NEARTOWN ASSOCIATION (NTA) MEETING Cherryhurst Community Center, Tuesday January 27, 2004 Minutes

NTA President Jack Rose opened the meeting at 7:04 p.m. There were no minutes from the December meeting, as the HPD Storefront Christmas Party was held in-lieu of a formal meeting.

2003/4 Neartown SNAP questions were fielded by Gary Schatz and Jason Jeffries from the City of Houston

?? Convert the High School for the Performing Arts to a Pocket Park. This was accepted by COH, but not funded. It will remain on the active list for 2004. The COH master plan has called for more pocket parks, but nothing definite has been done at this time.

?? Dunlavy Park reconstruction of infield lighting and batting cages for baseball diamond has been completed. Additionally, a new survey of the park has been completed.

?? Reconstruction of Westheimer and West Alabama. In late 2003, Westheimer and West Alabama were overlaid – this is not the same thing as complete reconstruction. They will remain on the active list for 2004.

?? Improve lower Westheimer with additional trees and lighting. This was referred back to Neartown. There are some ROW issues that will need to be addressed, and a formal plan will need to be presented. It will remain on the active list for 2004.

?? Reconstruct Fairview. As this is considered to be a residential street, it was removed from the 2003 SNAP.

The 2004 SNAP will be updated and prioritized for submission to COH shortly. All street or neighborhood maintenance problems caused by a utility or by COH should be directed to 3-1-1.

Neighborhood Protection

Jim Mueller and Lloyd Vela from COH Neighborhood Protection spoke on the process for submitting complaints regarding fire hazards, transients, unsafe buildings, and other problems with residential and commercial real estate. Complainants are urged to use 3-1-1, although their direct line is (713) 218-5500, and their website is www.houstonplanning.com.

59gridlock.org

Diane Biegel of 59gridlock.org gave an update on the current litigation concerning the Spur 527 closure, as well as their current and proposed activities. A protest on the three bridges over US 59 on Friday, January 23^rd was considered by many both inside and outside of Neartown to be a success in educating drivers’ on the proposed closure. The inbound lanes of the Spur will officially close on Friday, February 13^th, at 9:00 PM.

Announcements

Kathleen Schipzer of Trees for Montrose announced that there are still several trees available for planting on City property (ROW, esplanade or city park) from the Adopt A Tree Program. Those interested in obtaining trees can contact the Urban Forestry Division at (713) 867-0378. Trees must be picked up from 6501 Memorial Drive.

The 2004 NTA Meet Your Officials Event will be held on Tuesday, February 24^th, at La Strada. Valet Parking will be available.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. NTA Secretary, Laura A Mullen