Inside District I Newsletter

Greetings!

One of the first projects I began working on after taking office was coordinating a strategic plan to better maintain the Gulf Freeway. The stretch of I-45 south from downtown to Hobby Airport runs through the center of District I and is a critical artery for our city. When visitors fly into Hobby Airport, the Gulf Freeway is often the very first (and last) impression they have of Houston.

That is why I have been working with TxDOT, Scenic Houston, Downtown, EaDo, East End, and Hobby Area management districts, as well as HPD, Constable Martinez and Diaz's office to develop a plan to better maintain the freeway, frontage roads, and underpasses.

In fact, just last month, we cleaned up the underpass at Sims Bayou with the help of HPD's southeast division and Solid Waste Department. Our office had received a number of complaints on the amount of trash and debris that had accumulated, and about the illegal activity taking place.

TxDOT presently mows along the freeway three times per year and prunes trees and shrubs quarterly. Our goal is for our management districts to supplement TxDOT's schedule by providing more frequent upkeep, include graffiti removal and power-washing. Each management district would be responsible for the stretch of freeway within their jurisdiction and work in concert with neighboring districts to ensure uniformity along the corridor. The East End Management is already leading the way and investing thousands to better maintain their portion of I-45.

One challenge we have encountered is jurisdictional responsibility and enforcement. The City's Legal Department, working with HPD and TxDOT Legal, continue to review the legal tools in place to help HPD better enforce no loitering and camping laws underneath TxDOT overpasses.

In the coming months we will be finalizing maintenance standards and establishing working agreements with our partners. It is my goal is to have a coordinated maintenance plan in place by the end of the year. I look forward to updating you on this plan in a few months.

Respectfully,

Robert Gallegos

Houston Council Member

District I

District I Service Funds Help Neighborhood Projects

Last year, city council established the Council Service Budget and allotted each of the 11 district council members $1 million to spend on small projects within their district. Council approved the service budget again in June for the 2015-2016 fiscal year.

With last year's service budget, the District I office helped fund a new partnership with Emancipet, a low cost spay/neuter clinic to help address our stray animal problem; added lighting to the Mason Park Gazebo, a dog run at Fonde Park, improved lighting and new amenities at Charlton Park, DeZavala Park, Ingrando Park Community Center, and Mason Park Community Center. We also committed funds for minor sidewalk repairs, and upgrades at the Houston Fire Department's training facility near Hobby Airport.

The District I office has been working with several residents and community leaders to help identify possible projects to fund this fiscal year. We encourage residents to submit small project recommendations to the office by emailing [email protected].

District I Neighborhood Workshop - Aug. 19th

Council Member Robert Gallegos, in partnership with the Citizens Assistance Office, the Planning Department, and Department of Neighborhood representatives, will be hosting a workshop on how residents can create civic organization in their community.

If no civic organization exists in your neighborhood and you are interested in starting one, we encourage you to attend this free workshop and learn how you and your neighbors can establish a civic group to help address issues and concerns in your area.

The workshop will be held Wednesday, August 19th at the E.B. Cape Center, 4501 Leeland Street. All District I residents are welcome. For more information, call the District I office at 832-393-3011.

Free Metro Rides to Kick Off New Bus Network

Early this year, the METRO Board of Directors approved a complete overhaul of the local bus system. METRO officials are confident the new bus network offers a better connectivity to areas where people live, work, play and learn. The new routes go into effect citywide on Sunday, August 16. To mark the occasion, Metro is offering a week's worth of free rides on all its local buses through August 22. Free rides will also be offered on Metrorail.

Specifically for many District I residences, the new bus network will improve connections to the rail lines. Bus routes along Lockwood, Sampson and York Street will connect to the Green and Purple lines. Utilizing the new bus network, riders will be able to access METRORail's Green Line and connect to BBVA Stadium, the Theater District, Downtown and also enable riders to transfer to METRORail's Red Line and Purple Line.

In addition, construction of the Harrisburg overpass kicked off in May. The overpass is the final piece that will fully connect downtown to the Magnolia Transit Center. In the meantime, the East End "Green" light rail line is running between the Theater District in downtown to the Altic / Howard Hughes Station.

For more information you can visit www.RideMETRO.org.

Free Immunizations for Children - Aug. 20th

The Houston Fire Department and The Care Van Program have teamed up once again to provide FREE childhood immunizations just in time for school.

The "Immunization Extravaganza" will offer FREE vaccinations for UNINSURED or MEDICAID children ages 4 through 18 years to get them ready for the upcoming school year that starts August 24, 2015.

Parents or guardians must accompany their children and provide their current immunization records.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

HFD Val Jahnke Training Facility

8030 Braniff, Houston, TX 77061

Click on the link for more information in English and Spanish including a map to the location.

District I Office Supports After-school Programs

CASE For Kids, a division of Harris County Department of Education (HCDE), collaborated with the City of Houston and Council Member Robert Gallegos to fund four out-of-school time programs in District I through the City Connections program.

Two nonprofits and the Houston Independent School District provided diverse educational and physical learning services to nearly 400 students in kindergarten through 12th grade from January 5, 2015 through June 30, 2015. The programs provided engaging academic and enrichment activities in a safe and inclusive learning environment after school and over the summer.

The schools that received funding include Chavez High School, Edison Middle School, Jackson Middle School, and Ortiz Middle School.

All of the programs in District I aimed to increase school test scores as well as retention rates. Additionally, many of these organizations exposed students to the arts, enhanced physical fitness, taught leadership skills, and mentored students from underserved communities.