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Westheimer Construction
Surls on Kirby:
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Upper Kirby Update 

January 31, 2013  

Upper Kirby Construction
Westheimer Utility Work  Main Lane Work Complete     

 

Westheimer  

Paving, Drainage and  Streetscape Improvements Project: 

 

Despite minor delays caused by freezing conditions this week, the final run of underground duct banks between Argonne and Kirby was completed leaving the only remaining piece on the main lanes of Westheimer to be terminal pole locations between Westgate and Greenbriar. Center Point set these poles earlier this week and workers will make the final runs up to them next week. Assuming favorable weather conditions, the hope is to have traffic control removed by the end of the week.

 


Following this work there are three easement locations on the north side of Westheimer where crews will need to complete terminal pole risers. These locations will require a single lane closure on the northern curbside. These will be short work zones allowing two lanes free heading east and one lane heading west to get around the work area. Further details on this work will be available next week.

 

Westheimer West of Kirby

The effort to continue moving west with utility infrastructure will begin next month. The project was bid on January 16th and the low bidder was Texas Sterling Construction, the same contractor currently working between Kirby and Shepherd.

Once crews have been confirmed and material delivery dates solidified, a detailed schedule for construction will be available. At this point, expect to begin seeing construction activity between Kirby and Buffalo Speedway early in February.

 

Upon completion of the utility duct bank construction along both sections of Westheimer,  the roadway will be temporarily paved and striped allowing full vehicular access while CenterPoint and the telecommunications companies reconnect services underground. The duration of this reconnection work will be up to the utility providers though 45 to 90 days is typical.

 

While the various utility companies work to reconnect the eastern half of Westheimer, the Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority (UKRA) will begin duct bank construction between Kirby and Buffalo Speedway.   

 

Once the utilities have been removed and the lines brought underground east of Kirby, Upper Kirby will move forward with drainage and underground infrastructure improvements followed by complete repaving of the roadway. The project will also entail the installation of a pedestrian-oriented streetscape similar to the treatment provided on the recent Kirby Drive and Buffalo Speedway projects. Roadway reconstruction is anticipated to begin around the spring 2014 east of Shepherd and last approximately 10 months. Drainage improvement and roadway reconstruction between Kirby and Buffalo will immediately follow and will have a similar approximate duration. 

 

For more information on Upper Kirby construction and related activities or for construction related issues or concerns, please contact Travis Younkin at 713.524.8000 or [email protected].   

Surls on Kirby 
Tree and Three Flowers Coming in 2014
James Surls' Tree & Three Flowers

Surls on Kirby  

  

The Upper Kirby District Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is coordinating a monumental public art installation that will place an original James Surls sculpture entitled, Tree & Three Flowers in the Kirby Drive median just south of Westheimer Road. 

 

Seen by over 50,000 cars per day, this sculpture will immediately become one of Houston's most visible and iconic art installations ever.

 

Tree &Three Flowers is a 30-foot tall steel and bronze sculpture that is intended to signify growth and potential, to act as a magnet for tourism and commercial patronage, to inspire citizen's creativity and to add dramatically to the community's sense of place. It is intended to be a collaboration of the community taking ownership in its cultural and civic identity and relaying that identity on a local, national and international level to the residents, business owners, patrons and visitors that pass by every day.

 

Just minutes from Houston's museum district and just blocks from Gallery Row on Colquitt, the Tree & Three Flowers sculpture echoes loudly the love of art and culture that has long been part of the Houston landscape.

 

The Surls on Kirby is a 50/50 public private partnership leveraging TIRZ and Management District participation as well as private donations to make this project a reality.

 

Become a part of the strong cultural tradition in Houston and help us relay that message to the rest of the world.

 

Donate Now.

 

 

For more information on this installation, contact 713.524.8000 or [email protected].   
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.