Springtime on Kirby Drive
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Graffiti Problem?
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| July in the Upper Kirby District |
Upper Kirby Construction
US 59 at Kirby Drive
Weekend Closure Scheduled this Month
|  Upper Kirby roadway reconstruction continues this month on Kirby Drive between US 59 and Richmond and on Buffalo Speedway between US 59 and Bissonnet. There are a few notable construction activities this month that will impact those navigating the construction sites:
Kirby Drive Construction is now moving forward in full force after a substantial delay in utility work set the project back several months.
The first phase of this project involved the construction of two parallel underground duct banks that now house the utility lines previously seen overhead. Upper Kirby project contractor, Texas Sterling Construction completed this work on time and turned the project over to the utility companies to make their conversions from overhead to underground service and remove the utility poles from the roadway. This process took approximately two months longer than anticipated causing much frustration to motorists and businesses at the apparent inactivity on the street.
We are happy to announce that as of the first part of June, the overhead utility phase of this project is complete and Texas Sterling roadway crews are re-mobilized and moving at an aggressive pace. Barring any severe weather events, Texas Sterling currently anticipates fully making up the lost time and completing the project based on the original goal of substantial completion in November, 2011.
The Month Ahead
Still working on the west side of Kirby, crews have spent June removing the old pavement and preparing the western third of the roadway for concrete. Workers will continue pouring concrete throughout July.
During this phase of work, the US 59 underpass pavement on the west side of the roadway must be removed and replaced in short order. In an effort to minimize the traffic impact on this highly traversed intersection, TxDOT requires a fast-track approach to this work.
Beginning at approximately 10 PM Friday, July 15 crews will close the underpass to through traffic heading southbound. Over the weekend, they will remove and replace the southbound lanes with a fast-dry concrete mix and have the roadway ready to reopen at approximately 5 AM Monday morning, July 18.
While this work is being completed, motorists heading southbound on Kirby Drive will be detoured west along the US 59 frontage road to Buffalo Speedway where they will have to U-turn to resume heading southbound on Kirby Drive. Similarly, motorists heading west on the US 59 frontage road will be prevented from making a left turn under the freeway to head south. They too will need to continue to Buffalo Speedway and U-turn to resume southbound movement on Kirby.
Buffalo Speedway Construction can be compared Kirby Drive construction in the scope of improvements and the phasing of implementation. Buffalo Speedway is, however, one step behind in the process.
The Month Ahead
Crews completed primary underground duct bank construction at the end of April as per the original schedule, however, were put on hold for several weeks while waiting on necessary CenterPoint gas relocations and overhead terminal pole installations and are currently a month behind schedule.
Much like Kirby Drive, the first phase of this work involved the construction of underground ducts that will house the existing overhead utility lines. At this point, it looks as though CenterPoint will have completed their portion of the project as early as mid to late July allowing roadway construction to begin as early as late July/early August.
The completion date of the utility companies' work will dictate the roadway reconstruction schedule, so watch for further schedule and sequencing updates throughout July.
The goal for completion of the entire reconstruction of Buffalo Speedway was originally November 2011. Due to the delays experienced thus far and the uncertainty of the duration of the utility phase of the project, it is unlikely that that goal will be realized. Upper Kirby and project contractors and engineers will be examining options to recapture lost time over the coming weeks.
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 travis@upperkirby.org.
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Green Office Education
For Property Managers AND TENANTS!
You don't want to miss this!
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Greenway Plaza, Upper Kirby and Uptown Houston, will host the fourth Houston Green Office Challenge training workshop in August.
This meeting is titled 'Engagement, Office Supplies and E-cycling', and will be especially educational for the office building tenant. Whether you are a seasoned recycler or a green newbie this workshop is for you. The primary focus of the workshop will address how to make the most of your 'Green Team', create green policies in your workplace and use and recycle office supplies sustainably.
Presenters for this installment will be Xerox, Hollinclen, and Technocycle.
So mark your calendar for this informal luncheon and get informed on ways to cure your recycling blues.
When: Tuesday, August 2, 2011
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Where: Greenway Plaza
Phase II Conference Center
(Ground level between 8 & 12 Greenway Plaza)
Parking is free
Please RSVP to Linda Gilliam at 713-524-8000 or email linda@upperkirby.org.
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New to the Upper Kirby Area?
Did you Know Security Patrol Services are Available?
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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.
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| 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 streettalk@upperkirby.org
Requests will be posted subject to space availability and appropriateness of content. |
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