Upper Kirby District Street Talk

In This Issue:

District Construction

Upper Kirby Streetscape Initiatives

Before

After

Coming to a Major Thoroughfare Near You!!!

Community Resources:

City Council District C

City Council District G

Contact Upper Kirby

Welcome to the new Levy Park

Construction to begin this summer. Visit levyparkhouston.org for more information.

Upper Kirby Update

April 22, 2016

Upper Kirby Construction

Bissonnet Roadwork set to Begin Shortly

Bissonnet Reconstruction: Kirby to Buffalo Speedway


	Current Pedestrian Amenities on Bissonnet

The Bissonnet roadway reconstruction and streetscape installation project was has been bid and the Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority intends to award the contract next week.

Underground utility ducts were installed on Bissonnet in 2014-2015 allowing for the overhead utilities to come underground. CenterPoint Energy and AT&T still have wires on the overhead poles, but


	Pedestrian access to transit on Bissonnet

anticipate having them relocated in May. Once the private utility company work is completed, the overhead poles will be removed. Roadway reconstruction will begin mid May whether or not the utility companies have completed their work. Work will take approximately one year to complete.

The project will include a complete concrete road reconstruction with improvements to water, sanitary and storm facilities as well as the Upper Kirby Management District's installation of a sorely needed pedestrian-oriented streetscape. As you can see in the photos above, Bissonnet has no pedestrians because pedestrian facilities are either inadequate or absent all together.

Look for further updates as this schedule is finalized.

Westheimer Reconstruction: Kirby to Shepherd


	New Tree Grate Prior to Brick Paver Installation

Crews continued this week with the installation of pedestrian amenities along Westheimer between Kirby and Shepherd.

This week, crews worked toward getting the pedestrian lights wired and energized. Work at the electrical cabinets will continue next week as will the continued installation of pavers at tree grate locations. The paver-grates are an amenity that Upper Kirby has used in the past on streets with limited space in order to maximize the unobstructed walkable area. The grate is recessed below-grade and pavers are installed virtually up to the trunk line of the tree allowing for trees to be installed in spaces where they otherwise would not allow adequate sidewalk width for the pedestrian.

Landscaping continued this week as well, though the severe weather slowed progress somewhat. irrigation bubblers at tree locations are being installed over the coming weeks and final shrub and ground cover plantings are being undertaken.

Final private utility connections are also being undertaken over the next few weeks that will allow the overhead poles to be removed. Once removed, the contractor will replace the asphalt block-outs with new concrete and brick work. This process is currently in permitting at the City.

Crews are also preparing to begin surface improvements on Persa and Peckham street as well due to severe pot hole damage adjacent to the Westheimer project site. This is a partnership between the City of Houston and the Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority to address a serious surface issues that have been exacerbated by public and private area construction over the last few years. Work here should begin in May.

Westheimer Reconstruction: Kirby to Buffalo Speedway

Roadway reconstruction, storm drainage improvements and pedestrian amenities will continue west of Kirby later this year. The project has not yet been bid for construction as Upper Kirby is waiting on AT&T to complete design of their underground facilities so that the overhead utility poles can be removed. It is estimated that their work could be complete by late spring allowing construction to begin on the roadway early summer.

Look for further updates as this schedule is finalized.

Shepherd Reconstruction: Westheimer to US 59

The Upper Kirby District is preparing to begin design on the drainage and pavement improvements project on Shepherd between Westheimer and US 59 over the next several months. This construction will provide storm drainage improvement, new pavement, utility relocation and complete streetscape and pedestrian improvements.

Construction will likely follow Westheimer work in the 2017/2018 time frame.

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 travis@upperkirby.org.

Kirby Ice House

Now Open in Upper Kirby


	Outdoors at the Kirby Ice House

Upper Kirby is excited to welcome the Kirby Ice House (3333 Eastside Street) to the District. Proprietor, Danny Evans of the Little Woodrows fame, has opened a first class neighborhood watering hole on Eastside that is sure to be a huge success.

The Kirby Ice House emits a laid-back retro vibe, a surplus of available parking and a full acre of dog friendly outdoor space.

The project has gone to great lengths to be sure that the development of the site was attentive to the concerns of the neighborhood and that the concept of the business would complement the context of the area. The Upper Kirby District has seen its fair share of bar and club start-ups and it has been refreshing to see one open with such a proactive interest in becoming part of the community.

Jillian Vasquez, event coordinator of the Kirby Ice House notes, "Our goal at Kirby Ice House is to make our guests feel welcome and relaxed, while still providing the Upper Kirby atmosphere that we can all appreciate. We want to help you unwind and have a great time doing it."

The Kirby Ice House offers 51 beers--many from Texas and local brewers-and nine cocktails on tap, great wine selections by the glass or bottle and a full bar to accommodate all tastes. The one-acre back yard hosts food trucks every day of the week with tailgating games and large TVs throughout.

Kirby Ice House can host events from 10-500 guests. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact, 832-794-0098.

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.

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.