Share Your Opinion on West Alabama

Last Thursday evening over 200 residents/voters attended a meeting facilitated by Council Member Cohen and the City's Public Works and Engineering Department regarding the upcoming reconstruction of West Alabama. As you know, there are major questions regarding the function of that street such as the reversible lane.

What we learned:

West Alabama is being split into four segments in order to complete this work. The segment that is adjacent to Winlow Place is the 3rd segment, outlined below:

1. Weslayan Street to Buffalo Speedway: Work to be completed by the City of Houston, construction estimated FY2016
2. Buffalo Speedway to Shepherd Drive: Work to be completed by the Upper Kirby TIRZ, design not started
3. Shepherd Drive to SPUR 527: Work to be completed by the City of Houston, construction estimated FY2018
4. SPUR 527 to Chenevert Street: Midtown TIRZ, design not started

Senior Assistant Director Carol Haddock gave a presentation outlining the current state audit vs. future state considerations and also confirmed that the street will no longer have the reversible lane. Other major points are that the street may be composed of two travel lanes (one in either direction, East to West), with a turn lane in the center – and that the final, comprehensive design will accommodate cyclists (via options presented below) as well as pedestrians. The link to Carol's full presentation can be found here, but please continue reading as the design needs your input, particularly with regards to bicycle lanes/pedestrian amenities. 

The City is currently looking for our input by August 30, 2015:

Two options were presented regarding bike path and intersection configuration options, and the Department is requesting public input by August 30th on those and all other aspects of the reconstruction. Some attendees had suggestions that may be, say, a hybrid of Options 1 and 2. Be sure to clarify any preferences/suggestions in your comments as you submit them.

How to send comments to the City:

Please contact pweplanning@houstontx.gov or 832.395.2500 with your suggestions.

– by Caroline Garry

Welcoming Our New Neighbors

First impressions are key. This is something we talk about when we consider a new place of employment, joining in new social/political causes, friend circles – and in making somewhere new "home." I am honored to say that, thanks to the efforts of our John Ray leading our Welcome Committee (and formerly Steve Dennis, who we miss very much!), Winlow Place is making every effort possible to ensure that our new residents feel comfortable and "at home" right away.

Thanks to John Ray's efforts, we have a lovely welcome kit complete with a bottle of wine, some snacks and a postcard, designed by Caroline Garry, that gives the type of first impression we hope to leave with our newcomers.

As you know, our neighborhood is very involved in City-related matters, and also has a very strong sense of community and what it means to be "neighbors." Hopefully, this welcome kit will provide an easy point of access for our new residents to connect with those of us who have been here for quite some time – even decades.

So, as a call to action, please always send an email to president@winlowplace.org if you see a moving van, new tenants, a home up for sale – let the Civic Club know so that we can introduce ourselves and get to know them. And please be sure to direct them to WinlowPlace.org so that they can get more info and sign up to receive our e-newsletter updates to keep up to speed on the many things our neighborhood has to offer.

– by Caroline Garry

The Annual City of Houston Capital Improvement Plan Meeting is Wednesday, March 4th

Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) meetings are held every year to keep citizens updated on upcoming projects in relation to ReBuild Houston, which is the City's pay-as-you-go system to rebuild drainage/street infrastructure. At the meeting for District C, you will be able to hear from and give input to City officials, including the District C Council Member Ellen Cohen. The listing of current and future citywide CIP Projects is here: http://www.houstontx.gov/cip. An interactive website with details on street, drainage, water and sewer CIP projects can be found at http://pwecip.houstontx.gov. The meeting will also include presentations on the City's first in-progress General Plan and an updated Arts and Cultural Plan.

Details for the District C Meeting:
Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Location: The Metropolitan Multi-Service Center (Gymnasium)
Address/Link to Map: 1475 West Gray Street

For additional information, contact Rhonda Sauter with the Mayor's Citizens' Assistance Office, a division of the Department of Neighborhoods (DON), at rhonda.sauter@houstontx.gov or 832-393-0955. To learn more about DON, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/neighborhoods/.

– by Caroline Garry

Holiday Cheer

Calling all Winlow Place residents to show us your best holiday decor! Our Yard of the Month committee will be judging for the December award on Monday, December 15th. Be sure to have your lights on in full effect for our judges as they make their rounds. The winner will be announced at the General Meeting on Tuesday the 16th, as well as in our next newsletter. Thanks, as always, for making our neighborhood such a fun place!

– by Caroline Garry

Candlelight Vigil & Rally for Homeless Youth

Covenant House Texas, a long-time institutional member of the Neartown Association, is holding its 24th annual Candlelight Vigil and Rally on Thursday, November 20, 7:00 - 8:00pm. The event will feature testimonies of hope from Covenant House youth and music by Wayne Watson, with emcee Khambrel Marshall of KPRC. Covenant House is also accepting donations of gently used gloves, jackets, coats, hats, thermals, and rain gear. Donations can be dropped off before the event beginning at 6:30pm. Covenant House Texas is located at 1111 Lovett Blvd. near the corner of Westheimer and Montrose (Parking is available in the West Lot of Kroger's). For more info on Covenant House and this event, visit http://www.covenanthousetx.org.

– by Kay Warhol