The Brays Oaks District Announces New Chair of Board of Directors
After serving 12 years on the Brays Oaks Management District Board of Directors, and three years as chairman, Fred Meyers resigned his position at the July 19, 2016 District board meeting. “I want to personally thank Fred Meyers for his years of service and leadership on the Brays Oaks District Board and serving the greater Brays Oak community,” states Council Member Green. “Thanks to Fred’s leadership, crime is lower and the area within the Brays Oaks District looks much better.”
The Brays Oak District not only encompasses the Brays Oaks area, but also includes the Westbury community and the Willow Waterhole Greenspace Reserve. The Brays Oaks District appointed Ralph Reiger to Chair the Board of Directors. Mr. Reiger is currently the President of the Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy. He also owns a small business, Reiger CPA, on Chimney Rock Rd. within the Westbury community. In addition, Mr. Reiger is also a board member of the non-profit Westbury Area Improvement Corporation and a member of Rotary. “Congratulations Ralph on this new appointment,” states Council Member Green.
Shifa Women’s Center Ribbon Cutting Celebration
The Houston Shifa Services Foundation and the Shifa Healthcare and Community Services, USA has recently celebrated the ceremonial opening of the Shifa House.
Nearly 4 years ago, the Houston Shifa Services Foundation approached CM Green about constructing a facility within the District K area to provide social services for abused women and children. This facility will further ensure the health, emotional needs and well-being of these victims within a safe and secure homelike setting. According to the Foundation, this new facility will serve between 16 to 18 individuals (mothers and children) at any given time; thus, providing a stable and secure environment to these families at risk. This facility is projected to serve a number of individuals who are victims of domestic abuse and family violence.
In 2014, Council Member Green participated in the groundbreaking of this facility. “Now in 2016, I want to acknowledge the City’s Housing and Community Development Dept. for investing $1,050,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds toward the construction of this 7,200 square foot facility. I would like to commend the Housing and Community Development Dept. for working with the Houston Shifa Foundation team to bring this women’s center facility to District K,” states Council Member Green.
The location of the Shifa House is in one of the most soci-economically diverse areas of District K. This facility is an asset to our immediate community. “With a City facility nearby, including the proximity of schools, the families being served at this facility should have an easier transition with daily activities,” states Council Member
SAVE THE DATE – South Gessner HPD Substation Parking Lot Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting Event — August 26th
The District K office is proud to announce a ceremonial ribbon cutting event planned for the South Gessner HPD Substation on Friday, August 26 at 10:00 a.m. This occasion will mark the expansion of a needed parking lot at this police substation.
When the City purchased the land to build the substation over 10 years ago, they didn’t incorporate additional parking. Over the course of 2 years, Council Member Green was able to not only advocate for the needed parking lot but also coordinated with the Administration to find the funding to make this a reality. “I worked very hard on this HPD parking lot facility. I want to thank the Houston Police Dept. and the General Services Dept. for working with me to move this project diligently through the budgetary process,” states Council Member Green. “I encourage all Brays Oaks area community stakeholders to come out and celebrate this momentous occasion.”
Brays Bayou Federal Flood Control Project Channel “Project Brays” is Moving Along
The Brays Bayou Federal Flood Control Project channel modifications on Brays Bayou from Bertner Ave. to 2,200 feet upstream of Buffalo Speedway is finally moving forward. In an effort to keep you up-to-date on the Harris County Flood Control District’s (HCFCD) continuation of improvements in the Brays Bayou watershed, the HCFCD will continue with the next phase of channel modifications on Brays Bayou within the vicinity of the Braeswood area.
Project Brays is a multi-year cooperative effort between the HCFCD and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This $480 million is a project that will substantially reduce flooding risks in the Brays Bayou watershed. During this construction phase of widening the bayou from Bertner Ave to 2,200
feet upstream of Buffalo Speedway, the HCFCD will excavate approximately 300,000 cubic yards of soil, and will construct retaining walls from downstream of Braeswood Blvd. to upstream of Kirby Dr. These operations require the use of large trucks to carry the excavated soil from the construction site for off-site disposal, and to pour the concrete for the retaining walls. All motorists and pedestrians are encouraged to be alert to large truck traffic when passing near the construction access points. The HCFCD appreciates the public’s patience and apologize for any inconvenience caused.
To make way for the channel modification project, the HCFCD will have to clear some trees and vegetation. When construction is complete, the District is committed to replanting trees and shrubs along the bayou during the next planting season. To date, the HCFCD has planted approximately 38,700 trees along completed sections of Brays Bayou, and at four regional stormwater detention basins.
Overall, the contractor for this segment of the Project Brays project is SER Construction Partners LLC. The reported contract amount is $14.2 million (approximately) with a construction start date of June 2016 and an anticipated completion date of August 2017.
In summation, Project Brays includes the widening of 21 miles of Brays Bayou from the Houston Ship Channel to Fondren Road and from West Houston Center Blvd. to State Highway 6; the replacement or modification of 32 bridges to accommodate channel modifications; and excavation of four stormwater
detention basins that will hold a collective 3.5 billion gallons of stormwater. To date, more than $300 million has been spent on multiple components of Project Brays. More information is available at www.projectbrays.org.
Linkwood Neighborhood Celebrates National Night Out Two (2) Months Early
Across the nation, National Night Out is celebrated on the first Tuesday in August; except for the state of Texas. The Texas date is the first Tuesday in October, due to the heat. However, this didn’t stop the Linkwood Civic Club from organizing their own National Night Out event early this month. Like the mission of National Night Out, the event encourages community involvement toward building a safer and better neighborhood.
As part of their August 2 event, the Linkwood Civic Club coordinated a large block party within their neighborhood. This provided neighbors within Linkwood to block-stop where snacks and drinks were provided by the sponsoring homeowner.
According to Barbara Shurberg, President of the Linkwood Civic Club, “this was a great time to visit with old friends and meet new ones.”
Main St. Rehabilitation – North Braeswood Blvd. to Montrose Blvd.
A $1.8 million project to repave Main St. from North Braeswood Blvd. to Montrose Blvd. began in June with an expected mid to late August completion. The project consists of removing existing asphalt pavement and overlaying with new asphalt. Existing curbs and curb ramps will also be repaired or improved as part of the project. Phase One, Main St. from Mecom Fountain to North Braeswood, is currently under construction, Phase Two, from Mecom Fountain to Bissonnet St., will begin once Phase One is completed.
Major construction occurs nightly between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. At least one lane each direction will remain open during construction hours. Daytime motorists can expect intermittent, single lane closures, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to facilitate repairs to the curbs and curb ramps.
Prior to placing new asphalt, motorists will experience a rough ride from uneven street surfaces as the old pavement is milled and removed and base failures repaired. Motorists are advised to drive with care in this area during this time, and heed all traffic control protocols.
This project is funded through ReBuild Houston – the voter-approved pay-as-you-go plan to rebuild and maintain the City’s aging drainage and street infrastructure, without incurring new debt. This project is an active example of how ReBuild Houston is providing better streets, better drainage and a better future.
For questions email [email protected] or call 832.395.2090. To learn more about ReBuild Houston, visit www.rebuildhouston.org.
