Upper Kirby District Street Talk
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In This Issue
Upper Kirby Construction Update
METRO Long Range Planning
Security Patrol Services
Community Resources
Springtime on Kirby Drive
Spring 2011

Graffiti Problem?
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graffiti

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inlet clean up

 
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May in the Upper Kirby District
Upper Kirby Construction
The Month Ahead
utility removal Upper Kirby roadway reconstruction continues this month along Kirby Drive between Richmond and US 59, Buffalo Speedway between US 59 and Bissonnet. Wakeforest roadway construction is now complete allowing for unhindered vehicular movement between Richmond and US 59.

Buffalo Speedway Construction Traffic along this stretch of roadway will remain unchanged this month. One lane in either direction is being maintained along the west side of the roadway with a continuous left turn maintained in the center.

Southbound traffic should expect to be transitioned from two lanes to one lane just south of US 59 and northbound traffic should expect a similar shift to the west just north of Bissonnet.

The Month Ahead   
Crews are currently putting the final touches on the underground utility duct bank installation and are preparing to demobilize to allow existing overhead utility providers space to begin transferring services to the newly constructed underground facilities.

The goal for completion of the entire reconstruction of Buffalo Speedway is November 2011. Between now and November, overhead utilities will be moved underground, the four-lane roadway will be repaved as a six-lane roadway to address the serious congestion issues along this stretch, the storm sewer system will be upgraded and a complete streetscape will be implemented to include pedestrian lighting, enhanced sidewalks and crosswalks, pedestrian amenities and improved landscaping and irrigation.

Kirby Drive Construction 
Construction on Kirby Drive has slowed as crews wait for CenterPoint Energy to complete their work transferring services underground and removing the overhead utility poles. Until the overhead utility poles are removed, repaving activity can not begin. It appears that the recent tornado activity elsewhere in the southeast United States has put a strain on CenterPoint crew availability in the Houston area. At this point, pole removal should occur next week, however, CenterPoint has only provided that time-frame as an estimate at this point.

Kirby Drive contractors, Texas Sterling Construction, are working with Upper Kirby staff and engineers to recapture the time lost due to utility work delays in an effort to maintain the original project schedule.   

The Month Ahead 
Existing construction barriers will remain on the west side of the roadway over the next several months as paving work commences.

Motorists should expect four lanes to remain unobstructed as utility crews proceed with the removal of overhead poles and as paving work continues later this month. Southbound motorists should expect the curbside lane approaching Richmond to remain right-turn-only throughout this phase.

This section of Kirby Drive is scheduled to be substantially complete in November 2011.

For more information on Upper Kirby construction projects and for issues and concerns as construction progresses, contact Travis Younkin at 713-524-8000 or email [email protected].
METRO to Revise Long-Range Plan
Public Workshops to run Through June
METRO LogoMETRO is hosting a series of public workshops geared toward enlisting input, collaboration and support from their constituency as they work to revise their long range plan for transit in our region. METRO will be exploring options for modification or addition to existing services and looking for ways to improve.

Between May 10 and June 30, METRO intends to hold 25 public workshops spread out across their service area. The Upper Kirby area meeting will be held at the Upper Kirby District Center (3015 Richmond, 77098) on Thursday, May 12 from 6 - 8 PM.

For further information on these meetings, contact METRO's Director of Community Outreach, Karen Marshall, at [email protected].


New to the Upper Kirby Area?
Did you Know Security Patrol Services are Available?
Patrol Map

In 1989, the businesses and residents of the Upper Kirby District were concerned about the increased criminal activity in the area.  As a result, a supplemental security patrol was formed to serve Upper Kirby area businesses and participating residents.   

 

Since August 1991, Upper Kirby District businesses and residential neighborhoods have been patrolled by employees of Harris County Precinct One Constable's Patrol Division under the supervision of Constable Jack Abercia.  The patrol is coordinated with Precinct One by Upper Kirby Management District.

 

 The businesses and residents who help to underwrite the patrol have access by telephone to Precinct One's central dispatch.  They are reporting suspicious persons and incidents to the deputies and as a result, potential criminal incidents are being thwarted.  As more residents participate in the patrol, the downward trend in crime in our neighborhood will continue.

 

The following services are provided by the Precinct One program:

 

  • 24 hour central dispatch.
  • Uniformed, armed deputies who are certified police officers, licensed by the state to enforce the laws of Texas.
  • Distinctly marked, emergency law enforcement vehicles.
  • Central dispatch telephone number provided upon receipt of registration.
  • Generally close to a five minute response time.
  • Residential vacation watches.
  • Business special watches.
  • Response to burglar alarm when notified by alarm company.
  • Traffic control - as certified police officers, the deputies can respond to and issue citations to reckless, speeding or thoughtless drivers.
  • Residential security checks: - A time can be scheduled for a deputy constable to visit your residence to discuss how you can better prevent criminal activity on your premises.

If you are interested in signing up for Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Patrol services, residential contracts and additional information can be downloaded here, or, please call 713-524-8000. 

If you have a new business, development or community event that you would like included in the monthly Upper Kirby news, please contact us at 713.524.8000 or submit to [email protected]
 
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Upper Kirby is a constantly evolving urban area marked by an outstanding location, great shopping, unique residential neighborhoods, smart development and a small town feel. It is an area of successful businesses, involved communities and a synergy between the public and private sectors. It is the heartbeat of Houston and everywhere you want to be.