakeholders) mb le Stanaker Branch Library Rehabilitation/Renovation Scott St. Du DeZavala Park Magnolia Park Area Water Replacement Culle n Polk Harri sburg Harri Improvem sburg ents (Stake ho Pine view Driv e woo d n lders) Sid e 100-196 Glendale Sidewalk Reconstruction Sewer Line Replacement eh old ers ) Lawndale Hike and Bike Trail From Mason Park to MacGregor Park . Rd vergreen n (S tak 100-213 Woodvale Sidewalk Reconstruction Sewer Line Replacement Mason Park tio 75th str uc New Park City of Houston (Stakeholders) Co n rland wa lk ements Broadway Street Improv S. Way side ale nd Lawnd ale Gus Wortham Golf Course Gle Diez Street Park le dva Woo Dr. d Roa Lock Extend Jefferso ne Erne 45 pho wa y I- Sidewalk Construction Area (Stakeholders) Tele lf F ree stine Gu Pieser Park Manchester STRATEGIC VISION {Infrastructure} Sidewalks, Curbs and Gutters As Identified by Stakeholders 31 32 STRATEGIC VISION {CHAPTER} NEIGHBORHOODS: AFFORDABLEHOUSINGAND HEALTHYNEIGHBORHOODS Strengthening the East End’s Neighborhoods Neighborhoods, each unique in history, character, identity and culture, are the heart of the East End. While some neighborhoods are strong and healthy, others require assistance. Strengthening East End neighborhoods will be accomplished through the renovation of existing housing, the construction of new affordable housing and the development of plans and guidelines for new development that maintains and enhances existing neighborhood character. As Houston continues to grow, it is likely that neighborhoods in the East End will change in new ways. Neighborhoods will need assistance as they respond to this change. STRATEGIC VISION 33 • Identify opportunities and sites for the development of affordable and workforce housing • Develop a Historic Housing Renovation Program to stabilize and strengthen neighborhoods by improving existing housing • Work in coordination with community-based organizations, public agencies and private partners in implementing affordable housing strategies, for example the City of Houston’s Land Assemblage Redevelopment Authority (LARA) program in Magnolia Park Affordable Housing • New Hope Housing, Inc.- Canal Street Apartments, a 133-unit single room occupancy development • AAMA-Community Development Corporation plans for Las Villas De Magnolia, a 116-unit senior citizen center on Harrisburg • Land Assemblage Redevelopment Authority (LARA)-City of Houston program to utilize tax Established housing on Harrisburg HEALTHYNEIGHBORHOODS n neighborhoods n delinquent property for affordable housing. Magnolia Park has been designated as one of the pilot AFFORDABLEHOUSING • Plans should be completed or updated for each neighborhood and should serve as a guide for new development and as a catalyst for improvement, stabilization and empowerment • Develop a coordinated action plan to assist qualified neighborhood groups in receiving assistance on developing or revising deed restrictions • Establish guidelines for new development that determine prevailing building setbacks and prevailing lot sizes • Advocate to redefine city policies and regulations to protect neighborhood character, historic structures and lot coverage while encouraging development • Coordinate a one-stop resource for potential first time home buyers and others who need assistance through East End community service organizations Live Oak Lofts Housing on Clinton Drive 34 STRATEGIC VISION {Neighborhoods} n AFFORDABLE HOUSING n Neighborhoods New Hope Housing, Canal Street Apartments (Affordable housing community) Juliet Homes (New town house development) Habitat for Humanity House (Affordable housing) STRATEGIC VISION {Neighborhoods} 35 36 STRATEGIC VISION {CHAPTER} HISTORY: PRESERVEANDTREASURE A New Future for the History of the East End The East End is home to a substantial number of historic sites, structures and buildings. The unique history of the East End