Government
Transportation
BY ARIEL WORTHY
BY CASSANDRA JENKINS
3 updates on ongoing road projects in Houston to know about
Houston to spend $4M on playground upgrades Houston City Council approved $4 million for playground improvements at 11 parks around the city during the March 18 City Council meeting. What this means Four parks in District C and one nearby in District H will receive playground improvements by the end of 2026, including Spotts Park, Mangum Manor Park, Cleveland Park, Cherryhurst Park and Moody Park. District C council member Abbie Kamin said these improvements, especially for Mangum Manor Park, are overdue. After years of waiting, there will be a new playground at Mangum Manor Park by the end of the year, Kamin said. She added she is also asking that the playgrounds include shade structures, but recognizes that it may be costly, as prices range between $50,000 to $100,000.
Process updated for juror selection The Houston Municipal Courts Department is streamlining jury management. Beginning March 9, potential jurors will be directed to respond online through a juror portal and will be paid via a debit card, instead of a traditional check by mail. What’s different? Residents will now receive a postcard-style summons via the mail. They will then be prompted to respond through an online juror portal, which allows individuals to complete their juror questionnaire and submit their requests for exemptions or disqualifications online, according to a March 6 news release. Potential jurors will also have the option to enroll in text notifications. Juror compensation will be $6 a day and will now be paid via a debit card.
Playgrounds to be improved
45
Mangum Manor Park
Ongoing project
Ongoing project
Ongoing project
249
59
45
HOUSTON AVE.
STUDEWOOD ST.
2A
MONTROSE BLVD.
2B
Moody Park
3
1
N. SHEPHERD DR.
WHITE OAK BAYOU
WHITE OAK BAYOU
10
10
DURHAM DR.
Spotts Park
10
Cleveland Park
TAYLOR ST.
10
N
N
N
MEMORIAL DR.
Cherryhurst Park
610
1 White Oak Elevation Project Project: This Texas Department of Transportation project includes raising the elevation of the I-10 mainlanes above the floodplain of White Oak Bayou, including creating a 10-foot-wide shared-use path on the north side of I-10 along White Oak Bayou. Update: TxDOT will hold an in-person open house on April 14 at the Houston District Auditorium from 5-7 p.m. to discuss the shared-use path and receive resident feedback. • Timeline: 2025-2028 • Cost: $400 million • Funding source: Texas Department of Transportation SAWYER ST.
2 Shepherd-Durham Project Project: The reconstruction project includes making improvements to the roughly 5-mile stretch of road, including adding bike lanes, 6-foot sidewalks, installing left-turn lanes and general upgrades. Update: As of early February, A traffic is reduced to two lanes on the east side of Durham Drive between 11th Street and White Oak Bayou bridge through mid-June. B The Shepherd feeder road will also be closed until mid-June. • Timeline: 2022-2027 • Cost: $115 million • Funding source: Memorial Heights RDA
3 Montrose Boulevard Improvements Project: The project includes fully reconstructing Montrose Boulevard from Allen Parkway to West Clay Street into a four-lane concrete roadway with a median, sidewalks, trees, signals and a pedestrian bridge. Update: Approved tree protection measures will be in place by June 25 for the trees south of West Dallas Street as part of the project. This will include installing fencing to protect the tree trunks. • Timeline: March 2025-Q2 2026 • Cost: $17.9 million • Funding source: Montrose TIRZ
N
SOURCE: CITY OF HOUSTON/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Some background The funding for the project is part of the open space ordinance, which has been used to acquire land and develop and improve park facilities to meet the needs of the city’s growing population, city officials said.
HOUSTON SUPERSTORE 2410 Smith Street (713) 526-8787
SHEPHERD 1900 S Shepherd (713) 529-4849
WESTCOTT AND MEMORIAL 5818 Memorial Dr (713) 861-4161
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