Dowling Middle School is part of a group of 40 schools HISD will rebuild or renovate under the school district's 2012 $1.89 billion program. The school will be open during construction and is tentatively scheduled to begin during the late 2015 calendar year. According to Harrison Kornberg Architects, the firm designing the new school, Dowling Middle School will receive collaborative learning areas with more natural light in its new facility. Preliminary designs show the new campus built on the athletic fields behind the school and the main entrance still located off of Stancliff St.

The design includes an atrium near the entrance and a large courtyard in the school's center to serve as a safe and central area on campus for students before, during and after school. Overlooking the courtyard is the fine arts building and a three-story academic building with a cylindrical tower that will house collaborative learning spaces and commons where students can work in small or large groups.

The architect's goal in designing these collaborative spaces is to create spaces that complement different student learning styles. The design features a long walkway that will stretch from the athletic fields to the courtyard as well as more transparent spaces, including the school's main entrance, fine arts and dining areas, so students, staff and visitors can see student interaction and activities in action from outside the school.

"We need a new look to our school and better teaching and social spaces to help students interact with their peers," said Dowling seventh-grader Dinochi Sandifer. "This will help improve not only the education provided, but it will restore student and community pride in the school."

Madison High School Teacher named KBR Science Teacher of the Year

Last year, Council Member Green facilitated two (2) District-wide community meetings so personnel from the Planning and Development Department could inform civic leaders about recent amendments to Chapter 42 of the City of Houston Code of Ordinances and new tools which might be available to help protect and preserve your neighborhoods. Most District K neighborhoods have the appropriate language within their current deed restrictions protecting them from these new changes; whereas others didn't have the minimum lot size protection noted. The Glenshire Community Association is one of those District K neighborhoods that have taken the proactive step to protect their neighborhood character.  

Revisions to Chapter 42 extending the minimum lot size and minimum building line requirements to neighborhoods within the corporate boundaries of the City of Houston that do not have a minimum lot size or minimum building lines established in their deed restrictions will become effective May 2015.

Time is the essence. For those neighborhoods thought to already have language in their restrictions addressing the minimum lot size and/or minimum building line requirements, we strongly encourage you to consult with a private attorney to ensure your restrictions are valid in all respects and provide the protections set forth therein. The applications and information about this development tool can be found online click here .Contact Kevin Calfee at 713-837-7768 or Kevin.Calfee@HoustonTX.gov to schedule a meeting prior to submitting an application.

General District K News

Council Member Planned District K Multifamily/ Townhome Economic Development Tour

Council Member Green facilitated a Multi-Family/Townhome Economic Development Tour on June 13th. District K is the one geographical area of the city that has an abundance of undeveloped land ripe for quality multi-family development opportunities. Equally important, District K prides itself as a being strategically located as a bedroom community to a number of nearby employment centers and commercial activity centers such as the Texas Medical Center, Uptown (Galleria area), Pearland, Sugar Land, etc. 

The objective of this multi-family and townhome development tour was to market District K to Houston area developers to consider investing within the District. The tour was partnered with the Five Corners Management District and TIRZ #25. The attendees were provided a brief overview of the District relative to the various areas suitable for multi-family and townhome development.

 The purpose of these Neighborhood 101 symposiums are to educate and inform District K community leaders about how to strengthen their skill set as community leaders, to develop best practices to take back to your respective community, and have an opportunity to network with other District K community leaders. 

The Central Southwest/Fondren Gardens SNC will meet next month on July 10th at 6:45 p.m. at the Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center, 3810 West Fuqua St., 77045. The SNC meets bi-monthly on the 1st Thursday of the month (same time and location).

The Fort Bend Houston SNC will not meet during the months of June and July for the summer season. However, the Council will reconvene in August (14th). The SNC meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Ridgemont Community Center, 5599 Ridgecreek Circle, 77053.

The Braeswood SNC will not meet during the months of June and July for the summer season. However, the Council will reconvene in August (21st). The SNC meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Linkwood Park Community Center, 3699 Norris St.

The Westbury SNC will meet on June 18 at 8:30 a.m. at the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4930 West Bellfort Ave., 77035. However, the SNC will not meet during the month of July for the summer season but will reconvene in August (20th). The SNC generally meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month (same time and location).