is a source of pride for residents and business owners and provides the area with a distinctive character and quality that is reinforced by a strong sense of history and place. Our historic resources should be promoted with guidebooks, tours, way-finding signage and markers, our important buildings and structures should be saved, and incentives for historic preservation should be identified. Treasuring and preserving the East End’s history requires active programs to encourage adaptive re-use, reward preservation and provide resources for historic preservation, including façade improvement programs. These programs will increase economic development in the East End, significantly enhance the potential of the district as a destination, preserve important Texas history sites and strengthen the distinctive character that makes the East End unique. STRATEGIC VISION 37 n POTENTIAL PROJECTS n History TREASURE • Create a historic preservation committee to coordinate and promote historic preservation in the East End as well as work towards the enhancement of historical sites and markers in the area • Create and publish a guide to historic sites, structures and buildings to be used as a tool to build awareness of the East End’s unique history and to encourage historic preservation and adaptive re-use of historic buildings • Develop designs for the improvement of historical markers and their surroundings to enhance the area’s sense of place and history • Advocate for the inclusion of relevant East End sites in the Texas Independence Trail brochure and guidebook Historic Building Adaptive Re-Use Plans • Historic Cage Elementary proposed re-use by Historic Houston • Warehouse space conversion for affordable artist housing by ArtSpace, Inc. • Sociedad Mutualista Benito Juarez Casino Hall (1928) possible adaptive re-use as farmer’s market or other community uses • Port of Houston building adjacent to Brady’s PRESERVE n n Island—possible use as a historical museum •Develop specific re-use plans for important historic buildings in the East End in coordination with both commercial and community uses, for example a Visitor’s Center or an Archive for the East End and the Port of Houston HISTORY COMPOSITE MAP nn 5 els St 6 36 igatio d v Na 18 2 37Cong34 19 re Pr s es ton s St 32 Pr 35 22 air St ie Te 33 S 20 xa sS t Historic Building or Site t wli ng St Historic Building Adaptive Re-Use Plans 1. Rufus Cage Elementary, Historic Houston 2. Sociedad Mutualista Benito Juarez Casino Hall 3. Port of Houston Building, Brady’s Island 4. Historic Warehouse Space Mc Kin Po lk Le ela yS t St tt St nd ne St Sco Cage Elementary 4 Ru lv nB Do 67 17 Historic Building Facade Improvement Program 1. Navigation Boulevard 2. Harrisburg Boulevard 3. Broadway 4. Telephone Road Villa de Matel 38 38 STRATEGIC VISION {History} 1 Historic Building or S (Keyed to List Below Historic Building Ada 1 Rufus Cage Elem 2 Sociedad Mutualis 3 Port of Houston B 4 Historic Warehous Historic Building Fac Navigation Boulevar HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND SITES 1921 La Sociedad Mutualista Benito Juarez Casino Hall 1922 Houston Scenic Studios • Develop a historic preservation resources and incentives brochure to educate potential investors on the resources available for historic preservation and designation, including tax exemptions, federal tax credits and other grants • Develop a small grant program for historic building façade improvements along important corridors, for example Harrisburg, Navigation, Broadway and Canal • Implement an annual East End Preservation Award for the restoration of important historic structures in the community 1852 St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Cemetery 1923 Our Lady of Guadalupe Church 1890 Martinez House and Garden 1925 Reed Power Bit Company 1904 Lottman Manufacturing Mattress Plan 1925 Peter Peterson Apartment House 