Last month Houston City Council unanimously approved long-term lease agreements with the Houston Golf Association (HGA) to renovate and operate Gus Wortham as a golf course, and with the Houston Botanic Garden Board (HBG) to redevelop the Glenbrook Golf Course site as a botanic garden.

But before either organization breaks ground they will have to develop conceptual plans and meet fundraising benchmarks. The HGA will need to raise at least $5 million by December 31st of this year and HBG will need to have at least $20 million in its coffers by the end of 2017. This will ensure both organizations have adequate capital and fundraising sources in place before the projects begin.

In total, HGA and HBG are expected to invest over 50 million in private dollars to improve the sites. Both organizations have developed fundraising strategies and are confident they will be able to meet the fundraising hurdles outlined in their contract.

The HGA and HBG will continue to engage the community over the comings months and encourage input from everyone as both groups begin to develop plans.

I can't express how excited I am for our community and for the city of Houston. Both projects will be tremendous assets for District I and make great additions to our city's many cultural offerings.

Best wishes,

Robert Gallegos

Houston Council Member

District I

District I CIP Meeting - Feb. 26

Council Member Robert Gallegos encourages you to attend the annual District I Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) meeting on Thursday, February 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The meeting will be held at the E.B. Cape Center, 4501 Leeland St.

The CIP is a forward-looking document outlining infrastructure improvements in District I. This plan organizes projects by priority, project capacity and timing constraints, and identifies funding sources for all anticipated projects. The five-year CIP is revised annually to include new projects, reflect changes in priorities, and extend the plan an additional year. Community meetings are held to inform residents about upcoming projects in the community and to gather input on future capital needs.

For additional information, please contact the District I office at 832-393-3011.

City Wide Curbside Recycling Coming Soon

The City of Houston's Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) is currently undertaking the final expansion of the city's Automated Recycling Program. Once this final expansion is complete, everyone with City of Houston collection will be able to recycle using the large 96-gallon cart.

Under the program, recyclables will be collected using automated collection vehicles. Homes will receive a 96-gallon green cart similar to the black automated garbage can. Although the cart is much bigger than the 18-gallon green bin currently used in the Curbside Recycling Program, it has wheels, making it much easier to move the recyclables to the curb. Also, the cart has a lid which contains the recyclables and keeps them from getting wet. Printed on the lid is a list of the items that can go in the cart. This program allows participants to recycle glass, which is not collected in the Curbside Recycling Program.

Delivery of the new cart began at the end of January and will continue through February. Collection is expected to begin the first week of March.

What items can go in the cart?

Newspaper

Plastic Containers #1 - 5 and 7 (rinsed & drained)

Magazines

Aluminum and Tin Cans (rinsed & drained)

Catalogs

Cardboard (flattened)

Phone Books

Glass Bottles and Jars (rinsed & drained)

Hobby Area Stakeholder Meeting - March 9

Council Member Robert Gallegos and the Hobby Area Management District will host a stakeholder meeting Monday, March 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Residents and business owners in the Hobby area are encouraged to attend to learn more about the many initiatives and improvements taking place in the area, including the Broadway Blvd. revitalization project, Gulfgate reinvestment zone expansion, botanic garden proposal, and the Sims Bayou hike and bike trail project.

The meeting will take place at the DoubleTree Hobby Airport Hotel, 8181 Airport Blvd. For more information, contact the District I office at 832-393-3011.

FREE Tax Preparation Sites Open

Neighborhood Centers Inc. is providing free income tax preparation for families and individuals that earn up to $58,000. The service will be provided at 15 locations throughout the city, including several in southeast Houston.

Neighborhood Tax Centers, an IRS VITA program, offers free quality tax preparation by IRS-certified tax preparers.

Services

Free current and prior year tax returns and amendments to 2009
Fast refunds by free e-filing and direct deposit
Free applications for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
Free help with how the Affordable Care Act affects your taxes
Matched savings programs available
Friendly walk in service
Ayuda en espa�ol

For more information on the free Neighborhood Tax Center locations, hours of operation and languages available, call 2-1-1 or visit www.iamforgood.org/neighborhood-tax-centers.

Federal income tax returns for the 2014 calendar year are due by April 15, 2015.

Getting Around Town Easier Than Ever

It's easier than ever to get around Downtown Houston and other parts of the city, thanks to alternative methods of transportation like GreenLink and B-cycle.

Watch this Mobility NOW! segment to learn more about free and affordable ways to get around town.

4th Annual Walk for the Woods Project

The Woods Project is having their 4th annual Walk for The Woods Project on Saturday, April 11 at 8 am.

The walk will kick off at Ripley House - Neighborhood Centers Inc. and take participants on a 4 mile walk around the East End including the beautiful Buffalo Bayou. There will be live music, food trucks, and activities for the whole family, including an HPD helicopter, HFD fire truck and soccer activities provided by the Houston Dynamo.

The walk is the biggest fundraiser of the year for The Woods Project, a nonprofit organization that prepares students for college and beyond by developing life and leadership skills through wilderness exploration.

Registration is now open for the 4th annual walk at www.walkforthewoodsproject.org. Use promo code "Gallegos" when registering for a discounted rate.