The Brays Oaks SNC will not meet during the month of July for the summer season. However, the Council will reconvene in August (5th). The SNC meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at Braeswood Assembly of God Church, 10611 Fondren Rd., 77096. 

A few highlights of the plan: 

• More frequent routes - almost double what exists today (frequent routes defined as running every 15 minutes or less);
• Greatly expanded weekend service;   
• Simpler, straighter routes that are easier to understand;   
• Updated route numbering to help customers better navigate the system; and
• Improvement in connectivity between bus and rail

The public outreach effort will include community meetings and transit center outreach, and detailed information, in multiple languages, including interactive resources which will be available on the project web site - click here.

METRO has planned 16 public workshops for community input. The METRO workshop within District K is scheduled for Thursday, July 10 at the Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. These public workshops will be facilitated by METRO personnel and METRO Board members.

For a complete list of dates and locations, access the project website  click here or visit METRO's website www.ridemetro.org.  

Council Member Recognizes Top Students from District K Area High School

The City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department announces its 2014Summer Enrichment Program. The program is a summer day-camp-style enrichment camp that offers a wide range of recreational activities including arts and crafts, sports games, field trips, entertainment, special events, and water fun. The 10-week program is offered from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday from June 2nd through August 8th. The cost for the program is $30 a week per child or $300 for the entire summer session. The age to participate in the program is 6 - 13.

The Summer Enrichment Program is offered at community center across the city. The facilities within District K participating in the program are:

 Linkwood Park Community Center - 3699 Norris St., 77025

• Windsor Village Community Center - 1441 Croquet St., 77045
• Townwood Park Community Center - 3403 Simsbrook Dr., 77045
• Marian Park Community Center - 11000 South Gessner Rd., 77071
• Platou Community Center - 11655 Chimney Rock Rd., 77035

For more information call 832.395.7270.For fee schedules, go to www.houstoncityfees.org. 

The City of Houston's Office of Business Opportunity, the Houston Public Library System, Capital One Bank and SCORE, have partnered up for the 2nd year to bring aspiring entrepreneurs in the Houston area an opportunity to participate in the Lift Off Houston! 2014 Business Plan Competition.

The Liftoff Houston competition engages and empowers Houstonians seeking to start a new business in Houston by providing them with access to essential information, resources and support necessary to develop a sound business plan as a first step toward realizing this goal. The five month long competition is divided into four six stages (Orientation, Workshops, Mentoring and Business Pitching). Capital One Bank is the sponsor providing cash prizes totaling $30,000! The winners of this competition will take away $10,000 in seed money to start their businesses.  

The 2014 business plan competition kicked off on June 11, but the required orientations begins Saturday July 12, and will continue throughout the month of July. To be eligible, applicants must be for profit businesses that are less than a year old, have earned less than $10K in revenue, are operated and have owners that live within the Houston City limits. Workshops will be offered at various Houston Public Library locations Libraries and local business centers citywide.

The prizes range from the following:

• $10,000 - Awarded for top "Product" Based Business Plan
• $10,000 - Awarded for top "Service" Based Business Plan
• $10,000 - Awarded for top "Innovation" Based Business Plan

Please visit www.Liftoffhouston.com to register and learn about the competition or call 832.393.0954. 

The City of Houston Health and Human Services Department (Bureau of HIV/STD and Viral Hepatitis Prevention) in collaboration with 104.1 KRBE, the Houston Astros, and other community partners welcomes Health Intervention and Testing (HIT), the single largest testing event in the U.S.

This year, the public and private partnership seeks to provide FREE and confidential HIV and syphilis testing for 15,000 youth and young adults in Houston, raising awareness of these very serious infections is the main objective of the event for so many whom may never access HIV and STD services through traditional means. Over the years, this event has grown to include health screenings for HIV, Hepatitis C, and other STD's. In addition, educational classes will be provided.

The Health and Human Services Department is seeking volunteers to work any day or multiple days throughout the month event period - June 16th -July 21st . All volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Training will be provided to all interested parties. For more information, please contact Brenda Booker at 832-393-4710 or visit www.houstonhealth.org.