1905 City Dumping Grounds 1926 David G. Bumet Elementary 1905 Turning Basin 1926 Houston Public Grain Elevator 1906 Tony Saragusa Building 1927 Navigation Underpass 1910 Storage Warehouse, City of 1929 Houston Lighting and Power Magnolia Park Houston Wharves 1929 Galveston Houston and Henderson 1914 McAshan Methodist Church Railroad Bridge 1919 Southern Pacific Railroad Bridge 1920 Trinity Portland Cement Company 1930 Wood Furniture Manufacturing 1920 Building Row 1935 Hidalgo Park Kiosk 1920 Plowden Supply Company 1938 Hill Street Bridge 1920 The Pruitt Company 8, Sons 1939 Parker Brothers 1920 Street Curb Marker 1939 U.S. Appraisers Building 1920 Longhorn Supply Company 1940 Temple el Redemtor 1920 Radiator Manufacturing 1940 Dixie Plating Company 1920 Republic Carload Distribution 1940 Texaco Station 1947 Velasco Street Incinerator Company 1948 Gribble Stamp and Stencil Company 1920 Dahl Apartments ton 7 8 4 21 Navigati 9 10 on Ca 11 13 B 2 nal St 16lvd15 23 14 12 24 25 26 29 27 30 28 31 Lo c 39 45 43 44 4 46 igati Blv 69th le mb r d 75th t n atio Wh arf S t 1 2UFUS#AGE%LEMENTARY nda le S 63 t 67 r 61 65 62 3 0ORTOF(OUSTON(ISTORIC "UILDING 64 Manchester St 63 Lawndale St Law nda t Our Lady of Guadalupe Church aP orte Fwy aP orte Fw y WL sto lve Ga n Keller St Broadway St Rd Woodridge Dr le S EL Evergreen Dr d sR igg Gr 75th St Law eD d R ne 66 Wa ysid woo dD 2 -UTUALISTA"ENITO*UAREZ#ASINO(ALL Polk St pho Tele Loc k 1938-1940 Ripley House vig lvd 1920-1930 Wholesale Wire Rope Dr 57 59 rg B on Na t d St 48 nt 54 Blv 58 nal 47 Cli St Rd Du ne pho Ern esti ne S on St Tele nS Nav isbu cade Improvement Program rd 1910-1920 Wholesale Sheet Metal 50 51 52 53 Ca Harr 1900-1930 Brick Street 56 49 r 40 41 1890-1910 Residence 60 Wa ysid eD 38 d aptive Re-Use Plans mentary, Historic Houston sta Benito Juarez Casino Hall Building, Brady’s Island se Space McCarty St kw oo dD r 1880-1910 Residence (ISTORIC7AREHOUSE!REA %XAMPLE Culle Wayside Dr Lathrop St 1870-1900 Residence 55 Blv Site w) 1870-1890 Residence Dr St burg 1972 Mural “Rebirth of Our Nationality” 1880-1910 Residence 42 rris 1951 Park Memorial Baptist Church 1870-1900 Residence Sa mp Yo so rk St n St Ha Kress St Clin 1 3 St 1952 Houston Saw and Knife Works Lockwood Dr 2 Gelhorn Dr Waco St Jensen Dr Market Clinton Dr 1948 Don Gorson Corporate Theater 1920 Long Reach Docks Wharf Side Market St STRATEGIC VISION {History} 39 IMPLEMENTATION: Achieving The Goals of The East End Strategic Vision Project The East End community has worked collectively to create a vision for its future. Each objective and action item of the East End Strategic Vision Project works in concert with the others to move us towards our goals. Rebuilding infrastructure will lead to new business and housing opportunities. Improving and adding to area green spaces will strengthen neighborhoods and create an inviting environment for business. Working to keep public spaces clean and our neighborhoods safe will enhance the image of the East End. Strong schools and the strengthening of educational opportunities in the community are vital links in the chain of goals that comprise the Strategic Vision. Achieving our goals will require long-term commitment, broad participation and funding. Implementing the Strategic Vision will require partnerships and an investment from each of us. Guiding Our Community Towards Its Shared Vision The Greater East End Management District and the Houston East End Chamber of Commerce, co-sponsors of this project, will establish an East End Strategic Vision Guiding Coalition comprised of representatives from the entities and organizations that will implement major portions of the seven goals. Because this is a 10-year endeavor, active participation in the coalition will be fluid, reflecting the relevant focus of current projects and objectives. The purpose of this coalition is to recruit partners and