I held a community meeting last month in partnership with the Hobby Area Management District to discuss the many projects and improvements currently underway in the area. We had over 150 residents and stakeholders in attendance who participated in the conversation.

We discussed a number of quality of life and infrastructure improvements in the area, including the Broadway Blvd. revitalization project, Botanic Garden proposal, Gulfgate reinvestment zone, and the Sims Bayou hike and bike trail project.

The $17 million Broadway Blvd. reconstruction and revitalization project is on schedule and expected to be completed by spring 2016. Along with the reconstruction of the street, the city of Houston, Scenic Houston, and the Hobby Area Management District have committed to raise approximately $7 million for beautification and to ensure the boulevard becomes a signature corridor.

Houston Botanic Garden President Jeff Ross was also present and discussed plans to transform the existing golf course at Glenbrook into a landmark botanic garden. Mr. Ross informed residents that the Botanic Garden Board is in the process of engaging a master planner to prepare plans, and will continue to seek input from the community.

In addition, the recently expanded Gulfgate reinvestment zone (TIRZ) was discussed with the community. TIRZ Executive Director David Hawes said the TIRZ Board had identified possible projects along Bellfort Avenue and Telephone, Dixie, Long and Mykawa roads, among other improvement plans.

Thank you to all the residents who attended and participated in the conversation about the future of our community. A lot of great things are happening, and it's great to see so many residents involved. I will continue to engage residents and stakeholders across the district to ensure District I continues to be a great place to live, work and do business.

Best wishes,

Robert Gallegos

Houston Council Member

District I

Bayou Greenway Day - April 4th

We hope you will join us at an exciting new community event from the Houston Parks Board: Bayou Greenway Day 2015 presented by Noble Energy! Saturday, April 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This free, day-long event will offer families the chance to walk, bike, run, stroll, play and paddle between park sites along Brays Bayou in the East End.

Event "hubs" in Mason Park, Spurlock Park, Gragg Park and Fonde Park - and the Brays Bayou trail that connects the four parks - will host fun activities for all ages. You will be able to start at any of these locations, enjoying activities and exploring the trails that connect the parks.

Activities will include 5K fun run/walk; bike rides, rentals and decorating; Zumba classes and dance performances; an interactive campsite; kayaking; giveaways and more!

Bayou Greenway Day 2015 is a project of the Houston Parks Board in collaboration with the Mayor's Office of Special Events, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, and Council Member Robert Gallegos.

Come experience the transformation happening along Houston's bayous as part of Bayou Greenways 2020! Visit www.bayougreenwayday.org for additional information and an event map.

Cine at the Park - Family Movie Night - April 10th

Join Council Member Robert Gallegos for a fun filled evening and FREE movie night on Friday, April 10th. THE SANDLOT will play on the big screen at Austin High School (football field) beginning at 8 p.m.

There will be entertainment for the whole family, including face painting, a moon walk, static displays from the Houston Police and Fire Department, food and refreshments for sale, and free snacks as well. The event time is 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and the movie starts at 8 p.m. Bring the family and enjoy a night outdoors! Don't forget your lawn chairs or picnic blankets!

What: Movie Night, featuring "The Sandlot"

When: Friday, April 10th, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Movie begins at 8 p.m.

Where: Austin HS (football field), 1700 Dumble St., 77023

Park Connector Bike Lane Opens Downtown

On March 26th, Council Member Robert Gallegos joined Mayor Annise Parker and other officials and stakeholders to officially open the city of Houston's first on-street protected bike lane on Lamar Street in downtown. The three-quarter-mile lane will connect Discovery Green, Sam Houston Park, and Buffalo Bayou Park.

The Park Connector is a two-

way cycle track that allows bicycle travel in both directions on one side of the road. They are frequently used on one-way streets and provide dedicated, protected space for bicyclists. They improve cyclists' perceived comfort and safety and have been shown to increase bicycle use by providing an attractive route to bicyclists.

Hobby Fest 2015 - April 11th

Stop by the 2015 Hobby Fest at William P. Hobby Airport on Saturday, April 11th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hobby Fest is an annual family-friendly day of celebration, aviation sightseeing, music, entertainment, prizes, and a BBQ cook-off contest.

Hobby Fest offers an up-close look at rare, specialty, and high-tech aircraft on the tarmac. Admission is FREE with non-perishable food items. The non-perishable food items will help benefit the Hobby Area Rotary Club and the local Hobby Airport community.

The event will take place on the East Ramp at Hobby Airport, 8402 Nelms St., 77061. Once you arrive at Hobby Airport, follow the "Special Events" signs to find parking.

Help us Plan Houston

The City wants your input. What makes Houston a great place to live? How can we ensure Houston's future as a vibrant and growing city? To answer these questions, the City embarked on a process to create a general plan to guide Houston's growth and development, enhance neighborhoods and better coordinate efforts to make positive changes throughout our city.

The city is expected to grow significantly in the next 20 years and Plan Houston is an opportunity to take a fresh look at how the City plans for all it needs including enhancing services to current residents while preparing for future growth.

The plan will be a high level coordination and decision making tool. Plan Houston won't take the place of more detailed planning efforts such as the Parks Master Plan, the Library Master Plan, the Cultural Arts Plan and the Bikeways Plan. Plan Houston builds on existing plans, studies, policies, practices and regulations that make Houston a prosperous, healthy and sustainable city.

Please visit www.planhouston.org. From there you can sign up to receive updates, comment on the draft vision statement, review the goals and learn more about this effort. April 17, 2015, is the deadline to provide your feedback on the vision and goals.

District I Senior Citizens Prom - May 11th