motivate, monitor and communicate the East End’s Vision in order to ensure its success. The coalition is the umbrella organization that will guide and track the overall progress of the Strategic Vision Project. The coalition will also identify and gather partners for working groups that will plan, fund and realize the specific action items. These working groups will be comprised of representatives, decision-makers, businesses, organizations and agencies with the funds and staff to accomplish the goals of the plan. 40 STRATEGIC VISION IC VISION GUIDIN G E T GC TRA GeIC IO N S I G OA V U S o i t n a s z , i b I n u a sinessesDIN org E D , elec G of t h l T LIT l a r A t ed o C fo EN deR fficO all working groups, trac uiT I n S EA Th eC pr oa oje lit cts io .T n w he Co o GREEN opmeAnNt D Devel LINKED Parks a TT e BUILD TE g O a M Inf r roj nt ec iti me ts, es c en un om ga d m ge un d. i as nd O tr E pen VAL uctu P R S UA re IO p TE RI ac RE TZ e BU E s IL D BRI GH T CEL EBR AT ED VIB RA NT INFORMATION SUCCESS History PRESERVE orhoods Neighb AND TREASURE Histo ry ES S PS I PR OR I IT ZE HI RS FUNDING ng i a ng area and ction item to dev lanni elop by p s p e riorities, define timelines an hed cifi lish p d se blis cs stab c t sta u r r s, e a e fu te g ee ner nd ie ll b art i p n wi g a s. T ify he nd ps nt e w ou re id or so gr k u r ce s. s up ill w WO RKING GROUPS g in W or k gr o PA RT NE AM D A E L EN ER IT I Ima s ood NE OPPORTUNITY h bor igh Y TH re ctu tru L EA Education Ne G SIN OU EH BL DA ND OR DS A FF HOO BOR IGH A s ra f In O PR ge A e co H Edu cat ion Eco no Im m De CT Econ c i RA ob d Open Spa ces Parks an ific , ec on sp isi ng ev ki th ta g er tin ca i s nd ns sa ea po e s s v r re ce s se is uc s n ill g o in en t iti at m al r b lop le mic ce ve n k i ng ialsA T ON g sm d gS t he p nD s hi n S anLI i a l b t r o a i d a n g i r z o a t t r T i e o g n h s N u t s and res othI e n t it so EA a coTndE ble for e empowering o eO ies t r eN fp STRATEGIC VISION {CHAPTER} 41 SPONSORS AND PARTICIPANTS Sponsoring Organizations Greater East End Management District 3211 Harrisburg Houston, TX 77003 Houston East End Chamber of Commerce 550 Gulfgate Center Mall Houston, TX 77087-3022 Sponsoring Staff Contributors Greater East End Management District Mary Margaret Hansen, President Cynthia Kimmey Annette Ramos Eva Quiroz Martin Chavez Community Design Resource Center, University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture Geoffrey Brune Susan Rogers Jessie Palacios Doris Villareal Veronica Hernandez Volunteer Committees and Participants Executive Committee Chairperson Andrew Perez, State Farm Insurance Vice Chairperson Taryn McFarlane, Wulfe & Co. Virgil Cox, Cox Hardware Jon Strange, JNS Inc. Consulting Engineers Steering Committee Joe Adams, Union Pacific Jason Allison, Alexan Lofts Larry Badon, METRO Katherine Bailey, Gem’s Realty Robert Bailey, Gem’s Realty Glenda Barrett, The Park People, Inc. Doug Bates, Henry S. Miller Commercial Co. Max Beauregard. Office of Jessica Farrar Jeff Bostick, KBR Vicki Brentin, Houston Rotary Club Joy Horak Brown, New Hope Housing, Inc. Janice Caddie, KC Contractors Mary Ann Carrion, Office of Senator Mario Gallegos Chris Conrad, Dinosaur Plastics Adrian de la Cerda, The Orange Show Rey de la Reza, Rey de la Reza Architects, Inc. Father Bill Davis, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Clifford Dieterle, Baker Hughes Inc. Yvette Diaz, Steering Committee Bill England, The Garland Company Raouf Farid, Harris County Flood Control District Marianne Flournoy, Mortgage Associates Joe Fraga, Mahonney & Associates Lindy Gallamore, Alexan Lofts Robert Gallegos, Office of Commissioner Sylvia Garcia 42 STRATEGIC VISION Caprice Garcia, Office of Congressman Gene Green Carlos Garcia, Carlos Garcia Realty Norma Garcia, Zachry Construction Sylvia Garcia, Harris County Precinct 2 Fena Garza, Houston Community College Southeast Gordon Goss, Super Neighborhood Coalition Dan Grosz, Llewelyn-Davies Sahni, Inc. Marlene Gafrick, City of Houston Planning Department Ruben Guerrero, City of Houston Housing and Community Development Guy Hagstette, Downtown Management District Virginia Hancock/Houston Country Club Place Resident Gordon Harris, Oak Farms Dairy Cloredia Hawkins, Harrisburg Civic Association Richard H. Hill Jr., Open Door Mission Laura Hipps, New Hope Housing, Inc. Cliff Hunnicutt, Second Ward Residents Association Elizabeth Jacob, Lovett John Jacob, Texas Cooperative Extension Dr. Daniel Jenkins, Harrisburg Eye Clinic and Optical Shop John Kopriva, Kopriva Body Works, Inc. Barbara Koslov, S. R. Beard & Associates Kate Kuffner, Office of Council Member Gordon Quan Robert Litke, City of Houston Planning Department Celeste Lofton, Collaborative for Children Katherine Lord, Trees for Houston Curtis Lovett, Open Door Mission Jeff Madden, Rex Supply Debra McGaughey, HCC Southeast Sylvia Medina, METRO Paul Meza, Second Ward Residents Association Gilbert Moreno, AAMA, Inc. Gloria Moreno, Office of Commissioner Sylvia Garcia Peter Morris, Bulls Eye Storage Karen Neimeier, Eastwood Civic Association Fred Newhouse, Valero Energy Diane Olmos Guzman, Houston Community College Southeast Trustee Zeeba Paksima, Paksima Group, Inc. Burt Palmer, First United Methodist Houston, B. Kelley Parker III, Cushman & Wakefield of Texas, Inc. Steve Parker, Eastwood Civic Association Eliza Paul, Texas Department of Transportation Margorie Peña, Neighborhood Centers George Peres, HISD Danny Perez, Precinct 6 Beth Polkinghorn, Neighbors in Action James Rodriguez, Office of Council Member Carol Alvarado Sylvia Rodriguez, Office of State Representative Rick Noriega Linda Russey, Alexan Lofts Randi Sahni, Llewelyn-Davies Sahni, Inc. Donna Scott, Houston Speech & Hearing Clinic Linda Shead, Trust for Public Land Megan Sigler, Perry Homes Trudi Smith, Buffalo Bayou Partnership Kenneth Stallman, Comerica Bank Texas James Thompson, Team Associates, Inc. Rick Trejo, Community Service Officer – HPD Elena Vergara, Community Family Center Karry Williams, Centerpoint Roy Zermeno, Southwestern Bell Telephone Participants Al Amaya, Resident Debbie Anders, DJ Anders Consulting Lilibeth Andre, City of Houston Bikeways Bill Arnold, Laura Salinas Campaign Evelyn Benfield, Resident Evelyn Bernard, Eastwood Civic Association Chris Berno, Idylwood Resident Judy Berno, Idylwood Resident Yolanda Black-Navarro, Villa Arcos Jason Blair, Real Estate Freddie Blanco, East Lawndale Civic Association Maria Bolaños-Rocha, Mayor’s Citizens’ Assistance Office Richard Bost, Urban Harvest Chris Brown, Office of Council Member Ron Green Johnella Bradford, HCC Southeast Mary C. Bradley, Private Practice Therapist Vicki Brenton, Rotary Lupe Brown, Magnolia Multi-Service Center Patrick Brown, Resident Heather Bruen, Orange Show Sister Mary Bulmer, Sister of Charity Villa de Matel Patricia Cabrera, HISD Esther Campos, HISD Trustee- Retired Luis Canales, Resident Mary Ann Carrion, Office of Senator Gallegos Sgt. Casey, HPD Jessica Castillo-Hulsey, Oaklawn Civic Association Vicente Men Chaer, Resident Mai Chan, Stop N Go #4 Tammy Cirigliano, Idylwood Resident Peter Clementi, AAMA CDC Bea Cohen, Classy Art Whslers, Inc. Isaac Cohen, Classy Art Whslers, Inc. Joseph Cooper, Talento Bilingue de Houston Kristin Cox, Office of Council Member Sekula-Gibbs Patrick Crespo, Crespo Funeral Homes Carlos de Aldecoa, Cadeco Industries Yvette de la Fuente Diaz, Idylwood Resident Carlota Del Campo, Magnolia Pineview Civic Club Julio del Carpio, Interplan Group Virginia Delgado, Resident Michael Derr, Afton Pumps, Inc. Yvette Diaz, Piel de la Fuente Isabel Dominguez, Resident Frank Dominguez, Resident Juanita Eizondo, Fiesta Mart, Inc. DV “Sonny” Flores, PEC Corporation Dr. Craig Follins, Houston Community College